25 Combined Bachelor Bachelorette Party Themes That Will Make You Want to Merge Your Guest Lists

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about Combined Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Themes.

I nearly choked on my coffee when I read that the average pre-wedding getaway now lasts over three days and costs upwards of $1,200 a person. I remember looking at my bank account after my cousin’s wedding season a few years ago and feeling physical pain. So, look—I get it. Merging the parties isn’t just about saving cash (though, let’s be real, that’s a huge part of it); it’s about efficiency. Why plan two separate chaotic weekends when you can knock it all out in one massive, memorable blowout? Fine Homes and Living highlights this shift toward shared experiences, and honestly, I am here for it.

Planning a joint bash requires a totally different headspace than planning solo events. You’re balancing two different friend groups, different inside jokes, and different energy levels. Whether you call it a “sten” do, a joint party, or just a massive weekend away, the goal is the same: have a blast without bankrupting your friends. I’ve pulled together a list of themes that actually work—ranging from “chill backyard vibes” to “let’s fly everyone to a beach.”

Quick Resources

• Build one shared itinerary everyone can follow with the Bachelorette Party Planner

• Explore every planning option for joint events in All Bachelorette Party Tools

The Quick Hits (TL;DR)

If you’re skimming this while pretending to work, here is the short version. Planning a joint party is tricky because you’re smashing two ecosystems of friends together. Here is how to keep it from getting weird.

• Force the mingling: If you don’t pick a theme that forces interaction, you’ll end up with a middle school dance vibe—boys on one side, girls on the other.

• Watch the wallet: With a bigger group comes a wider range of salaries. Make sure your idea doesn’t price out the groom’s cousin who’s still in grad school.

• Read the room: Don’t book a rave if your group is more “board games and craft beer.” Match the energy.

• Inclusivity is key: Make sure the activities work for everyone, including siblings or friends who might not be into heavy drinking or hiking.

• Size matters: Booking dinner for 6 is easy. Booking for 25 is a nightmare. Verify your venue can actually handle the headcount before you send invites.

Logistics: Read This First

Pause before you start ordering custom koozies. You are managing double the guest list and double the opinions. Before you fall in love with a theme, you need to do a reality check. (And if you need a refresher on general planning, check out our ultimate bachelorette party planning guide to master the basics first).

The biggest way these parties fail is when the planner assumes everyone has the same budget or travel stamina. You’re herding cats here, so efficiency is your best friend. These logistical checks will save you hours of headaches later.

Organize a shared guest list, budget, and schedule in one place with the Bachelorette Party Planner

The Mingling Factor

The whole point is to bond. Ask yourself: Does this theme make people talk to strangers? If the answer is no, skip it. The best weekends happen when the bride’s college roommate becomes besties with the groom’s childhood neighbor.

Money Talks

Income disparity is real. You need ideas that scale. If you pick a theme that requires a $500 costume and a flight to Cabo, expect a lot of “regretfully declines.” Be realistic about what your friends can afford. Money is often the biggest friction point, so read up on who pays for the bachelorette party to understand standard etiquette before applying it to a larger coed group.

Set expectations early and plan within everyone’s budget using the Bachelorette Party Planner

Cost Tier	Est. Cost (Per Person)	Best Themes	The Reality
Budget Friendly	$50 – $150	Backyard BBQ, Game Night, Scavenger Hunt	Low venue costs, BYOB, no flights needed.
Mid-Range	$200 – $500	Camping/Glamping, Bar Crawl, Rental House	Splitting a big Airbnb, moderate activity fees.
High-End	$600 – $1,200+	Yacht Week, Destination Resort, Ski Trip	Flights, hotels, expensive dinners. The “baller” option.

Category A: Competition & Games

Nothing bonds people faster than a shared enemy or a scoreboard. High-interaction themes are perfect for breaking the ice because you stop worrying about small talk and start worrying about winning. If you need more inspiration for games, we have a list of coed games that adapt well to rowdier settings.

Schedule games, teams, and timing clearly with the Bachelorette Party Planner

1. The Wedding Olympics

Divide the group into mixed teams (don’t let couples be on the same team!). Create a bracket of games like flip cup, cornhole, three-legged races, or trivia. It’s high energy, cheap, and creates instant inside jokes.

2. Survivor: Wedding Island

Base this on the show. Guests get “tribe” buffs (bandanas). You host challenges leading to a “Tribal Council” where people vote for superlatives. It requires some planning, but the payoff is huge.

3. Casino Royale / Vegas Night

Tell everyone to dress up (black tie or cocktail). Rent poker tables or just set up blackjack stations with someone dealing. You play for chips that can be traded for raffle prizes later. It feels classy, but you can do it in a living room.

4. Murder Mystery Dinner

Everyone gets a character and a backstory before they arrive. You can buy a boxed kit online to make it easy. It forces everyone to talk to find clues, so the mingling happens naturally.

5. Pub Golf / Barcade Tournament

One of the classics. Guests dress in stereotypical golf attire (visors, sweater vests). Create a “scorecard” for different bars or specific arcade games. It keeps the group moving and changing scenery.

Category B: Nostalgia & Eras

Everyone loves a reason to dress up, and picking a specific decade solves the “what do I wear?” panic. Plus, the playlists for these themes practically write themselves.

6. Y2K / 2000s Throwback

Keep the playlist strictly 1999-2009. Think butterfly clips, double denim, and inflatable furniture. It’s playful, and honestly, thrifting these outfits is cheap and easy.

7. Til Death Do Us Party (Emo/Goth)

All black attire, skulls, red roses, and a lot of My Chemical Romance. It acts as a “funeral for your single life” but fun. The photos always look incredible because everyone matches.

8. Camp Rock / Summer Camp

Rent a big cabin or campsite. Do tie-dye, canoeing, and bonfires. You can make t-shirts with a “Camp Name” based on the couple’s last name. It’s wholesome during the day and a party at night.

Sample Itinerary: Camp Miller-Smith

• Friday: Check-in & Bunk Assignments (Mix the groups in cabins!)

• Saturday AM: Color War Competition (Capture the Flag).

• Saturday PM: Lake time / Canoe Races.

• Saturday Night: Bonfire, S’mores, and acoustic sing-alongs.

9. Roaring 20s / Great Gatsby

Flapper dresses, suits, champagne towers. This works best if you’re going to a speakeasy-style bar or renting a nice house. It’s a bit pricier for the guests to get the outfits right, but it feels like a gala.

10. 80s Après Ski

Neon ski suits, leg warmers, and goggles—even if there is no snow. Find a lodge-style bar and do shot-skis. It’s silly, high-energy, and guarantees hilarious photos.

Category C: Destination & Adventure

If your group has the budget and the vacation days, a destination trip bonds people like nothing else. You’re all stuck together in a new place, which creates an “us against the world” mentality.

Coordinate travel days, activities, and downtime using the Bachelorette Party Planner

11. Yacht Week / Nautical

Rent a boat or a party barge. Everyone wears stripes and captain hats. Being stuck on a boat guarantees mingling (because you literally can’t leave). Just make sure no one gets seasick.

12. Desert Disco

Think Coachella vibes in Joshua Tree or Scottsdale. Boho outfits, glitter, pool floats, and a killer playlist. It’s trendy and very Instagram-friendly.

13. Nashville Hoedown

Cowboy boots, hats, denim, and rhinestones. Book a line dancing class or hit the honky-tonks. The dancing requires partners, which forces the groups to mix.

14. Glamping Retreat

Luxury tents or yurts with actual beds. Hike during the day, catered dinner under the stars at night. It’s great for groups that want nature without the “sleeping on the ground” part.

15. Euro-Trip (at Home)

Can’t afford Italy? Bring it to the living room. Set up each room in the house as a different country with specific drinks and snacks. Guests “travel” through the party. It’s creative and saves everyone a $1,000 plane ticket.

Category D: Food & Drink Experiences

Everyone has to eat. Food-based themes are the great equalizer—you don’t need to be athletic or outgoing to enjoy a taco.

Plan meals, reservations, and group-friendly timing with the Bachelorette Party Planner

16. Fiesta / Taco & Tequila

Margarita bar, DIY taco stations, and a piñata. It’s casual, festive, and easy on the wallet. Plus, tacos are universally loved. You can’t go wrong here.

17. Vineyard Vibes

Rent a bus to tour wineries. Dress code is “Wine Country Casual.” The bus ride itself is usually where the best bonding happens. It’s a sophisticated day-drinking option.

18. Oktoberfest

Steins, pretzels, and bratwurst. Long communal tables force people to sit next to new friends. The vibe is loud, rowdy, and beer-focused.

19. Backyard BBQ / Tailgate

Host a grill master competition. Coolers of beer, lawn games, and sports jerseys. It’s relaxed, low pressure, and very cheap to execute.

20. Whiskey & Waffles (Brunch Party)

A morning or day party where pajamas are allowed. Chicken and waffles, bloody mary bar, and mimosas. It’s the perfect “recovery” party for the day after a big night out.

Category E: Creative & Weird

Sometimes the best themes are the ones that make no sense until you’re there. These are for the groups that don’t take themselves too seriously. And if you need some gear to pull these looks off, check out our list of must-have custom party favors.

21. Heroes vs. Villains

One side (or mixed teams) dresses as heroes, the others as villains. Discussing costumes is a great icebreaker. You can do this with DIY outfits so it doesn’t cost a fortune.

22. ABC Party (Anything But Clothes)

A college classic. Guests make outfits out of trash bags, duct tape, boxes, or bubble wrap. It’s wild, creative, and hilarious. Just… maybe make sure the curtains are drawn.

23. White Lies Party

Everyone wears a white t-shirt with a “white lie” about themselves written in Sharpie. Reading the shirts breaks the ice immediately. It’s funny, self-deprecating, and costs about $5 per person.

Idea Starters for “White Lie” T-Shirts:

• “I’m only having one drink tonight.”

• “I definitely won’t cry at the wedding.”

• “I’m a natural blonde.”

• “I love running 5Ks.”

24. Meme Theme

Dress up as your favorite internet meme or viral moment. It keeps people talking about their choices (“Wait, are you the ‘This is Fine’ dog?”).

25. Color Wars

Assign different colors to the bride’s crew vs. the groom’s crew (or mix them up). Do a powder paint fight or color-coded drinking games. It’s messy, active, and looks great in photos.

How to Keep the Peace Without Ruining the Vibe

Planning for one group is stressful; combining two groups can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. You’re managing double the personalities and the inevitable “family dynamics.” If the thought of managing 25 people makes you want to hide under a blanket, check out our bridesmaid for hire list to see how we can handle the chaos for you.

Turn a massive combined party into a clear, manageable plan with the Bachelorette Party Planner

We specialize in making these parties run smoothly so you can actually enjoy the tequila instead of playing referee. Here is how we help:

The Professional Buffer

Tensions can rise when friend groups collide. Jen Glantz and her team act as the unbiased “party starter.” We ensure everyone mingles and the vibe stays positive so you don’t have to stress about whether your cousin is getting along with the groom’s frat brother.

Logistics Expert

We handle the spreadsheets. Booking venues, organizing itineraries, and managing the money. Imagine trying to split a $4,000 Airbnb bill and grocery costs between 22 people with different arrival times. We handle the Venmo requests so you don’t have to be the bad guy.

Undercover Support

If you want the help but don’t want the guests to know you hired a pro, we can attend the party under a fake identity. We act as the organized “friend” who just happens to solve every problem. It’s our secret weapon.

Final Thoughts

Combining your parties is a bold move, but it pays off when you see your favorite people from different parts of your life laughing together. Pick a theme that fits your group, keep the logistics tight, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if the guest list gets out of hand.

Whether you choose a chill BBQ or a wild destination trip, the goal is unity. You’re launching your marriage with your entire community by your side. Don’t stress the small stuff; focus on the fun.