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My Charleston Bachelorette Weekend

I recently celebrated my bachelorette weekend in Charleston with my best girls and I am still buzzing with excitement. It was absolutely the perfect bachelorette for me, full of relaxing beach walks, classy specialty cocktails, delicious Southern cuisine, a little bit of dancing and hours talking and laughing with the ladies I love most. You can find my complete list of recommendations for a Charleston bachelorette at the bottom of this post.

The Details
I met up with my MOH Meryl and bridesmaid Michele at the Charleston airport Thursday evening and we headed straight to dinner at Leon’s Oyster Shop, a cool, eclectic space downtown that specializes in oysters and fried chicken. After a delicious meal, we made a pit stop at the grocery store to stock up on the essentials—aka copious amounts of wine, an entire watermelon, and breakfast foods—while we waited for the rest of the ladies to arrive. (Side note: We ran into what was clearly a bachelor party on the boy version of our grocery trip, filling one cart with beer and a second with canned chili.) Our home for the weekend was the Wild Dunes resort on the Isle of Palms. Meryl’s aunt and uncle own a three-bedroom beach cottage there and were so, so generous to offer to let us use it. It was absolutely perfect—gorgeously decorated in beach-chic blues and whites and the perfect size for our group. They even had party cups and a stuffed shark to act as our weekend mascot!

Meryl put together adorable Charleston-themed gift bags for all the guests and Michele was almost instantly dubbed art director for the weekend when I found her artfully arranging the items for a photo. And she did an amazing job styling our photos for the rest of the weekend! Personalized cup in the sand? Her idea. Constantly shifting us around to get good light? She was on it. Though assistant art director Lexy is responsible for the sand writing 🙂

Friday morning, after sleeping off way too much wine, the girls made an amazing breakfast at home and we headed out to the beach for a stroll, followed by pool drinks and snacks at the Wild Dunes Grand Pavilion. It was just a little bit too chilly for sunbathing or swimming, but it was still lovely and the perfect time to catch up, which is just one of the best parts of a bachelorette weekend. Fellow bride Jae and I got to compare notes on our upcoming weddings. I’m pretty in awe of her—she planned her wedding in four months whereas I will be coming up on a year of planning! Definitely more to come from her summer wedding soon!

After a very important power nap (what, we’re old!), we started the evening at Poogan’s Porch, which serves modern twists on Southern classics (I had the crab and shrimp linguini because, hi, learned my lesson from wine on night one: carbs needed!). All of Meryl’s restaurant choices and the schedule she planned for the weekend were amazing and spot-on me. This is probably the only vacation I’ve ever taken in my life where I haven’t planned one thing, Yelped one restaurant or pulled up Google Maps once in a fit of “where the heck do we go next.” It was heaven! Next, we had drinks on the roof of the Vendue and then headed to Trio for some dancing, where the DJ was spinning 90s jams as if he knew we’d be there (plus, JT’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” because I’m obsessed right now).

Saturday was my bridal shower brunch, and beforehand my friends planned a scavenger hunt for me in our beach house. Each clue was written by my bridesmaid Amanda, who is the queen of cute poetry and emoji usage—she created the poems for our popular wine basket shower gift. The clues led me to the shower gifts, which were all travel-themed, referencing places Andrew and I have visited together. The last clue led to my shower, hosted by my amazingly generous friend Nichole, in the back garden of Eli’s Table in Charleston, where we enjoyed a hearty brunch and some much-needed mimosas in the Charleston sunshine. I was so touched by the thought that everyone put into the shower—it was so personalized to Andrew and I and resulted in me making many silly faces while opening my gifts!

After our outdoor brunch, we were in need of a little AC time. Luckily, Nichole had wisely made a midday reservation at The Gin Joint. Because what’s the best thing to do after you finish two pitchers of mimosas? Have a specialty cocktail, duh! The Gin Joint makes cocktails for you based on a selection of words on the menu, so I asked for a “fizzy and refreshing” drink and received an awesome combo of gin, muddled strawberries, lime and ginger beer. Maybe one of my favorite spots we stopped in Charleston!

Next, we took a stroll along the waterfront of downtown Charleston and through the historic quarter to get a look at Charleston’s rainbow-colored homes. The city really has so much charm and there’s a gorgeous garden or wrought-iron gate around every corner. To end our weekend, we headed over to nearby Sullivan Island for a dinner of wood-fired pizzas and on-tap cocktails at the Obstinate Daughter. I cannot believe how fast the weekend flew by, and I already miss my girls. But I’m even more excited for my wedding this October!

My Bachelorette Guide to Charleston

Stay
Wild Dunes: We were lucky enough to have access to a house, but Wild Dunes has tons of vacation rental properties as well. The beachfront community has tons of pools, a golf course, tennis, dining—it’s a really wonderful home base with a lot of Charleston charm.

Eat & Drink
There are so many amazing restaurants in Charleston—you can hardly go wrong. We loved:

Modern twists on Southern classics in a historic Charleston home at Poogan’s Porch. Try the shrimp and grits and the fried green tomatoes.
Brunch in the back garden of Eli’s Table. Their hearty meals and pitchers of mimosas are perfect the day after a night out.
Fresh oysters and fried chicken at Leon’s Oyster Shop. We loved the eclectic vibe of this joint.
Wood-fired pizzas at Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island. Try the Old Danger pizza topped with pancetta, mozzarella, a white sauce and a farm egg and one of their cocktails on tap.
With creative cocktails like The Studmuffin and The Debutante, The Gin Joint makes for a perfect happy hour stop. We especially loved the “bartender’s choice” option.

Wear
My bridal shower look: Dress | Shoes

Thank you a thousand times…
Meryl Dann: COO/Team Captain | Michele Fogel: Art Director | Amanda Leith: Creative Director | Jae Haley: Stylist | Lexy Harrison: Medical Advisor/Asst. Art Director | Nichole “If You Won’t Do It, I Will” Burnap: Chief Instigator

A Madonna Inn Bachelorette Weekend

A night in the iconic Madonna Inn has been on my bucket list for awhile, so I’m seriously crushing over this bachelorette weekend. The landmark inn is known for its elaborately themed rooms and kitschy, whimsical decor, with suites decorated in styles ranging from Swiss chalet to African safari (indoor waterfall included). This bride asked each guest to bring an outrageous and colorful dress for a photo shoot by Brandi Lopez Photography on the hotel grounds. Many chose to finally get a second wear out of an old bridesmaid dress or their prom dress, while a few ladies channeled the 80s with thrifted frocks. The Madonna Inn bachelorette weekend included a night out in downtown San Luis Obispo and a Saturday afternoon wine tasting in Paso Robles.

A Winter Girls Getaway to Lake Louise

I love the idea of a snowy winter escape. It’s perfect for a laid-back bachelorette, or just a much-needed getaway with your girlfriends. Erin from Fuller Edge Photography had just such an adventure when she and a few friends took a girls getaway to Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. The ladies started the day off with a brisk sleigh ride with Brewsters Adventures, which took them all around the lake, affording gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and forest. After a quick thank you to the horses and a turn on the ice, the ladies made a lunch stop at Baker Creek Mountain Resort. Sherrie of Oak & Meadow had packed an amazing picnic lunch (including spiked hot chocolate and whipped cream, of course), which they enjoyed around one of the resort’s roaring fire pits. Winter perfection.

A Key West Bachelorette Weekend Guide

Virginia wedding photographer Kim Stockwell is used to being behind the lens rather than at the center of the action. But for her bachelorette bash in Key West, Kim was blown away by the action-packed weekend planned by her closest friends. “Nine very important people in my life made me feel insanely loved and I am beyond grateful,” said Kim. Kim took a few moments to snap pictures of the gorgeous Florida beaches and their cute beach bungalow close to party-central Duval Street, as well as a group shot or two, which made the perfect thank-you gift to remind the girls of their weekend in the sun.

Check out Kim’s Key West bachelorette weekend agenda below to help plan your own trip to the southernmost city in the continental USA.

Check in to your house on Louisa Street, just a block off of Duval Street, the hub of nightlife and general revelry in Key West. This adorable cigar cottage is decorated in the quirky tropical patterns and bright colors typical of the Key West style, but the real draw is the backyard, complete with plunge pool, grill and patio setup perfect for a casual dinner. Serve drinks and dinner in the backyard one night, or for a casual dinner out, try Willie T’s.

No trip to Key West is complete without a Duval Street bar crawl. Sloppy Joe’s has a huge dance floor and Irish Kevin‘s in known for the great live music, friendly bartenders and generally fun and laid-back atmosphere. The rotating roster of performers are top notch, creating a nightly dance party. (Make sure to try the cinnamon toast crunch shooter.)

Sign up for the Fury’s Ultimate Adventure, an all-day boat trip that includes snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and more. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon drinks are included in the price of the tour (and the cute crewmembers are an added bonus). A great deal for everything you get!

After a day on the water, head to dinner at the Conch Republic Key West, a beautiful open-air restaurant overlooking the marina (which happens to be right next to the dock you board for the Fury tour). Be sure to try Key West specialties here, like conch fritters, mahi mahi and key lime pie.

If you’re hoping to model your Key West adventure on that season of The Real World, try Dante’s, a giant pool party complete with floating beer pong and shot skis.

Head to 801 Bourbon Bar for their world-famous drag show (it’s been running for 25 years!). This raunchy, racy show isn’t for everyone, but the right bride will have a blast. Call ahead to book a table in front and to the left of the stage, where there’s plenty of room for a large group. The bride gets in free, but the $10/person cover for the other members of your party is well worth it.

After your night out, you’ll be in need of a restorative brunch at Louie’s Backyard Afterdeck. Enjoy a mimosa and tres leches French toast on the multi-level deck overlooking the ocean.

A Hen Party Hike in Andalusian Spain

Bride Rebecca chose to have her “hen stomp” a few days before her wedding, which was held in a rustic finca in the middle of the Sierra de Las Nieves nature park in the Andalusian region of Spain. As many of her guests had traveled far to be with her, Rebecca wanted to show them more of the gorgeous region that she calls home. Her closest friends gathered in the mountain village of Yunquera, not far from her home, to go on a hike. The trek (led by Jacqui, a friend who knew the area well) took them along country roads, down a steep gorge to a lush valley, a huge dam and the Zarzalones cave, where the Rio Grande river is born. Afterwards, the group gathered at the bride’s favorite nearby restuarant and were joined by other women from her family for a night of delicious regional food, wine and laughter. Photographer Ruth Joy, a close friend of the bride, captured the beautiful countryside walk and emotional dinner party that followed.

From bride Rebecca:

I chose to have a long walk for my hen party because so many guests had come a long way to stay in this particularly beautiful part of the world, and I wanted to show them some special local places. As everyone had paid for their flights and accommodation, I didn’t want to ask people to start forking out for activities. My friend Jacqui, who knows the area well, led us along country roads and pathways, down a steep gorge to a lush valley, a huge dam and a cave called Zarzalones, where the Rio Grande river is born. We sat on the dam and enjoyed the surroundings with a glass of bubbly. A friend, Kayte, picked some wild flowers on the way and wove them into a crown, which I still have. A few women jumped off the dam into the crystal clear, very cold river water, to cool down after the hike. We then walked across the dam and into the cave, to find the source, where the river bubbles up from a deep underground channel. There were bats hanging from the roof, and a wonderful stillness and darkness inside. Some of us had a swim in the source pool, which was icy cold but very invigorating. This was one of my favourite moment of the whole day—bathing in the source pool while singing with some wonderful women.

After an hour or so at the cave, we made our way back up to the path, and walked the last five kilometers into the village, to a restaurant called Enara’s, my favourite in this area. The owners are so welcoming and accommodating. We had about ten more people than I’d booked for, but the lovely food just kept coming and the wine flowing. There we met the rest of the hen party—those who’d been unable to join the walk. We got changed and scrubbed up a bit in the loos, then sat down to a fantastic feast. My best lady, Steph, had prepared a Mr and Missus quiz, which got quite awkward at times because my Mum was there! Steph had also made a slideshow of photographs taken during our long friendship, along with pictures of my childhood, my family and—this part had me crying—my two daughters.

I’m so grateful to Ruth for capturing the magic of the day with her photography. We’ve been great friends for half our lives, and I admire her talent for capturing the beauty and essence of people and places.

Photography: Ruth Joy Photography | Restaurant: Enara

Free Bachelorette Party Photography from Dina Litovsky

How would you like to have an award-winning photographer shoot your bachelorette party—for free? Dina Litovsky’s bachelorette photography series has won international awards, including first place in the prestigious International Photography Awards (2011, Culture), for her exploration of this rite of female bonding and empowerment. Here’s how it works: Dina tags along on bachelorette parties in the New York and New Jersey area. (She’s open to other locations, but a travel fee may apply. Contact her for details.) The bride chooses which activities and events she wants photographed, be it just a couple of hours or every moment of the destination weekend. After all the festivities, the bride receives about 100 photos of the event, including group shots and details, and Dina uses one or two in her photography series. For further details, email Dina at dina@stregoica.com. Knowing that Dina has attended a lot of bachelorette parties, Ultimate Bridesmaid just had to ask for her take on what the bachelorette stands for—and how she got interested in photographing them in the first place!

UB: So, how did you first decide to start shooting bachelorette parties?

Dina: Even though I lived in NYC for more than 20 years, I never fully “Americanized” [Ed note: Dina’s originally from the Ukraine.] and I didn’t have a bachelorette party when I got married. I attended my first one shortly after and was really fascinated by it. Mixed with all the drinking and partying there were so many tender, emotional moments. That really drew me in.

UB: There’s this idea that the bachelorette party is a kind of “girls gone wild” event, often involving strippers and all kinds of craziness. Have you found that to be true in the parties you shoot? Or are we moving toward different kinds of bachelorette parties?

Dina: I have shot several parties with strippers, but I have also shot events with spa retreats and tea parties. I do see the bachelorette party’s main idea to push some boundaries. These boundaries are very different for everyone, for some girls getting a stripper is a natural thing to do while others would find it really unpleasant and getting a penis-shaped cake is as wild as they are willing to go. It’s really an individual decision.

UB: In your opinion, what’s behind the bachelorette party tradition or what should it be about?

Dina: It’s not a well-known fact but the bachelorette party actually has roots in the feminist culture of the 1970s. It is really the first culturally accepted ritual that celebrates a woman’s freedom and sexuality. Before this, women only had the bridal shower where they were given recipes, kitchenware and were advised on how to be a good wife. Men, on the other hand had the fun and wild bachelor party. Creating the bachelorette party evened out the playing field.

UB: All the personal photographs I have from bachelorette parties are notoriously terrible. It’s usually too dark to get a good picture or we’re in places that are way too crowded. Any tips for capturing great photos at night?

Dina: Flash is definitely a must when shooting an event like this. However I think most bachelorette parties are blurry or dark because everyone at the party is drinking! I can never take a good picture while drunk, that’s why I am the only one staying sober and shooting all the action.

*****

View more images from Dina’s award-winning bachelorette series here and contact her to set up your own free bachelorette party shoot at dina@stregoica.com.

Ultimate Bridesmaid

The bridesmaid blog for bridal shower and bachelorette party inspiration, bridesmaid duties, party games, fashion, favors and more

Tag Archives: bachelorette party photography

My Charleston Bachelorette Weekend

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A Madonna Inn Bachelorette Weekend

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A Winter Girls Getaway to Lake Louise

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A Key West Bachelorette Weekend Guide

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A Hen Party Hike in Andalusian Spain

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Free Bachelorette Party Photography from Dina Litovsky

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