Getting your bridal party together for a little creative fun and relaxation before your wedding is a great way to make sure all your bridesmaids will be BFFs by the time your big day arrives. If you’re captivated by scents, grab your girl gang for a fragrance-and-soap design workshop at Maak Lab in downtown Portland to experience a whole new world of sensory input. You and your crew will learn about fragrance creation, then craft your own castile soap using the fragrances you create. $85 per person; maaklab.com.
WildCraft Studio School in Southeast Portland offers a variety of workshops in which participants create their own skin care and beauty products. One class includes a trip to harvest seaweed that’s beneficial to skin; it’s then used to create a face mask. wildcraftstudioschool.com.
For a twist on a traditional bachelorette experience, Albany Art Studio in Albany hosts life drawing “hen parties” during which participants of all artistic levels draw a nude male model. “I have had brides contacting me asking for creative alternatives,” says owner Laura Ellis. “Yes, these models are naked, and yes, this tends to mean there will be giggles. The models are all incredibly professional and perfect at keeping the atmosphere light and friendly.” The studio is also home of the only “splatter box” in Oregon, where your party can let loose and let the paint fly. $250 for as many as 10 guests; albanyartstudio.com
