Many of today’s brides are rethinking the traditional idea of a bachelorette party, not only to save money, but to do some good for others. Lisa VanDerMeiren (now Mrs. Robert Craig) was one of those brides. In lieu of a bachelorette party this past spring, VanDerMeiren asked her girlfriends to help her build a home for a family in need.

On April 18 in Franklin Township, the bride and her friends participated in one of the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Days, in which local women not only helped raise funds, but participated in the labor on an in-progress home. “I was a little nervous asking for eight hours of my friends’ time, plus their hard work, for a bachelorette party,” admits VanDerMeiren. “But I’ve gotten such a positive response.”

More than 20 friends showed up in their "bachelorette build" t-shirts, and raised $5,317. “We worked on a house for a single mother who has a son and a daughter...it was an inspiring experience,” says VanDerMeiren. The bride, who has been involved with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity for two years, and sits on the family selection committee, says it was an easy decision to do the build instead of a traditional party.

“I was at a Habitat meeting and they said they needed more people—I realized I could help,” she says. “It’s something I love being involved with and now I get to share it with my friends, too.” To plan your own bachelorette build, contact Lisa Fielding at Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, 908-704-0016; communityrelations@rvhabitat.org.