This January, we celebrated my friend Lexy’s bachelorette weekend at the Snowshoe ski resort in West Virginia. We rented an adorable cabin in the Treetops section of the resort. The cabin was absolutely perfect, with rustic ski decor, cute bunk rooms, and a cozy fireplace. Our first night there, we made dinner together, had a lingerie shower, and played a ton of bachelorette games created by my talented friend Jae. She delivered the most impressive game ever, based on an episode of FRIENDS (one of Lexy’s favorite shows). In the episode (The One with the Embryos), the girls and guys play a Jeopardy-style game about how well they know each other. Jae re-imagined the game, complete with all the same categories as seen on the show, with all the questions focused on Lexy. It was super fun and so creative!
The next day, we went snow tubing, a winter activity that anyone can participate in. Snowshoe also has tons of skiing and snowboarding, but tubing was perfect for our group since not everyone knew how to ski. We ended the weekend with an amazing backcountry adventure dinner trek. We drove Polaris RZRs down a forest path to a cabin in the woods, where we were served an amazing gourmet dinner. We were all a little unprepared for how muddy the drive would be—definitely wear clothes that you are OK getting a bit dirty in because you will even get mud on you inside the cars! But once we reached the cabin, we were blown away with how beautiful it was and how great the dinner was—I had a delicious roast duck.
Know before you go: Driving to Snowshoe is a little like going back in time 10 years…because there is no cell phone service for about two hours surrounding the resort and at the resort itself! A local explained that the nearby Greenbank Observatory creates a silent bubble for miles around to allow it to listen to and broadcast signals into space. Yep, they’re looking for aliens! The result: no cell service! Once you reach the resort, you’ll be able to log onto Wi-Fi and can text and FaceTime while on the Wi-Fi network. But be sure to print out directions before you go just in case your GPS doesn’t make it all the way!
We had such a great time and I’d highly recommend Snowshoe for a laid-back winter bachelorette weekend!
The thing that they don’t tell you about getting married is that aside from the obvious benefit of uniting you with your soulmate for eternity, it also brings you closer to the women in your life. From texts and emails about the wedding to the special events dedicated to celebrating with your girlfriends, the process of getting married can be a celebration of female friendships as well as romantic love, with fun events like bridal showers and bachelorette parties helping you stay in touch with your girlfriends on a deeper level.
Like a lot of modern women, many of my closest girlfriends do not live in the same city as me. I’ve been working my way up the East Coast for the last decade and leaving close friends in my wake, from my oldest friends who I’ve known since grade school to my college girlfriends who I’m still close with almost ten years after our graduation (eek!). And now that I live in New York, life is just an exercise in watching friends move away. People leave the city all the time and in-person friendships become long distance in an instant. Which is to say that many of the relationships that matter most to me are long distance, and keeping up with them takes work. And I’d be lying if I said we all didn’t look forward to our next friend getting engaged as an excuse to see each other. YES, now we can plan a totally fun girls getaway weekend! Oh yeah, and we’re so happy for you too… But more importantly, bachelorette!
But what happens after everyone gets hitched? As I enter my early 30s, I’ve seen the last of my single friends start to get engaged and many of my friends start families. And I’d be sad to see those girls trips disappear in the process. So what’s a girl to do? Here’s how to stay in touch with your girlfriends by throwing a yearly girls getaway. It’s just like a bachelorette—just with a different name!
Keep Throwing Bachelorette Parties (You Can Call Them Girls Getaways If You Want)
Call it whatever you want—the intent is the same. You’re getting together to spend time with your best girlfriends. No bride is necessary, but you’re still allowed to have matching tank tops, themed parties and a weekend hashtag. Whatever you think is fun, do it—fancy brunches, gift bags, pool floats, wacky tours, whatever! The schedules you’ve dreamed up for bachelorette parties in the past work just as well for a girls getaway and you don’t need a life event like a wedding to justify them. Tell your girlfriends you want to throw a TK party once a year.
Make It a Yearly Tradition
If you’re like me (aka a crazy person), you plan out like all your vacation time at the beginning of the year. If I have a spare day, I will plan a trip. So planning to host your yearly girls trip around the same time each year will help ensure that more people are able to go. Weigh the pros and cons of holiday weekends (you don’t have to take time off of work and can always reserve that day so more people will be conflict-free, but prices may be higher, destinations more crowded, and some people may have family traditions that take precedence). Pick a month or holiday (spring break, Labor Day, the second week of June) and try to make your trip happen around that week each year. Developing routines helps make things a reality.
You Don’t Have to Go Big
If you’re able to spend a weekend in Paris or book a Fijian getaway with your favorite ladies, congratulations! I envy you! But you don’t have to travel internationally or break the bank. Thinking big can be intimidating, so sometimes doing something familiar makes it easier to actually make it happen. Suggest an area you’ve visited before and loved. Take turns visiting each other’s home city to save on costs. Rent a cabin in the woods, visit an area known for its wineries or pick a quiet local beach town and discover its charms. Make a shortlist of cities you’ve wanted to visit and work your way through them. If friends live on opposite coasts, institute an alternating coast rule—one year pick an East Coast destination and the next go west, which will help mitigate flight costs over time. Doing something is better than doing nothing, so don’t put up roadblocks.
Be a Leader
Chances are a lot of your girlfriends feel the same way you do—they want to see you more often but someone has to take the first step. Sometimes vocalizing something is all you need to do to get the ball rolling. Even if you know you won’t have the time to spearhead the entire weekend, taking a concrete action, like emailing out a cool AirBnb listing that’s caught your eye or floating a free weekend as the perfect time to meet up, may be all that’s needed to make this trip happen.
Just Go…Even If Some People Say No
Life is busy and not everyone is going to be able to commit to a yearly girls trip. Everyone has different priorities, and going on girls trips may not be in the cards for all your friends—maybe they’ve just had a baby, are on a tight budget after purchasing a home, or just don’t have enough vacation days to spend that year—and that’s OK. Don’t let a few no’s from the group keep you from saying yes. Go with the girls who want to and are able. Not having the whole group may seem like a bummer, but an even bigger bummer would be not doing anything at all.
For bride Morgan’s bachelorette party, her friends decked out a house by the sea in beachy peach and turquoise shades. The star of the party was the custom donut wall, decorated with peonies, greenery, balloons and, of course, donuts, each topped with a diamond cutout to look like an engagement ring. Mini bottles of champagne added to the festive atmosphere, along with seaside accents like pineapple drink stirrers and starfish decor. Sidney Leigh Photography was there to capture this gorgeous DIY bachelorette party.
For this fun and flirty boudoir bachelorette party shoot, event coordinators Anna and Shannon wanted a theme that would celebrate each girl’s unique look and style, while encouraging everyone to feel confident and empowered. “The shade of lipstick that a woman loves is a pretty personal choice, and what looks best depends on her skin tone, hair color and her smile. What better way to show a woman’s unique personality than to find her perfect red?” said Shannon. The ladies enjoyed Lady in Red and Dirty Shirley cocktails as Kristy’s Artistry Design Team helped each women select her perfect red lipstick, and styled her hair to perfection. Then Kathy of Simply K Studios captured boudoir portraits for each guest, helping the women feel confident and beautiful in these chic and stylish looks.
For bride Unsa’s bachelorette party, her friends and bridesmaids chose an activity they knew the bride would adore—a trip to the zoo with special access to the animal exhibits! The group traveled to The Good Zoo at Oglebay Resort in West Virginia and worked with an animal trainer to feed and train three different animals: red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs and river otters. Afterward, the ladies headed home for a picnic and mini photo shoot with Courtney of CTG Photography, who also captured their animal encounters. We love this unique zoo bachelorette —the bachelorette party should be tailored to the bride’s personality and interests, just like this one!
This Nashville bachelorette weekend guide has been a long time in coming. When I first visited Nashville in 2014, I saw bachelorette parties on every corner. And it’s not hard to understand why! The city is alive with art, live music on every corner and a signature Southern charm. But I wanted to ask a local expert to pen this guide to the perfect Nashville bachelorette weekend. Enter Lisa and Erin of Bachelorette Boutique. When I first spoke with the co-owners of this Nashville-based bachelorette planning service, I instantly knew we shared the goal of helping women create modern, stylish bachelorette parties that appeal to the bride’s unique personality and tastes. I asked them to share some of their favorite spots in Nashville for a bachelorette bash. Need more help? Bachelorette Boutique offers instant online booking for fun services like flower crown classes, private concerts or a “champagne bathtub.”
Here are Lisa and Erin’s recommendations for the perfect Nashville bachelorette weekend.
Live Music Everywhere
There’s nothing quite like the sun on your face, a drink in your hand and the perfect soundtrack playing through your bachelorette weekend. In Music City the playlist never stops, with live bands in every bar and on every corner. Long known for its host of top country stars, Nashville has become much more than just country music, with all genres from rock to bluegrass and jazz taking center stage.
Where to Visit: Broadway’s honky tonk bars are a must-visit for your bachelorette party. Try Tootsie’s or The Stage for a rooftop vibe and classic country. For a more personal experience, take your group to the renowned Bluebird Cafe, or check out the calendar at Mercy Lounge—they host a ’90s cover band once a month!
Southern History & Charm
Beyond Nashville’s urban vibes, the city is filled with friendly Southerners, historic plantations and some truly Instagramable neighborhoods. For a unique experience, take your bachelorette party over to the historic Belle Meade Plantation for a wine tasting or pairing. This 1820s Southern mansion sits on 34 acres and will make you feel as though you’ve been whisked away to the Old South.
More History to Love: Grab dinner at The Standard at The Smith House, an 1840s townhouse with a hidden champagne cellar in the basement, or for a quick day trip, escape to Lynchburg for a tour of the original Jack Daniel’s distillery. Don’t forget to order a sweet tea!
Incredible Nightlife and Restaurants
From shrimp and grits to freshly baked biscuits, Nashville does Southern food right. On a recent trip, Anthony Bourdain heralded Nashville as a “food haven with the most awesome music in the history of the world, maybe even the universe.” Long story short, Nashville knows how to eat and it knows how to party.
What the Locals Know: Make your group reservations early since restaurants fill up fast. There’s a new restaurant to try every week, but recently we’re loving Le Sel for their brunch punch bowls, Butchertown Hall for shareable tapas and Biscuit Love for some truly amazing fresh biscuits, as the name implies.
For the best bachelorette spots to drink and hang out, grab a cocktail and a bowling ball at Pinewood Social, a rooftop rosé at the Thompson Hotel’s L.A. Jackson, bourbon and music at Skull’s Rainbow Room, or don your best boots and head to Broadway for all-night dancing. For our complete list of restaurant recommendations, check out our Nashville Restaurant Guide.
Bachelorette Insider Tips
With so many guides and reviews on what Nashville has to offer, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you’re interested in planning a bachelorette trip to Nashville, here are a few tips to make your stay unforgettable.
Hotels and AirBnb: Book your accommodations early! Nashville’s rooms book up quickly, so make sure to lock in your favorite spot as soon as you know your bachelorette party dates. Try to stay in Midtown, The Gulch or Germantown for the most convenient proximity to attractions. Many hotel rooms will allow up to four girls in a room and Airbnb houses can accommodate up to 12 or 15 guests. We love the 21c Museum Hotel for its art and design, and the Thompson Hotel for its prime location and amenities. For an indie experience, try East Nashville’s Urban Cowboy Bed & Breakfast, recently featured in Vogue.
Transportation: Nashville is teeming with Ubers and Lyfts and we’ve never actually waited more than 3 minutes for one to arrive at the door. The Nashville airport has a dedicated ride share pick-up area, and a trip to downtown’s core only takes about 15 minutes, sans traffic. If you’d rather skip that trip, groups can always grab a private SUV to transport them around in style. Champagne included.
Filling Your Weekend: Don’t waste a minute. There’s so much to see and do in Nashville that it can be easy to arrive overwhelmed or under-researched. Make a list of your top “must-visits” so you don’t get sucked into tourist traps while you’re here.
ABOUT BACHELORETTE BOUTIQUE
Bachelorette Boutique is a luxury planning company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Launched with a mission to modernize the bachelorette industry, they offer a completely online booking experience to save you stress and time. Let them create a custom weekend tailored around you, or book your own unique services online like flower crown-making classes, a private performance with a Nashville singer-songwriter, or the Champagne Bathtub: a real claw foot bathtub delivered to your door and filled with bottles of champagne. Learn more at www.luxurybachelorette.com.
We asked our friend and native of Austin, Texas, Nikki ofFling Before The Ring to share her recommendations for a perfect Austin bachelorette weekend. And Nikki is something of an expert since she started her own personalized planning and design service customizing Austin bachelorette parties. Nikki says, “Although it’s almost impossible to tell you all my favorite things in this city without writing a ten-chapter novel, I was up to the challenge! I’m giving you the lowdown on my favorite iconic sites, posh places and hidden gems that help ‘Keep Austin Weird’. No matter what you envision for your big trip, you’re not going to want to miss this!” Need more help? Contact Nikki for details on personalized party agendas for your Austin bachelorette party.
Where to Stay
Hotel Van Zandt: The chic, modern gothic boutique hotel is within walking distance to the popular bars on Rainey Street. Plus, check out the secret fourth floor where you’ll find Geraldine’s restaurant and a rooftop pool with a roaring fireplace.
Hotel Saint Cecilia: This quaint boutique hotel is every girl’s dream. Grab a cocktail in their pretty garden or snap a pic by their famous neon “SOUL” sign out by the pool.
Airbnb: Snag a cool Austin pad on the East Side for easy access to neighborhood coffee shops and feel like a true Austinite.
Where to Eat
Walton’s Fancy & Staple: A great spot for a lazy Sunday brunch. Get there early though as they often run out of the scrumptious weekend specials as the day goes on!
La Condesa: For a special dinner, try this Tex-Mex institution with a modern flair. Keep the tapas and margs coming!
Josephine House: This picture-perfect neighborhood bungalow-turned-restaurant makes for a quaint lunch spot. Dress up their picnic benches with your own custom tabletop décor.
Bangers: Beer, sausages and outdoor live music. Say no more.
Gourdough’s Food Truck: If you can dream it, this place will put it on a donut. The strawberry shortcake and the Fat Elvis (with peanut butter, bananas and bacon) are some of our faves.
Craving something sweet? Check out Austin’s favorite Amy’s Ice Creams, or swing by Moojo for the best ice cream cookie sandwich of your life. Or take it up a notch and have dessert cocktails and tableside s’mores at Halcyon.
What to Do
South Congress: All things weird are found on this strip. Explore funky shops like Kendra Scott’s very first jewelry store, grab an iced turbo at Joe’s Coffee and take a picture in front of the “I Love You So Much” wall with your gals.
Milk & Honey Spa: A local Austin favorite for a day of pampering
Sweat it out at local yoga studio Wanderlust, or find a barre or cycling class (ask about private classes for your group ahead of time!). Or if you feel like being a bit touristy, rent those cute red bikes to ride around the lake.
Up for day drinking? Book a tour out to Deep Eddy Distillery for some delicious flavored vodka cocktails. Or take your pick of local breweries, like Austin Beerworks if you’re trying to pace yourself.
Picture a bunch of cute old houses that have been turned into bars complete with corn hole and live music in the backyard. That’s Rainey Street in a nutshell. Check out the famous Banger’s Sausage House for live music, pop over to Lucille’s and order a Ruby Mule (you’ll thank us later), then be sure to end at Craft Pride for some late-night Food Network-featured pizza at the food truck out back, Via 313.
Austin’s music culture is seriously on point. People travel from all over the world to experience it. If you aren’t lucky enough to travel during the largest music festivals (SXSW in the spring and Austin City Limits in the fall), not to worry! Go catch some good live music any weekend at venues like Stubbs BBQ or go dance the night away anywhere on the “Dirty 6th” strip. Head west on 6th Street for something a bit classier. You might even spot a famous Bachelor who happens to own one of the bars!
