Steamboat Pilot & Today

The days of bringing brides-to-be pies and gifts are gone. Now you need an Excel spreadsheet and five months of e-mail planning among 10 women who are capable of keeping every plan a secret from the bride.

Not only did I attend my first weekend-long bachelorette party that spanned two cities (Boulder and Silverthorne), but it was the most well-planned and executed extravaganza I have ever seen.

"I was in South America the whole time, and I was completely involved," said maid of honor Katie McEntee.

The planning crew represented Boulder, Denver, Pennsylvania, Steamboat Springs and Bolivia.

"The contribution of every member was just amazing," McEntee said. "I was so afraid not everything was going to get done, but everybody did something and a significant something, too."

Now that I have a fair amount of bachelorette parties under my belt, I have noticed some recent trends in these assemblies.

Many brides have two bachelorette parties and/or two bridal showers in different parts of the country to accommodate every special guest. Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties have expanded from Las Vegas to international countries - some with $7,000 bar tabs accumulated during one poolside day.

Traditional bachelorette dares are now written on decks of cards and are being shared by all the ladies involved in these parties.

"I think it's important that everyone is included, so everyone has a fun time," McEntee said. "And it's really funny to see friends and parents try to do a dare who normally wouldn't."

There are few traditions that involve men dropping their pants in the middle of a crowded bar just to prove they are wearing (tie-dyed) tighty-whities.

"I had the most fun I've ever had in my life," said bride-to-be Marchele McEntee. "Because it's the only time in my life that I have had all my best friends together."