All That Jazz
So, you here that a bachelorette party Chicago style is the way to go and you're planning a trip from your lazy little southern town, all the way to Illinois with the bride-to-be and her closest pals in tote. You're wondering now, however, who will pay the price. Take it from a guide to city bachelorette parties, a rule of thumb is that the bride should not have to pay for a single thing during the course of the party. If you dine at a restaurant or drink at a bar, the attendants should foot the bill. If it involves going away, however, it's a little different. You should always pay for all activities and accommodations. If you're hopping on a plane, however, the bride-to-be should be expected to pay for her own transportation to the party. That being said, run the idea past her first and be darn sure that she wants to dish out to incur the cost of a plane ticket before deciding to have an out-of-town party.
Take Your Party on the Road
A popular idea, if you can pull it off, is to plan an out-of-town an bachelorette weekend. You can head to a place that is special to the bride, such as a place she visited as a child, her old college town, or a city where a good friend of hers resides. You might go camping, hiking, climbing, rafting, a casino, a spa or resort, or to a city that she's always wanted visit but has never had the chance to (think about a NYC or New Orleans bachelorette party). Once you're there, you can do any or none of the suggested activities. Be sure, however, that the future bride has a blast and be sure that it's her weekend!* If you're having trouble deciding on a location, try picking up a sort-of guide to city bachelorette parties, or researching options online.
Look Your Best
Ladies throwing New York bachelorette parties have no reason not to look their best when heading out on the town. "Cheek to Chic" (cheektochic.com), run by make-up artist and personal make-up shopper, Rachel Wade, will give personal makeover sessions in your home. Rachel Wade parties will cost you $650 for 6 women and $100 per extra woman after that. The process is genius: Each woman brings her personal make-up supply to the party and Wade will walk each person through what works and what doesn't. She'll tell you what not to do, what to do, and what works best for you. And, after each woman has received her mini makeover, they will look like supermodels when they head out for the evening. Imagine how amazing it would be to be the most gorgeous group of girls out on the town!
Hey, Taxi!
When the drinking games at home get old, take your New York bachelorette parties to the town. Every smart girl knows, however, that it's never a good idea to drink and driveˇespecially if you want your friend to live to see her wedding day. If you haven't rented a limo or a party bus, hale a cab. If you haven't had a lesson in cabs, it's time you got one. Know where you want to go ahead of time and know the exact address as drivers often don't know where even the most popular bars are (or at least pretend not to). Also keep in mind that cabs can only accomodate four people (five if the cab driver allows a passenger to sit shotgun). If you split up make sure everyone knows the destination. On a final note, you can tell if the cab is available by checking to see if the if the middle light on the roof is illuminated. When a cab is occupied, only the side sections of the light will will be lit. It's incredible how many people still don't know how to catch a cab!
Las vegas Party Wild West Style
Believe it or not, Vegas isn't all flashing lights, casinos, and strip clubs (and Las Vegas bachelorette parties doesn't have to be either). Has your bride-to-be pal always had a hankering to cowboy up and ride into the sunset, cook over a fire, and fall asleep under the stars? Well, Vegas is the place to do it. Get out your boots and spurs and prepare for a Butch & Sundance Overnight Adventure.Butch & Sundance will pick your group up from your Vegas hotel and drive you to their cozy camp where you'll think that you and your gal pals have stepped into the wild, wild, west of yesteryear. You will ride into a spectacular sunset on horseback and then setle at a campsite where your own cowboy or wrangler will set up camp and prepare a delicious meal for your posse. As you relax for the night you will glance up into an open sky full of stars and magic! The following morning, you will rise to the scent of breakfast in a skillet and then you'll hit the trails again and ride back into the ranch headquarters.Sound like a wild time? For more information, call: 1-800-719-6423.
Pot Party!
Bachelorette party Chicago style! The biggest rage in Chicago bachelorette parties seem to be create-your-own pottery parties. If you decide to make pottery, it's a great idea to have every attendee of the party make a gift for the bride-to-be. You can plan these event at places like Glazed Expressions or PotHead). These places offer a large variety of items (dishes, bowls, vases, piggy banks, picture frames, etc.). Once you've selected an item, you can paint it with a colored glaze of your choosing. During the glazing, it's a good idea to sip wine (pack your own). It's also great to ask that some members of the party bring appetizers. Once your pots are finished, the staff will then put them in the queue to be cooked in the oven and will give you a date on which they will be ready for pick up (on a different day). Keep in mind that the pottery will be less than impressive when you it initially, the baking will bring the colors to life. Pricing of the unpainted pottery varies depending on which item you select (anywhere from $4 to $40). Depending on where you go, there may be an additional charge for glazing and firing or even a per hour charge. If you call ahead of time and let them know you're planning a bachelorette party, you might be able to talk your way into a discount.
Bachelorette Parties in the Big Easy
You don't need a guide to city bachelorette parties to know where the hot spots are. If want to let the good times roll on your last night as a single lady, plan a New Orleans bachelorette party. Start your spicy evening off with some great cajun food at one of New Orleans' countless delicious restaurants (like Tujague's, Jaques Ismo's, or Commander's Palace). After an exciting meal you will, of course, want to move the party down to Bourbon Street. The best thing about Bourbon Street is that both sides of it are lined with clubs and bars. When you get tired of dancing up a storm in one club you can move on to the next one. One of the most popular bars for bachelorette parties on Bourbon St. is "The Cat's Meow". This is a funky, two-story bar with endless possibilities. On the first floor you can put your name in a cue and take your turn at karaoke (no worries, no one will here you if you get the whole party up on stage together). And, if karaoke isn't your bag, head up to the second floor where you can listen to music and hang out on the balcony. The best thing about New Orleans is that the party doesn't stop until you throw in the towel. If you feel the urge you can party in the bars until dawn and why shouldn't you? It's your last night as a free woman!
Poetry to Music
New York is a crazy city and New York bachelorette parties should be just as crazy! Need a good idea? Try something a little different and take your party to The Donkey Show. Okay, okay, it's not what you're thinking! The Donkey Show is a creative theatrical masterpiece that is sure to be enjoyed by all of the gals. It's part theatre and part night life shenanigans that sets Shakespearean poetry to 70s music. You can shake it to the music til your heart's content! They even offer special packages for bachelorette parties of 10 or more. Packages include: free admission for the bride, a bottle of champagne, and a special Bachelorette-A-Kit. Tickets are between $35 to $45 each and can be purchase through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
Vegas, Baby!
Las Vegas bachelorette parties don't have to be all about the gambling. Okayˇmaybe a little casino action but c'mon girls, explore the city! When you check into your hotel, be sure to tell the person at the desk that you girlfriend is about to tie the know. A lot of times, if they're not full, hotels will offer you a free upgrade and maybe even some goodies. After a night of booze, gambling, and dancing, be sure to bring the bride-to-be past some of those all night wedding chapels so she can see what she's getting herself into!
Take it to NYC
The lights are bright on Broadway, girls, and the entertainment is everywhere. New York bachelorette parties have endless possibilities if you plan them out correctly. Start the evening out at one of NYC's countless fine restaurants. Enjoy some delicious food and sip cocktails. When your bellies are full, head to the theatre. At any given time there are numerous plays being performed around the city. Don't just pick a play on a whim, however, read reviews and pick a show that's doing well. Then, order the tickets ahead of time and be sure to inquire about group rates (you might get a deal). Post theatre take your party out on the town, the city never sleeps afterall! This event might sound epic but keep in mind that this is your dear friend's last night of singlehood so dragging it out is more than acceptable.
What Happens in Vegasˇ
What happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas but you have to make it happen to begin with. If you want to let your gal pal enjoy one last night of single life, Vegas is the place to do it ( you don't need a guide to city bachelorette parties to figure that out). Las Vegas bachelorette parties are in high demand and for good reason: Vegas is one big party. Get the girls together and get ready for the time of your lives. If you're going to have your bachelorette party in Vegas, don't just book flights and a hotel suite and hope for the best, plan the event out. There are countless companies that offer packages for bachelorette parties. These packages offer things like transportation, admission to nightclubs, booze, and even VIP guides to help you gain VIP admission to the top clubs (imagine avoiding those lines). These packages usually run between $200 to $300 a personal and are well worth the investment. Do a simple search on the Internet and you will find a bunch of package deals to choose from.