How to Host a Tarot Themed Bachelorette Party

Spring has sprung and wedding season is kicking into high gear. And you know what that means: bridal showers!

Although “Magic Mike” may have reignited male stripper fantasies in many a blushing bride (ahem….Channing Tatum), there’s plenty of women who opt for tamer bridal shower entertainment. After all, not everyone wants an oiled up beefcake in a thong gyrating on their grandmother. And if you intend on including the younger females in the family, it’s simply not appropriate.

A fun and equally popular idea is to hire a tarot reader for your get together. Not only is this a G rated activity, but it can be a blast for your guests. A good tarot reader can provide entertainment and enlightenment – plus it is often an affordable solution for your party needs.

If you are thinking about hiring a reader (or psychic), here are a few tips to make sure your fete is a success:

Make sure your guests are going to be comfortable with a tarot reader. Some people, for religious reasons, may not jive with any type of psychic stuff. If you sense a tarot reader will make your guests squeamish, you may want to skip this idea altogether. You may also decide to go ahead and hire the reader but you can let those guests know that they are not expected to participate.
Research your reader to make sure you find a personality that is going to be a good fit for your party. For example, do you want someone to don a costume? Some readers won’t. Do you want someone who is showy – or do you prefer someone with a more serious vibe? Check out their websites, ask for referrals and best yet – speak to the person directly. You can get a feel as to whether or not they’ll be the right person for your party.
Be sure to hire someone who is within your budget. Many readers have different options (hourly, per person) and you should be able to find something that won’t break the bank.
Make sure you have funds set aside for a non-refundable deposit. Most readers will require this, especially if you are booking months in advance. If you do need to cancel, please be courteous and give your reader plenty of notice.
Consider whether your guests may want privacy (or it the reader requires it). You may need to set aside another room just for the readings. A great tip: make the room look like a traditional fortune teller’s tent: a table with colorful scarves, candles, a crystal ball, lots of flowers – get creative here to set the right mood!
If you are serving alcohol at your event, you may want to have the tarot reader arrive early in the evening, before anyone gets too tipsy. A drunk guest is not going to be a good candidate for a tarot reading (and trust me on this – it makes our work miserable with a capital M).
Have a tape recorder to record the readings. You can then give the tapes to your guests as a party favor (be sure to write their names on it so you don’t get anyone’s mixed up).
You may also want to create a fun “swag bag” with lottery tickets, good luck charms, a tarot card (make sure the card is a positive one), a crystal and a candle. This will make your party truly memorable. (The last time I was at a shower, the favors were typical household stuff like wooden spoons. Boring!)
If you decide that you want to have a male stripper and a tarot reader, have them come at separate times to keep the evening going strong – or put them in different rooms. (True story: many years ago, I was hired to read at a bachelorette party. It was the first one I ever did so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was seated in the kitchen and a group of rowdy, drunk women took turns getting their readings. Suddenly, an oiled up, muscle bound dude with a mullet and a neon green g-string walks past me. I had to wait until his “show” was finished before I could finish my work. The guy wanted to bump and grind on me but sorry, I prefer the Eugene Hutz or Wiz Khalifa type. Juiceheads aren’t my schtick. I do, however, make an exception for Channing Tatum. Le sigh.) Another option: do the readings at your location and then take your crew to the local strip club instead. The more prudish guests may appreciate that – plus you can get crazy (ala Bridesmaids) without wrecking your house!

Always remember that your bridal shower is about the bride. Whether you decide to hire a tarot reader or a male stripper (or any other sort of entertainment), make sure that this is something that delights her and makes her day as fun and unforgettable as possible.

Blessings!

Theresa

PS for those who may inquire, I no longer do parties.

special thanks to taoxproductions for the image

What could be other fun ideas for a bridal shower? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section below: