The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Charleston Bachelorette Party
Time to pop the champagne; she’s changing her last name!
For all you future wifeys out there, we have a few Charleston bachelorette ideas that will leave you with a weekend to remember!
Your days as a single lady are officially almost up! What better way to celebrate your bachelorette than with an unforgettable Charleston experience?
Charleston is, after all, one of the top bachelorette party destinations in the country. With endless possibilities of things to see and do in Charleston, this guide will help you get your weekend started on the right foot.
For the Low-key and Outdoorsy Brides
Celebrate the bonds of sisterhood while enjoying the meditative process of making your own unique version of our best-selling Mala Mantra Necklace during the Mala Workshop.
The transformational, restorative morning will begin with a guided invocation and setting your intentions before moving into the provided tea service and creative process with your loved ones. You’ll strengthen bonds and make new memories while choosing the beautiful beads for your Mala Necklace, which will serve as both a token of your practice and a reminder of your special experience with your ladies.
Let us tailor the Mala Workshop to your bridal party; it is our honor to host you!
Tidal Wave Water Sports
We understand that not every bride wants to rent a party bus and lose her shoes on King Street. For those of you that are looking for low-key day or nighttime activities, we have some foolproof suggestions.
Want to enjoy a day on the water and get a little sun? Check out Tidal Wave Water Sports. This local Charleston small business offers everything from parasailing to Jetski rentals and tours. If you are looking for something less physically active that may allow you to sip a mimosa or two, Tidal Wave also offers boat rentals and custom harbor charters for a more relaxing experience.
The Palmetto Breeze Catamaran
A sunset cruise with the Palmetto Breeze sailing charter is another great way to celebrate on the water. The Palmetto Breeze catamaran docks at Shem Creek, which flows through the heart of Mount Pleasant and is known for its many waterfront bars and restaurants. The charter tour options and amenities are as follows:
Dolphin Sails
Historic Charleston Harbor Cruises
Sunset Sails
All charters, public and private, include complimentary bottled water and soft drinks
Cash bar open for scheduled public sails
Shem Creek
After a beautiful day out on the harbor, you and your girls can grab a bite to eat at Red’s Ice House. Here you will cheer on your favorite sports team while enjoying some Lowcountry music with a burger and a beer.
You may also find yourself at the lovely Tavern & Table, a Shem Creek restaurant that provides a more intimate atmosphere for its guests. Eat to your heart's content by ordering a plate full of cornbread, pimento cheese, or the beloved oysters rockefeller!
Folly Beach Festivities
There is no shortage of beautiful beaches for your Charleston bachelorette party weekend. Let’s dive in…
Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island are two of the closest beaches from downtown. Folly is better known for its easy-going atmosphere where the locals never leave. You are guaranteed to have a good time at this friendly and artistic beach.
We recommend checking the Folly Beach calendar to see if your dates align with any of the art or music festivals that the town puts on throughout the year. For example, The Sea and Sand Festival, Follypalooza, or the Taste of Folly are all popular events on the island.
To refuel after you all have strutted your stuff on Center Street, walk on over to Chico Feo, a Grit & Grace local favorite, for some of the best tacos outside the peninsula, live music, and a boho vibe.
Sullivan’s Island Musts
Sullivan’s Island is equally as beautiful with a slightly different energy. This family-friendly beach features both moderately priced and high-end dining options. Check out Poe’s Tavern, the funky Edgar Allen Poe-themed diner, for one of the best burgers in Charleston or Mex 1 for some queso and a killer marg.
The Obstinate Daughter is a wonderful weekend brunch or upscale dinner spot with food ranging from ricotta gnocchi to peach salad and gourmet pizzas. Yum!
To burn off a few of those calories, rent bikes at Sealand Adventure Sports and spend the afternoon biking through this pristine beach town, daydreaming of your future vacation home.
For the Retail Therapy Bride
Grit & Grace Studio
There are countless sights to see and things to do in historic Charleston. If you are staying close to downtown, King Street, Rainbow Row, and the Battery are musts for sightseeing and shopping. Being biased, of course, one of our favorite shops on King Street happens to be.. drumroll please…. Grit & Grace Studio!
Alongside our mermaid gift cave, there is an endless supply of charming stores we love to recommend. One of our favorite shops on King Street is Candlefish, an enchanting candle and gift store. Stop into this feel-good boutique to enjoy free smells, buy a few goodies, or even sign up for a BYOB candle workshop.
Learn the ins and outs of candle making for a fun and unique experience with your lovely bridesmaids. Pick up your creations the next day and enjoy when you get home!
Shops at the Belmond Charleston Place
The shops at The Belmond Charleston Place are also worth a visit. This 17th-century hotel has amazing aesthetics, and its marble floors and breathtaking chandelier will captivate you when you first walk in.
Ready to splurge? The ground floor of this hotel boasts some of the city’s best boutiques. Take a little break from all that shopping to recharge at the Spa at the Belmond. You will not be disappointed by their treatments, relaxation lounge, and spa boutique!
Downtown Charleston Shopping
Let’s talk about a few of our other favorite shops! Visit Old Whaling Co, for beautifully crafted and affordable bath and body products inspired by the sea. Noddy, located on Queen Street, is a Southern goods store featuring products all made by Southerners, representing each state in the South.
Looking for trendy, unique apparel and gifts? Drop into Two Cumberland, an eclectic store for locals and tourists alike. The Historic Preservation Society features awesome brands such as Brackish Bowtie for all the wonderful men in your life, maybe one of them being your sweet hubby.
Make a point to check out J. Stark for high-quality leather products and Smithey cast ironware, a company that manufactures beautiful iron skillets used by a number of Charleston’s most famous chefs.
Sights to See on Your Shopping Spree!
Once you have completed all your shopping needs, head down to Rainbow Row to snap a few photos for the ‘Gram! Located on East Bay Street, Rainbow Row is a lineup of thirteen Georgian houses all painted in various vibrant colors. This Charleston backdrop is perfect for a Bridal party photo-op! The historic street is within walking distance to The Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park, and The Battery.
The Battery is a landmark defensive seawall that is lined by grand antebellum homes and historical monuments. Enjoy a mid-day picnic with your bridesmaids beneath the ancient oak trees and Spanish moss at White Point Gardens, conveniently located right alongside The Battery.
photo credit: @passportsandpursuits
For the Princess Bride
Hotel Heaven
Ladies, you have come to the right place for indulging yourself this bachelorette weekend! Let’s start with some luxurious hotel recommendations. The Dewberry Hotel is a downtown sanctuary adjacent to Marion Square, making for a lavish home base for your Charleston bachelorette party.
Once you are settled into your room here, make your way up to The Dewberry’s 8th-floor terrace rooftop bar, The Citrus Club. Here you will find handcrafted cocktails for happy hour and delicious bites. To kick your weekend off properly, give the lobster hush puppies with chili honey butter a try and pair it with a signiture Mai Tai!
The Restoration Hotel
Another beautiful hotel to choose from is The Restoration Hotel on Wentworth Street. Voted Best Urban Hotel by Condé Nast in 2020, The Restoration ensures an amazing guest experience.
A stay at The Restoration includes daily breakfast baskets sent to your door, custom-designed bicycles to ride around the city, a panoramic view of the city at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen, as well as a daily evening wine and cheese reception.
Rest & Restoration
While staying at The Restoration, do not forget to book yourself a reservation for an in-room treatment with the Amethyst Spa & Nail Bar. They will treat you and your lovely bridesmaids like the royalty you are while adding an extra dose of relaxation to your day!
Coffee Revival
If you need a pick-me-up after your Kypris holistic skin care facial or deep tissue massage, The Rise Coffee Bar will revive you! You will want to drink this coffee every morning and may end up buying a few bags of Springbok coffee beans to take home with you.
photo credit: The Restoration Hotel
Ooh La La, Spa!
Another amazing spa that offers a tranquil and transformational experience is The Woodhouse Day Spa, located in Mount Pleasant. Upon entering this sanctuary, you are greeted by friendly staff, a luxurious robe, and reflexology sandals to relieve the day’s stresses. Their most popular services include a seaweed leaf pedicure and amazing hot stone massages.
Save Room for Dessert!
What better way to indulge after a full day of pampering and massages than treating you and your gals to a cocktail and dessert? To cap off the night, Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar is magically delicious. Inspired by an Italian Piazza, Carmella’s is designed to bring people together with gourmet recipes and a vast array of desserts. The cannoli cake and Funfetti cheesecake are a must-try.
For the Party Queen Bride
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Lastly, to all you party queens out there, Charleston sees you, and we hear you! It would not be a Charleston bachelorette party without a few memorable nights out on the town. Let’s dive into our favorite happy hour and brunch places!
We Grit & Grace girls recommend starting your Friday night adventure at The Rarebit with a Moscow Mule, considered by many as the best in town, made with homemade ginger beer (just $6.00 during 4-7 pm).
From there, you and your squad can wander over to Prohibition. This swanky downtown bar imitates a 1920’s speakeasy with its vintage-inspired décor and bourbon barrel ceiling. There you will find a mouthwatering menu of snacks and cocktails all for $5.00 during happy hour, including oysters on the half shell, Pimm’s Cups, and local draft beer.
Time to Get Social
Once you and your best gals have had your share of happy hour, it is time to hit the cobblestone! Grab your “bride-to-be” sash and head to Uptown Social, a festive neighborhood two-story tavern, to dance the night away!
Carbs for the Cure
Saturday morning, you may be in need of a brunch spot to recap and refuel from your night out. Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is the perfect place to grab a breakfast sandwich smothered in pimento cheese or homemade blueberry jam. This local favorite will leave you smelling like buttery victory and will carb-load you for the next shopping or happy hour adventure of the day!
As you wait in line for your biscuit, mosey on up our staircase to Grit & Grace Studio to tell us all about your weekend. We would love to hear your stories and offer up more recommendations to keep the party rolling!
We are so excited for your fabulous Charleston bachelorette party! You ladies deserve all the fun this city has to offer and more before your big day.
Come see us at Grit & Grace Studio and shop our handcrafted bridesmaid gifts and Something Blue oyster ring dishes.
It’s the last fling before the ring! Cheers to going from Miss to Mrs.!
One Love & Blessings,