“S cottsdale topped the list of destinations for my sister’s bachelorette,” says Alexis Vazquez. Vazquez wrapped her maid of honor duties last month. Her voice has an edge of relief as she chronicles the logistics of planning her sister Reina’s dream bachelorette in Arizona. “Planning a wedding can be a nightmare, but people underestimate how complicated it is to throw a successful multi-day bachelorette party.”
How to Host the Perfect Bachelorette Party in Scottsdale, According to Party Planners
Vazquez and the bride tribe spent a long weekend in Scottsdale. They rented a baller Airbnb with a pool, hiked in the desert, spent a morning at the Four Seasons spa, watched the sunset from horseback, and glammed up for nights at rooftop bars. “It was one of the best weekends our group of friends has had together,” Vazquez says with a laugh. She admits this was in part due to the location. “Scottsdale provided. It was the perfect backdrop. We just made the memories.”
It wasn’t plane sailing, though. If you’ve ever organized or been part of a group bachelorette or bachelor party, I’m sure you can empathize. “My only regret is not getting help,” shares Vazquez. Planning a group getaway can be arduous, and Vazquez had her work cut out. There were eight to find accommodation for, entertainment to arrange, catering for various dietary requirements, and dreaded finances to split (and collect.)
You don’t have to navigate this process alone, however. Scottsdale, one of the most popular destinations in the US for bachelorette parties, has oodles of companies, from party planners to private caterers to photographers who specialize in this kind of event.
Local event coordinating company Girl About Town was one of the city’s first bachelorette planning companies. Since starting the business, they’ve seen an enormous spike in third-party vendors catering to this market. You can let your imagination go wild from custom cookies for the bride, private picnic setups, backyard yoga workshops, mobile IV vitamin therapy sessions, pool boy hire, and bounce house rentals. And all of this can be coordinated by an event planner.
“Most of my team are born and raised Phoenicians, so we know the city and state like the back of our hand,” shares Maghan Alfonso, CEO of Girl About Town. Alfonso and her crew take party planning extremely seriously. Nothing is too much. They shoulder every tiny logistical task, from booking accommodation to decoration, ensuring every Scottsdale bachelorette they organize goes without a hitch.
If you’re considering Arizona for your event, here are some of their top tips for a stress-free trip to remember.
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Enlist professional help of local services
Hiring a local event planning service will ensure everyone at the party, especially the maid of honor, has an enjoyable trip. Companies like Girl About Town have years of experience. They’ve come up against every imaginable problem and found a plan B (and likely plan C to Z.) Alfonso says she prides herself in the hard work that’s gone into building a network of relationships with local businesses to ensure all bases are covered.
And you can tailor-make your Scottsdale getaway. Although the team has ideas galore and can make seasoned suggestions, you’re in the driving seat. If you only want help with decorations, you’ve got it. Or, if you want a thoroughly planned itinerary with accommodation, transport, reservations, a photoshoot, catering — the whole shebang, they’ve got you covered.
Sort out your accommodation first
Booking your accommodation is the most essential element when organizing a bachelorette getaway. Other than near-perfect weather, stunning desert scenery, thriving culinary scene, and upscale nightlife, Scottsdale has some mega Airbnbs catering to group events. Your accommodation will “set the mood” for the entire trip, says Lauren of Girl About Town. She suggests renting a house with a pool. And luckily, you’re spoilt for choice.
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Make reservations in advance for dining as well as entertainment
“Make reservations for at least one nice dinner and a fun girls brunch,” says Lauren of Girl About Town. And do so in advance. Scottsdale being one of the most popular places for group getaways, including golfing parties, large table bookings at both restaurants and bars are hard to come by last minute.
Thankfully, the city has an excellent food and drink scene. Yes, there are some establishments where a night out will cost you a pretty penny, but it’s a celebration, after all. There are also more casual neighborhood restaurants for quick daytime bites and local bars with craft beers and cocktail cups. Girl About Town suggests Maple and Ash, Toca Madera, and Sumo Maya for brunch. The Henry is also a good shout for a patio morning coffee. Have lunch at Etta before shopping at The Quarter. In the evening, the rooftop at STK is where you want to be for drinks, before heading to the chic beach-inspired seafood restaurant Montauk for dinner.
Explore the Sonoran Desert with a guided hike or off-road tour
Party planners say exploring the desert is a must. The desert awakens before the sun beats down, so mark out one morning to get up early and join a guided hike or an off-road tour in an open-air jeep. A photographer can join you on excursions, and there’s a range of companies offering tours. Again, this can be organized through a party planning service, or you can reserve a guide yourself in advance. Whichever you choose, it will be an unforgettable addition to your bachelorette party, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Have a relaxing spa day at one of Scottsdale’s world-class resorts
Many of Scottsdale’s five-star resorts have outstanding spas. For a bit of pampering, you can book a day pass or individual treatments. The spa at the Four Seasons is a great shout. You can choose from their signature massages, like the Moonlight Massage, or indulge in facials featuring local ingredients like saguaro blossom. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the unique prickly pear cactus paddle massage, incorporating the desert’s natural botanicals.
Capture memories with a professional photoshoot
A service growing in popularity in Scottsdale is having a professional photoshoot to capture special moments with your group. Scottsdale Bride Tribe is one of the leading companies offering custom bachelorette packages. Their team of experienced photographers can shoot at your accommodation, capture poolside fun, join your crew on nights out, or as mentioned above, organize outdoor locations in the desert.
It’s another stress-free add-on and saves worrying about someone in the group taking photos with their phone. “We’ll handle all the details, from scheduling to posting and editing, so you can relax and enjoy the celebration,” says the company’s founder, Rachel Fischer.
Don’t skimp on the decorations
The Sonoran Desert makes for an incredible backdrop, but Scottsdale is also armed with decorating services to add something extra to your party. Girl About Town offers themed decor packages, including neon lights, balloon garlands, straws, sashes, heart-shared ball pits, foil curtains — the works.
Arrive at your Airbnb with a fully stocked fridge and pantry
One of the most popular requests of party planning services is grocery shopping. This lets you arrive at your Airbnb and immediately unwind, knowing the fridge is pre-filled with chilled drinks, snacks, and breakfast essentials. It cuts out the stress of making lists and shopping, maximizing your time to relax and enjoy quality time with the bride-to-be. That said, you can still make suggestions so you have all your favorites and even ask for local produce and cool boutique brands which Arizona has in abundance.
You can also hire a private chef to prepare meals at your rental and outside catering for excursions. Rachel Fischer of Scottsdale Bride Tribe recommends Chef Monique and Chef William Turner — both are local and exceptional at creating memorable experiences.