Unique Bachelorette Party Ideas
Determined to make the bride-to-be’s bachelorette party as memorable and distinctive as possible? Find out how much time you all have together (a night, a full day, an entire weekend) and when everyone is free, then choose from this list of unique ideas.
Insider tip: While it’s tradition for the maid of honor and the bridesmaids to plan everything from start to finish, the bride herself may prefer to get involved. Welcome and include her; she may have things she specifically does or does not want to do.
Adrenaline rush
Have you and your pals been daydreaming of doing something wild and crazy, like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting or taking a flying trapeze class? What better time to finally do it than when you’ll all be together! Make sure you start planning early for this one – you’ll need to book the activity and maybe even take lessons first (like if you’re going scuba diving). Here are a few more ideas for thrill-seekers: hang gliding, rock climbing, parasailing, skydiving and zip lining.
Amusement park
Are you ever too old to enjoy a good ol’ amusement park? Never. Act like kids for the day as you hop on roller coasters, electric swings and carousel horses, munching on cotton candy in between rides. If the weather’s warm, pack your suit and make it a water park day. At night, go out for some grownup fun to a great restaurant or club.
Brewery or vineyard tour
Pick your poison and then plan a tour around it. Instead of a traditional bar crawl, choose cool craft breweries or lounges that are known for a drink specialty, like a broad tequila selection or savory cocktails. If you live in a city, you can signup for a walking tour (or put together your own), or you can hire a limo that will help you get from one place to the next – just don’t drive! At the last place you hit for the evening, plan to stay for a pairing dinner.
Co-ed
When both sides of the bridal party are friends or when you want to help everyone break the ice before the big day, a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party may be a brilliant idea. Spend the entire time together or hang out in a big group for half the time and then break off with just the girls. Pick an activity that everyone will enjoy or a location that has a lot to offer, like a beach town with volleyball, bike riding, club hopping and bonfires.
Cooking class
Find out the bride’s favorite cuisine and sign everyone up for a cooking class. This idea satisfies two bachelorette party must-haves: fun with the girls and a delicious meal. Don’t worry about who does or doesn’t have cooking skills – everyone will feel like a chef for the night.
Cultural festival
Do you and the girls constantly talk about the latest movie to hit theaters or the indie bands that are on tour? Plan a trip to a movie or music festival. There are few things more fun that a car packed with close friends who are on their way to watch never-before-seen movies or their favorite band.
Glamping
Traditional camping can be a lot to ask for from a group of different personalities, but glamping (glam camping) is a different story. Keep the fun, raucous and social aspects while ridding your weekend of bugs, dirt and overall roughing it. You’ll even be treated to hot water and electricity, making it easy to get gussied up and head out for a day or night in town. Then retire to your chic cabin or tent for ghost stories, s’mores and bubbly.
Photo shoot
The bridal party will be a huge part of the wedding day photos, but during your bachelorette party you can put the focus solely on the girls. Look for a studio that specializes in themed photo shoots. For example, a photographer who takes 50s pinup-style photos will have a closet of retro duds to choose from and possibly even a professional hair and makeup team on hand or can provide recommendations.
Wellness retreat
Health-oriented brides will love a way to unwind and detox pre-wedding. Book a weekend at a wellness retreat center, where you’ll join group workouts, dine on healthy meals and get pampered during spa treatments. Depending where you go, there may even be some beach or pool time on the docket.
Whatever activity you choose, don’t wait until the wedding is a mere 24 hours away. Nobody’s going to want to wake up early the next morning and face a big day ahead. Give yourself, at minimum, a week between the bachelorette party and the wedding celebration.
By Lindsay Pietroluongo