Are you looking to celebrate your upcoming union without a trip to Vegas or walking around with a penis hat? In a world of gendered bachelor and bachelorette party standards, forging your own ideas as an LGBTQ+ marrier or celebrant can be daunting. Never fear; we have some ideas here! Whether you’re doing your bach party solo with your besties or with your soon-to-be-spouse and entire wedding party, these activities are sure to liven up the festivities.

Scavenger hunt

Try a custom scavenger hunt to test everyone’s knowledge of the happy couple. If you’re going to a destination for a weekend, you can double this into a city tour or a way of familiarizing everyone with your accommodations on the first night. Source as many obscure facts as you can, and be sure to include the promise of a prize for the winners!

Murder mystery night

Fan of theatrics? A murder mystery dinner party might be the right fit for you. Whether you go for a roaring ‘20s speakeasy night or a modern business whodunit, your guests will love dressing up and playing the part while you solve the mystery. If you’re bringing costumes or props for everyone, this could be a fun surprise activity, but if you want everyone to go all-out, be sure to send out character assignments at least a month in advance so people can gather their costumes.

Queer prom night

It’s no secret that most LGBTQ+ folks couldn’t enjoy prom as themselves. Your bach party could be a chance to relive the prom experience on your terms! This is an especially good idea for shared bach weekends, so you and your partner can enjoy your queer prom together before your wedding day. Set up some rainbow decor, blast your favorite tunes and wear the most fabulous outfit you can find. Your younger self will be so proud.

Spa day

A classic bach activity! Spend the day at a local spa, relaxing, unwinding and rejuvenating with massages, facials and other pampering treatments. More and more spas are becoming queer-inclusive, so do some research on options in the area you’ll be staying so you can go to the most affirming option.

Give back

As counterintuitive as it may sound, consider spending part of your bach weekend doing some charity work together. Whether you spend an afternoon volunteering at a local LGBTQ+ youth home or give back to the community through support for organizations like The Trevor Project, this can be a beautiful opportunity to participate in public awareness campaigns for human rights causes that are close to your heart while celebrating queer identity.

Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio