BACHELORETTE PARTY ON THE LAKE | TIDE UP BOAT RENTALS
💍 Bride Tribe Guide
Bachelorette Party on the Lake
Everything you need to plan the perfect lake bachelorette party – from boat rentals to decorations to Instagram-worthy moments.
Planning a bachelorette party on the lake? A boat party is the ultimate way to celebrate the bride-to-be! This complete guide covers everything you need – from choosing the right boat to decorations, activities, and tips for an unforgettable celebration on the water.
Lake bachelorette parties have become incredibly popular, and for good reason. They combine sun, fun, swimming, and bonding time in a way that no bar crawl or spa day can match. Whether you’re celebrating on Lake Travis or Lake Austin, a boat party creates memories that last a lifetime.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of planning the perfect bachelorette party on the lake – from the first planning stages to the final toast to the bride.
Why Choose a Lake Bachelorette Party?
Before we dive into the planning details, let’s talk about why a bachelorette boat party is such an amazing choice:
Instagram-Perfect
Crystal blue water, golden hour lighting, and the whole squad together. Every photo is frame-worthy.
Private Party
Your own floating venue – no strangers, no noise complaints, just your bride tribe having the time of your lives.
Sun & Fun
Swimming, tanning, water slides – lake bachelorette parties combine relaxation with adventure.
Bonding Time
Hours together on the water creates real connection and conversation. No distractions, just quality time.
BYOB Friendly
Bring your own drinks and save money. No overpriced club drinks – stock the cooler your way.
Great Value
Split among the group, a boat party is often cheaper than a night out – with way more memories.
Planning Your Lake Bachelorette Party
A successful bachelorette party on the lake requires some advance planning. Here’s your step-by-step guide:
Bachelorette Party Planning Timeline
2-3 Months Before: Book the Boat
Weekend boats book up fast, especially in summer. Reserve your bachelorette party boat early to get your preferred date and vessel. Consider a pontoon for smaller groups (8-14) or double-decker for larger parties (15-22).
6 Weeks Before: Confirm Guest List & Collect Money
Finalize who’s coming and collect deposits. Divide the boat cost evenly (typically $75-150 per person). Use Venmo or a shared spreadsheet to track payments.
4 Weeks Before: Plan the Theme & Order Decorations
Choose a theme (nautical, tropical, pink paradise, etc.) and order matching items: sashes, swimsuits, cups, decorations. Amazon and Etsy have great bachelorette party supplies.
2 Weeks Before: Create the Playlist & Plan Activities
Build a collaborative Spotify playlist (everyone adds songs!). Plan any games or activities. Assign responsibilities (who brings coolers, who handles photos, etc.).
Day Before: Prep Everything
Ice coolers, pack decorations, charge speakers and phones, buy snacks and drinks. Confirm pickup time and location with the boat company.
Day Of: CELEBRATE!
Arrive 15 minutes early, decorate the boat, and get ready to party! Don’t forget sunscreen and plenty of water.
Book Your Bachelorette Boat
The perfect lake bachelorette starts with the perfect boat. Browse our fleet and reserve your date!
Lake Bachelorette Party Themes
A theme ties everything together and makes your photos cohesive. Here are popular bachelorette boat party themes:
⚓ Nautical / Sailor
- 🔵 Navy & white stripes
- ⚓ Anchor decorations
- 🧢 Captain’s hat for bride
- 🍾 “Last Sail Before the Veil”
- 🦞 Seafood snacks
🌴 Tropical Paradise
- 🌺 Bright colors & florals
- 🍹 Tropical cocktails
- 🌸 Lei for the bride
- 🏝️ “Tropic Like It’s Hot”
- 🍍 Pineapple accessories
💕 Pretty in Pink
- 💖 All pink everything
- ✨ Rose gold accents
- 👑 Tiara for the bride
- 🍾 Pink champagne
- 🎈 Pink balloon arch
🌿 Boho Chic
- 🤎 Earth tones & neutrals
- 🪶 Macrame & dried flowers
- ☀️ Crochet cover-ups
- 🍷 Natural wines
- 🧺 Picnic-style snacks
Decoration Ideas for Your Boat Party
Decorations transform a rental boat into YOUR bachelorette party venue. Here’s what works great on boats:
Balloon Garland
Create an arch for photos. Secure well!
Bride Sash & Veil
Classic bride identifier that photographs beautifully.
Matching Sashes
“Bride Tribe” sashes for the whole crew.
Custom Banner
“Bride’s Last Ride” or custom with her name.
Matching Cups
Custom koozies or reusable cups.
Pool Floats
Flamingos, swans, donuts – great for photos!
⚠️ Decoration Don’ts
Avoid glitter, confetti, or loose items that can blow into the lake. Skip anything that could stain or damage the boat. Bring painter’s tape instead of regular tape to avoid residue. Most rental companies will charge cleaning fees for glitter!
Fun Activities for a Bachelorette Boat Party
Keep the energy up with these fun activities throughout your lake bachelorette party:
🎯 Bride Trivia
Test who knows the bride best! Prepare questions about the couple, the bride’s favorites, and wedding details. Losers take a drink!
📸 Photo Challenges
Create a list of photos everyone needs to take: jumping shot, sunset selfie, whole group swimming, bride with captain’s hat, etc.
🎢 Water Slide Fun
If you book a double-decker boat with a slide, races down the slide never get old! Perfect for video content.
💕 Memory Sharing
Go around and share favorite memories with the bride or relationship advice. More meaningful than you’d expect!
🏊 Float & Swim
When anchored in a cove, break out the floats and enjoy swimming, lounging, and soaking up the sun.
🎶 Dance Party
Crank up the Bluetooth speaker and dance on the boat! The upper deck of a double-decker is perfect for this.
What to Pack for a Lake Bachelorette Party
Complete Packing List
👙 For Everyone to Bring
🍾 Group Supplies
💍 Bachelorette Essentials
Photo Tips for Lake Bachelorette Parties
📸 Get Instagram-Worthy Shots
🌅 Golden Hour Magic
Schedule your boat time to catch sunset (golden hour). The lighting makes everyone look amazing.
📱 Assign a Photographer
Designate someone (or rotate) to capture candids throughout the day. You’ll want memories!
💦 Waterproof Cases
Get waterproof phone cases so you can capture water activities without worry.
🎈 Use Props
Balloons, floats, and matching items create cohesive group shots. Bring a few statement pieces.
🏊 Action Shots
Jumping off the boat, sliding down, dancing – action shots are more fun than posed ones!
👯 Group Formation
Bride in the center, shorter in front. Take photos from the water looking up for the best angles.
Lake Bachelorette Party FAQs
Bachelorette boat parties typically cost $75-150 per person when split among the group. A 4-hour boat rental runs $500-1000 depending on the vessel size and amenities. For a group of 10, that’s $50-100 per person for the boat alone, plus food, drinks, and decorations.
Essential items for a bachelorette boat party include: swimsuits, sunscreen, towels, cooler with drinks and snacks, decorations (balloons, banners, sashes), a Bluetooth speaker with playlist, waterproof phone cases, matching swimsuits or cover-ups, bachelorette games, and a bridal veil or sash for the bride.
Bachelorette party boats accommodate various group sizes. Pontoon boats fit 8-14 guests, party barges hold 15-20 guests, and double-decker boats accommodate 18-25+ guests. Contact Tide Up to find the right vessel for your group size.
Fun bachelorette boat party activities include: swimming and floating, bride trivia games, photo shoots, water slides (on double-decker boats), visiting party coves, paddleboarding, bride-themed drinking games, sunset watching, dancing on the boat, and anchoring at scenic spots for group photos.
Yes! Most boat rental companies allow decorations as long as they don’t damage the vessel. Recommended decorations include balloon garlands, banners, bride tribe sashes, floating decorations for photos, and matching items. Avoid glitter, confetti, or anything that could blow into the lake or leave residue.
Make Her Day Unforgettable
Ready to throw the best bachelorette party ever? Book your lake boat and start planning the celebration of a lifetime!
A bachelorette party on the lake creates memories that last forever. The combination of sun, water, and your best friends celebrating the bride-to-be is truly magical. Book your bachelorette boat with Tide Up and give her the send-off she deserves!