Out of the Ordinary Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
Go for a Little Adventure
There’s nothing like a road trip to test good friendships. Rent an RV for a weekend and hit the asphalt. The time spent on the road will give the wed-to-be plenty of time to talk with buddies. The sights along the way will be great photo opportunities for his/her scrapbook or photo album. The great thing about road trips is that you’ll never know what’s going to happen so savor every moment – good or bad.
A day hike through a park or a mountain trail is also a great opportunity to strike up good conversations and laughter. You’re best friend won’t forget something like this. Pack a picnic lunch, slip on some comfortable shoes and don’t forget to bring plenty of water. Southern California has wonderful day hikes throughout its many hills and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia has some neat places to explore such as Luray Caverns, a four-hundred-million-year-old cave complete with its own natural and completely musical organ.
If you’re not strapped for cash, organize a weekend getaway. Places like Las Vegas, Freeport Bahamas, Baja Mexico, Tijuana and New York are inexpensive places to fly to depending on where you’re flying from. Hey, don’t be scared to pick a nearby city in another state and explore it. Sometimes the best vacations are unplanned ones.
Get your Thrills in a Different Way
Relive your childhood memories at a theme park. What better way to get your thrills than on roller coasters. Places like Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA also offer awesome entertainment shows. Disney World in Orlando, Fla. is always a winner for fantasy rides. Don’t forget other places such as Six Flags (located throughout the country) and water parks like Water Country U.S.A. (also located in Williamsburg, VA). You might even want to park hop if you travel to an area where there’s more than one theme park. Or maybe even make it a two-day stint. For example, King’s Dominion offers some of the most heart-racing, hair-raising roller coasters in the country and is located in Richmond, Va. – just a two hour drive from Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
How about heading to the ballpark, hockey rink or basketball court to see a sports game? There’s nothing like a night of cheering for your favorite team while filling up on hot dogs, popcorn and fountain drinks. Or maybe organize a game of your own at a local park. Talk about old times with the groom (or bride) over a picnic after you’ve worked up an appetite playing the game. Don’t forget about other sports such as golf or mini-golf. Challenge your buddies to whole-in-ones then head to the clubhouse for good drinks and laughs. Don’t forget to present awards such as “Best Slicer” and “Best Tree Hitter.”
Surprise your friend with a night out on the town in a limousine. Some stretch-rides come with some of the most amazing amenities such as flat screen televisions and table-tops. Think about having the party inside the limo – open up presents, eat party food and have a champagne toast inside the ride or have the chauffer drop you off and pick you up at a concert, your friend’s favorite restaurant or both. This plan works well for small groups. Don’t forget to ask the limo company about the capacity limit for the vehicle. Suggestion: make it a surprise. Tell the bride or groom to be ready at a certain time. Then show up in the limo and progressively pick up old friends along the way. The destination could be at a rented facility or home where the rest of the gang awaits for a party!
A Little R&R Can’t Hurt
Rent a nearby cabin, beach cottage or yacht for a few days and re-hash old memories or make new ones as you spend the time cooking, lounging and playing card or board games while enjoying the relaxing scenery and sounds. Great places to hunker-down are Jackson, Wyoming for spectacular mountain views or the Outer Banks in North Carolina for quiet beach communities. Worried about the cost? Split the price among friends. Then the burden won’t be all on you as the best man or maid-of-honor.
A day at the spa or a weekend at a resort is sure to please the senses of the Bride or Groom. Pamper yourselves with massages and facials while sipping on mixed-drinks. Don’t forget about a good manicure or pedicure too. You’ll have your best friend looking great for his/her wedding day!
The guys can call this movie night and the girls can call this a slumber party. However you want to name it, the ultimate inexpensive way to have a blast is to rent the bride or groom’s favorite movies and make it a movie marathon night. Order pizza or have the others bring their favorite dish. Send out funny invitations such as “Don’t miss your last chance to watch all your favorite chick-flicks!” Girls can pillow fight in their pajamas and guys can arm-wrestle. Be as silly as you like, this may be one of the few chances you’ll get to spend the night together.
Try Something New
One last tip for the not-so-clich�© bachelor/ette party:
Take a class together. Cooking classes, scuba-diving classes and Pilates classes can usually be taught in one, one or two-hour sessions. Choose something that might be useful to the bride or groom. Everyone will be sure to have fun trying something different!
