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Hallelujah for the hen! 1101 views
Let’s be honest – some aspects of planning a wedding can be downright stressful and not a whole lot of fun for a girl. Seating plans, budgets, those damn diets in between dress fittings… Of course you know in your heart that it’ll be worth it when you’re having the wedding day you always dreamt of, but doesn’t it sometimes make you want to kick back and just concentrate on something a bit more… playful?
Hallelujah for the hen party! Usually held a month or two before the big day, it should be the perfect antidote to all that pre-wedding madness, and a night (or day, or weekend) of good old-fashioned girly fun and mischief!
The problem is, for the hen-party organiser it can seem anything but fun. Just what kind of plan are you expected to come up with that will please everyone?
Traditionally the bridesmaids’ job, many brides prefer to have a hand in planning their hen parties. Mixing friendship groups, family members, different age groups – the social hurdles and potential pitfalls can seem endless. Well, if you’re taking a hand in organising a hen party - whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid or friend – here are a couple of straightforward tips to keep at the front of your mind. They’ll make hen-do planning a heck of a lot more enjoyable!
Celebration and joy
Firstly, remember that this is all about celebration and joy… so take a deep breath and try not to get too wound up about every detail. These are your friends and family we’re talking about, and each and every one of them will be determined to make your hen party as special as they can, and won’t need any prompting to enjoy themselves in the process! And secondly, don’t think you have to spend the earth. If you’re feeling less than flush from all the other wedding expenses then just go with what you can afford – this isn’t about keeping up with the Joneses. The parties with the most giggles and best photos at the end aren’t always the most outlandish or glamorous.
Ideas
Now down to some ideas. The first crucial question every hen party organiser should ask is what would the bride like the best? (Even if you’re the bride organising it, make a point of doing something you want to do). And a close second, of course, is what would all the hens enjoy doing, and what can they all afford?
If you’re after something civilised, or a nice way to ease everyone into a weekend of celebrations, how about a proper afternoon tea at a hotel or country house? It’s the perfect excuse to dress up (who sips champagne and nibbles French fancies in ripped Levis?) and will be a true indulgence for everyone there. If you’re near London, treat yourself at the Ritz, where a decadent and wonderfully traditional afternoon tea costs £36 per head – book the 7.30pm sitting (the last of the day) to get a glass of champagne thrown in for free! Further north at the Lowry in Manchester, you can savour scones, cream cakes and finger sandwiches in the fashionable River Bar. Expect to pay between £16 and £20 per head (extra if you decide to go for champagne as well). This is a great idea if the bride is bit shyer or if the party includes older or more conservative hens: the hotels may well refuse to serve you if you’ve gone all out with devil horns and fishnets.
If something a bit cheekier is your thing, there’s a whole lot of fun (and photos) to be had at the traditional hen night in all its saucy glory. Get your orders in for L-plates, veils, glitter, matching t-shirts, whistles… anything to show the world you’re out celebrating the beautiful bride’s end to single life. Just a word of warning – be sure to inform your venue in advance that it’s a hen party. Some places can be a little sniffy about it, but rest assured that there’s any number of clubs and bars which will give you a warm welcome. Strawberry Moons in London is a cheesy and cheerful example. Home to many hen parties every weekend, it boasts a sexy tequila man selling shots (very persuasively – you’ve been warned, ladies) and pole-dancing competitions. Start the evening by all getting ready together. Otherwise, how about meeting at a restaurant or pub first, so everyone can be introduced before going to a club? Handing out party bags to all the hens is a nice ice-breaker and can be as low-cost as you like – confectionery, blowing bubbles or a hangover cure are all ideas to put inside.
Hen parties abroad are growing in popularity, and it’s no wonder, with easyJet and Ryanair’s flights sometimes costing less than a blow-dry! But remember that taxes, hotels and transport can add up, so always stay sensitive to your friends’ budgets. Worth considering is Brussels – a city of many bars and Irish pubs and known to be the chocolate capital of the world. Or how about Ibiza, which truly has something to suit everyone? Your summer hen party could be centred in throbbing San Antonio, or the fashionable Ibiza Town would be great for a laid-back bride-to-be.
Really the opportunities are endless, and planning something fashionable or up-to-the-minute should be the last thing on your mind. Instead, think fun and memorable. One bride-to-be took her hens to Dartmoor for a hiking weekend –maybe not everyone’s thing, but apparently they had a blast at the youth hostel, and who says you can’t go hiking with fairy wings?
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