Dans Papers - May 25, 2007 - How to Throw the Best Bachelorette Party Ever

There were no strippers, but there was plenty of excitement for fifteen girl-women in one house for the weekend. When my best friend got engaged, we knew good times were ahead. So they came in carfulls, on train rails and several by air. The descent began on a Thursday night and the exodus had been completed by Sunday afternoon. In that time, these young women had a rollicking wild time, toasting to friendship, to sisterhood and to love.

When a crowd of people is coming to stay at your home, or a home you graciously have access to, you've got to do a lot of planning. It is no mean feat to host fifteen women on three bathrooms and a bunch of bed spaces. It requires deftness, decisiveness and sensitivity. The bridal party arrived on Thursday night, after hauling themselves from all over the country. We got a good night's sleep and woke up on Friday ready to prepare. Groceries at Waldbaum's, rum, wine and vodka at the helpful Domaine Wines & Spirits in East Hampton, beer at the depot, fresh lump crabmeat and tulips at Citarella would stock the house for the weekend. We were ready to take on the masses for night one.

Since you don't have time to cook all day on a Friday, it's the better night for dinin' and dancin'. We enjoyed a leisurely, indulgent dinner at Harvest out in Montauk, where everything comes family-style. Our bachelorette went around the table while the bottles of wine came and went, toasting each woman at the table. By the time we moved on to Oyster Pond, we were all old friends. We walked in to the bar, all fifteen in a line, and ordered our drinks. We danced for hours in a big circle, no man able to break in to the ring of fabulousness. The music was so good that I barely even wanted to make recommendations, but there were a few songs I was itching to hear. So I went up to the DJ. Much to my surprise, "New York, New York," the last song of the night, was already playing. Needless to say, I went back to my girls and created a kick line.

We move on to the good 'ol Memory Motel. Now, this best friend of ours happens to be a redhead, and there just happens to be a shot named after certain redheads of questionable moral character. I'm not saying that's Laurie, but hey, we had to order a round of them - it was a bachelorette party, after all!

We danced, we got onstage and sang, we reveled in the hospitality of the owner and we had a wonderful time. By the wee small hours of the morning, we were piled into the Montauk Taxi and cruising back towards Springs.

We woke up and returned for the abandoned cars, picking up Goldberg's bagels with cream cheese and lox on the way. Laurie was quoted as saying, "This is the best bagel I've ever had." Bloody Mary's and mimosas were flowing fast.

Saturday was gray and the clouds hung pretty thick in the sky, but there were moments when a patch of blue sky would peak through. Everyone lounged around the house, took walks, took naps and hung out. By four o'clock we had laid out the pigs in blankets, the hummus with toasted pita and celery sticks and the fresh-made guacamole. It was time to start cooking. The older sister of the bride made her signature macaroni and cheese, and the bridal party toiled on an enormous salad complete with avocado and a secret dressing.

Claire was my partner in crime making the crabcakes - we were a well-oiled machine. She shredded the delectable claw meat and we mixed in breadcrumbs, corn, red peppers and other fresh ingredients. Then we pan fried them and set the table for fifteen.

The meal was greeted to a chorus of grunts and nods. Then, while some of the girls cleaned up, I started a fire. We played some games and had some laughs and then we were ready for dessert.

Fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries with whipped cream stood beside cookies and cream ice cream and soft homemade cookies. We brought out the champagne glasses and adorned them with sliced strawberries, and I made a toast to the girl who brought us all together.

The night rolled into morning and I handed Laurie some of the tulips to bring back to the city. The weekend was over and hugs and happiness filled the house as the guests rode away.