Champagne, Custom Lipsticks & City Views
There are few places more iconic for a girls’ getaway than The Plaza Hotel in New York City — and for a one-night bachelorette celebration, it was pure perfection. Between a custom lipstick session at Lip Lab, blowouts at Drybar, dinner at The Smith, rooftop drinks, and the most luxurious night’s sleep, it was everything a pre-wedding weekend should be: fun, elegant, and a little bit extra. 💁♀️
The bride — my cousin — couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for The Plaza. Her style is that perfect mix of Audrey Hepburn sophistication and Eloise-at-the-Plaza charm: graceful, classic, and effortlessly chic. The whole experience felt like it was made for her — a blend of girly fun, timeless elegance, and the kind of little luxuries that make a night truly memorable. I honestly couldn’t imagine a better setting for her bachelorette — the perfect one-night stay to celebrate the bride-to-be in true Plaza fashion.
Lip Lab 💄 (Starting at $65 per person)
After checking in, we handed off our bags to the staff (who kindly brought them up to the room for us), and set off for our first stop of the day: Lip Lab.
There, we got to create our own custom beauty products from start to finish. It was such a unique and interactive experience — the 4 of us sat down with 2 consultants who guided us through the process of choosing shades, finishes, and names for our creations. Some of us made lipsticks, others made glosses or liners, and the bride even created a blush. Everything came beautifully packaged in personalized containers — the perfect keepsake from the weekend.
Two of the girls made both a lipstick and a gloss, the bride designed a lipstick and a blush, and I created a lipstick and a matching liner. The best part was watching the artists mix pigments right in front of us, adjusting each tone until it felt like the perfect match. Once we finalized our colors, we got to personalize the packaging with our names and shade titles — a small detail that made it feel truly custom.
It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend: creative, girly, and something we could all take home as a keepsake from the celebration.
Blowouts & Bubbles 💆♀️🥂
Next up was Drybar, conveniently close by, for blowouts before dinner. It was the perfect reset between the daytime fun and the evening plans.
Afterward, we returned to The Plaza for a quick glass of champagne to toast the bride while the Maid of Honor headed upstairs to set up the suite for the night. It was one of those simple but memorable moments — all of us laughing in the lobby bar, raising our glasses under the hotel’s chandeliers, soaking in that pre-party excitement.
Our Room 🏨✨
We checked in around noon, dropped our bags, and instantly felt like we were stepping into a movie. The suite had two full beds, which was ideal for our group, and still left plenty of room to lounge and get ready together.
Waiting in our room was the sweetest surprise — a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne and Just Water boxed water, the perfect welcome before starting our weekend.
My cousin, the bride, had also created beautiful large overnight bags for each of us, each one complete with a matching makeup pouch filled with a “survival kit” — hair ties, scrunchies, hydration packets, and other thoughtful touches for the weekend. The maid of honor added an extra treat with the smaller tote bags you see in the photo above, which included a water bottle, itinerary, and a few more goodies. Between the two, it felt like every detail was perfectly planned — elegant, personal, and so full of love.
Dinner at The Smith 🥩🍸
Dinner at The Smith was lively, delicious, and exactly the kind of atmosphere you want for a bachelorette night — upbeat but still classy. The cocktails and mocktails were amazing, and the food did not disappoint.
The bride and I both ordered the steak frites with perfectly cooked fries, flavorful and crisp to perfection. One of the girls had the penne with chicken, while another tried the Smith burger, which the restaurant is famous for. The service was friendly and upbeat, and while we didn’t get dessert that night, The Smith absolutely lived up to the hype.
Known for its warm, lively energy and reliable comfort food, The Smith has become a New York City staple — with multiple locations across the city in Lincoln Square, Midtown, NoMad, and the East Village. Each location offers that same mix of timeless style and modern New York buzz that makes it perfect for any group celebration, from brunches to nights out.
One of the best perks of staying at The Plaza? They offer complimentary chauffeured transportation within ten minutes of the hotel — so we got to ride to dinner in a Maybach. (They only offer drop-off, not pickup, but honestly, pulling up to dinner in style was more than enough!)
Empire Rooftop Bar 🌃🍹
After dinner, we headed to the Empire Rooftop Bar, conveniently located right across the street from The Smith. The energy was incredible — live DJ, city lights, and an upper-level rooftop with panoramic views of Manhattan.
We kicked off the night with a round of espresso martinis, which were perfectly smooth and strong (and came topped with the cutest branded foam). The vibe was lively yet relaxed — a mix of locals, hotel guests, and groups celebrating just like us.
They also had a great mocktail menu, which I loved. I ordered one made with Ritual Zero Proof, a premium non-alcoholic brand that mirrors the flavor and complexity of traditional spirits — but without the alcohol. Ritual uses botanical blends, spices, and natural adaptogens (ingredients that help the body manage stress and support balance), making their drinks a sophisticated and wellness-minded alternative to classic cocktails.
The Ritual mocktail I had was refreshing, smooth, and beautifully balanced — the kind of drink that still feels celebratory, just without the buzz. It was the perfect mix of fun and classy, wrapping up the night on such a high note.
The Perfect Sleepover 👯♀️💤
We ended the night back at The Plaza with a cozy girls’ sleepover — pajamas, snacks, and plenty of laughter. There’s something extra special about getting ready in such a beautiful space and then winding down together afterward.
For some reason, I really love this picture — it perfectly captures the charm of the night. The beds slightly undone, the soft morning light, and the chandeliers above all tell the story of one of the most beautiful hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. It’s such a sweet reminder of how something as simple as a girls’ night can feel so elegant and memorable when it’s shared in a place like this.
Brunch at The Plaza ☕🍰
The next morning, we grabbed coffee just down the block before returning for The Plaza’s iconic Afternoon Tea, which at the time featured a special Wicked-inspired menu celebrating the Broadway musical’s 20th anniversary. The theme added such a fun twist to the classic experience — elegant, theatrical, and full of little surprises inspired by the show.
We chose the Central Park Tea, which included a variety of beautifully presented tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and seasonal pastries. The savory bites featured mint labneh and cucumber sandwiches, classic egg salad with caviar, and a rich short rib sandwich layered with horseradish cream and arugula. The warm blueberry and plain scones were served with Devonshire cream, Kalamansi curd, and house-made preserves — the kind you can smell before they even reach the table.
We paired it all with a glass of Louis Roederer Brut Champagne, which made the morning feel even more celebratory. To top it off, the staff surprised the bride with a complimentary mini cake, complete with a congratulatory note — the sweetest ending to our one-night stay.
Before heading out, we made one last stop at the Eloise at The Plaza boutique, where the pink décor, whimsical displays, and nostalgic details felt like the perfect way to close out our fairytale weekend in the city.
Wander Weekly 
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