Recession-friendly, sophisticated bachelorette party ideas?

You could always do a tapas party rather than a dinner party.

I was going to offer some ideas, but then I noticed that S word in there and thought better of it
Sophisticated is something I know nothing about.

The first things that pop into my head are:
-A classy dinner-party at someone’s house instead of a restaurant
-A pajama party at the house, just comfy with lots of big pillows, foofy slippers, and spa type snacks (or you can call them hors d’oeuvres, to make it sound fancy) with cucumbers and fancy cheeses, watching some good old classics, like ‘You’ve Got Mail’ or ‘When Harry Met Sally’
-A beach grill-out in the sand (you said it was a destination wedding)

Actually: one question that would help me answer the question appropriately: The destination thing: Are you having the bachelorette party in the home city or at the destination?

@ la chica: The wedding is out-of-town and costing a lot for people who are attending. The bachelorette party is here, in town. It’s hard to hit up attendees for another night that will cost them even more money, or possibly risk their attendance.

Great, great ideas so far!

Okay, gotcha, I’ll keep it in-town.

Another idea: A fondue party at someone’s house. Not terribly expensive, but most definitely terribly delicious!

I don’t know what month it’s going to be in, but if it’s still summer, scratch the beach, maybe a grill-out by the pool.

I’ll check back in if I think of anything else.

Also: How many guests, approximately?

Wine, cheese, crackers and fruit instead of dinner. Go to trader Joe’s and get some of the sophisticated cheeses that you’ve never heard of. :-) That’s classy.
Where is the wedding? Theme the party to the destination for the people who won’t be going. After the girl Bachelorette party, meet up with the guys having the Bachelor party and all go out together (letting the guys buy the drinks tee hee)

What about a spa day or evening with friends? It is a type of primping for the wedding. Guests who have to spend money get something great out of it.

Have a handbag exchange! Everyone brings a wrapped handbag under $20 and you can make up some fun yet simple way of distributing them so that the bringer doesn’t get her own gift. If you all don’t like handbags, you can do bottles of your favorite wine and have a tasting, or brooches, or home decor or something.

What about a ladies game night? You could do traditional card games like poker and gin and maybe some non traditional games like uno, monopoly and the like. You could add a touch of class and fun by having everyone dressing up a bit and serving champagne and appetizers. Tell us what you decide!

How about a scavenger hunt. It’s my party standard. Break into groups, line up destinations and tasks beforehand (get a picture with a couple married over 25 years, get another with a couple married less than a year, etc.). It’s a ton of fun, and you all meet up at a certain spot and time, with first round of drinks, bottle of wine, appetizers, or whatever else courtesy of the team that accomplished the fewest tasks.

What about having it at someone’s home and everyone brings the fixings for their favorite drink and you could supply some appetizers. You might find that once all the ladies get together there is a desire to go out for a bit :) Just because she is 35 doesn’t necessarily mean she doesn’t want to go out dancing…

I finally found a good solution – bowling night. Inexpensive dinner beforehand, then dress the bride up and make her bowl in crazy gear, have drinks there (cheap!) and then bring in the cake and gifts.

This way it’s really inexpensive, the night isn’t long and drawn out, no one has to get their house ready or clean up, drinks aren’t 12 bucks apiece and it’s kinda quirky, funny and competitive at the same time.

Thanks again for all of your help and suggestions!! I wish I had the time to do all of these ideas – I really liked the scavenger hunt, ladies game night ideas, and would love to combine all of your suggestions into one great night – if I had the time or resources.