Having a child is a transformative experience. Whether it’s your first or your fifth, your life takes on a whole new landscape. Baby showers have long been the way to commemorate the moment— until now.
Swapping cocktails for mocktails, a hatchelorette party is a fun, cheeky spin on the traditional bachelorette party, reimagined for a mom-to-be. It’s a baby shower’s cooler, older cousin with fewer diaper raffles and more glam. It’s the perfect way to bond with your besties and celebrate you before diving into this next chapter of motherhood. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cozy at-home soirée, a hatchelorette is the trendiest way to enter motherhood. Here’s everything to know about how to throw your own.
What is a Hatchelorette Party?
A hatchelorette party is a pregnancy-themed celebration that channels the energy of a bachelorette party while aligning with the theme of motherhood. Instead of toasting to one last wild night before marriage, you’re toasting the mama-to-be before entering a season of sleepless nights and deep hormonal bonding.
It’s all about fun, friendship and treating you like the queen you are. From themed outfits and mocktail bars to spa treatments and a staycation, a hatchelorette party keeps things feminine and pregnancy-friendly. It’s a celebration of motherhood while still maintaining the essence of girlhood.
Rather than centering the baby, a hatchelorette party centers the mother. As a bachelorette party bids goodbye to singlehood, a hatchelorette bids goodbye to life before your newborn. Though the miracle of motherhood is indescribable and transformative, you likely won’t have as much time to pour into yourself, nor into your friendships. Your girls are your lifeline, and they’re likely moving through adulthood and parenthood all the same. A hatchelorette is a chance for everyone to bask in being women first, mothers second. A chance to be pampered and loved on so that your cup has more to pour out of.
Hatchelorette Party Ideas
Instagram user @thenycprgirl gave an inside look at her Palm Springs hatchelorette getaway, a vibrant celebration with her girls by her side. Reflecting on the much-needed trip, she shares, “When planning for baby number 2, I knew I needed a final hurrah with my girls. So I planned a Palm Springs getaway or what I’ve recently learned is called a hatchelorette, a time for expecting moms to bond with friends before their new baby arrives (and before they find out just how good they had it). I’m so grateful to this crew for being the first to help me not only celebrate new life, but to celebrate and honor us and our sisterhood, as I transition into this next stage of life.”
There are countless ways to have your own last hurrah. If a trip or staycation isn’t quite up your alley, here are a few more hatchelorette ideas to consider:
Mocktail Mixology Station: Set up a bar with fresh ingredients, cute glassware and fun drink names like “The Mom-osa,” “No-Groni,” or “Bump-tini.”
Matching Pajamas or Robes: Nothing says slumber party like matching PJs. Think cozy, coordinated and custom-made, ideal for a night in with snacks and chick flicks.
Girls Photoshoot: Hire a photographer to make you feel like goddesses or DIY a mini shoot with cute props, glam and a beautiful backdrop.
Spa Day or Wellness Retreat: There isn’t a woman in the world who is not in need of a massage, facial or foot soak.
Nostalgic Sleepover: Take a trip back in time with popcorn, rom-coms, face masks and a few teen magazines.
Girls Brunch: Whether you rent a place out or host at home, why not indulge in a brunch with all your faves, from pancakes to pregnancy-safe mimosas?
Pregnancy Cravings Bar: Food is always a centerpiece in pregnancy. Have an interactive snack station set up with all the weird and wonderful cravings you’re having, from pickles to ice cream.
Vision Boarding: For a more intentional celebration, why not make vision boards with your girls? Fill it up with affirmations and mom.
What Is a Dadchelor?
Wondering if there’s a dad-equivalent? While the mama-to-be gets her hatchelorette, the dad-to-be can celebrate with his very own dadchelor party. Sometimes called a “man-shower” or “diaper party,” a dadchelor is basically the dad version of a bachelorette or baby shower. It’s a low-key, often guy-centric gathering that celebrates the father-to-be before the baby arrives. Think backyard BBQs, brewery tours, game nights, or weekend getaways with his closest friends. A man needs his tribe too, lending to a vibe all about bonding and giving dad one last rodeo before diaper duty sets in.