Thorne: Drinking games. I’m a big drinking game person.
An all-white wardrobe for the bride? Yay or nay?
Sykes: I think it’s very pretentious and very fabulous and I think she should. Your wedding day is one of the only times you can wear an incredible white gown, and maybe your bachelorette party is one of the only times you can wear an all-white wardrobe all weekend long and look like an angel. So why not?
Thorne: Yes and no. I think it’d be fun to dress up in hot pink, and then all the ladies dress up in white.
Can the bride select coordinating outfits for the bachelorettes?
Sykes: I went to one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s birthday parties. It was like a destination event, and we all got a tee that said, “I went to Gwyneth’s birthday party, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” I loved it. If it’s something fun and upbeat and jolly, and everyone’s in on the joke, I think it’s absolutely fine. I don’t think the bachelorettes should be forced to wear all the same thing—remember, they’ve got to do that on the wedding day.
Thorne: Yay. Definitely a yes. I love all the community spirit. So cute. And I love matching with my friends.
Should the bride provide goodie bags at the party?
Sykes: I think it’s quite sweet and it makes people feel very welcome. I was at a party—it wasn’t a bachelorette party—hosted by Alice Naylor-Leyland, and she had a napkin monogram for each person individually with their full initials on it. And we all took that home and thought it was the most wonderful thing to keep. I’m all for the goodie bag—put some nice chocolates in, a candle, and some fabulous Gucci sunglasses if you’re really going to go all out.
Thorne: Ideally, yes, with essentials for the weekends. If you’re going to a hot place, then in your gift bag, do the best sunscreen, body oil, and a really cute pair of flip-flops that say something alluding to the fact that you’re getting married and that they’re your besties.
Etiquette for the Bachelorettes
What should a bachelorette do if she can’t afford to take part in the celebration?
Sykes: I think she should just call a spade a spade and say, “I can’t afford it. Thank you for inviting me. I love you to death, but I’m not coming.” I really do. If you make an excuse while declining the invitation for a pretend reason, you’ll get found out. I just think everyone should be as honest as possible. It’s very difficult to do that, but I think it’s so much easier than making a whole load of excuses.