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By babesengaged
When you photograph weddings for a living, you’d think planning your own bachelorette weekend would be second nature. But for Caity Wood – full-time photographer, owner of Photo X Caity, and newlywed who just tied the knot with her high school sweetheart, Jace – being the bride was a whole new ballgame. This time, she wasn’t behind the camera. She was the one at the centre of it all.
Fortunately, she had her sister (and maid of honor) ready to take the reins. She put together a San Diego bachelorette that was part beach escape, part wild night out, and 100% Caity. Here’s how it all came together and bachelorette weekend ideas you’ll want to borrow for your own trip.
Pick a Place That Has Room for Your People
A bachelorette with twelve women sounds amazing in theory, but it can quickly turn into chaos if you’re not strategic. Finding the right Airbnb was one of the best San Diego bachelorette party tips Caity’s crew swears by.
“My sister loved it because it was big enough to accommodate all twelve of us and everyone was able to sleep comfortably. It was also only 15 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from Downtown San Diego,” Caity explains.
That meant mornings on the sand, nights downtown, and zero mirror-fighting before dinner. In other words: everyone survived with their sanity intact.
Bachelorette party tips: More bathrooms = more happiness. And being close to both relaxation and nightlife is the ultimate win.
Goodie Bags That Actually Get Used (and Loved)
A bachelorette with twelve women sounds amazing in theory, but it can quickly turn into chaos if you’re not strategic. Finding the right Airbnb was one of the best San Diego bachelorette party tips Caity’s crew swears by.
“My sister loved it because it was big enough to accommodate all twelve of us and everyone was able to sleep comfortably. It was also only 15 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from Downtown San Diego,” Caity explains.
That meant mornings on the sand, nights downtown, and zero mirror-fighting before dinner. In other words: everyone survived with their sanity intact.
Bachelorette party tips: More bathrooms = more happiness. And being close to both relaxation and nightlife is the ultimate win.
Feed Your People Well (Brunch Is Non-Negotiable)
On day two brunch was on the agenda. Caity and her friends headed to Toasted, where they got exactly what they needed: good food, good views, and plenty of coffee.
“Toasted was amazing because the restaurant’s patio seating was literally right on the beach. And their French toast was delicious!”
Between the ocean views and the sugar rush, it was the perfect reset before diving into more festivities. Dinner at Farmer’s Table capped off the day with comfort food and a chance to unwind.
Bachelorette party tips: Book at least one meal that feels like an event. Bonus points if it comes with a view or a menu that makes everyone reach for their phone.
Build Themes Around Moments, Not Just Photos
When it comes to bachelorette weekend ideas, themes don’t have to be complicated to be memorable. The first night set the stage with a western theme. Caity’s friends rocked all-black outfits, while she stole the spotlight in a rhinestone white mini dress, matching boots, and a cowgirl hat that proudly read “Bride.” The destination? A country bar complete with line dancing. “Half of my bridesmaids either danced with me in college and/or cheered with me for the NFL,” Caity shared, “so obviously we loved this part.” With a crew that could still hit a choreographed move on cue, the night was an instant hit.
Day two leaned into creativity. After a laid-back breakfast at the Airbnb, a mobile hat bar arrived, and everyone customized trucker hats for their beach day. Cue glitter, patches, and a lot of giggles.
By evening, the group had swapped denim and rhinestones for sunset-inspired dresses, heading to Farmer’s Table for dinner before closing out the night with a lingerie party back at the house.
TIP: Themes don’t need to be complicated. Keep them fun, flexible, and memorable. They’re there to elevate the vibe, not stress you out.
Don’t Overplan. Seriously.
One of the most overlooked bachelorette party tips? Leave breathing room. It’s tempting to jam-pack the schedule with activities, but Caity’s favorite parts of the weekend were the unplanned ones.
“We spread out the events so we had time to chill in between. Everyone knows how important quality time is to me, so we built plenty of time into our schedule for hanging out and catching up with everyone.”
Those gaps between the big moments turned out to be where the magic happened: lazy coffee mornings, catching up on the patio, and laughing until late.
Bachelorette party tips: The downtime is where the inside jokes are born. Leave space for them.
What This Weekend Taught Us About Bachelorette Bliss
Caity’s San Diego bachelorette wasn’t about creating a picture-perfect itinerary. It was about building a weekend that felt like her. With the right mix of structure and spontaneity, her friends had space to celebrate, connect, and just be together.
So what should you take from her weekend?
Top 5 Takeaways:
- Let go of control. Trust someone who knows you.
- Don’t overschedule. Good vibes need space.
- Say thank you. Handwritten > store-bought.
- Pack something bold. You’ll never regret sparkle.
- Remember the point. It’s about the people, not the posts.
At the end of the day, a bachelorette doesn’t have to be extravagant, it just has to feel right. For some brides, that might mean rhinestones, French toast, and a dance floor by the beach. For others, it’s slow mornings, quiet conversations, and plenty of time to soak it all in.
Caity’s San Diego bachelorette party proved that the best weekends aren’t about perfection; they’re about people. With the right mix of fun and breathing room, her crew created memories that will last long after the glitter fades. So if you’re planning your own, take these bachelorette weekend ideas and bachelorette party tips to heart and build a celebration that feels unmistakably, unapologetically you.
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