Brides-to-be are ditching the phallic-shaped decor to find a moment of peace.
Bachelorette parties have become expensive, multi-day spectacles involving plane tickets, large guest lists, matching outfits, penis straws, club nights and drinking games galore.
But that just doesn’t appeal to all fiancées.
While some women enjoy the extravagant approach, others find it overwhelming, stressful and far from their ideal way to celebrate an upcoming wedding. That’s why some women are ditching their “hen dos” for a solo trip — or “solorette.”
For many women, a solo retreat is the perfect way to unwind and recharge before their big day.
While a traditional bachelorette party involves a shared celebration with friends, which fosters connection and support, the solo trip offers solitude and a chance to connect with one’s thoughts and emotions.
“Going solo allows for [the bride to have] uninterrupted time to focus on herself, which can be incredibly restorative,” therapist Brooke Spowl explained to Brides.com.
This type of trip offers clarity, allowing the bride to approach her wedding day with renewed energy and perspective.
However, there are also pluses to galavanting with a gaggle of gal pals.
“The benefit of a group trip lies in the sense of connection and support, while the solo trip fosters a deeper sense of self-awareness and personal reflection,” Spowl explained.
“Ultimately, the choice is about finding balance between the need for connection and the desire for solitude. Both experiences can be enriching, but the key is in knowing what will truly nourish the bride at this pivotal moment in her life,” she added.
It’s also simply easier to organize for one.
“When you’re planning a wedding, one of the most stressful things is dealing with the desires, demands and expectations of family and friends,” Kristi Valentini, founder of Readymade Travel Plans told Brides.com.
“It sucks the joy right out of wedding planning. Getting away on a solo trip is re-energizing — all you have to think about is yourself. There’s no compromising or worrying about what others are thinking or feeling.”
These trips are not just about escaping the increasingly over-the-top bachelorette scene in a culture that pressures people to host the perfect Insta-worthy weekend but also about embracing personal growth and independence before entering a marriage.
It’s additionally not about avoiding friends or family but taking the pressure off them.
Kalie Adams, 29, booked a solo trip to visit several coastal towns in Oregon, where she spent her childhood, before her wedding.
“My whole bridesmaids group was all over the country, and everybody had something,” Adams told Thrillist.
She acknowledged that bachelorette parties have gotten “super expensive” and that most of her wedding party was traveling to be with her when she tied the knot anyway.
“I felt like I couldn’t ask for a trip,” Adams said. “I didn’t want to spend more time wrangling people than I already was for all sorts of wedding things.”
The “solorette” trend also comes as more women are booking trips for one — whether they’re engaged or not.
According to Virtuoso data, 71% of solo travelers are women in 2024.
Adams is not a big drinker or party girl and just wasn’t excited thinking about planning a traditional bachelorette itinerary filled with cocktails and clubbing.
“It just didn’t sound that fun to me,” she said.
