8 May 2008 Maid Of Honor’s Bachelorette Party Guide: 50 Ideas and Resources

As Maid of Honor, one of your main duties is to send your best friend off in style with a wild and terrific party. Or if the bride is more low-key, perhaps a nice quiet evening in good company. There are lots of things you can incorporate into a bachelorette party to make the event more unique and fun, but some of the main things to focus on are location, drinks, food, and accessories. Here are some ideas to consider for each category, as well as a few tips and pointers on making the evening the best it can be!
Location
Nothing sets the mood of the party more than the location. While it should be special, it should also suit the bride’s personality. Wild childs may delight at a party spent dancing the night away with her friends; quieter brides may prefer a day, or weekend, of pampering at the spa. Just know that not all bachelorette parties have to take place at Chippendales or feature a male stripper in your cousin’s living room. Here’s a few ideas for a classier, man-free time with the gals.

1. Rooftop Hotel Pool: If you live in a city, and want to feel far away and pampered at the same time, check out local hotels in your area that have rooftop hotels. If you live in New York, the Gansevoort is an incredible option; in Boston, try the Colonnade; in Los Angeles, The Peninsula. Soak in the views, the warm sun, and the time spent drinking fruity concoctions with your friends. If there’s not a suitable hotel in your area, consider taking a weekend getaway.
2. Spa Day: A day at the spa is a great choice for a bachelorette party, as it is the quintessential female way to gather and bond. Book a few massages, pedicures, facials, and manicures and prepare for a day of gossip and giggling. If the spa is the party’s main event, make it even more special by renting a limousine and toasting with mimosas beforehand, or make the spa trip a precursor to a night out on the town.
3. Karaoke: This is your friend’s last night out as a single woman, so it’s time to toss back a few cocktails, get silly, and indulge in some self-humiliation! No better way to do that than with karaoke. Look into what’s available in your area – perhaps a bar or a private room – and you may want to invest in some cheesy, coordinated outfits. This is a scenario that will probably require a designated driver. Make it fancy by renting a limo and if there’s more than one karaoke bar in your town make a night of it by going on tour.
4. Road Trip: It’s a big occasion for your friend, so consider even taking a few days off of work and taking an old-fashioned road trip. Look into camping in the woods, staying at the beach, or just aimlessly driving lesser-known roads and ending up where the road takes you. Road trips are both adventurous and relaxing at the same time. See some new surroundings, meet some salty locals, rent a cabin in the woods, or bond around a campfire. Whatever you decide, it will definitely be a trip your friend will remember forever.
5. Wine Tour: Going on a tour of local wineries combines lots of interest into one. First, there’s great wine; second, there’s a road trip; third, there’s beautiful scenery. And did we mention great wine? Not all bridesmaids will have this option readily available, since not every state has a booming wine region, but you would be surprised at how many do exist outside of California. Just plan around the driving – hire a limo or stay in a quaint bed and breakfast in the region.
6. Las Vegas: No surprise here – Vegas is the number one destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties alike. And it’s no wonder why – there are spas and terrific, high-end restaurants on just about every corner, more rooftop pools and fancy hotels than you can count, and a nightlife that stands out above all others. Limo services are plentiful, as are dance clubs (both exotic and mainstream) and live music performances. Order in room service to pre-game or try cuisine from one of the many world-famous chefs in town.
7. Champagne Brunch to Slumber Party: A bachelorette party is one of the better excuses out there to get a little tipsy in the a.m. And to make it even more fun – and to eliminate the possibility of any tipsy driving – extend the party into the night with a full-on slumber party. Start off by cooking a gourmet brunch, play games and open gifts in the afternoon, and cap it off by baking cookies and watching girly flicks in the evening.
8. New York: Like Vegas, New York is a city that never sleeps and has options galore for bridesmaids looking to plan the party of a lifetime. Start with dinner at any one of the city’s upscale restaurants, move on to a strip club or jazz bar, or go on a good old-fashioned bar crawl, like this one recommended by New York Magazine. If you’re in New York for more than one night, spend the day traversing the city’s many wonderful museums before heading out for a little misbehavior at night.
9. Island Time: Everyone loves a beach vacation. Throw some bikinis in a bag and head for the nearest island getaway. Charter a sunset boat ride or booze cruise for your party and look into staying in a stylish resort with complete spa services. Nothing will let your friend know you care more about her than a few ocean-side massages and pina coladas.
10. Comedy Show: If you’re staying local, think about taking in a nice dinner, followed by a comedy show and some drinks out afterward. Nothing will put the bride in a better mood and make her forget any pre-wedding jitters she might have than a night of hysterical laughter and female bonding. Check out the calendars at local comedy clubs and see who’s coming to town in future months.