If the idea of going out in public wearing any kind of plastic penis paraphernalia while being forced to accept shots from strangers makes you sick to your stomach (much like the aftermath of said shots), you don’t have to give up all hopes of celebrating your last days as a single lady with your nearest and dearest. You can, in fact, have an amazing bachelorette party that doesn’t involve strippers, shots or “Bride-To-Be” sashes—and we have a few suggestions for great bachelorette party alternatives to satisfy anybody.
Two words: Spa Day
If you’d rather have a bachelorette party that makes you feel, you know, healthier (as opposed to hung over), why not grab a gaggle of girlfriends and head to a spa for a day of pampering? Wedding planning is stressful, so you’re probably in need of a day filled with massages and pedicures anyway. You can get plenty of girl time sitting in a mud bath together, and trust me, your pores would prefer a facial to a night of binge drinking.
Get Physical
If you fancy yourself an athlete, or just like adventure, why not celebrate your upcoming nuptials by breaking a sweat with your besties? Book a bike tour of your city, fly through the air with the greatest of ease in a trapeze class, bounce around an indoor trampoline park, go for a hike, or trade the bar for the barre and take a ballet class… the possibilities are endless. Of course, once you’ve worked up a sweat, you can treat yourselves with a delicious meal, and possibly a little wine, because balance.
Embrace Your Artistic Side
Don’t feel like destroying your liver? May we suggest you create something beautiful instead? Sign your squad up for a private art class and get in touch with your artistic side. Whether you learn how to paint, sculpt, sew or even blow glass, you’ll have plenty of laughs and something pretty cool to remember the day by forever.
Drink with Class (Literally)
Just because want to skip the body shots, it doesn’t mean that you have to have a completely sober bachelorette party. If you live near a cluster of wineries, take your favorite friends wine-tasting, or on a tour of local microbreweries, if you’re more of a beer girl. Find out if any local bars offer cocktail classes, so you can teach your husband how to make a proper drink for you after a long day of work.
Slumber Party
Let’s face it—you’re never too old for a good, old-fashioned pajama party. If you want to get seriously silly as you reminisce with the girls who have seen you through the highs and lows of singlehood, and stay up way past your bedtime, a grown-up slumber party is the perfect setting. Watch movies, play games, drink wine and laugh all night long, without ever having to put on pants. You can even step the game up by renting a hotel room to celebrate in.
Progressive Dinner
If you’re more of a foodie than a lush, consider swapping the traditional pub crawl for a progressive dinner. Here’s how a progressive dinner works: you and your girlfriends eat your way through the town, with drinks at one restaurant, appetizers at another, entrees at a third, and dessert at a fourth dining establishment. All you need is transportation and an organized friend to make reservations.
Hit the Road
If you have the time and the budget, a bachelorette party is the perfect excuse to go on vacation. So get out of town! This is an especially good option if you have a smaller group of friends, since planning a group trip can admittedly be a challenge, but the memories will certainly last a lifetime.
