Unique Bachelorette & Bachelor Party Ideas
Is there anything as fun as celebrating your last fling before the ring with your besties?? For many people the Bachelor and Bachelorette party is something they have looked forward to for a long time, but beyond the stereotypical parties there are so many options to create fun and unique memories.
Physical Activities
There are so many options when it comes to physical activities that you can participate in for a Bachelorette/ Bachelor party. We hope this list helps you think of some new and fun ideas!
Axe/Knife Throwing. Have you ever watched an action movie and noticed they can throw their knives or axes with perfect accuracy and thought that it looked like so much fun to try? Well there are places that you can safely be taught how to throw sharp and dangerous objects and it is So. Much. Fun! Book a party, get a brief lesson on how to throw like a pro, and then go for it, we went for my 30th birthday and we all had an amazing time. Luckily there are a few places in the Indianapolis and Lafayette, IN area that offer classes and group participation. I highly recommend doing this at least the weekend before your wedding if not longer before, axe throwing uses different muscles than we typically use so you will potentially be a bit sore.
Golfing. If you are an adamant golfer then there are likely to be very few things that get you more excited than hitting the green and playing through 18 holes with your best friends. If a whole round of golf is a bit too much for everyone you could always play 9 holes, or even go to the local Putt Putt course! Whatever works best for you all will be super fun and you’re sure to make some amazing memories.
Sport Outings Any sports fans out there? Buying some tickets to watch your favorite team play, or setting up a party just for that perfect game at your best friends home would be nice! Are you more hands on? Several locations allow you to join in on a training experience, throw a pitch, race around the Nascar track, Go Karts, huddle up with the local hockey team, whatever gets you going! Be sure to plan these well in advance as tickets sell out to the bigger games, and experiences with sports teams are likely in high demand.
Boats, Canoes, and Tubes Does the time of year allow you to enjoy some rays or waves? Hitting the river in tubes and just floating with coolers and snacks is sure to melt the stress of all your wedding planning away. Do you know someone who owns a boat? Get out there and wake surf, tube, ski, or just go for a dip and soak up the sun! If you want a little more physical activity going canoeing or kayaking is loads of fun and a great workout. You can see amazing sights, enjoy peace and quiet, and catch up with your closest friends. If you do choose to enjoy the outdoors make sure you don’t get too much sun; there is a fine line between sunkissed and a lobster - do not cross that line right before your big day. Turkey Run State Park is near Lafayette, IN and a good choice for hiking, canoeing, and tubing.
Hiking, Biking, and Cycling Nature lovers will love these ideas. Hitting the hiking trails to see beautiful sights and marvel at wonders of nature all around us is another great way to relax and decompress before you say I Do. If you own a motorcycle and have some friends who do as well, going for a planned ride is always a blast and a unique way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials. If you don’t own a motorcycle, but want to take your bicycle out for a ride there are so many places that afford beautiful sights and easy trails.
Sentimental /Crafty Activities
Sentimental activities are going to be things you can do with your close friends and family that will create new memories and strengthen your relationships with each of them. Some of these activities are better suited for small, intimate groups.
Scrapbooking: Making a scrapbook with all of your favorite memories can be a very fun way to look back on all the years and laughter with your friends! Have everyone bring 2 copies their favorite pictures from across the years, stickers, markers, double stick tape and an empty scrapbook. The bride should provide 2 copies of her favorite pictures of all of her attendees and everything mentioned above as well. When the party is over everyone will have scrapbooks made of the good times they’ve had with the bride to be and the bride will have a scrapbook full of pictures of all of her favorite people. While making the scrapbooks of course reminisce over your favorite memories, drink some wine, watch funny bridal movies, listen to music, whatever you all want to do to create a relaxed and intimate environment.
Paint & Sip, Pottery, Glass Blowing, Floral Arrangement: Is there anything more fun than creating something new and learning a skill that you have never tried before? There are several options for these creative, unique, and memorable classes. The Paint & Sip and Floral Arrangement classes in particular are great for all age groups as they don’t use anything that could break and hurt someone so if you have a young (<14) family member or friend that you want to include these are an amazing option. Glass Blowing and Pottery sometimes have age minimums on them so be sure to check with your location on their rules before booking an appointment. Everyone has the opportunity to make something unique and it’s theirs to keep as a memento for the day. Personally speaking, these classes lead to lots of laughter, sharing, and are just plain fun! In the Lafayette and Indianapolis area there are several options to pick from, whatever you choose, it's sure to be a blast!
Pick a Craft. Do you want something a little more simple or low key? There are so many unique crafts that you can create, from flowers to personalized cards, so many ideas are a Google or Pinterest search away! Pick a couple of crafts, grab some snacks and drinks, and enjoy a relaxed and fun day with your peeps!
Experiential/ Educational Activities
Everything listed in this post is of course an experience, but these follow more along the lines of being solely about being present in the moment.
Museums. Are you a history buff, an art enthusiast, or love learning new facts? Then the local museum is the place for you! Be it the Science Museum, the Art Exhibit, the History Museum, or anything in between you are sure to have a blast spending the day in one or more of these locations! Want to spice it up a bit? Research some of the more famous art pieces in the art exhibit and each of you dress up as a person in the picture. Silly things like that can elevate the experience and make it even more memorable.
Zoo or Animal Shelter. Do you adore any and all animals? Going to the local zoo and learning all about the animals and seeing them in their habitat is super fun! Be sure to check out the Orangutans, they are my personal favorite! In addition to the zoo, going to the local animal shelter and donating food, blankets, and toys is always appreciated. You can always call ahead they might give you the option to volunteer for the day, either playing with or walking the animals, giving them baths, or cleaning their enclosures. Whatever you are able to do will be appreciated and you will all leave feeling a sense of peace that you gave back… who knows maybe some of the animals will even get adopted by members of your party!!
Progressive Dinner. There is so much fun to be had in a progressive dinner! A progressive dinner means you have appetizers at one location, entrees at a second, and desert at a third. In between each of the courses you can plan activities or even a scavenger hunt! Whatever you want to do will be a blast and you will have the opportunity to try 3 new restaurants. Please note that this is one where it has to be planned out so choose someone who loves creating itineraries and it will go smoothly.
Concert/Comedy Club/Festival. This one is going to be based heavily on what the bride enjoys. Concerts are going on constantly, especially in Indianapolis so there are lots of options on who to see and when. Get dressed to the nines and shake your booties to the beat! Comedy clubs are incredibly memorable, and who doesn’t love to laugh?! Decide what type of humor the bride enjoys and go from there! You really can’t go wrong with a comedy club, they have drinks, sometimes food, and loads of laughs. Festivals are very inclusive and will generate loads of memories. Do not take her to renaissance fair if she hates fantasy though, make sure you research the festival and ensure it is right up the brides alley and will be something everyone can enjoy.
Wine Tasting Adding a wine tasting into any one of the above mentioned activities is a fun addition to the overall experience. It is a great way to unwind and experience new flavors.
There is of course the tried and true Getaway! French Lick, IN & Nashville, IN (Nashville, IN if you want a more relaxed feel) are really fun options if you are in central Indiana, there’s also the Dells in Wisconsin, Columbus, OH, Nashville, TN, and St. Louis, MO are all less than or right around a 5 hour drive from central Indiana. Be sure to look up each location and make sure they offer what you are looking for, there are of course other wonderful places to visit, these are just some of our favorites.
You really can’t go wrong as long as you are with people you love. This post is by no means all encompassing as there are so many things we can do in this world, but simply a starting block to give you ideas on what you would like to do. Find something that is uniquely tailored to the bride or groom and just have a blast!