Let’s get ready to….. PAAAAARTAY!!!!! Now I have been to my fair share of bachelorette parties and I have heard stories of my fair share of bachelor and bachelorette parties, that I wish I could unhear. Now whether you love them or highly dislike them or have no opinion of them. Are they a necessary component of getting married, as society makes them seem? Now bachelor parties are said to be a man’s last night of freedom, if that’s the case is the same true for women? What about a same sex relationship? Are both women or both men considered go out with a bang on this “last night of freedom”. Let me just make it clear, I don’t particularly like the term, “last night of freedom”, what exactly does that mean? What are you freeing yourself from in one night? And what happens after the marriage, are you so tied down you aren’t free to be yourself? More on that in another post.

Now, I’m not opposed to either party, I see it as getting together with friends and family the night before your big wedding day and having the most fun filled celebratory time of your night, right before…your..umm… next big fun filled celebratory night. So what’s better than celebrating two nights in a row, so long as it’s responsible-ish. Bachelorette parties used to be referred to as hen parties, according to Wikipedia and done in an effort to celebrate the bride-to-be. While, stag parties represented bachelor parties also according to Wikipedia, no matter what we call it now, if the more traditional hitting the club scene is not your thing, there are so many other ideas to do instead.

So what does one or several do if you are not into the traditional bachelor/bachelorette party at a nightclub or strip club? Below are a few non traditional/outside the box ideas for you to still get your party on. If you find yourself saying, well who is going to plan, pick a date and pay for my bachelor or bachelorette party. Just know that typically, the members of your wedding party will get together, plan, pick a date and pay for the soiree so the bride and groom to be can just show up and have a great time. While this is not an all inclusive list, and can be used for bridal shower ideas, let the planning begin! Speaking of bridal showers what’s the equivalent of a bridal shower for men, more to come on that in a later post.

• Treasure hunt
• Ladies night in
• A cook out
• Spa day or night
• A bonfire in the backyard
• A swimming party
• A food tasting using your local food trucks at the park
• Paint night
• Run a 5 or 10K
• Have a yoga party
• Go on A-day road trip
• At home tarot card or psychic medium reading
• Get crafty with a T-shirt designing contest
• Go to a theater or create your own at home theater show

Now, no matter who plans, pays or decides what the bachelor or bachelorette party is going to be, the whole point is to get together with friends family and relaxed and have a ton of fun. To be able to kick back, reflect and look forward to enjoying the next chapters of your life that you’ll share, create and love with the person you’ll be saying I-Do with. ❤️