There are a few key points to remember to plan a successful bachelorette party. First, determine, based on your knowledge of the bride or an actual conversation with her, what level of wild and crazy adventure she wants from her bachelorette party. Some girls love a last night out on the town with harmless attention from guys, lots of drinks, and dancing.

Bachelorette parties usually include all the bridesmaids and closets female friends of the bride, which may include a few relatives, neighbors, or coworkers. A bachelorette party is usually a relatively small group, and definitely under 20 people. Around 10 or fewer girls is usually ideal, so that planning and going out aren't difficult.

If the bachelorette wants a low key home party, you might think about themes like "little girl slumber party," or "80s fest!" If you have a set of girls who want to go out to a club, you may want a theme of a color - so you can all wear the color and get party favors in that hue. Everything you bring with you to the club can match, like all the girls in pink except the bride who wears white with pink accents.

Planning is very individual to the group giving the party. One girl can take the lead, or a group can plan together, such as all the bridesmaids or a clique from college. Some bachelorette hosts ask for donations from each guest, but the bride shouldn't be expected to contribute to the fund. Bachelorette parties, especially those hosted in someone's home, don't have to be expensive, and can even be potluck events. Bachelorette parties are usually very informal and free form.

Bachelorette parties are more laid-back and less structured than traditional bridal showers, and there is no "typical" bash. What usually comes to mind, though, is a group of giggling girls and a bride dressed up in a funny shirt or veil. You can paint the town red if that suits the bride, but you can also have other celebrations.

You can opt for a nice dinner out, a concert, or a party at someone's house, including a possible slumber party, especially if some of the guests are from out of town. If you do go out, make sure that all the guests know how to dress - do you have a theme color or is everyone going to wear a feather boa? Are you all bringing items for the bride to wear, like a novelty tee-shirt and a veil?

Make sure you take into account that you will be taking a large group with you everywhere you go that night, so make sure your locations can accommodate the group. No matter what the plans for the bachelorette party night include, do be sensitive to the bride. If she isn't having a good time, change the location, or listen to her when she says she is ready to call it a night. Don't hold on to your plans so tightly that the bachelorette party isn't fun for the bride anymore. Remember that it is her night, and you want it to be a special memory for her.