Where: Memphis, Tennessee
When: March 19, 2016
With: Ashley, Pam, Krista, Jenna, Loren, Rachel, Suzannah, Christine, Ryan, Gibbs
So this may sound ridiculous, but Graceland may have been one of my biggest draws to spending my bachelorette party in Memphis, Tennessee. Well, ok, crossing three things out of the book was a huge draw too, but I just thought a cheesy afternoon in the home of a music icon seemed like the perfect activity to complement a bachelorette party. I mean, who doesn't love Elvis? And who doesn't want to see his green shag carpeting??
So my lovely friends were all subjected to a day at Graceland. Jenna prepared us well by getting matching Elvis sunglasses and VIP tickets for quick entry into the home. It actually isn't super far outside of center city Memphis, so a quick uber ride over, and we were ready to be one with the King.
The property has been called Graceland since the late 1800s, and the house itself was built in 1939. Elvis purchased it in 1957 when his career had been taking off and he realized he'd need some privacy from the masses of fans that wanted to wait for him outside his home. Elvis lived here until his death in 1977, and now the home is the first rock-and-roll related property to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Group shots outside the mansion.
To tour the mansion, we were given iPads with headphones that talked us through each room, while showing pictures of the Presley family enjoying the space. It was absolutely 70s-licious in there, with lots of plastic covering over the furniture and white furniture. As Krista loudly continued to say, "It looks like Nanny Ward's house", a compliment my grandmother would have been thrilled to hear (her apartment was famously decorated in all white with plastic coverings).
The upstairs is still kept private as per Lisa Marie's request.
The most surprising room in the mansion is the "jungle room", complete with green shag and a waterfall cascading down the brick wall.
Even the ceiling of the jungle room is green.
The 70s-tastic carpeted kitchen. Super futuristic with a TV on the counter.
Heading down into the basement in wonder.
The basement was clearly the swanky party room for hosting. Multiple TVs for Elvis, lots of monkeys and a wet bar.
The pool room, where there's still a mark in the wall from a trick shot gone bad. Look at that ceiling!
The "modest" bedroom that Elvis' parents lived in at Graceland.
The dining room which is still used for special occasions to this day.
From the house, we crossed past some of the Graceland pastures to another building housing the memorabilia.
Gibbs, enjoying the view and learning some history in her Elvis glasses.
The artefacts collected were unbelievable. It's amazing all the Elvis paraphernalia that was even created, let alone collected.
Old school Elvis, serving in the Army in Germany where he met Priscilla.
Lots of rhinestones means we've made it to the late Elvis wardrobe collection.
Just a few awards in his time.
A hunk-a-hunk of burning love.
Finally, we came to his recording studio, that also featured a collection of his platinum records on the walls. Just a few!
His recording studio/game room.
Beep beep beep!!
After finishing the main tour, we were led outside to where Elvis was buried. We were all way more touched than we expected by this man who accomplished so much in his short life. The one surprise we had was that the museum gave no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in his death, but perhaps it was nice to leave his image untarnished.
Lying beside Elvis are his mother, his father, and his grandmother, as well as a memorial stone to his twin brother that died at childbirth.
After having to surprisingly wipe our eyes, it was on to some of the other sites on the Graceland complex. The next stop was the Elvis airplane collection. The big one we boarded was the Lisa Marie.
Inside was all kinds of extravagance that felt more like an extension of his house rather than an airplane. A gold plated sink sat in the bathroom, leather armchairs, and lots of velvet cushions. This is the way to fly!
Channeling Elvis in his plane.
Next we went to the see the Elvis car collection.
Inside a glitzy, glossy, all-black showroom were all the cars that Elvis owned and loved. It felt like every type of luxury car was in here.
Some fake trees to make you feel like you're just walking down the block at night.
Some non-car "toys".
This showroom was hysterical.
Back outside and it's time to say our farewells to the King.
I mean, what better man to get a bride for her bachelorette party than Elvis Presley. This was such a fun trip, and I'm so glad I got to see it with all my girls!!
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