I Organized a Travel Editor's Dream Destination Bachelorette — Here's How You Can Recreate It

A wedding should never be understated — and the bachelorette party should shine the brightest. We're talking full-on high-key vibes. Gathering friends from across the country to shower the bride with joy and fun can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are strategies to create an unforgettable bachelorette experience. Want proof? Check out how I organized a 16-person escape to the quaint town of Matunuck, Rhode Island, leveraging some must-have services for the ultimate getaway.

Get inventive with the sleeping arrangements. 

When the maid of honor began sending out invitations, we were ecstatic to discover that this bride was just as cherished as we believed, with nearly everyone on the list promptly replying "yes." However, we soon realized what this would mean for our space. While we had room for about 12 of our friends in the Airbnb we booked (which, to be transparent, belongs to my parents), we understood we needed a bit more space to truly spread out. Thus, we called in the experts at Shangri-Lux. 

"Shangri-Lux elevates any gathering," said founder Natalie Dunagan about her stunning glamping tents. "We come to a location that holds special meaning for you, set up tents, and tailor the experience and design to match the vision you want to present to your guests." 

As Dunagan proposed, a bachelorette party could feature tents themed around the bride-to-be's favorite destination or concept. "It offers a distinctive experience and a chance to connect with your friends in nature while enjoying comfort and style. Your guests can relax without worrying about traveling home at the end of the night." 

For our gathering, Dunagan set up two tents in the backyard — one inspired by a Moroccan oasis, the other reminiscent of a beachside retreat. Every item within these cozy escapes was meticulously sourced by Dunagan during her travels, featuring rugs, textiles, and lanterns from the bustling markets of Morocco. This was particularly fitting since our bride was none other than Dinogo's own Nina Ruggiero.  

The highlight was that those of us organizing the bachelorette party didn’t have to lift a finger. In fact, we enjoyed a coffee outing while the setup took place. 

"With Shangri-Lux, everyone can simply unwind and enjoy the festivities. There's no need for anyone to bring anything. We supply all the essentials to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable event, including cozy bedding, memory foam mattresses, lighting, rugs, seating, coffee machines, climate control depending on the season, fire pits, and games. Each tent can be tailored to fit the theme of the occasion," Dunagan explained. And if you're not based in Matunuck, no worries—Dunagan added, "Distance is no barrier; we can travel anywhere tents can be assembled, from Massachusetts to Madagascar."

If I could change one thing, it would be to establish a lottery system for who gets to sleep in the tents, as they quickly became a sought-after option for our bachelorette weekend.

Make sure the perfect activity is secured.

Discovering a fantastic way to fill the day is essential for a memorable bachelorette party. It's a chance to create new experiences with the bride and her closest friends. However, if you're organizing a bachelorette from afar, it can be challenging to know all the available options. That's where companies like Batch come to the rescue. 

"Just before COVID hit, I attended a bachelor party that was chaotic and poorly organized, resulting in 10 guys wandering from bar to bar trying to figure out what to do in an unfamiliar city. I kept thinking about how many others must have faced the same dilemma," shared Mike Petrakis, founder and CEO of Batch, explaining his motivation for launching the service. "Our main goal was to address the challenges of group travel by simplifying the process of planning trips with friends and booking exciting activities." Petrakis and his team tackle many of the hurdles that arise during such planning, including sending invites and gathering responses in one location, ensuring everyone's input, and collaborating with amazing vendors that can be booked directly through the app. "We aimed to resolve all these issues in a single app," he noted, adding, "Now you can save the stress for the hangover."

For our trip inspired by New England, Let's Batch assisted us in planning a day with Wickford Boat Rentals, where we boarded the stunning "Lorelei," a gorgeous Sabre 36 Express boat, along with the equally captivating 2004 Mainship Pilot 30 "Rendezvous." We set sail from Wickford harbor to Newport and Jamestown for a mini flotilla, splashing around, toasting with Champagne, and laughing like children as the sun dipped below the horizon. 

"It's truly unique — where else can you book exclusively for party experiences? Hibachi chefs, cocktail cowboys, a drag party bus. These are just a few of the distinctive experiences we've curated in the app," Petrakis remarked, highlighting that the app currently features over 3,000 options. 

Secure a coveted dinner reservation. 

As a lifelong Rhode Islander and a Matunuck local, I knew there was one must-visit restaurant in the area: Matunuck Oyster Bar. Founded by fellow local Perry Raso, it stands out as the finest dining in the state. However, such excellence often comes with incredibly long wait times. For our trip, I had to call and plead six weeks in advance to secure a large table on the rooftop, which, thankfully, they graciously accommodated. We devoured dozens of oysters (seriously, don’t skip the homegrown Matunucks) and fresh local seafood until we could eat no more. 

Sometimes, simply picking up the phone isn’t enough, or it may not even be an option. That’s where apps come into play. Platforms like OpenTable, Resy, and The Fork can help you secure those elusive last-minute reservations with ease. 

Enjoy a stylish dinner at home. 

With two nights available for our bachelorette weekend, we opted to spend the second evening indoors. However, this wasn’t just any regular dinner; it was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for the bride. We collaborated with Batch once more to arrange a breathtaking setup by Newport Picnic Co, transforming our yard into a beautiful gathering spot. We ordered a few pizzas from the local favorite (Matunuck Pizza Company, of course) and elevated the meal with a charcuterie board from Fig & Fromage and some fresh lobsters from the nearby boats. Once again, the company managed everything, from setup to cleanup, allowing us to focus solely on mastering the art of cracking lobsters and competing for the last slice. 

Divide everything up.

One of the trickiest aspects of any group gathering is making sure everyone gets reimbursed. Fortunately, it's 2024, and there’s definitely an app for that! You can manage expenses right within the Batch app or use another option like Splitwise, where everyone can log their costs and settle up at the end of the trip.

Essential Apps to Consider 

While our weekend was packed with activities, there are plenty of other simple ways to plan your bachelorette getaway. Apps like Swimply let you reserve nearby backyard pools, while ResortPass helps you get day passes to hotel pools across the U.S. Looking for something specific? Check out Airbnb Experiences or Get Your Guide for unique local activities. Regardless of how much you plan in advance, the key tip is to relax and enjoy the time with the bride, who deserves an unforgettable weekend—at least until the actual wedding.