Here’s Exactly How Much Wine to Serve at Your Wedding

1. Expecting Bridesmaids To Foot The Bill For Destination Celebrations

Life today is already painfully expensive, and while getting asked to be a bridesmaid can feel like an honor, it just piles on even more costs.

You'll have to buy a dress, get your hair and makeup done, purchase a gift, and possibly arrange hotel accommodations or childcare for the day of the event. So, why bridesmaids are expected to drop hundreds if not thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, dining, and activities for a destination bachelorette party is beyond us.

Yes, a weekend in Miami or Las Vegas could be epic, but not everyone can afford to splurge on a mini-vacation just because their friend is getting married. Unless everyone involved feels comfortable spending that kind of money on a bachelorette trip, just pick a more budget-friendly option, like a one-day celebration or even a short road trip closer to home.

2. Matching Outfits

Coordinated bachelorette party outfits definitely had their moment, but nowadays, the idea of forcing everyone into the same cheesy T-shirts or color-coordinated dresses can be overboard.

Again, some bridesmaids may view it as an unnecessary expense that's not worth it for a cute Instagram photo. Plus, personal style and comfort matter, so if you have bridesmaids with different aesthetics and body types, at least one may just end up feeling uncomfortable the whole time.

That's why looser clothing themes or overall color palettes are a safer way to go.

3. Sashes, Tiaras, and Cowboy Hats

If you truly love the idea of parading around in sashes, tiaras, and hot pink cowboy hats during your or your friend's bachelorette party, more power to you. Honestly, though, the accessories have begun to feel more like a cliché than anything.

They can come across as tacky and overdone. Not to mention, they're usually cheaply made and end up in the trash by the end of the night.

Our advice? Save your money and invest in more stylish, personalized touches, like custom accessories or jewelry.

4. Brides Only Wearing White

Traditionally, brides have stuck to wearing only white throughout their whole bachelorette party celebration. That's still fine, but if the idea makes you feel restricted, don't be afraid to break the mold.

If you want to switch it up by mixing in colors or patterns, don't let anyone stop you. Remember, your bachelorette party is supposed to be fun for you.

You shouldn't allow social media photo ops or general societal expectations to dictate what you can and can't wear during your own party.

5. Cringey Slogans

We've all seen the slogans that brides and their bridesmaids use for their bachelorette parties, either on apparel, decor, or hashtags for social media. For instance, "Bride Tribe," "I Do Crew," or even "Last Fling Before The Ring."

Like sashes and cowboy hats, the slogans are cliché and sometimes just cringeworthy. You don't need a catchphrase to have a good time, and if you want one, maybe go the more unique route.

6. Getting Blackout Drunk Every Night

Spoiler alert: you don't have to get blackout drunk every single night to enjoy a bachelorette party.

We get it: throwing back some shots or sipping on wine all day can be fun, especially with your girlfriends. But if you have a whole day (or even weekend) planned, getting wasted can be a recipe for disaster.

First, you'll probably be hungover or generally unhappy for later activities. Moreover, alcohol has the ability to raise tensions and spark drama, which can bulldoze the group dynamic.

Obviously, you can still kick back and indulge a little. However, keep the bride in mind and strive for a balance to make memories that you'll actually remember.

7. Over-Scheduling The Itinerary

Since multi-day bachelorette parties are so popular, it can be tempting to pack your group's itinerary chock full of activities. And suddenly, things that sound exciting on their own, like brunch, yoga, wine tasting, dinner, or clubbing, feel like an exhausting checklist when scheduled literally back to back.

Realize that the reason for bachelorette parties is for brides to connect and bond with their closest friends. Leave room for spontaneity, downtime, and relaxation. Wedding planning is already stressful enough as it is.

8. Not Considering What The Bride Wants

Finally, at the end of the day, a bachelorette party should be about celebrating the bride. So, if bridesmaids are tasked with planning the celebration, the bride's personality and interests need to be considered.

It's time to retire the idea that every bachelorette party has to follow a cookie-cutter formula. If the bride isn't into clubbing, don't plan a huge night out! Or, if she's more of a homebody, don't push for a major trip.

The best bachelorette parties are the ones that feel thoughtful and personal, not just trendy. And if you have any doubts about what the bride wants, all you have to do is ask her.

Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl?

While in New Orleans for the Super Bowl's opening night event on February 3, Travis Kelce was asked whether he plans to propose to popstar girlfriend Taylor Swift during the halftime show. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Travis responded (via The Kansas City Star).

The last time Travis talked about popping the question, he told friend Jason Sudekis, "you're really pushing it."

And Travis' mom Donna Kelce told Page Six in October that "nobody knows" about a potential engagement: “We will see what happens. You never know.”

And fans are hoping it's not the only time they see Tay during the Big Game.

@callmeadal & then she’ll go on to announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version) 🐍🖤🏈 #swifttok#superbowlhalftimeshow#taylorswift#superbowl#kenndricklamar♬ original sound - therickybarrera

Well, a proposal isn't the only rumor swirling around Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl. The "Cruel Summer" singer will undoubtedly be in attendance to support her boyfriend at his third consecutive Big Game, and Swifties are hoping to see her on the field during Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Performance.

Taylor and Kendrick collaborated on "Bad Blood" (originally in 2015 and again in 2023), and it would be absolutely incredible if they were able to have a moment together! SZA is already confirmed to make a guest appearance and I'm hoping they'll sing "All The Stars" from Black Panther.

Tune into the Super Bowl on February 9 to see if Taylor gives a surprise performance — and if Travis proposes ;).

What does "doom scrolling" mean?

"Doom scrolling" is exactly what it sounds like — an incessant amount of staring at social media feeds. From Dr. Lee's perspective, it's "when we continuously and compulsively scroll through negative news or distressing content on social media or news sites." The worst part is that she says "we often continue to do so even when it makes us feel progressively worse over time!" It's almost like we're in a toxic relationship with it 👀.

Also, the news is much more accessible than it used to be. I vividly remember my grandmother being glued to the morning and evening reports growing up, but now we don't have to look far for a breakdown of what's going on. Because of this, Dr. Lee believes "breaking ourselves out of this cycle is especially difficult because much of the news today is presented in a way that keeps us 'hooked.'" How?

Why are more people talking about it?

Based on her observations, Dr. Lee feels "social media algorithms often prioritize content that is engaging and gets reactions (often fear-based)." If you've ever used the word "rage-bait" in a conversation then you're already familiar with what she means. As a result, this "makes it easy to get stuck in a loop of distressing information," according to her. "In fact, with world issues such as climate concerns and political polarization, there seems to be an endless stream of negative news," she adds.

As much as I haven't wanted to talk about them, it's hard to escape concerns and opinions related to topics such as politics, reproductive health, or celebrity PR disasters. They have a way of showing up in conversations because almost everyone I know has access to a smart phone, where news is readily available at our fingertips.

What are negative side effects of being on social media or news sites 24/7?

If you've been feeling on edge or skittish lately, Dr. Lee wants you to know there's a connection between them and doom scrolling. "There are plenty of negative consequences of doom-scrolling. It can increase our feelings of stress and anxiety, lead to feelings of depression and hopelessness, disturb our sleep (if doom-scrolling late at night), and eat up our time during the day when we’re trying to be productive and engage in positive life activities," she says.

However, some good has come out of an increased awareness about doom scrolling. According to Dr. Lee, "we are becoming more aware of the effects of screen time, especially doom scrolling, our our mental health." I didn't know it at the time, but going into my phone settings to create boundaries for myself was the right thing to do!

How can I curb this habit?

If you're ready to stop being so attached to your phone, Dr. Lee has a few tips to help you make this necessary change.

1. Create screen limits: "Set time limits on how much news you consume. I like to keep it around 30 minutes a day of news exposure."
2. Review your notifications: "Remove news notifications from your phone to remove the constant barrage of 'breaking news' so that YOU can decide when to check in."
   
3. Try listening to a podcast: "Subscribe to a news podcast such as The Daily or NPR News Now. Podcasts automatically have a time limit and often discuss the most pressing news of the day. PLUS, you can listen while doing something stress-relieving, such as working out."

How can I tell if I'm doom scrolling or casually looking at social media?

It can be confusing when you're not sure if you're casually scrolling on social media, or succumbing to doom and gloom. But Dr. Lee doesn't want you to stress yourself out even further! Here's how she says you can tell which one you're doing:

1. Stay curious: "Pay attention to your mood during and after scrolling. Are you feeling anxious, drained, or exhausted? Do you keep scrolling bad news and struggle to stop even though it makes you feel progressively worse? These are signs that you are doom-scrolling."
2. Pay attention to content you're consuming: "On the other hand, if you are engaging with a variety of content (not just bad news) that makes you feel informed, entertained, or inspired, you are likely just casually scrolling. Casually scrolling often feels easier to stop than doom-scrolling."