She said ‘Yes,’ and now the wedding plans are in full swing. While bridal showers, gift registries and tuxedo fittings are all part of the pre-wedding experience, getting together with your girlfriends or buddies for a last-fling-before-the-ring continues to be one of the most celebrated events for brides and grooms-to-be.
This tradition may seem like a modern-day invention, but the bachelor party’s roots date back to 5th-century Greece. Ancient Spartan soldiers made a celebration of the groom’s last night as a single man by holding a dinner in their friend’s honor, toasting the groom and imbibing libations.
As time progressed, these events became more raucous for some. In 1896, a stag party thrown for his brother by P.T. Barnum’s grandson, Herbert Barnum Seeley, was raided by police after rumors circulated that a famous belly dancer would be performing nude.
The ladies got in on the party action much later. Bachelorette parties emerged in the 1960s along with the women’s liberation movement. Women experienced an increased presence in the workforce around the same time. Now people of all ages, sexual orientation and gender identities get in on the pre-wedding party action.
Trends change over time, but one modern-day trend that continues to emerge year after year is destination parties. Where you go and what activities you participate in depends heavily on the group’s personality, preferences and of course, budget.
With expansive resorts, innumerable bars and a reputation as a place full of mischief opportunities, Las Vegas remains at the top of the list of favorite destinations to party for both bachelors and bachelorettes. For those seeking a tropical locale, Key West beckons with its abundance of quirky characters, sailboats, sunsets, and the infamous Duval Crawl—a consequence of over imbibing.
For ladies who love a little boot-scooting boogie, Nashville has risen in the ranks as a favorite for bachelorette parties. Spend a weekend on Broadway checking out the live music scene in the honky-tonks, and you’ll find plenty of giggly girls celebrating upcoming nuptials.
While Pittsburghers also participate in far-flung destination parties, some choose to take advantage of the wealth of adventures available closer to home. With plenty of sporting events, food trucks and beer, the city of Pittsburgh provides a plethora of options for these celebrations. For those who prefer to get out of town to party, Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Nemacolin in the nearby Laurel Highlands are favorite go-to sites.
“Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties have become increasingly popular in the last few years,” said Melinda Redling, director of wedding sales at Nemacolin. “Brides and grooms are looking for locations that offer experiences and activities for themselves and their bridal parties to enjoy over a few days.
“While having this vision in mind for their parties, they also are looking for drivable destinations and locations that have it all,” she continued. “Nemacolin is close to Pittsburgh and the airport, and it’s a short drive from a half-dozen states and Canada.”
For winter weddings, Seven Springs Mountain Resort boasts skiable terrain along with a snow tubing park to keep active partygoers entertained. When the snow melts, hiking trails keep the nature vibe alive. With a 400-plus room hotel in various lodging configurations, bridal parties can choose from chalets, cozy cabins and cottages, as well as a number of condominiums suitable for larger groups.
They can top off the celebration with a dining experience unique to Seven Springs. Housed in the original resort founders’ home—a historic log cabin tucked into the woods—Helen’s Restaurant creates locally sourced, homestyle western Pennsylvania-themed meals. These culinary delights are enhanced with wine chosen from a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.
Nemacolin is the perfect resort for bachelor and bachelorette parties since the possibilities are endless. If you desire a French chateau, butler services, a townhome, or a private estate for guests, Nemacolin has it. There are countless group activities including Jeep off-roading, skiing, rock climbing and zip-lining. There is also fly-fishing, sporting clays, paintball, and many more thrilling activities to enjoy.
“Those spending their last weekend as singles at Nemacolin are also enjoying their time indulging in the luxe services at the Woodland Spa or relaxing poolside at The Peak with a cabana,” said Redling. “After the day’s activities, the party can continue with dining or drinks at one of more than 18 restaurants, bars or eateries.”
Pools, restaurants, private chef experiences, shopping, an award-winning spa, and PGA-tested golf courses will definitely make any getaway complete. Nemacolin offers a variety of curated packages to begin the wedding celebrations.
For more information on Nemacolin, groups can connect with a resort reservations specialist at 844-873-1708, with the wedding events team at 724-329-6680 or visit www.nemacolin.com. To learn what’s available at Seven Springs, visit www.7springs.com.
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