Throwing a PG-Rated Bachelorette Party

We’ve seen the Hollywood type bachelor and bachelorette parties, but really, are those the kind of parties every single spouse-to-be wants? No, and for a good number of reasons — ethics, religion, personal preference, and even minors. Yes, minors. When my best friend was married, her maid of honor and most of her bridesmaids were either minors or under 21 years old. So you see, strippers and alcohol was not in that mix, and many others want it that way. So here are some ideas on how to throw a PG-rated bachelorette party. I do have to say a couple of things. First, these ideas can be tweaked to fit a bachelor party. Second, I say PG-Rated instead of G-Rated because come on, if a person is old enough to be getting married, I assume that person is old enough to handle any reference to the wedding night that may arise during the course of the party.

Idea 1: Get a theme
Having a theme is not necessary, but it just makes things easier for party planner. It can be a color theme, and the popular colors are usually black and pink. If you want to venture off from those colors, go for it! The theme can also be something like “A Night Out” or “Painting the Town Red” or “Pamper Pamper” or “Memory Lane.” The themes “A Night Out” and “Painting the Town Red” simply means going out to different places in one whole day. You can start off by going to the beach or an amusement park, then out to go bowling, mini-golf, ice-skate (skate, roller blade), watch a movie or play or symphony or opera, visit a museum, and whatever floats your boat. Look around your city and find what’s going on and what you can do. You could also go dancing if everyone is old enough to get into a club. If you don’t like the club scene, but want to go dancing anyway, bring CDs, a CD player, the cord, and extra batteries.

“Pamper Pamper” is to pamper the ladies. This theme can be significantly the most expensive theme, but the idea is to take the whole gang to be pampered. The ultimate pampering is going to a spa, but check out your local salon businesses. You could get facials, massages, pedicures, manicures, a wax, a hair trim, etc. Warning: do NOT let the bride do anything to her hair on a whim because she might regret it so close to her big day. Always use professional businesses or trusted and proven businesses especially when it has anything to do with your skin, like facials. Manicures and pedicures is a great idea especially for those in the entourage. You would want to be presentable, and that includes fingers and toes (unless shoes or dresses hide toes and gloves hide hands).

“Memory Lane” is visiting places significant to the bride and to those in the party. Everyone in the party can contribute. You could eat at the restaurant the bride and one of the ladies once ate at. You could also eat at your group’s favorite fast food restaurant. Visit the playground the bride grew up in as a child. Was there some beautiful lake you and the bride stumbled upon because you got lost? Encourage everyone to think. Plan your route, visit the palces, have fun, take pictures, make a collage, and give it as a wedding present!

Idea 2: Slumber Party
Now, this could be a theme, but I separated it as an idea because I think it’s a great idea! You may take one of the themes above and finish it off in a night at a hotel. I highly suggest renting even a small suite in a hotel, unless someone’s got an empty house you could all sleep over at. Remember those CDs and the CD player? Now you can dance! Be courteous of those in the next rooms of course. If the wedding is not the day after, and the day after is pretty much empty of appointments, consider having a late night. Talk about first kisses, first dates, worst and best guy moments, etc. Give the bride presents, and if she receives any lingerie, have her try them on…on top of her pajamas! Let the night take its course, and have fun being in each other’s company.

Idea 3: Do something out of the ordinary
This could mean doing something the bride has never done before, but be careful. You should stick to doing something the ladies in the group have done at least a couple of times. Maybe you have all gone camping before, not necessarily together, but there’s experience in the group. Consider taking a camping trip. If nobody has experience with camping, a whole lot of wrong can happen, like bug bites, broken nails or body parts, burnt food, getting lost, etc. If there is previous experience, talking about the future or reminiscing under the stars is a beautiful experience. If camping is not for you, but you want that solidarity and nature, then scope around for a deal on a cabin up somewhere. Think out of the box. Most girls rarely go camping, and this is why I suggest it. Would husbands really let their wives go camping without them?

Idea 4: Get out of your city
It’s not a road trip, but a get away. Explore a city you have always wanted to explore. Stay at a hotel in the neighboring town. Don’t stick to the same ol’ same ol’. Maybe you want to go bowling. Try a different bowling alley instead of the one close to home. A change of surroundings may turn out to be all it takes to make your party special.

Idea 5: Take pictures
Preserve the memory! Take lots of picture and make a collage as a wedding present (I mentioned this earlier). Now, also consider taking studio pictures. The best day for this is the day after the bachelorette party, assuming you rented a hotel room or are in a house all together. After all the waking up and showering, really dress up. You can plan to all wear dresses, or plan to all wear the wedding colors, or your most flirtatious attire. Put on your outfits together, do each other’s make-up and hair, etc. Take studio pictures, have brunch, and then say you’re goodbye’s and see you later’s. This wraps up the party nice and neat.

Don’t feel constrained, overwhelmed, or pressured to throw a bachelorette party you’ve seen somewhere in the movies, the TV, or heard from someone else. Use the ideas above, or don’t use them. If something goes wrong, don’t sweat it. Something always seems to go wrong in a planned event, but the mishaps are where life becomes exciting. Remember, this party is about the bride and her friends celebrating the bride’s last blowout as a single person. Think of it as a way to de-stress the bride from the wedding plans. Whatever you do, just have fun!