Every bride deserves a night (or day) with her girlfriends before she says her “I do’s,” and that bachelorette party should be as special as the bond between the bride and her best gal pals. “When planning a bachelorette party, it’s critical to consider what is important to the bride and how she likes to spend her time. Then amp it up to a really special and memorable event everyone will remember,” says Rachelle Mazumdar, lead wedding and event designer at Style-Architects. From an afternoon of pampering to a fun-filled night on the town, Minnesota offers brides unlimited possibilities for the perfect bachelorette party.
Taste of the Town
For the Minnesota bride looking for an evening of wining and dining
With the many fine culinary options in the Twin Cities, food is the way to many a bachelorette’s heart.
Christy O’Keefe Turman, general manager at Cafe Lurcat, notes that private dining is becoming a popular option for bachelorette parties. “We’ve hosted quite a few bachelorette parties here
at Cafe Lurcat,” she says. The restaurant offers numerous ways to create a unique private dining experience and make it memorable.
“We can do anything from roping off an area on the bar floor for a fun and festive atmosphere to booking one of our two private rooms,” says Turman. Cafe Lurcat also offers personalized seated dinner menus featuring some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, like crab cakes, pot roast with red wine, and halibut with farro, sweet corn and smoked tomato butter, to name just a few.
No day of fine dining is complete without some spirited adventure. Whether it’s wine or beer that strikes your fancy, Minnesota is home to a plethora of local wineries and breweries that make great day trips for any bachelorette party. If you plan on staying in the cities, consider Fulton Brewery, Indeed Brewery, Summit Brewery or Surly Brewery for some delicious locally made brew. For a bit of vino, consider heading to Northern Vineyards Winery in Stillwater to wet your whistle.
Hello, Gorgeous
For the Minnesota bride looking get glam
While a bachelorette party is typically all about the girls, there’s nothing wrong with keeping the mister in mind. For brides who want to surprise their grooms with a few saucy photographs before the big day, a boudoir photography session is just the ticket.
Turn a boudoir photo session into an all-night party with the help of Jessica Mae Koza, owner and freelance makeup artist for Warpaint International, who knows exactly how to take care of the bachelorette and her bridesmaids. “We take care of all the details—all you have to do is book it,” she says of their VIP package. The details include scheduling a photographer, location, transportation, manicure and pedicure, makeup and hair styling, champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and a one-night stay in a hotel suite.
Not sure if a boudoir session is right for you? Warpaint International offers many other VIP beauty packages that make the bride and her bridesmaids feel beautiful, inside and out. “It creates a unique bonding experience for the entire wedding party,” says Koza.
Body and Soul
For the Minnesota bride looking to exercise and unwind before the big day
It’s no secret that everyone wants to look their best on the big day—bride and bridesmaids included. With the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming nuptials, a day of exercise and relaxation can be a welcome option for many bridal parties.
Consider starting the day with a dance or yoga class to boost your energy and break a sweat. Or check out a barre class to try the newest fitness trend—ballet-infused workout classes. Pure Barre in Minneapolis offers classes designed to lower stress and boost endorphins while creating a fun, exciting atmosphere for the entire party.
Later, unwind at one of Minnesota’s top-notch spas to put body and mind at ease. Ivy Spa Club in Minneapolis offers groups the opportunity to bond and relax while being pampered from head to toe.
“Most ladies love being spoiled at the spa,” says Mandy Multerer, marketing manager for Ivy Spa Club. “Guests are able to enjoy our relaxing services, bites to eat, even champagne and white wine.”
At Ivy Spa Club, groups can choose from a long list of services, including massages, body treatments, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. The spa can accommodate up to eight nail services per hour and can tailor packages to meet the needs of each group.
“Our great location in downtown Minneapolis makes us the best spot for a bachelorette party,” says Multerer. “The guests can enjoy spa services, get their hair styled or blown out, get makeup applied and get ready as a group before a night on the town.”
Hit the Road
For the Minnesota bride looking for a mini vacation within state lines
There are few better excuses to get out of town than to celebrate a bachelorette party. For bridal parties looking for an in-state getaway, Minnesota is host to a multitude of hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts where the entire party can gather to celebrate.
For a getaway close to home, downtown Minneapolis houses several luxury hotels that are perfect for a night or weekend stay. Hotels such as Le Méridien Chambers Hotel and W Minneapolis – The Foshay offer parties a first-class experience in the heart of the city. (The gorgeous observation deck at the W isn’t bad, either.)
For some bachelorettes, it’s all about heading north to one of Minnesota’s gorgeous lakes and staying at a resort like Madden’s on Gull Lake. “Madden’s is a great getaway because guests can take in the ultimate ‘up north’ experience without sacrificing some of the luxuries that we all like to indulge in,” says marketing director Kathy Reichenbach. The resort offers water sports, several dining options, recreational activities, a golf course and coffee shop, not to mention a luxurious spa with a stunning lake view.
Words of Wisdom
While choosing an exciting activity or location can be fun for all, the most important part of any bachelorette party is bonding with the bride before her big day. For recent newlywed Jill Jamison, spending time with her friends made all the difference.
“For me, the bachelorette party was a great way to get my friends from various parts of my life together to meet, celebrate and have fun,” she says. “I had such a great time catching up with each individual and seeing new friendships being formed by people who were meeting for the first time, knowing I was the common bond. We made some great new memories that I’ll cherish forever.”
