I’m taking a little trip down memory lane today and sharing our decision to have a joint bachelor/bachelorette party 3 years ago! I can’t believe it’s been that long!

Why have a party together?

A lot of people were surprised and confused as to why we wanted to combine our parties. This choice is obviously not for everyone! But for us, Bradley and I love to hang out together. And the wedding was about us coming together- so we wanted most the celebrations to involve both of us! We also have a lot of the same friends, and the ones that weren’t we wanted them to be able to meet.

Another thing that a lot of people still comment on- the wedding party all got to know each other before the weekend of the wedding! I have been in weddings where the bridesmaids and groomsmen really dont know each other at all! It was so fun to have the whole wedding party get to hang out and become friends before wedding day. It made wedding day feel even more special and like a big party!

Weekend in the Mountains

We chose to rent a house in the mountains of Boone, NC. We originally were planning a beach trip, but Bradley and I also love the mountains! A house where we could all hang out and have plenty of space just felt right. Highly recommend considering renting a house (with a hot tub!) as part of your wedding celebrations.

Girls Day Out

Just because you have a jack and Jill party doesn’t mean you can’t have time with your girls! We planned one day where the girls dressed up and we hired a van to drive us around for the day. We went to brunch, a winery, a roof top bar downtown, and ended at the bar of a local BBQ joint! I got to have quality time with my bridesmaids and the guys got to go on a hike. It was so perfect and I felt added a nice balance to the weekend.

 

Tubing Down the River

Honestly, I think one of the BEST parts of the whole weekend was tubing. If you have never been tubing in the mountains, it’s where you intertube 3-4 miles down a river. It was SO much fun having everyone together. We got to chill, have some drinks, chat, and just have a blast in the water. I highly recommend planning a tubing day with your friends or family- whether your getting married or not!

A few more photos…

Because I’m having such a fun time looking at these photos and remembering these sweet memories- a few more photos from one of the best weekends ever.

The Best Decision For Us

Overall, this was the best decision for us! It is still one of my favorite memories not just for the wedding, but of my life! Just because you have a combined party, doesn’t mean you still can’t have your fun girl things or guy things too! Bradley and I are totally not stripper people (it’s fine if YOU are, but it was a no for both of us) and we had no desire to have the raunchy bachelorette/bachelor decor (it was the only stipulation I gave my bridesmaids, ha!) And if we were planning a wedding celebration of this proportion, we each wanted our most favorite person to be there- each other! So a joint party just worked for us. Getting to celebrate marrying the love of your life with all your close friends and family, despite gender, was just the best. I would happily do the whole party all over again!

If you are considering a Jack and Jill party (this is a heteronormative term I know- but we are a straight cis couple so the name worked for us. Any couple should consider having their party together, despite gender!) I HIGHLY recommend doing it, and not caring what other people think. It’s your day, and you deserve to celebrate in the way that works for you and your love!

Drop any questions you have below! Did you do a bachelor or bachelorette party? What did you do? I love to hear all things wedding below!