Photo courtesy of She-n-He Photography and Design.
We get a lot of emails asking for bachelorette party advice and then recently I was asked by a soon-to-be married friend of mine for offbeat bachelorette party ideas, citing that, "The awesome male strip review that we were going to go see only has shows on Friday and Saturday and my party is on a Wednesday night. Boooooo. I need offbeat bachelorette party ideas!"
So here we go, I've rounded up a few bachelorette/hens night ideas...
The laid back
Photo courtesy of janeyeseeyou via Flickr.
- Spa day. Perfect for those that just wanna sit back and get pampered before their wedding instead of partying it up, risking a hangover. Grab your closest friends and bond over mani/pedi's, massages, or go to one of those places that have those huge mud baths. Those are awesome.
- Wine/liquor tasting Rent a limo or chose a designated driver and then go wine/beer/liquor tasting. Make sure to buy a bottle (or case) of the bride's favorite wine at each stop for her to share with her partner.
The adventurous
- Trapeze class. Take a plunge before you take the plunge (instant rimshot) with a trapeze class.
- Scavenger hunt. Great for the really creative bridal parties that love to go all out. But, if you don't wanna do the work and just want to enjoy the hunt, there are companies out there that put these things together. Like my friend's company, Wise Guys Events that features a bachelorette party game: it is a bar-crawl type game, entirely customizable, with secret agents waiting in different bars that have clues hidden somewhere on their person. (Mention codeword "sharkbite" for a 5% discount, LOL!)
The silly
Photo courtesy of She-n-He Photography and Design.
- Ugly dress party. Find a big batch of heinous wedding dresses online for cheap and then get your friends and bridesmaids together to have a "Let's re-imagine these ugly dresses party!" And then go out on the town in them! (This idea came to us from She-n-He Photography and Design, click here to see more info from that night.)
- Drag clubs. Never not fun.
- "A cold one and some adult entertainment" aka ice cream, a trip by the local gaming/fantasy store, and an evening of Dramatic Readings of Really Bad Dragon Erotica. (This idea came from OBT member Ariel (but not that one))
- Karaoke! Need I say more?
The crafty
- Tom's shoe decorating party. OBT member WowJunkie suggested a Style Your Sole party. She explains, "A Style Your Sole party is people coming together to express themselves and help children in need by customizing their own blank, canvas TOMS." It's a charitable and creative good time.
- Baking party. Take a group baking class — yummy treats and lots of sugar. Or get together the night before the wedding and have everyone bake and then decorate the cupcakes you will serve at your wedding. Of course make sure to bake extras to eat during the party!
The weekend
Photo courtesy of Roadsidepictures via Flickr.
- Vegas baby! Don't know about you, but when I think bachelor/ette parties I think of Las Vegas. Spend the weekend in Sin City dancing, drinking, gambling and smelling like cigarettes. It's a time-honored tradition.
- Music festival. Use your bachelorette party as an excuse to spend the weekend at your favorite music festival. Check out FestivalFinder.com to see if there is one that coincides with your wedding plans.
- Camping Great for those parties that want to get away on the cheap, and for the kind of girls who ain't afraid to get dirty. Go camping somewhere that had nearby hiking trails, natural water falls or the best yet — natural hot springs!
The girlie
- Old school slumber party. Blow up air mattresses, grab your sleeping bags, order pizza and then stay up all night watching your guilty pleasure movies and get goofy in your pjs.
- 80s night. OBT member Oii 2. ESBiE said that she and about ten girls drunkenly give each other HORRIBLE 80s makeovers and then walked a couple blocks to the local independent theatre to see their midnight movie, which is usually a cult classic of some kind (like Evil Dead, Rocky Horror, Pretty in Pink, etc.).
- Take a belly dancing or a pole dancing class. I know a bunch of people who have taken both of these classes and they all say how much they loved them. And the great part about doing it as a group is, who cares if you look like a fool, at least you're looking silly together. Plus the bride might pick up some fun tips for a wedding night lap dance!
The risque
Photo courtesy of garyfgarcia on Flickr.
- Boudoir photo shoot. All the ladies pitch in so that the bride can get some awesome sexy (classy optional) photos done as a gift to both herself and her new husband! Bring drinks and gift her with sexy outfits to wear. For Washington brides, check out recent OBB sponsor, Seattle Boudoir Photography's bachelorette party deal.
- Sex toy party. Along with Tupperware and make-up, sex toys are have entered the world of multi-level marketing parties, except these particular parties are WAY more fun than viewing Tupperware. Ask a consultant to come over to your house and spend the night drinking and playing with vibrators.
- Strip club. Who says that strip clubs are only for bachelor parties? A gentlemen's or lady's club, either one can be fun and entertaining. I know I've been fascinated a time or two ma'self. And if you're looking for something a little more artsy, check out a burlesque club.
Got any ideas or tips for offbeat bachelorette/hens night parties?... Leave 'em in the comments.
About Megan Finley
Megan Finley is the Managing Editor for Offbeat Bride and the Associate Publisher for the Offbeat Empire. When she's not slaving away for the Empire, she's sharing her dork side on her own blog and on Twitter @meganfinley.
Vanessa said
You can also hire a bellydancer to come to your house and do a performance and lesson for all the girls. That way it is more intimate and fun and drunk if you want to!!!
hgrada said
This post is awesome! Thanks! I think I'll combine 80's night with some pole classes! That should surely create some blackmail photos, or at least good times:)
Megan said
Agreed! These are some wild and crazy ideas! Add to the list: rent a party bus for a safe and sane party.
kelley said
LOVE the ugly dress idea! (and vegas sounds kinda fun too….) I went to 3 cool places in NYC for my bachelorette party! The 1st one had gorgeous men (dressed to the nines as women!!!)
-kelley
Tara said
Hey, I'm throwing a bachelorette party in NYC this summer. Could you suggest some venues? I live here, but I'm still coming up short on anything creative. My bride loves her some cross-dressing men and I think she'd love something like where you went. I will Google, of course, but a tried and true venue would be sweet. Thanks!
Melissa said
I love the spa idea combined with the boudoir photo shoot. What a great way to spend some quality fun time with your friends. You can also have great fun with the boudoir photo shoot and the memory will be there for years to come.
Stephanie said
I totally did the grown-ass woman slumber party. It was a great way for all my closest lady friends from different points in my life to get together and really spend time together. It was also really inexpensive for everyone involved. I just asked everyone to bring their favorite slumber party junk food and then made waffles for everyone in the morning.
Tacroy80 said
Along the lines of the sex toy party, but with a new-agey, spiritual, romantic twist: a tantric sex workshop party. I found a woman in Chicago who was willing to do a group workshop for my best friend (the bride) and our friends for, I think, around $600. This was in 2007, so the current price may be different, and unfortunately, I don't have her info any more. Even more unfortunately, times were a little tight for the Maids and we couldn't get the money together between all of us. But I think it'd be an amazing experience if you're able to do it! Do a search to see if there are any tantric sex teachers in your area; you might be surprised
.
Maggie said
The night before I got married, we had the girls over and did a wedding-themed murder mystery bachelorette party right after the rehearsal. It was so much fun, and it totally got rid of all the rehearsal stress. We had to do something that would be appropriate for many ages since both my little sister and my husband's little sister were in the wedding and I wanted to include them in the party, and the murder mystery party was the perfect thing. Totally recommend!
-Twist- said
Murder Mystery Parties are SO MUCH FUN!
Jennifer Tepker said
Where'd you get the murder mystery stuff to pull it off? Sounds perfect!!!
-Twist- said
Seriously loving the advice pieces!
A girlfriend of mine did a pirate party, we dressed up like pirates, made play dough penis', did a stripersize class, went to a "pirates only" local punk show (where even people who weren't part of the bachelorette party were dressed up like pirates!)! Good Times!
Andie said
Love the camping idea! That's actually exactly what my fiance is doing, and what a friend of ours did. Definitely relaxing for those who are into the outdoors.
I'm going to a great laser tag place with my girls. I wanted to go play paintball, but as someone pointed out the risk of getting a big ol' bruise in the wrong place is too high. Laser tag seemed like the harm-free alternative.
Michelle said
Those of you lucky enough to have a Lush (www.lush.com) in your area- they throw bachelorette parties! After hours, free facials/foot/hand massages. Free to use the space, they just ask that each person purchases $20/merch. you can bring wine and food too.
Mine's going to be there over the summer.
I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!
irisira said
That's so awesome. I wish I had one close!
Maggie said
I love Lush! My husband and I backpacked around the UK for our honeymoon, and I was hooked! That deal is awesome.
serena said
Thanks so much for this tip. Just called and got the details on the local store. I love their stuff! Might just be the perfect way to kick off the night.
Bonya said
In days past, I worked as a kayak guide and took out a group of ladies on a day tour for a bachelorette party. We happened to see a wedding going on on a boat during the trip, which we all agreed was auspicious.
Rose said
You have to go to NY or Las Vegas but I think that this would be sooooo much fun. http://www.stilettospyschool.com/ Sword fighting and make overs, yes please.
Carlene Gagnon said
This looks like so much fun! I wish it wasn't so far away!
Ann said
We recently had a party that started at the roller derby (Rat City Roller Girls – holla!). That was fun, and we ate nachos.
Christine Hermosisima said
i'm doing this too– this saturday! i live in l.a., so the night begins with the derby dolls, and ends with burlesque at jumbo's clown room. can't wait!
Caterina said
All I can say is I'm a little jealous of my fiancee's bachelor party coming up, and if my bridesmaid's are planning anything like this for me, I will be one happy bachelorette. This is not for the faint hearted, but I would love to do it: Go to a shooting range and get lessons on shooting guns. Yep I know, it's violent and reinforces any number of non-PC paradigms, but c'mon, so do any number of things many of us are doing around our weddings. It just seems so indulgent and over the top and exhilerating! To top that, one of the groomsmen found a guy willing to give them a lesson on SHOOTING AN UZI!!! Color me green with envy! What a buzz! After that, we'd put on fancy clothes in a limo and go eat, drink and dance the night away. I wish I would've thunk it first!
Carrie said
All the boys in my family go skeet shooting on the morning of their wedding(s). Since I have been with them all since birth I normally go to. This is a fun idea for girls too – especially in Vegas!!! (They totally have all the signs for which ranges rent guns at the airport)
Christine Hermosisima said
ooh ooh! i wanted to do this too, but there's a lot going on right now (of course) and i didn't want to pile too much onto one day. i've actually enjoyed shooting the few times i've done it, it is indeed exhilarating!
lduncz said
We're going a bit more offbeat and having a combined bachelor/bachelorette party, but we're renting this nifty deal called the Land Shark which is a truck/boat that picks you up at a desired location and then goes across the harbor before dropping you off at the bars. Not too expensive, lots of booze, accommodates a ton of people, plus you get to drunkenly bark at sea lions on the buoys you pass, which is always my favorite!
Mary B. said
Because some of my cousins are underage, we're doing a bowling party earlier in the evening, followed by a pub crawl to all my neighbourhood favourites. Hopefully we'll end up at a Pizza Pizza or eating shawarma in some sketchy little place. I can't wait!
JE$S said
my friend rented us a beachhouse from someone she knew and we sipped on the beach all wknd. we had every kind of bachelorette party favor imaginable, including a weener cake with a mustache! haha and my friends came from all over the state to chill with us! it was so awesome.
Tricia said
We spent a weekend at a Food and Wine Summit. Spending an evening with my girls tasting amazing food and wine, and then staying at a hotel together was PERFECT for us.
Ruby said
My hen night's this saturday! I'm so excited! We've planned it for 5 weeks before the wedding to avoid any UPI's (Unidentified party Injuries) for the big day. We're starting at a vintage clothing store where we'll be making hair fascinators, followed by a meal at one of my fave Italian restaurants. We'll finish up with necking copious amounts of booze and giggling in bars!
Melody said
I just had my bachelorette party last weekend, and I first I was freaking out because I thought there would be male strippers and nonsense involved. Luckily, my friend is an amazing party planner and we started out the night with some good old fashioned bowling and nachos and finished up with good old fashioned karaoke!!
Another option she gave me was a show at a comedy club, which would've been great, but I knew I would want to be gabbing with my girlfriends all night instead.
Great post!!
Eliza said
Yessssss, slumber party! Here was my Favorite Ladies Party:
1) Pottery painting at a hastily researched local pottery painting business. We were kept there for hours in this crazy woman's house and cellar and had to keep going back, risking being eaten by a panther one time, to collect all of our artwork. So we made some lasting memories.
2) The bar. Of course.
3) Fell asleep in a mess of sleeping bags watching Labyrinth.
So yeah I'd say it was pretty off the hook… Haha.
Krystal said
I recently had to give up drinking because of my ulcer, which took all of the bachelorette party ideas I'd had off the table. After much deliberation, I'm going supernerd – my best friend and I are taking a little road trip (1 1/2 – 2 hr drive) to go to two different museums (with dinosaurs!) and I'm getting a dinosaur t-shirt to wear for the occasion. Science party!
Little Red Lupine said
So jealous! So wish I lived near good dino museums! That would be a blast.
Mary said
At mine, we had greek food (with flaming cheese!) and then went and played putt-putt in the rain. It was goofy and low-key and a whole lot of fun.
mzspell said
My best friend is a non-drinker and has serious issues with strippers, male or female, so for her bachelorette party we flex to St. Louis the week before her wedding and had a girls weekend of eating out, wandering around doing silly tourist things, laughing our butts off and going to a Cure concert because that's her favorite band. It was absolutely awesome, and 10 years later it is still the absolutely best bachelorette party I've ever been to!
Shanavyre said
The slumber Party sounds fun. For my hen's night, I didn`t want something trashy and sleezy – I love my man, marrying him was not something to comiserate. So my amazing MOH came with the idea of a 'Let's be six' themed night, based on a Winnie the Pooh quote. It was great, everyone dressed up with pigtails, ribbons, plastic accessories. We had dinner, hit a bar, they got me a tarot reader, and then we played elastics (old primary school game) for an hour in the local square before meeting up with the bucks. We had walkers by stoping to play, with my MOH handing out lolly rings as prizes! Best night ever, and so many people have commented on how FUN it was!