What to Know When Planning a Party on a Boat

What to Know When Planning a Party on a Boat

Partying on a boat keeps the festivities contained, and it can even keep costs down. As you can bring many of the supplies with you or plan around a single service providing everything you need, there is less stress and effort to coordinate these parties. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with your party planning.

Safety First

Make sure that you discuss with your party the general safety guidelines, such as where to find life vests and how to use them in an emergency. Also, go over with the boat operator or rental service where you can find the appropriate safety flags and flares.

What Is Allowed on the Boat

Alcohol may be allowed on a boat, but depending on the company that you’re renting from, you may be restricted on what you bring onto the vessel. There may be other prohibitions against food, sharp objects, liters, fireworks and more.

Everything comes down to what the owner of the boat wants to permit. You can choose to rent a boat through a party planning service or an official boat rental company. Keep in mind that no one can rent out a boat without the proper licensing.

Know the Laws

If you are not operating the boat, then you can drink alcohol without worry. Drinking while boating is only an issue if you are the one operating the vessel. It’s important to understand that drinking while driving a boat is a crime. It will count as Operating While Intoxicated, or OWI, which is the official term for a DUI. Recent changes in laws make it so that operating a boat while intoxicated may result in your losing your license to drive any vehicle, including your car.

How to Decide When the Party Begins and Ends

Planning bachelorette parties, a “Dirty 30” or just a girl’s night out shouldn’t come with restrictions. But when you’re renting a boat for a party, your service package or planner will need to know a start and end time.

From the time that you book your party, you might want to figure about being on the water for three or four hours. This time frame is usually a good starting point, but discuss it with the other people attending. If your boat party isn’t the only stop that night, you might want to choose a smaller time frame on the boat.

Your boat party will be great as long as you carefully go through safety rules, know the laws, plan ahead and have a start and end time. Keep these tips in mind as you begin planning.

Alcohol-Free Bachelorette Party Ideas for Young Brides

Alcohol-Free Bachelorette Party Ideas for Young Brides

Planning a wedding is an exciting time for many brides, but the bachelorette party holds its own significance. It’s the perfect time to go out with all your best gal pals and celebrate your happiness. As such, it can seem like a daunting task to figure out the perfect plan. When you’re marrying between the ages of eighteen and twenty, going out to a bar may not be an option. However, alcohol doesn’t have to be a part of a great bachelorette get-together. Instead of focusing on “adult drinks,” focus on how much fun you’re having with your best friends with these party ideas.

Go to an Amusement Park

Everyone loves amusement parks. Grab all your bridesmaids and go let loose. There’s so much to do between the rides and games. If you’re a thrill-seeker, get in line for those wild roller coasters. For more mild fun, many theme parks have smaller rides, such as carousels. Additionally, amusement parks offer great food and non-alcoholic beverages! Special parks like Disney can even help you to feel like a princess. You’ll have everything you need and all your favorite girls.

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Go to a Comedy Show

As another activity that doesn’t require alcohol, try going to a comedy show. Many comedy clubs provide their patrons with delicious foods in addition to classic entertainment. Now, there are different types of clubs that include different types of comedy, with everything from clean joking to raunchy jabs. Whatever type of laughter you’re looking for, call your local club ahead of time and request a front-row seat. Comedians and other audience members love to make brides feel special. Be prepared for jokes involving marriage and in-laws!

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Mocktails, Movies, and a Sleepover

Remember when you used to spend the night with your girlfriends and stay up eating popcorn? That can still make for a perfect bachelorette party. Rom-coms are always a good choice for your girls’ night. Your night doesn’t have to include alcohol, either, as there are many delicious mocktail ideas available. You and your girlfriends won’t even miss the booze. Underage drinkers are likely to consume more alcohol than adult drinkers, so aside from being illegal, it’s also unsafe to make alcohol available to minors. Mocktails, however, make for a fun and tasty alternative. Try a delicious recipe by mixing pineapple, orange, and lemon juice with ginger ale for the “Cinderella.” Whatever you decide to try, your girls will be happy to be with you.

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Your bachelorette party is all about having fun with the girls. Whether you’re hitting up an amusement park, laughing at a comedy show or enjoying some favorite movies, you don’t have to have alcohol to enjoy each other’s company.

If you want to have an amazing at-home bachelorette party but don’t want to plan it, let us take care of the details! Contact us to book a party today!

Unique and Unforgettable Bachelorette Party Ideas That Don’t Include a Trip to the Spa

Unique and Unforgettable Bachelorette Party Ideas That Don’t Include a Trip to the Spa

Planning a unique and unforgettable bachelorette party is a piece of wedding cake when you think outside of the box. Imagine combining your favorite things to do with something you’ve always wanted to do. Then, add your friends and loved ones, and you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable bachelorette experience that doesn’t include a spa. Here are some fantastic ideas for making your bachelorette party something to talk about.

Go Boating

Boating is a fun and relaxing way to spend quality time with your besties as you celebrate your upcoming special day. Whether you want to cruise around on the lake or prefer the ocean, determine what kind of craft you want to set sail on. Yachts are a blast for larger groups and are great if you want to increase the size of your party. Sailboats offer a smaller venue for you and your bachelorette crew to unwind and listen to the wind while sipping wine but give you an authentic seafaring experience. Onboard safety is imperative, so be sure to check out what a boating excursion entails prior to booking.

Try a Hot Air Balloon Ride with Wine Tasting

Hot air balloons are a great way to have fun as they whisk you and your party up and away. Breathtaking views of the surrounding nature is a soothing and peaceful way to enjoy the company of your closest friends and family. Afterward, set off to a lovely nearby vineyard to experience the tastes of the local wine. Before you book your hot air balloon party, it’s a good idea to research the tour operator first to find reviews and safety ratings.

Plan a Camping Adventure

The outdoors offers an endless amount of bachelorette fun as you take your girlfriends on a camping adventure. Enjoy sitting around a crackling campfire, roasting marshmallows for s’mores and sipping champagne. Gaze at the starry night and savor the special moments you’re creating with your gals. There’s no need to rough it entirely if you prefer more civilized accommodations. Book reservations for glamping tents that include indoor facilities.

Go Horseback Riding After a Champagne Lunch

Grab your friends and head for the ranch as you enjoy the majestic beauty of the mountains on horseback. Guided trail rides and a champagne lunch kick off a good time as you relax and get ready to partake in the nightlife at the ranch. Explore the wilderness with your girlfriends as you go on a guided tour or hike in the local surroundings. Before booking your dude-ranch getaway, make sure to research the local wildlife and pack for the outdoors as many ranches have a dress code for riding horses.

Every bride-to-be wants her bachelorette party to be one of the most memorable and special times she shares with her best friends. Finding unique and fun activities to do inspires everyone to share and participate in the love and excitement that revolves around the bride’s most precious day. Planning the most unforgettable bachelorette party ensures that the memories created will last a lifetime.

How to Get Around in Chicago During a Wedding Weekend

How to Get Around in Chicago During a Wedding Weekend

You’re ready for an exciting wedding weekend in Chicago, and you want everything to flow smoothly. Maybe you’re the bride or maybe you’re one of the bridesmaids helping your best friend out. You’ve left your car at home and want to try something out of the norm while you’re getting from place to place getting everything ready for the wedding. Thankfully, Chicago has a number of ways for you to get around while you enjoy your stay. Here are just a few of them.

Taxi or Rideshare Car

The pros and cons of conventional taxi service versus Uber or Lyft are still being weighed. Getting from point A to point B doesn’t need to be a headache. Pull up the app for rideshare or call a regular cab or use the cab company’s app if they have one. Specifics vary from city to city, and Chicago is no different. Choosing one service over the other is often a personal preference. If that’s the case, your problem is non-existent. According to Transportation Plus, the cost may differ due to surge rates, and most taxis and rideshare companies require a credit card. Tips might need to be paid with a credit card, too. Check with the service to make sure their requirements work for you.

Public Transport

Chicago, like most big cities, offers citizens and visitors public transportation in the form of trains, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and buses. Many people in the city thrive on these forms of transportation. According to Chicago on the Cheap, these options are generally less expensive than renting a car service and are a perfect opportunity for people watching. Any of these services is bound to give you more of a real feel of Chicago. Some people say that you are either a bus person or a train person. Why not be both?

Scooters

One fun way to get around town is by scooter. Chicago is one of the cities that has taken to the idea of renting scooters at various spots around town. Electric scooter companies have set up spots throughout the downtown area where you can rent a scooter one place and return it at another. Many scooter companies rent by the minute. In addition to scooters, some electric scooter companies also rent electric bikes. You need to know what you’re doing, though. According to Viles & Beckman, most major electric scooter companies have policies that make riders agree to a liability waiver.

Having choices can be a good thing. Let part of your fun-filled wedding weekend in Chicago be trying out the variety of transportation options available. You might find you want to put your own car away for good.

What Are Great Ways to Prep for a Girl’s Night Out?

What Are Great Ways to Prep for a Girl’s Night Out?

The ultimate girls’ night out is the bachelorette party. As such, a group of women might spend a considerable amount of time trying to make this important evening come off without a hitch. Some things you have to do in order to prepare are pretty self-explanatory. Others, you might miss. Here are some tips to make the “obvious” prep seamless and the non-so-obvious plain so that you don’t forget anything as you’re getting ready for your night out.

Set the Mood

While your bachelorette party may include an evening on the town, many times, these occasions start at home or a hotel room that you’ve rented especially for this purpose. The party gets off on the right foot if you set the mood in the venue. Setting the mood begins before the guests arrive. Your invitations should include visuals that tell the guests about the party’s theme. For example, if the bride has chosen an Alice in Wonderland theme, then the invitation could be a paper teacup or a replica of the Hatter’s hat. The venue itself should also support this theme, and in the case of a costume party, the guests should adhere to the theme as well.

Do Your Prep Before You Leave

If the bridal party decides to head out to enjoy cocktails somewhere, then you’ll want to give everyone the chance to get ready for your night out. If it’s going to be a long night, meaning a party at home first and then, drinks and dancing, then make room in the bathroom/s for the guests to get ready ahead of time. Don’t try to get ready in the car or limo. Driving is not a right— it’s a privilege. For the sake of others on the road, yourself, your makeup, and your ‘do, it’s best to do the personal grooming in a safer and more secure environment. The safest and most practical option is to beautify yourself using a mirror that’s bigger than a compact rather than the mirror in your car. Doing this allows everyone to look their best and to concentrate on the road when it’s time to do so.

Choose a DD (Designated Driver)

Don’t leave this important role to chance. Choose your designated driver before heading out for the night. That way, there are no misunderstandings about who is supposed to do what. Nor are their hard feelings if a person expected to be able to try the bubbly and now can’t because she is driving. If you really feel like you don’t want anyone at the party to have to worry about this, then call an Uber or hire a limo for the night just to be safe.

The bachelorette party is the ultimate girls’ party. It’s an excuse to get a bunch of best friends together and celebrate one of life’s big milestones. The key to making this party memorable (in a good way) is to plan everything ahead of time, including who will drive everyone around and where everyone will get ready before heading out on the town.