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If I’m being honest, I was concerned about this weekend. And not just in terms of what I would be spending.
My youngest cousin is getting married in May and it was bachelorette party time! Now normally, I would be excited about a weekend getaway to celebrate someone’s wedding, but the family dynamic to this situation added a potentially awkward twist considering I see my cousins maybe once a year when the obligatory Christmas gathering occurs. That’s not to say we don’t get along, we just aren’t very close anymore. So when I received the invitation email, I was definitely surprised in the first place.
I was even more surprised when I learned that we were venturing to the Wisconsin Dells for this shindig. Yes, we were headed to the Water Park Capital of the World for a family-filled bachelorette party extravaganza! Yikes. Let’s do this.
Friday
What I Spent
Gas – $47.65
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder meal with a Coke – $7.80
2 bottles of cheap champagne/ 1.5 liter bottle of wine – $27.01
Cheeto Puffs, Double Stuff Oreos – $5.99
Leopard print panties – $3.50
The Wisconsin Dells is 5 hours away from me, so this trip required a half day at work and a full tank of gas. Before I hit the road, I grabbed snacks and booze for the upcoming spa/sleepover night in the hotel as well as a pair of panties for the Panty Party game the bride would participate in. (It turns out my aunt and I unknowingly purchased the same pair, so that was a great boost to my style ego.)
No road trip is complete without a McDonald’s stop, so I made the obvious move and grabbed lunch along the interstate. Upon arrival, I gently encouraged everyone to take a spin with my Chambong set, the pizza was delivered and things were off to a better than expected start. We spent Friday night in our suite drinking and dancing, and ended things with face masks, a foot soak in the Jacuzzi, and 27 Dresses on tv as we drunk snacked away.
How I Saved
Dinner was provided for us by my aunt/cousins, so I didn’t have to worry about all my meals. And I got a good deal on the underwear thanks to the magic that is Target.
Where I Should Have Saved
My cousin (not the bride) offered to let me ride up to the Dells with her and my other cousin’s wife so I suppose I could have saved on gas money with carpooling. However, they were planning on leaving in the morning which would have meant I needed to take the entire day off of work and I was not about to use more vacation time for this excursion. I’d call this a wash.
Saturday
What I Spent
Two (2) drinks at the swim-up bar – $25
Chicken strips, tater tots – $13.80
Two (2) glasses of merlot, chicken alfredo – $36.49
Misc drinks – $42.75
Saturday was indoor water park day! We kicked things off with breakfast and mimosas, then grabbed the hotel shuttle to the park that was in a separate area of our hotel complex. Full disclosure, I had not been to the Dells as an adult and the crowd that was assembled was something to see. (Someone later described this area as the armpit of Wisconsin and I feel like that’s a pretty accurate description.) A wave pool, tube slides, and an adult only swim-up bar kept us entertained until we all realized we were starving and had no options but to pay too much money for a crappy concession stand lunch.
A couple hours later, we were all dolled up and the Ubers were on their way to take us to out for the evening. For as bad as prices were in the waterpark, dinner was very reasonable and I went for wine as the choice to get things started. We finished the meal and walked to the first of four bars we would hit up that night. Mother-in-law to be drama, a girl laying on the bar and removing her panties while offering dudes body shots, and a dance-off with a grandpa were a few of the memorable moments.
How I Saved
Once again, the family provided a meal aka breakfast and mimosas. I also could have drunk more at the swim up bar, but the amount of time we spent standing in slide lines prevented me from throwing my cash at $10 drinks. The bars were pretty dive-y so I know I could have done worse on beverage prices overall. Plus, when you get a group of drunk bitches together, the offers to buy rounds takes off so I got some shots and drinks purchased for me.
Where I Should Have Saved
Ummm, idk I could have drunk less? I guess? I think I did well and I don’t really see too much of an opportunity with this one.
Sunday
What I Spent
Gas – $45.00
Hotel room – $125.00
Bottle of Dr.Pepper, Hershey’s Cookes & Cream bar, Mambas, New Glarus beer – $23.23
Sunday morning brought a slight hangover and the mad rush to pack and clean up the hotel suite followed by brunch at a local bar & grill. Lots of coffee and hugging commenced, and our group divided up to return to the four different states we had respectively come from. I filled up the tank, grabbed a drink and some candy for the drive, and indulged in purchasing a mixed pack of New Glarus beer. Despite my car initially refusing to start, the trip was uneventful and I made it home before dinner time. Sunday night was spent with the boyfriend treating me to wine and pizza on the couch.
How I Saved
One of the bridesmaids sneakily paid the brunch bill for the entire group and my boyfriend bought me dinner so I literally didn’t have to pay for any meals. Sometimes people are really nice.
Where I Should Have Saved
Did I need to buy a case of beer? No. But when you’re in Wisconsin, you have to take advantage of the opportunity to get some New Glarus. It’s not like I had to buy brunch. No regrets.
Total: $403.22
I feel good about this and I definitely expected worse. Everyone was happy I came, a fun time was had despite my immediate disdain at the idea of a bachelorette party in the Wisconsin Dells, and the family time was actually pretty great. The wedding is also out of state so we’ll see how I feel about my wallet come Memorial Day weekend. .
Respond
Whatever Lola Wants
Outward appearance of being a hot mess with just enough Type A personality to not be a complete disappointment to my parents. Almost as good at avoiding commitment as I am at holding my liquor.
@LauraMeinert
Sounds like a lot of fun
Indoor water parks are awesome, $400 for a bachelorette weekend isn’t bad at all