Sarasota Girls Gone Wild?

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

By Carol Tisch

Eileen Hays isn’t naming names, but the owner of bespoke stationery stores on First Street and in Southside Village is selling young brides a little more than custom wedding invitations. It seems entire bridal parties from sleepy Sarasota are pulling all-nighters at bachelorette parties in Las Vegas. But before they go, they purchase flower and crystal embellished versions of Burger-King -style paper crowns at Write-On Sarasota (this is a stationery store, after all). As I peruse the selection, I wonder if sun visors wouldn’t be a bit more practical in Tinsel Town.

Bride-to-be tiaras in Write-On's First Street window display.

“They wear them the whole time they’re in Vegas, day and night, and not just at the bachelorette party,” Hays explains. It’s a trend she says that’s sweeping the country.

Hays should know: Her industry has recognized her trend-spotting abilities. She and Write-On Sarasota were recently profiled in a feature story in trade journal, Greetings Magazine, and she sits on a national gift show trend advisory board.

Since spell-check didn’t even recognize “bachelorette” the first time I typed it, I decided to verify the trend on the world-wide Web. My word! There are Bachelorette Superstores and party planners. The crowns are called tiaras, thank you, and there are more X-rated party favors than I care to elaborate on.

Wikipedia did a sociological profile and definition: “Bachelorette Party: a party held for a woman who is about to be married as a rite of passage. The term ‘hen party’ or ‘hen’s night’ is more common in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, ‘stagette’ in Canada, while ‘bachelorette party" is more common in the United States.’ Here’s more:

“Some bachelorette parties include a trip to Las Vegas or other party cities but many happen at local bars or in the home. It is estimated that less than 20 percent of all bachelorette parties include a stripper. In the United States, it has become a common practice for bachelorette parties to consist of a bar tour combined with a scavenger hunt, which usually has a risqué or erotic theme.

“The bride-to-be is invariably dressed in some fashion so that everyone in the bar instantly recognizes her as being the subject of a bachelorette party. Usually, she will be wearing a wedding veil and a t-shirt, which is to be signed by guys she and her friends meet in the bars that night.”

By George, equal rights have finally arrived. Sounds like a marketing opportunity for local bridal and t-shirt stores as well.

(Write-On Sarasota, 1423 First Street, (941) 953-2800)

Posted: 7/12/2007 11:10:35 AM | 0 comments