Bachelorette parties are best known as a night out with your best friends, drinking at a bar while dressed up in all sorts of bright and fluffy accessories. While this is appealing to some, others may not find running from bar to bar to be a good night out.

Luckily, bachelorettes don’t have to conform to any plain standard anymore. If you’re more of an active person who likes to get out there and do some exciting activity, why not make your bachelorette about that. Group activities are also a great way to bond with your friends before the big day.

Zip-lining 

Flying through trees or over large ravines is always a thrill but isn’t quite as high risk as bungee jumping which makes it perfect for the thrill-seeker who may have friends who aren’t quite as adventurous. There are many zip lining experiences all over South Africa so you won’t be out of options when it comes to the kind you would like to do.

Stand-up paddle boarding 

A more recent sport that has risen to popularity, stand-up paddle boarding gives you all the excitement of surfing without the stress of having to learn to pop-up. You can paddle your way through a canal or out in the ocean beyond the break with your friends and an instructor. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try paddle-board yoga before a relaxing brunch.

Hike

This one is quite simple, if you’re into hiking why not pick your favourite hike and go with your friends. Try keep the route do-able for everyone and take some snacks to have a picnic at the top before making your way down.  Hikes give you loads of time to catch-up and talk as you marvel at nature around you and don’t leave you with a painful hangover.

Paintball

Who said paintball is just for the men. Traditionally part of many male bachelor parties, this could be a great way to get out some wedding stress and have fun with your friends. While going with a mixed group can often be stressful when things get competitive, you can set the tone when it comes to your paintball day.

Kayaking 

Whether it’s down a river or out in the ocean, kayaking is a really peaceful activity that can be done by most people. There are many companies that give you all the tools you need and instruct you on how to paddle properly so you don’t get stuck in one place. It makes for a great morning or afternoon out and can be followed by a lunch, brunch or drinks.

Pole Dancing Class

This one is almost a staple for the adventurous bride who has a decent amount of upper body strength. Pole dancing studios have been popping up all over the place and many offer a bachelorette package to show you some sexy, and acrobatic moves. Partially a workout, partially a laugh with your friends when you struggle, this is a great time to try if you’ve never done it. 

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Bachelorettes don’t have to be the tacky events you see in movies. They are meant to be a time to celebrate the bride, which today can include more classy events.

One great option for a bachelorette is a weekend away instead of one big night out. This means more bonding time and a great excuse to hang out with your closest friends.

Here are some great weekend away options on offer in South Africa.

Glamping 

You can really rough it if you’re that kind of bride but for those who want a bit more luxury to their alternate accommodation, glamping is for you. With a bed, all set-up, a proper bathroom and most likely some great extras like a wood-fired hot tub, sitting around swapping stories and sipping champagne is the perfect getaway break.

Classic Spa 

What’s better than a spa day? A spa weekend! Stretch your sessions over a few days, sit by the pool and really take it all in before your big day. While it can get a bit pricey, many spas have group discounts and could even customise what they offer depending on the group.

Adorable BnB 

A bed and breakfast somewhere in the countryside is always a winner. Often a much more low-key option, you can explore the local town (likely to have cute antique stores and coffee shops), go for long walks or just chill out and read. This is also a great option on many of the country’s wine farms, which offer small cottages so you can indulge in a wine tasting without having to worry about rushing home.

Seaside Villa 

A cute AirBnb might be your choice for a romantic weekend away but a villa by the sea is the way to go for a bachelorette. Break out the bubbles and you could be in an episode of Sex and the City. With a view over the ocean and a pool to take a dip in, spend the days taking in the sun and the evenings out on the town.

Chic City Break 

If you’re not really into nature and isolation, why not go big in a big city? Pick your favourite AirBnb from the thousands of loft apartments or gorgeous city centre houses. You can cook your own meals or go out to eat, have a movie night in or get dressed up and hit the newest bars, the choice is yours.

Secluded Safari 

If the tourists do it why shouldn’t we? A bachelorette weekend is a great excuse to book a safari with you and your girls. Get your best camo together and spend a few days in the bush, watching the animals, sitting around the fire and taking in the best South Africa’s nature has to offer. You can opt to go to a lodge or hire private accommodation. There are also great extras at certain places like hot air ballooning and river cruises.

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In the United States, recent uproar over former plantations hosting weddings has resulted in their removal from major wedding sites. South Africa has an equally dark past when it comes to slavery, so should you also consider your wedding venues history before booking?

Plantation weddings have been huge in the US for years. Despite being the site of slavery for hundreds of years, many love the old grand houses and large open gardens for their wedding. Ignoring the brutal history of the slavery in favour of a grand staircase in an Antebellum estate is quite a difficult pill to swallow, especially when it is likely there will be persons of colour, whose ancestors were slaves, attending or working at your wedding.

Even big wedding planning sites like Pinterest are removing the references to a plantation aesthetic from their site. According to CNN,  Pinterest will limit the distribution of plantation wedding content across its platform.

In South Africa, wine farms and old historical sites are equally beloved as wedding venues for their antique and classic feel. Big open lawns, old Dutch colonial buildings and vineyards do make for pretty pictures, but it is a bit uncomfortable when you realise that “quaint” bell in the corner of your group shot was built to regulate the slaves who worked on the farms every day.

In addition, many wine farms are further tainted by the history of oppression of workers under apartheid. Unfair labour practices and cruel payment systems like the “dop” system have resulted in years of trauma, addiction and degradation of communities as a result of your wedding venue’s previous choices.

So does this mean you should strictly search for wedding venues that have not been tainted by slavery? Well that’s a bit difficult as much of South Africa, especially in the Western Cape, was built by slaves and so the history is everywhere.

Rather when choosing a location which does have a clear connection to slavery, it should be important to consider how the venue is run now, ask questions regarding their treatment of staff, consider finding out if they are contributing to initiatives to uplift the community that supports them and how they reconcile their slave and apartheid past with their current ethos.

In addition you can also consider how you can contribute to the community where you are holding your wedding, either through donations or volunteering your time. While not a solution to the thousands of years of oppression, it at least would go a way to acknowledging the past and recognising how your lovely wedding venue came to be.

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