Micaela Erlanger, the celebrity stylist behind our favorite Meryl Streep and Lupita Nyong’o red carpet looks, eloped last year in St. Barths and is gearing up for her larger nuptials this spring. In February, Erlanger finally had her bachelorette party on the Big Island of Hawaii, and she’s sharing her itinerary with us, so we can go on our own The White Lotus-inspired getaways (without the drama, of course).
The bride-to-be and her best friend/matron of honor Michelle actually started planning this trip before the pandemic began. “After countless postponements and cancellations, we were just at the point where we all had cabin fever and wanted to go to a place we had never been,” Erlanger says. “The moment the virus calmed down, we booked our flights and made our plans to stay at The Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection property.”
From surprise picnics to sunrise canoe paddles to the restaurant that books out three months in advance, scroll down for Erlanger’s must-know bachelorette guide to Hawaii…
Where They Ate
The group mainly ate at their hotel and sampled local dishes like poke…and, of course, there was champagne. CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani had a three-month-long wait list but thankfully Erlanger and her group of girls managed to get a coveted reservation. “They served the most beautiful dinner and wine pairing,” the bride-to-be remembers. “It was quite the experience!”
Michelle and Erlanger’s friends also planned a surprise picnic with Malama Luxury Picnics at the hotel that featured super chic place-cards, designed by NKR Calligraphy. And after digging into the delicious spread, a private fire dancer entertained the group. “It was incredible and so special!” Erlanger remembers.
What They Did
On their first day on the island, the gals paddled out in canoes at sunrise and then jumped in the ocean. Underwater, they could even hear whales singing!
That night, they hosted a slumber party, complete with Sleeper Party Pajamas. The ladies ordered room service, turned on Bridesmaids, and treated themselves to gifted RéVive beauty treatments.
Other activity highlights include canoe surfing, lei-making, and visiting the sea turtle sanctuary. And OTM favorite wedding photographer Valorie Darling was enlisted to capture every smile-inducing moment on the trip…and there were a lot. “I am going to make keep sake photo albums for everyone, which will make for beautiful gifts and a way for us to reflect and cherish the time we spent together!” Erlanger says. “I honestly don’t know if I can ever go on a trip without her now; the photos were just incredible!”
Where They Shopped
Seemingly striking bachelorette party gold, the hotel had a pop-up Goop boutique, filled with must-have wellness items. “I also rode my bike into the local village one day and discovered a store that carried sustainable, female brands only!” Erlanger exclaims.
What to Pack for Hawaii
“I’m a big believer that accessories can transform any look: headbands, sunglasses, hats, costume jewelry—I don’t recommend traveling with the real stuff—and of course a ton of swim and resort wear!” Erlanger advises. The stylist was sure to pack items from OTM favorites like Jennifer Behr and Sarah Bray Bermuda too.
And as she’s one of the best stylists around—who also does bridal looks—Erlanger made fashion mood boards for each activity and day of the trip for her bridal party. “As a stylist I couldn’t help myself. Not only did this help us pack exactly what we needed, but it also allowed us to coordinate our looks—and made for super curated photos!” Erlanger says. “Some of my favorite themes were ‘Hawaii 5-0,’ ‘pastel florals,’ and ‘elevated earth tones.’
