Pickleball Bachelorette Parties: The Hot New Pre-Wedding Obsession

From champagne to serves, how pickleball became the chicest bridal trend.

First pickleball started taking over tennis courts, now it’s taking over bar crawls and spa days. Yup, pickleball is crashing the bachelorette party scene, and it’s bringing the bridesmaids with it. 

Across the country, groups of women are ditching the typical boozy weekend for something with a little more bounce, and a lot more fun: a few days of spa, sunshine, and serious (or not-so-serious) court time.

It makes sense. Pickleball checks every box: it’s social, active, easy to pick up, and as we well know, addictive. It gives the group something to do besides just brunch and pose for photos—and it's a great way to bring together friends from different corners of the bride’s life. Whether you’re the ringer or the rookie, everyone can hit a few balls, laugh a lot, and maybe even work up enough of a sweat to justify the second mimosa.

And the resorts? They're paying attention.

Places like The Boca Raton, the five-star resort in South Florida with beautiful new pickleball courts and courtside bar, are leaning into the trend. ‘We’re seeing more bridal parties book pickleball sessions as part of their weekend,’ says Lauren Levine, Director of Racquet Sports at The Boca Raton. ‘They love that it’s low-pressure, but still gets everyone moving and having fun together. It’s become one of our most requested group wellness activities.’

Of course it has. Their courts are gorgeous, the spa is next-level, and you can go from drop shot to drop-dead glam in about 20 minutes. It’s the kind of place where you can get competitive, then get a custom facial. And the social media potential? Off the charts.

Another popular pick: La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs. It’s desert-chic, has an army of pickleball courts, and plenty of outdoor space for post-game lounging. Groups can book clinics or round robins with a pro, then recover in the saltwater pool or with a cocktail at Adobe Grill.

For something more laid-back (but still paddle-ready), Miraval Austin blends pickleball with wellness workshops, hiking, and spa treatments that might make you forget you’re supposed to be planning a wedding. But don’t worry—you’ll remember once the group gets matching pickleball visors embroidered with “I dink therefore I drink.”

The best part? You don’t have to be a die-hard player to make this work. That’s kind of the magic of pickleball—it’s welcoming, it's a little silly, and it creates instant camaraderie. Plus, it gives your Instagram something a little different than matching swimsuits and blurry club shots. (Though you can still have those, too.)

As more brides look for pre-wedding celebrations that are playful and purposeful, don’t be surprised if the next wave of bachelorette invites includes court shoes and a paddle. The new party favor isn’t a bottle opener—it’s a bruised ego from losing 11-2 to your future mother-in-law.

And honestly? That sounds like the start of a pretty good marriage.