In celebration of Survive Wedding Season’s May Bachelorette theme I wanted to tell you about my fantasy bachelorette weekend location. If I was to plan my own destination bachelorette girls getaway weekend I would choose to spend two nights at the Parker Palm Springs and never leave the premises. From Los Angeles it’s roughly an hour and a half drive to the oasis known as Palm Springs and for me, this hotel is a secret and heavenly playground with an almost childlike - Alice In Wonderland - layout and design of the grounds. Sure there is lots to do in Palm Springs, but at the Parker there is lots not to do and many ways to play all weekend long.

Parker Palm Springs North Pool

I first went to this hotel as a weekend away with an ex. It was a surprise getaway to decompress and enjoy doing nothing. Frankly, it’s more than a hotel, it’s truly a magical, timeless destination. And maybe it was because I took time sitting at the pool to address envelopes for my friend Yea’s Bridal Shower that I had it on my brain that Parker Palm Springs would make for fabulous bachelorette scenery or maybe it was the group of women in the spa pool that made me wish my girls were there. It is also a very romantic place, just make sure you are there with the right person (like we have any control over that). 

Parker Palm Springs is located at 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 and is a Le Méridien Hotel. The property was formerly Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch and Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa and it is situated on thirteen acres of landscaped gardens surrounded by the desert and mountains. There are 131 rooms and 12 very private, one-bedroom villas. You can also reserve the Gene Autry Residence - a two-bedroom home that includes a living room, dining room, full kitchen, two-bathrooms, extensive closet space, and an outdoor lawn area.

The grounds at the Parker

The hotel has four pools -with bar service and comfortable lawn chairs, a golf course, tennis courts, and an incredible spa. The spa is called PSYC- Palm Springs Yacht Club - where I had an intensive massage (and fell asleep) and made the most of their indoor pools, saunas and jacuzzis. I did not use the gym, but I understand they have a full 24-hour gym. If the spa is too much work the different gardens have hammocks, fire pits and croquet sets to take over. 

For food there are two options: Norma’s and Mister Parker’s. Norma’s is known for their brunch. I’ve been to both this one and the one in the Le Parker Meridien in Manhattan and it is probably the best brunch restaurant in the country. And if your girls are like my girls, brunch is on the top of the to do list with plenty of mimosas and Bloody Marys. Mister Parker’s is a brasserie inside the main building that is deep, dark and swanky with great cocktails and delicious entrees. But, if you have a lot of vegetarian friends, they are not going to really feel it so keep that in mind. 

So what would be my ideal bachelorette weekend plan? I’d aim to get to the hotel in the late afternoon on Friday and have drinks and then either go into town or get food delivered and spend an easy night in catching up with my girls. Saturday would involve brunch at a place in town called Cheekys, a hike and maybe some tennis, poolside drinks, a massage at the spa with some time in their pools, some early evening cocktails followed by dinner at Mister Parker’s with drinks at the bar after. Sunday would include more pool time and brunch at Norma’s before heading back to LA in the afternoon.

It's always time for brunch at Norma's at the Parker

Parker Palm Springs is also a very popular wedding destination, so my bachelorette party would likely take place sometime during the wedding season - as that’s when the weather is perfect. Definitely keep that in mind if you are thinking to copy me and plan a girls weekend there. And do not go in the summer unless you like it really, really hot (est. 103 degrees and dry).

The Parker is not an inexpensive place, but it is worth every penny and I am sure you could call about getting a group rate depending on the size of your party. Plus they continually have excellent spa and foodie package deals on their website. But if you are looking for lower price point Palm Springs hotel options be sure to also look into the Ace Hotel and the Colony Palms Hotel.  The Colony Palms also has an incredible poolside restaurant called the Purple Palm. You could also look into renting a house for the weekend - most of them have great pools and outdoor spaces, and lots of bedrooms. And there is a casino in town and outlet shops on the way back to Los Angeles. Need I say anymore?

Related topics:

1. Mobile Day Spa Bachelorette Party
2. Santa Barbara Bachelorette Weekend
3. Bridal Shower Yoga On The Beach
4. Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post. 
5. South Beach, Miami: The Bachelorette Party Destination
6. Expert Survival Tip: Luck Be A Vegas Bachelorette Party by Tracey Kumer-Moore 

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

I went to Las Vegas once for a girl’s weekend/birthday party for my friend Alisann and when we went out on Saturday night I felt like we were the only group of girls in the entire city not there for a Bachelorette party. In line for a club, I don’t remember which one, there were at least ten girls wearing veils and an unfortunate half of them had “peckers” and even blinking glowing “peckers” on them.

I decided then and there that if any one of my friends was to get me anything with a “pecker” then we would cease to be friends right there on the spot. Seriously. And I don’t know why “pecker” is the appropriate, clean/industry word of choice. There has got to be something better.

Engagement Ring Shot Glass - My New Fave Bach Accessory! (Only $4.95 @ Bachelorette Party Store)

If “peckers” are your thing, fine, but if you are hosting a “pecker” party I am not participating. And it’s not that I hate “peckers” but I find the whole thing lame and inappropriate. A Bachelorette party is about celebrating your friend, her single life and your girl time. The intention should not be to embarrass anyone via “pecker” straws and games, and if it is, please reevaluate your ambition. 

I am also not what someone might call conservative, dull, lame or prude. I just wholeheartedly believe in good taste. Wearing a “pecker” veil that blinks is tacky and trashy. But there are some great “pecker” alternatives when it comes to Bachelorette fashions and accessories, so why not stick with those and make sure your friend looks like a classy bach (you can pronounce that biatch if you like). 

And going forward I hope I never write the word ”pecker” again. Enjoy your Friday, Elle

Where to find some Classy Bach Fash: 

Girl Extraordinaire

Classy Bride

Bridal Party Tees

Bachelorette Party Store

The House of Bachelorette

Bachelorette.com

Related topics:

1. SWS Fashion Friday - The Garter Girl’s New Line
2. Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post. 
3. Expert Survival Tip: Survive A Wedding Hangover by Esther Blum
4. Bachelorette Party Game - Here Comes The Panty Personality
5. South Beach, Miami: The Bachelorette Party Destination
6. Expert Survival Tip: Luck Be A Vegas Bachelorette Party by Tracey Kumer-Moore 

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

Image courtesy of Bride's Night Out

As promised, the Survive Wedding Season May theme is dedicated to the Bachelorette! Anticipate tips on party planning, budgets, locations, gifts, favors and fun. SWS also has a new featured sponsor for the month that absolutely represents our theme: Bride’s Night Out - an amazing Bachelorette party planning company that also just started an online party store.

Bride’s Night Out is also sponsoring the Survive Wedding Season Second Annual Dress Your Bachelorette Contest. More details to come so get ready.

Here’s to having fun, getting ready for summer, and savvy survival!

-Elle

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™  

We all know that wedding season involves a lot of cheers and toasts. That part is one of the things we truly love about it. And while champagne grapes actually do grow on trees, free booze does not.

So whether you just want to send a nice engagement gift, or you are hosting a bridal shower, or maybe you are the parents of the bride paying for the reception, it is important to mindfully budget for alcohol. Oftentimes it is the most expensive part of any celebration. And usually it is more expensive than you estimate.  

Entertaining at home? Price shop until you find the lowest price for the best quality at your local markets and discount stores. Or maybe create a signature drink for the affair - like Bridesmaid White Wine Sangria - and make that the only alcohol you serve.

Want to have champagne at your friend’s Bachelorette party and lots of it? Maybe rethink that idea and go with an affordable prosecco like the one I found on wine.com that was under $20. But if you are expecting others to chip in and help pay for alcohol you better be clear on that plan during the initial party planning.  Make sure to provide an estimated budget so that others can let you know what they can afford. Plus conversation helps lead to great solutions. Someone in your group might have a Costco membership and that could come in handy saving everyone money.  

Now to develop a Bridesmaid White Wine Sangria.

Related topics:

1. Basic Bridal Shower Etiquette 101
2. Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post.
3. Now This Is An Organized Maid Of Honor!
4. Parting Gifts: Don’t Discount ROSS
5. Hosting A Bridal Shower? What Will You Serve?   
6. Expert Survival Tip: Survive A Wedding Hangover by Esther Blum

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

I confess, I am a lover of card stock and personal stationary. I buy blank cards, I mail thank yous and I write notes just to say I am thinking of you. I also love to receive cards (and I should probably look into a cardbox as I save almost every card I have ever received). 

But when it comes to invitations I will be the first to say that it is not only proper etiquette to stamp and mail an announcement for an important event.  In my opinion a physical card is simply the more thoughtful and appreciated option. Until now. Look at this - digital - invitation:

This is a Paperless Post 100% online invitation. It is beautiful and looks so real - it just arrives in your inbox instead of your postbox. Paperless Post offers the closest thing to a physical invitation online and has customizable design options that make each card unique and personal. You can even choose to line your envelopes with a color that matches your invitation (for a minimal cost); just like you would a printed card.

Not only are these cards hot, they maintain the craft of personal correspondance and are affordable. Try 40 stamps for just $5.00 (and click here to create your own account to receive 25 free starter stamps). This digital invitation initiative is definitely something I can get down with, and in fact I already have.    

Just two weeks ago I created my first Paperless Post invitation for my boyfriend’s family birthday party. The response, overwhelmingly favorable. Most everyone commented on how much they enjoyed receiving the card. And, if you are a type-A, highly-organized person (like me), the back-end is super-functional and easy to navigate. Paperless Post has very intuitive systems for listing RSVPs and sending event reminders.

So if you are throwing a bridal shower or engagement party and you are concerned about your budget (of course you are concerned about your budget, you are reading this blog), or if being environmentally responsible is important to you and/or the bride, think about Paperless Post for your next event. Also, if you are an engaged couple looking for ways to cut wedding expenses, a Paperless Post Save the Date might be the way to go (see below). Just know that when it comes to the actual wedding invitation, traditional card stock (and dare I say letterpress) is the appropriate way to go. For affordable print options check out Wedding Paper Divas, Invitations by Ajalon, and Hello!Lucky.

Related topics:

1. Now This Is An Organized Maid Of Honor!
2. Expert Survival Tip: Rehearsal Dinner Toasting Tips by Kathy Goodman
3. Bridesmaid Jewelry by Candy’s Art
4. Expert Survival Tip: How To Fly Solo At A Weddingby Shula Melamed
5. Expert Survival Tip: Wedding Gifts That Won’t Break The Bankby Amber Gustafson
6. Best Wedding Guestbook - Hello Super 8

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™