An Outdoor Movie Night Bachelorette Party for Claire Thomas

A Feature Presentation

Attendees mingled before showtime under string lights and prepped individual servings of fresh, movie-style popcorn spiced with Sriracha (a zesty alternative to melted butter) for the viewing to come.

Costume Conscious

"I tried to channel Ann-Margret as much as possible," says Claire, who rocked high-waisted Madewell black jeans, a butter yellow Topshop sweater, and a heavy dose of eyeliner to mimic the actress's iconic look on the Viva Las Vegas cover.

The honoree took a break from the limelight to sip strawberry-spiked soda pop.

Snack Attack

The at-home cinema incorporated dinner-and-a-movie dining with homemade appetizers, including pigs-in-a-blanket, artichoke dip, and crudités and dressing, on offer.

I Want Candy Bar

Guests filled brown paper sacks with an assortment of gummies that played on fads made popular in the diner era, such as small soda bottles to represent coke floats and orange candies to call up creamsicle milk shakes.

Chex Mixin' It Up

Inspired by Claire's Aunt Tina's addictive batch, the savory snack graced the buffet table—but only briefly; it was quickly gobbled by the handful.

Chicks Love Chocolate

This Caramelized Popcorn Milk Chocolate Bar by Los Angeles-based Compartés (fittingly called The Drive In and packaged accordingly) didn't find one (movie) critic. Made from crunched up candy corn, kettle corn, caramelized movie popcorn, and a coating of cocoa, it's worthy of five stars.

Bottle of Pop

A boozy soda fountain dispensing old-school pop, like Nesbitt's orange soda, gave signature drinks retro flair.

Posh Quarters

Recalling the countless all-girl sleepovers of her youth, Claire created an outdoor den piled with Turkish rugs, serapes, and poufs for the gals to lounge.

Backyard Screening

Viva Las Vegas played from a large screen, creating the environment of an at-home cinema, minus the previews.

A Hunk of Burning Love

Just like the unexpected ending of a solid flick, the bachelorette party also took an unpredictable turn:

"My mom and sister surprised me with an Elvis impersonator," Claire says. "I've seen Viva Las Vegas at least one hundred times and used to practice The King's 'Come on Everybody' dance in the mirror as a kid. Apparently, I hadn't forgotten a single step! 'Elvis' sang, and we did the choreography. It was supremely awesome."

Cool Classic

With dinner and a movie complete, next came dessert: Steve's Ice Cream pints in cold-brewed cinnamon coffee, blackberry honey, dark chocolate salted caramel, and small batch bourbon vanilla.

Outdoor Candlelight

Chairs circled a warm fire pit, a cozy arrangement for late-night chats and movie reviewing.

Sources

Photography: Claire Thomas; Yayo Ahumada

Event Planning: Beau and Arrow Events

Dessert: Steve's Ice Cream

Rentals: YEAH! Rentals

Wine: Club W