Brilliant Bachelorette Parties

Your best friend just asked you to be her maid of honor. Congratulations! Now it’s time to plan an amazing bachelorette party.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s what’s new in the world of bachelorette parties.

Though destination parties — think Las Vegas, New Orleans, Nashville — are still popular, more brides and bridesmaids are opting for less expensive, more laidback options. A recent survey by OnePoll found 27% of respondents preferred a relaxing bachelorette party to one jam-packed with activities, and 42% preferred the party be local. And like other aspects of the wedding, bachelorette parties are becoming more personalized, tailored to the bride’s passions and interests.

With this in mind, we’ve gathered ideas for brides of every taste, all while staying local and without breaking the bank. Of course, you can mix and match activities to create your perfect bachelorette party experience.

Wine and Dine

Instead of the traditional bachelorette bar crawl, take your bridal party to a tasting. Our area is a wine lover’s dream, with a bounty of vineyards and wineries dotting the Brandywine Valley countryside. Try a stop or two along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, like Chaddsford Winery, Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg or Harvest Ridge Winery, with locations in Toughkenamon and Marydel, Delaware.

For those with stronger tastes, head for a local distillery. Relax and unwind with a cocktail at Bluebird Distilling, an award-winning grain-to-glass distillery in Phoenixville, or learn how whiskey is made in their Barrel Room. Another option is Elverson’s Brandywine Branch Distillers, makers of Revivalist Gins, Resurgent Whiskeys and ready-to-drink cocktails. Drop by the onsite Brandywine Branch Bistro and pair your drink with a farm-to-table meal. For more distilleries, check out “Raise a Glass to Local Distilleries” in our July 2022 issue.

Prefer beer to the hard stuff? Then take your party to Phoenixville and see how many breweries you can visit before you call it a night. From mainstay Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery to the relatively new Rec Room by Conshohocken Brewing Company, plus local favorites like Root Down Brewing Company and Iron Hill Brewery, this town has enough craft brews to satisfy even diehard hopheads.

For the foodie bride, why not book a private dining experience? Be sure to make a reservation well in advance for renowned Talula’s Table in Kennett Square. Your party will be treated to an exquisite eight-course chef’s tasting menu that changes seasonally, at the Farm Table (for eight to 12) or the smaller Nook Table (for four to eight). Another option is Peter Clark Kitchen in West Chester, which offers a private five- to seven-course dinner on the weekends for between eight and 22 guests. Got a favorite local restaurant? They may have a private room to book for your party.

The Great Outdoors

Get in tune with nature before the big day at one of Chester County’s many state and local parks or a local nature preserve. Plan seasonal outdoor activities, like hiking and biking, or get on the water with a kayak or canoe trip. Companies like Brandywine Outfitters in Coatesville or West Chester’s Northbrook Canoe Co. have everything you need for a fun-filled day of pre-wedding bonding on the Brandywine River.

Make your outing extra special with an upscale picnic. West Chester-based Wandering Picnics will provide everything you need — drinks, decorations, flowers, dinnerware and even a record player or Bluetooth speaker. Personalize your picnic with tons of add-ons or a custom theme.

Or extend your bachelorette party with a glamping trip. You can go DIY or get help from Make Memories Glamping & Picnic. Their all-inclusive package features a decorated weatherproof tent that fits four to six, memory foam bed with linens and pillows, and, of course, setup and breakdown. Sleeping outdoors not your style? Book an Airbnb for the weekend. Keep it local, try a Lancaster County farm stay or get away to a mountain cabin in the Poconos.

Feeling Adventurous

Looking for something unique? Bring your bridal party to an escape room and test your friendship. Your group will have 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles and make your escape. Try the Stranger Things-inspired room at Escape West Chester, or see if you can “Escape from Oz” at Elite Escape Room in Exton.

For the thrill-seeking bride, take your party indoor skydiving at iFLY in King of Prussia. Step into their state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels and experience freefall — or at least as close as you can get without actually jumping out of a plane!

You can take your bachelorette party to new heights with a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy the scenic Chester County countryside from above with Air Ventures in Paoli. Their balloons can carry up to seven people (plus pilot), and they offer Champagne Dinner and Sunday Brunch flight packages to let you follow up your ride with a delicious meal.

Health and Wellness

Want a bachelorette party that will have you feeling good the day after? Round up your bridal party and schedule a group session at a local yoga studio, like Be and Breathe Yoga Studio in West Chester or Zia Yoga & Wellness in Exton. Or, if you’re looking to get in better shape before the wedding, book a private session with a local gym or fitness instructor, or schedule a private spin class at SoulCycle in Ardmore. Who says bridal boot camp has to just be for the bride?

Afterwards, relax and unwind with a group trip to the spa. For a different kind of spa experience, head to East Coast Float Spa in West Chester. Their custom-built float rooms are large enough to walk in and stand inside, with no lid that closes in on you. The water is filled with over a thousand pounds of medical-grade Epsom salt to ease muscle pressure and relax and rejuvenate your mind. Or opt for an infrared sauna, zero-gravity massage chairs and an oxygen bar.

For the ultimate luxury, bring the spa day to you with Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa. They provide all the classic spa treatments — facials, massages, manicures and pedicures — wherever you like.

This is just the beginning when it comes to the perfect bachelorette party. The possibilities are endless, and the only limitation is your imagination — and budget!

Have fun, and happy planning!