- Classic Bachelorette Party Themes
- Unique Bachelorette Party Themes
- Movie and TV Bachelorette Party Themes
- Food and Drink Bachelorette Party Themes
- Music Bachelorette Party Themes
- Decade Bachelorette Party Themes
- Destination-Centered Party Themes
- US Holiday Bachelorette Party Themes
Social painting grows popular as combo of brushes, brews offers fun relaxation
- By AP Wire Service
- Mar 30, 2014
- Mar 30, 2014 Updated Sep 27, 2019
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Fox and Hound pub in downtown Philadelphia boasts all the fixings of a standard sports bar: huge TVs, numerous beers on draft and a menu filled with burgers, wings and nachos.
So what are all the easels and canvases for?
Welcome to Paint Nite, an opportunity to tap your inner Van Gogh. Just order a drink, put on a smock and lighten up a bit as a friendly instructor takes you step-by-step through the brush strokes of a landscape, still life or skyline.
But be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time. The two-hour event, like more than a dozen others held weekly in Philadelphia, often sells out.
The experience known as social painting is seeing explosive growth in cities across the country as people seek to imbibe and relax while rediscovering their creative side.
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“It’s been crazy,” said Laura Romaine, assistant manager of Painting with a Twist, another paint-and-sip business in the city. “They’re like banging down the door to come in here and paint.”
Not an artist? Join the club. The crowds include couples on dates, co-ed group outings, bachelorette parties and the simply curious. Many can’t remember their last encounter with a palette.
Yet something clearly resonates. Painting with a Twist opened its BYOB studio in Philadelphia’s funky South Street area in October and already is looking for a second location downtown, Romaine said.
The Louisiana-based company, which offers lessons as well as private painting parties, had 126 franchises nationwide as of last year more than double its total in 2011, officials said.
And Paint Nite, which started with one event at a Boston bar in March 2012, has grown in two years to 55,000 people attending 1,100 events per month in the U.S. and Canada, co-founder Sean McGrail said.
The company has been adding 10 cities a month and just started its first overseas operation in Sydney, he said. Next up: Johannesburg and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Paint Nite has also allowed artists like Andrea Vann, 26, to quit unrewarding day jobs and focus full time on their passion. The business operates on a revenue-share model with its licensees, and the hosting pubs and restaurants get extra patrons out of the deal.
60 Bachelorette Party Themes That’ll Make the Night Epic
Narrowing down bachelorette party themes is a welcome break from wedding planning for any bride-to-be and her besties. With so many evolving trends and fresh bachelorette party themes, you and your squad can make your pre-wedding bashes personalized to your distinct liking. If a classic “last sail before the veil” isn’t your vibe, delight the group with these freshly-baked and fun bachelorette party ideas, inspired by pop culture, holidays, nostalgic eras and so much more.
READ MORE
32 of the Best Bachelorette Party Destinations
We rounded up the very best ideas, including a “Friends”-inspired event, a Beyoncé-themed weekend and even wellness-focused themes for the chill groups. Read on for the very best bachelorette party themes.
In this article:
- Classic Bachelorette Party Themes
- Unique Bachelorette Party Themes
- Movie and TV Bachelorette Party Themes
- Food and Drink Bachelorette Party Themes
- Music Bachelorette Party Themes
- Decade Bachelorette Party Themes
- Destination-Centered Party Themes
- US Holiday Bachelorette Party Themes
Unique Bachelorette Party Themes
Want to surprise your honored guest with a creative bachelorette theme? Then check out this list of unique ideas for inspiration.
Wellness-Themed Bachelorette Party
It’s true: bachelorette party themes have evolved, especially for those who want to be more mindful and healthier about the overall experience. Since the bach party is one of those wedding events where we encourage couples to pursue their favorite interests and hobbies, those who prefer yoga, relaxation, massages and overall balance should consider a wellness-themed bachelorette party, complete with green juice cocktails and farm-to-table meals.
Also in this category are spa-themed bachelorette parties, which include massages, group facials and a manicure party. Maybe the day begins with a high-intensity workout or a hot yoga class and ends with being centered before the wedding.
Final Fiesta-Themed Bachelorette Party
Time for some tasty margaritas with your señoritas. Make it extra picante with spicy cocktails, homemade guacamole, a Mexican food menu and fiesta-themed party decorations. If you want to be extra in the best way, order a piñata so your besties can walk away with sweet bachelorette party favors.
Murder Mystery-Themed Bachelorette Party
If the bride digests a new true-crime podcast daily, perhaps a murder mystery-themed bachelorette party is just the party idea for the crew. Experiential group games are on the upswing (think, escape rooms). Why not have a bachelorette party theme that keeps everyone guessing throughout the night?
Flannel-Themed Bachelorette Party
If you’re throwing a slumber party, this concept is the perfect fit for your pajama and button-down adoring friends. Ask each guest to wear their favorite flannel piece, and if the bachelorette party is happening during the fall, have a fun day at a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.
Space Cowgirl-Themed Bachelorette Party
If you spend even five minutes on wedding TikTok, you’ll probably come across the space cowgirl aesthetic: a blend of boho-western wear and futuristic celestial flair. Provide your crew with cowgirl hats and fringe accessories, and ask them to don cute space buns hairstyles and metallic outfits. Don’t forget a shimmering streamer backdrop for photo opportunities. It’s like the Kacey Musgraves song “Space Cowboy” personified.
Famous [Partner’s Name]-Themed Bachelorette Party
This bachelorette party theme is straight from TikTok, and it’s perfect for groups who aren’t into traditional themes. For one night of your bash, invite your friends to come dressed as a television, book or movie character or celebrity who shares the same first name as the bride’s partner’s name. If the bride’s future spouse’s name is Chris, the crew can dress as Chris Hemsworth, Pine, Evans and even -tina Aguilera. The more innovative your take on “Chris,” the better. The best part is that the bride can dress up as her partner if she chooses. This kind of bachelorette party will create some iconic memories.
Nature-Themed Bachelorette Party
Is the bride a big fan of the great outdoors? Consider a nature-themed bachelorette party that includes a mountain destination. Glamping in luxurious tents or a cozy cabin is an option, or perhaps gather your besties and rent a luxe treehouse. Activities like hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing and more are a unique way to spend a bachelorette party. Ensure all guests know what clothes and necessities to pack for a nature sleepover. And don’t forget the s’mores.
Disney Princess-Themed Bachelorette Party
The next best thing to actually being at Disney World or Disneyland for a bachelorette getaway is having your girls channel their inner Disney princesses all weekend long. Disney has long built an empire of partnerships, meaning everything from face masks to wine glasses and shot glasses is fair game for this bachelorette party idea. So throw on a princess-themed shirt, pour some wine in a Cinderella glass, and turn on your favorite Disney classics.
Find your kind of venue
From barns to ballrooms, discover reception venues that feel like you.
Barbie-Themed Bachelorette Party
You don’t need to rent a Malibu Dream Home for a Barbie theme. It can be fun for your friends who love the color pink and crave a dose of nostalgia. The color palette can be infused with pops of rose gold, while no Barbie-themed playlist is complete without the inclusion of Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.” Plus, you can send out some pretty and pink Barbiecore party invitations.
Neon Nights-Themed Bachelorette Party
Stand out in the crowd and put on neon attire for a vibrant neon nights bachelorette theme. Each partygoer can choose their own neon color to don and wear glow stick jewelry for even more pizzazz. Buy a neon sign with a funky phrase for your photo backdrop.
Match Made In Heaven-Themed Bachelorette Party
There are two ways to play on the “match made in heaven” expression for your themed bachelorette party. Have a color scheme of bright oranges and reds, ask guests to wear fiery flame-inspired attire and give everyone custom matchboxes with the bride’s name on them. Or go the angelic route, where everyone wears different shades of white and angel wings for a fun night out.
Movie and TV Bachelorette Party Themes
For squads that love watching classic movies and popular television shows together, why not dress like your favorite characters? From rom-coms to musicals, we have it all.
“Euphoria” Bachelorette Theme
The “Euphoria”-inspired makeup trend is perfect for bachelorette partiers who love bright colors and bold eyeshadow looks. Invite your crew to dress up in monochrome hues and wear artistic makeup looks à la Maddy and Cassie. Don’t forget a playlist of Labrinth songs for your weekend festivities.
“Bridgerton” Bachelorette Theme
Travel back to London’s Regency era with a luxe Bridgerton-themed bachelorette party. Lean into the regency-core aesthetic with champagne towers, tea parties, frilly attire and pastel colors.
“Mean Girls” Bachelorette Theme
You’re not a regular wedding party, you’re a cool wedding party. Grab your burn book and throw a “Mean Girls”-inspired bachelorette party that would make Regina George proud. Bonus points if you have your friends dress up like the movie’s beloved characters, from Cady Heron to Aaron Samuels.
“Harry Potter” Bachelorette Theme
For the bride-to-be who uses “Wingardium Leviosa” regularly, a “Harry Potter”-inspired party awaits. Supplement this cute theme with a fresh batch of Butterbeer, spells for decorations and cocktails inspired by potions.
“Clueless” Bachelorette Theme
As if there was a better bachelorette party theme. Alicia Silverstone joined TikTok in 2021, but everyone else is partaking in the throwback aesthetic that Cher Horowitz and her besties started in the 1990s. Whether you want ruched dresses inspired by Cher or Mel, or you’re looking for swag that reads, “She’s a full-on Monet,” seek and you shall find.
“Friends” Bachelorette Theme
Arrange your very own Central Perk inside your bach pad with a “Friends”-themed bachelorette. Order “Friends” mugs to send home with guests as favors, after your Instagram shoot. If the bride tribe prefers a bachelorette party game, play “who said it” to test everyone’s “Friends” trivia skills.
“Gossip Girl” Bachelorette Theme
If you’re a Blair Waldorf or Serena Van Der Woodsen in real life, you’ll want to gather your finest headbands and headscarves for a “Gossip Girl”-themed bachelorette party. If you’re in New York, start with a scavenger hunt along NYC’s Upper East Side for the most iconic filming locations (including food and cocktail spots). Don’t forget a photo opportunity in Manhattan’s Central Park, where Blair and Chuck got married.
“Real Housewives” Bachelorette Theme
One thing’s certain: a Real Housewives-themed bachelorette will be far from an actual “Scary Island” experience. If you and your girls love curling up to Bravo shows (even beyond the scope of the Housewives franchise), the options are endless depending on the city’s proximity. If you’re in L.A., a must is setting reservations at PUMP, SUR or TomTom for longtime followers of Vanderpump Rules. A New York City bash should include an outing to The Russian Tea Room and AOA Bar and Grill, where RHONY’s Ramona Singer is now a partner. Chase it all with a SkinnyGirl margarita and marathon of the most outstanding episodes, ranked from most dramatic to semi-dramatic.
“The Office” Bachelorette Theme
You’re likely not traveling to Scranton, Pennsylvania for your bachelorette party, but you can transform your bach pad into Dunder Mifflin and throw a themed event that will have even the likes of Michael Scott would love.
“Bridesmaids” Bachelorette Theme
There’s a touch of irony in this bachelorette party theme. For fans of the flick, leave the drama aside and lean into the hilariousness of the 2011 comedy, “Bridesmaids.” Try to find invitations with an illustration of Kristen Wiig’s character delivering her all-encompassing “I’m ready to paaaartyy” phrase.
“Sex and the City” Bachelorette Theme
And just like that, your closet full of little black dresses is calling. With the reboot of Sex and the City, an entire bachelorette party theme is waiting to be explored for your group of fabulous besties who can differentiate between Manolos and Choos.
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Bachelorette Theme
Make Holly Golightly proud with this themed idea. Ask the bride to bring their favorite little black dress or whichever color she chooses, a pair of bug-eyed sunglasses and ask the bachelorette party lead to stock up on croissants, coffee and a mimosa bar. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, build a Tiffany & Co.-worthy backdrop for this classic theme party idea. Then, play the film or any other classic Hepburn flick in the background.
A Brush With Beer
Chris Kent is a unique kind of a guy — he can tell you all about the perspective and symmetry of a piece of art, while also educating you on the “hoppiness” and mouthfeel of your favorite craft beer.
All with said beer in hand. (Now that’s talent.)
Chris is the “Head Dude” at Craft & Arts, an arty, lager-filled experience that he likes to describe as, “not your average paint night.”
Craft & Arts pops up at local craft breweries all over Orange County to provide a twist on the paint-night experience. As you sip on a locally crafted, tasty beer, you get to create your own piece of art. Win/win!
I grabbed a willing friend and joined Chris at Costa Mesa’s Gunwhale Ales for an unforgettable beer-and-paint evening. As if a night out at a brewery weren’t fun enough – brushes with my brew made it even better!
“Not Your Average Paint Night,” with Craft & Arts at Gunwhale Ales in Costa Mesa.
Photos: Samantha Chagollan
Chris starts out the evening by encouraging us to taste and observe our beer, while he offers valuable information about what to look for. He’s a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, which means he’s been officially trained in tasting and evaluating beer. He’s also an artist and a teacher. So basically, he’s living his best life.
He started Craft & Arts in 2017, with his first event at Chapman Crafted in Orange. The reaction was positive and encouraging, and Chris started visiting other local breweries to host more events. He did his first paint night at Gunwhale in August, 2018, and now hosts regular paint nights at five local breweries around OC.
When I ask him how he came up with the idea of a craft beer and paint night, Chris explains, “So much goes into crafting a beer. With just four main ingredients, there are so many styles and varieties that result. What did the brewer do to make a certain beer the way that it is? So making beer is like making art. We have a few tools and materials to work with, but we create so much cool stuff!”
Chris brings all of the supplies you need — so you literally just show up. Grab a beer, choose a seat, and meet your neighbors.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
Chris takes it from there. He’s super knowledgeable and entertaining. He walks through some basic art principles, and provides an array of examples to inspire your artistry.
Then, we dive in. There’s a giddy excitement in the air as we all choose what colors, tools and materials we want to work with for the night. We’re all starting with the same rectangular piece of wood as our canvas, but as everyone gets started, it’s clear that Chris called it — these are all going to be incredibly different expressions of art.
Unlike other paint nights I’ve been to, we’re not all painting the same subject. And there’s no teacher telling us what to paint next. It’s completely and totally up to us. Guidelines and instructions are provided, but whether or not you follow them is up to you.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
Chris likes to think of this as expression. “Every time you order a beer, you’re expressing yourself,” he says with a grin. “I like this experience to be more about expression, about process over product.”
One person at my table is creating a Warhol-esque ode to a video game controller. Someone a few seats away tears up tiny pieces from the magazines Chris has provided to craft an elaborate paper mosaic. Another beer-loving artist is using the stencils to layer a message over a colorful collage. Me? I’m gob-smacked by the metallic duct tape I discovered on Chris’s materials table, and I get stuck just mooning over the mandala patterned stencils.
I eventually just go for it. I find some images I love from the magazine pile, and begin to tear in and stick them to my board. I choose some colors that are calling to me, and add them in to the mix too.
As the evening progresses, we are all working diligently on our pieces and Chris is making his way around the table, offering suggestions and words of encouragement at every turn. He makes sure to spend some time with each person, lending a tip or even just chatting about the beer they’re drinking while they’re creating.
I ask Chris what he wishes he could tell everyone out there who hasn’t tried one of his paint nights yet. “Stop telling yourself you suck at art!” he shouts gleefully. “Try pushing your creative boundaries a bit.”
And we do. Chris encourages us to get up and walk around to see what our fellow artists are up to. Wow! Each piece is incredibly different. It’s a gorgeous mess of color and shapes, strewn between glasses of beer and scribbled tasting notes.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
