• Party within the party.
Rhea Leigh invited the girls to join the fun as a prewedding bridesmaids' celebration, and they returned the favor by planning a surprise for her after we got to the beach. Because she lives in Atlanta and many of the others live away, Rhea Leigh didn't have many bridal showers. The weekend provided an opportunity for those out-of-towners to host a women-only pampering party.
• Treat it like any vacation.
Plan as far in advance as possible so everyone can make timely arrangements. The working women--whether full-time moms or professionals--will need to make travel plans and possibly arrange for childcare.
• Choose a multipurpose destination.
Some women may shun the sun, so choose a location where there are plenty of other things to do. In addition to sitting on the beach or at poolside, our guests could shop, bicycle, or play tennis or golf.
• Pay for it practically.
No travel agent will book a trip without some type of deposit. The person organizing the event needs to keep track of who's coming and be prepared to make a deposit for hotel rooms. If you are banking on each guest paying for her trip individually, make sure everybody knows that up front so no one arrives empty-handed.