This breezy bachelorette weekend shot by Studio A+Q has me dreaming about a getaway to the South of France. Bridesmaids Zoé and Dorothée planned this serene weekend in Provence, filled with laughter and a few surprises for bride Eugénie. The fun started at the gorgeous Maison de Justine, a quiet maison d’hôte situated in the midst of a vineyard and overlooking a castle in the nearby village of Grimaud. The girls enjoyed a rustic breakfast in the garden and plenty of sunshine while strolling the grounds (neon shades required). Later, a decorated minivan arrived to shuttle them to nearby Pampelonne Beach for a relaxing day at the shore. The perfect ending? Releasing glowing paper lanterns into the night sky.
Category Archives: Bachelorette Parties
Paperless Post: Classin’ Up Bachelorette Invites
Ugly bachelorette invitations are one of my biggest bridesmaid pet peeves. Try to find a bachelorette invite that is not black and pink and does not include one of the following: shoes, lipstick and/or assorted lingerie. It’s just insulting! So these digital invites (which you can have printed as well) from Paperless Post are like a breath of fresh air, in poppy oranges and pale greens and without a “last fling before the ring” in sight. Don’t these feel so much more like women you actually know? 
Gather the girls for a weekend by the sea. 
Girls Gone Mild. Thank you. Pass the wine. 
Sun + fun. Manis + mimosas. Class + sass. I can go all day.
Total relaxation. Cucumber watercolor delight. 
Let’s just be honest—honestly adorable.
A Cooking Classy Bachelorette + Bridal Shower in Newport Beach
Matron of honor and big sis Tracey of Cameron Leung Photography used her experience as a wedding photographer to pull together this combination bachelorette party/bridal shower weekend for little sis Tania. The festivities kicked off with a private cooking class at Tspoons in San Juan Capistrano, where the ladies worked together to create a decadent five-course lunch, including potato leek soup, fresh baked bread, brandy braised beef, a handmade fettuccine and a french vanilla creme brûlée. After savoring their creations in the sun-filled dining room at Tspons, Tracy and a few helpers sped ahead to The Island Hotel in Newport Beach to set up a rest and revitalization bar for the girls, complete with bride-approved beauty favorites like Stila lip gloss, essie nail polish and a homemade lavender body scrub. (Tracy’s Hotel Decorating Tip: Use 3M Command Decorating Clips to hang decor so as not to damage the walls.) The girls enjoyed Izzie sodas and green tea Kit Kat bars from Japan (more of Tania’s favs) while getting ready, before graduating to the dreaded “shot dart board” as a warm-up to a night out in Orange County.
Photography: Cameron Leung Photography | Cooking class: Tspoons | Hotel: Island Hotel Newport Beach
A New Orleans Bachelorette Weekend Guide
New Orleans had been at the top of wedding photographer Jordan Quinn‘s lady-trip list for awhile (and it’s near the top of yours too as the number 3 bachelorette destination in our bachelorette survey). So when it came time to plan her own bachelorette, the choice was simple. Of course, she had to take a few snaps of the festivities, from the bead bonanza on Frenchman Street to a rejuvenating round of Bloody Mary’s during brunch at Stanley’s. To Jordan, the trip was about connecting with the most important ladies in her life. As she said, “I got to spend two days with my lifers, the souls who play a daily part in my life. These are the kind of friendships that an episode of Golden Girls is made up of.”
Check out Jordan’s New Orleans bachelorette weekend itinerary below to help plan your own bachelorette in the Big Easy! 
Start the weekend right with the perfect NOLA bachelorette favors: matching Mardi Gras masks. And beads, of course. Make your own masks or stop in to Maskarade to browse (and pose in) the gorgeous hand-painted creations.
For lunch, split a classic muffaletta sandwich at Central Grocery. This New Orleans creation is served on a full loaf of soft Italian bread (hence the splitting) and piled high with salami, ham, provolone, mozzarella and homemade olive salad.
For a unique daytime activity, take an air boat tour on the bayou.
Stop in at happy hour for a round of hurricanes at Pat O’Briens (you’ll probably only need one—these suckers are deceptively strong) and stay for karaoke and the piano bar.
To give the weekend a bachelorette twist, book a private aphrodisiac tour with Witches Brew Tours. This two-hour stroll through the French Quarter introduces you to the sultry past (and present) of New Orleans, while you sample oyster shooters, chocolate cannoli and even a vial of Love Potion #9 from the famous Voodoo Authentica.
Indulge in an afternoon treat of beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde…but also at Cafe Beignet…heck, just make this a daily tradition. Order your coffee with chicory, which adds an earthy, almost chocolate-like flavor.
New Orleans is a foodie’s fantasy—it’s hard to go ten feet without stumbling on an excellent restaurant. The region is known for cajun and Southern cuisine, with a focus on seafood. Split small plates like wood-fired oysters and alligator bites with chili garlic mayo at Cochan or, to see a different area of the city, head to Dominique’s on Magazine Street for modern seasonal French cuisine in a quirky renovated fire station.
A night on Frenchman Street is a must. Wander in and out of the many jazz clubs and bars, like The Spotted Cat Music Club and Apple Barrel Bar, to catch the live local acts. Plus, you can take your drinks to go (yep, that’s legal here—just make sure it’s in a plastic cup).
Leave your own NOLA recommendations in the comments!
A Love Is In the Air Bachelorette Party
This inspiration shoot from the lovely ladies of Little Miss Party is modern romance done oh-so-right. Inspired by their love of Valentine’s Day, Michelle and Seri created a “Love Is In the Air” theme around a few traditional symbols of love—hearts, red roses and, of course, champagne—but added a completely modern twist by incorporating pops of metallic and crystal and lucite serving vessels, like this silver-banded punch bowl. Even the refreshments add a sweet pop of pale pink, from the red hot cinnamon popcorn to the sparkling pink champagne and Izze soda cocktails (easily made virgin for the superstylish mommy-to-be in attendance). My favorite detail has got to be the “LOVE” sparkler cake topper (talk about a cute photo op). Plus, you’ll never guess how they made that killer gold table runner—it’s metallic sheeting from Party City, sold in 15-foot rolls and perfect for making affordable look chic!
Styling: Little Miss Party | Photography: Raquel Bianca Creative | Cake: Empire Cake
Tropical Beach Bachelorette Inspiration
So I don’t know how things are where you live, but I’m about done with this freezing, snow-filled insanity. Winter, please stop. Naturally, I’ve has been longing for warm-weather things—sunshine on the sand, citrusy cocktails and a refreshing dip in a crystal clear pool. For a little escape therapy, I’m bringing you a tropical beach bachelorette party inspiration board. I’m digging the retro bikinis from this poolside party and had to share my favorite new summer decor idea: faux presents floating in a pool! A pair of neon shades, a travel-size bottle of sunscreen and a mini-bottle of booze in a kraft box with neon trim is the perfect start to creating your own party welcome boxes. For refreshing treats, try these raspberry and lime sangria popsicles (yep, they have alcohol, folks!) or a classic paloma—a grapefruit, lime and tequila cup of sunshine. For more tropical beach party ideas, check out our Pinterest board.
Image credits: Poolside bachelorette, paloma cocktail, presents in the pool, bachelorette welcome box, beach umbrella pose, raspberry lime popsicles, heart sunnies, palm tree love.
Ultimate Bridesmaid Census 2013: The Bachelorette (Part 2)
What I learned and/or found surprising: Your top bachelorette destinations weren’t that surprising, but “other” was actually your top answer for where you’d been—40% chose it. This made for some really interesting write-in answers and I learned that many of you stay local for the bachelorette or journey to small beach or mountain destinations. In a terrible oversight, I left out New Orleans from the multiple choice answers, but enough of you wrote it in to show me my grave error.
My most exciting (and validating) discovery was something I’ve been hoping was true—you aren’t into strippers or penis-shaped paraphernalia! Only 3% would want a stripper at their bachelorette party and only 12% said they want “the traditional bachelorette,” complete with sash, tiara and necklaces sporting light-up man parts. I’ve always felt that these cheap party goods are kind-of weird and I certainly wouldn’t want them at my own bachelorette. Still, 67% want the kind of evening we associate with this party—dancing, drinks, girlfriends out on the town—just minus the juvenile plastic props. A very close second in the type of bachelorette you’d like was a relaxing beach weekend (with 59% choosing it in their top 3 options) and I’m guessing that a lot of people pair the two: beach in the morning, bar in the evening.
9% said that they wouldn’t be having a bachelorette and 23% want a nontraditional bachelorette—something that really appeals to their interests and reflects their own personality. There seem to be a small segment of girls who really love the bachelorette; it did get a good number of mentions in the final free-answer section on your favorite bridesmaid tradition. And it’s definitely more popular that the bridal shower. In our multiple choice section on your favorite part of being a bridesmaid, the top five answers related to the wedding day or wedding planning, while the bachelorette hit at #6. The bridal shower, on the other hand, took last place, even losing out to giving the maid of honor toast. A total breakdown on your favorite (and least favorite) bridesmaid duties comes later this week.
For more info from our bridesmaid survey, check out our infographic on maid stats and bridal showers. Your favorite part of being a bridesmaid (and the parts you really, really hate) to come soon!