| Bachelorette Parties
Girls just wanna have fun By Theresa Farrage There was a time when it wasn’t unusual for a bachelor or bachelorette party to include strippers and plenty of alcohol. Today it’s more about gathering your closest friends and doing a little bonding. Here are suggestions for four bachelorette outings to remember. Princess Bride-to-Be Crown the bride-to-be with a lovely tiara and whisk her off to a full-service salon and day spa for the royal treatment — massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. Relaxed and beautiful, head to the Old Market for an enchanted ride in a Cinderella Coach. Offered by M& J Carriage Service, the coach seats six adults. The fare is about $10 per person for a 10-minute ride; $15 per person for a 20-minute ride. The coach is outlined in white lights, so time your arrival to take full advantage of the experience. For dinner, take your pick from Indian, French, Asian and American cuisine. Some of the restaurants are small; reservations are recommended for parties of six or more. For dessert and specialty coffee, head for Délice European Bakery & Café. The princess and her maids will need their beauty sleep, so it’s off to Castle Unicorn Bed & Breakfast near Glenwood, Iowa. The B & B, built to resemble a sprawling European castle, sits amid the picturesque Loess Hills. Room rates ($219, $169 and $195) include breakfast. Checkout is at noon, giving the royal entourage time to explore the fountains and moats before heading back to the city.
Simple pleasures Rejuvenate and revel in all things natural. Start the day with a yoga session to purify the mind, body and spirit. Pack an organic picnic from Whole Foods and head to Hitchcock Nature Center near Honey Creek, Iowa, for hiking and meditation in a lush environment with abundant wildlife. Travel down the road to the Loess Hills Vineyard and Winery for a wine-tasting party. End the day with a relaxing hayrack ride and bonfire at Shady Lane Ranch.
Bohemian Rhapsody Rendevous for brunch with a bohemian theme at a private home. Drape each guest in a whimsical boa — a party favor that will provide more and more fun as the day wears on. After brunch, set out on a boho shopping adventure. Carpool to three or four vintage boutiques and shop for one-of-a-kind ensembles as girly as that boa to wear to dinner that evening. Stop for a late-afternoon cocktail, then see what the future holds for the bride with a visit to an astrologer. That evening, hire a limo to transport you in style to Espana, Mark’s Bistro, the French Cafe or another eclectic restaurant. After dinner, summon the guys in the bridal party to Club Nico or another local nightclub. The boa gets its workout here.
Trip down memory lane Take the bride-to-be on a scavenger hunt for things that carry significance in her friendships with her maids. Use pictures and mementos as clues. Each destination can be a fun adventure down memory lane and an opportunity for maids to get to know each other. Follow the scavenger hunt with a slumber party complete with pizza and popcorn, a chick flick and a game of Truth or Dare. For added fun after midnight: Place anonymous prank calls to the future groom and some of his buddies. |