As a ritual of passage, bachelorette parties have long had a bad rap. Stereotypes persist of meeting the night before the marriage of the bride as the woman-only version of the raucous bachelor party. But the reality is, more and more brides crave a tasteful, casual, and very personal separation for their single days.
In fact, the casual getaway ranks highly as the ideal bachelorette party for 59 percent of brides-to-be in the United States The Ultimate Bridesmaids Census. Sixty-seven percent want to have dinner, dance, and spend time with their closest friends, and 23 percent want something untraditional that actually reflects their personal interests.
“Bachelorette parties are as unique as the women they celebrate,” says Michael Belot, general manager Kohler’s goal – home to a five-star AAA and Forbes diamond hotel that hosts numerous brides, bridesmaids and weddings every year. “We saw an emphasis on relaxation for the bride and friendship with her friends at today’s bachelorette party. Brides want to spend their special evening – and often the whole weekend – in a relaxing, stress-free setting before their busy wedding day.”
So what are the things a bride and groom and bridesmaids must have for their bachelorette party? Belot points to five elements of demand:
Spa time
Whether it is a group mani-pedi, a yoga class, or a delicious and healthy spa-cuisine lunch, groups of singles crave spa time. Parties are trying to find a spa that offers a comprehensive list of known and new salon, massage and body care services, and easy accessibility to luxury accommodations. For example, at Destination Kohler, groups of singles often book rooms at Carriage House, which is ranked above five Forbes stars. Kohler Water Spa. Participants may spend the day in their spa robes if they wish. “Kohler Waters Spas are by far the most popular request and activity among bachelorette parties, and are often the center of travel,” said Garrett Mersberger, manager of Kohler Waters Spas. Playing off this trend, many resorts have created women-only spa packages such as Girls Vacation.
Delicious food
Forget pigs in blankets, deviled eggs and other de rigeur finger foods long related to bridal showers. Modern singles are trying to find dining options that are both luxurious and delicious, or that accommodate lifestyle needs such as gluten-free or low-calorie diets. Spa rates often match these preferences. Resorts with multiple dining options give single guests the opportunity to eat lightly for lunch and then enjoy a more indulgent dinner.
bonding activities
Hitting the bar and dancing the night away aren’t the only activities that bond singles groups together anymore. From yoga class and golf outings to wine and chocolate pairings, brides-to-be are trying to find more diversified and complex activities they can do with their boyfriends.
Location “away from it all”
Nearly a third of respondents in the Bridesmaid Census said they do not want to go crazy about bachelorette parties, they simply want to enjoy time with their friends. Maybe because their life will change dramatically. It may be essential to reaffirm the boyfriend bond that has seen them undergo life’s ups and downs to reach a happy point in their life. Whatever the reason, more and more brides are seeking singles experiences that take them and their closest friends away from the daily routine. Some fulfill this desire by choosing a resort location away from home. Others may prefer more intimate accommodations. At Destination Kohler, bachelorette parties can even choose to stay overnight sand dunesthe resort’s luxury private cabins located on 350 acres of land is just a 10-minute drive from the resort.
personalization
Twenty-three percent of brides surveyed said they wanted a bachelorette party that was highly personalised and tailor-made to their individual tastes and interests. For some, it is a spa experience. For others, a golf vacation. Even when they’ve booked bachelorette packages, brides and bridesmaids are trying to find ways resorts can customise their experience. Popular add-ons, from spa treatments to wine tastings.
The bachelorette party experience becomes as individual as the bride and groom they celebrate, notes Belot. “The bride and groom aren’t cookie cutter, so their bachelorette party shouldn’t be either.”
Article by: BPT
