How To Plan an Engagement Proposal: Must-Know Tips for the Big Day
5 WEDDING BLOGGERS SHARE THEIR FAVE HEN PARTY IDEAS!
We have all done it: when you friend announces their engagement and all you can think of is ‘Hen Party’! I mean why wouldn’t you? It’s natural to want to celebrate such a special occasion with an epic girly adventure, right! I do however feel that the guys outshine us a bit when it comes planning epic nights out for the groom, which is where today’s post comes into play. We collaborated with Expedia’s Hen Hub and asked our wedding blogger pals to tell us their favourite hen party ideas and whoa do these ladies know how to celebrate!
I thought I would kick us off with my fave ideas and my girls better take note…
Emily, Co-Founder & Editor of Bespoke Bride
Not one to be outdone by the boys, it’s not surprising that my dream hen party would take place in the US of A and no it would not be Vegas! As a lover of all things colourful I would love nothing more than to head to Palm Springs with my closest gal pals and spend an extra long weekend lazing in the pool with my flamingo float, getting a tan whilst sipping on a cocktail. I am not a huge drinker and although you could expect one or two nights to get a little cray cray, I would much rather make this a trip of lifetime.
I would stay at the Saguaro Hotel which is every colour lover’s dream and would be fab for photos (always thinking like a blogger!). As I don’t get to spend much time with all my friends together very often I would want us to all be able to relax, unwind and enjoy being together, we would head out on a few mini adventures like taking selfies with the dinosaurs that feature in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, hike up to Tahquitz Canyon and see the beautiful waterfall, enjoy a spa day at the natural hot springs and visit Salvation Mountain. We would also shop in the vintage shops, lunch at diners and have the best pyjama party ever! Yep I went there!
Erica, Founder + Editor of Mr & Mrs Unique
I absolutely LOVED my hen do… for me it was all about keeping it simple but with maximum style and fun! The idea of running between different bars all night or an expensive meal out never really took my fancy.
Why not hire out a cool private house with all of your nearest and dearest for a few nights. I booked a fab venue called Cliff Barns which oozed with style, comfort, and was tonnes of fun! With a hot tub, super stylish rooms, a private garden perfect for sunbathing, BBQ, a dressing up cupboard, tipi and a huge DVD collection, it fulfilled all of our wishes!
Although the initial outlay was higher, we were able to keep the rest of the costs to a minimum (£10 each) by ordering a supermarket delivery packed with bubbles and treats for when we arrived. We also booked some super-amazing in house beauty treatments and a cheeky curry on our last night; it was a weekend to remember. We didn’t leave the house at all, but had so much fun! If only walls could talk!!!
Louise, Founder + Editor of B.LOVED Blog
A hen party is really just an excuse to get all your best girlfriends together, right? So for me the ideal hen do would be a luxurious weekend away, filled with pampering, chocolate and bubbles!
The Cotswolds seems like the perfect place – there’s a variety of boutique hotels and spa’s for a range of budgets that offer a little something extra. For a little extra space for all your gals, and to experience a little pre-wedding luxe, book a suite! My top picks are Barnsley House, for that cosy Cotswolds vibe – the outdoor hydro pool wins every time – and Calcot Manor for Cotswolds chic, with its hot tub and perfect-for-relaxing-by pool.
Spend your days relaxing and being pampered in the spa before dressing up and enjoying cocktails in the bar followed by a delicious meal. If you’re still up for a party, create a chill-out zone in your suite complete with movies, popcorn and fizz! Don’t forget the chocolate!
Erin, Founder + Editor of Way Out Wedding
My ideal hen party would be spent in my favourite city – London. We’d begin bright and early at Mario’s Café in Kentish Town with a full English breakfast (and it is the best one I’ve ever had in here!) and a few mugs of tea to set us up for the day.
After this, it’s off to Cheeky in Holborn for some manicure and make-over action for everyone. Beautiful hens need beautiful styling! After we have our faces on and our nails are dry, it’s a hop over to the Hersheson’s bar at Topshop for a blow-dry and obviously a bit of a shop.
The main event would be early evening at Drink, Shop, Do in King’s Cross. This place is amazing!! So many unusual and offbeat things to do every day. It’s great for alternative hens. I would go for either the temporary tattoo parlour, where you can design your own and then transfer the awesomeness onto your person, or book on one of the actual hen do packages, the one where you can make an origami bouquet. I can’t sew for toffee, but I think I could fold paper like a boss. Other events that caught my eye were learning the official dance for Telephone by Gaga and Bey and the music quiz. I love my music and am partial to (highly competitive in) a music quiz.
The night would come to a beautiful end in Electric Dreams over a mix of Blondie, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie, Joy Division and all things early ’80s. Basically, my record collection played loudly in a club.
This is my ‘Money’s no object fantasy list’ and being no longer in my twenties, I am too tired to get the night bus home, so we stay at Hamyard Hotel. I love the décor – arty and design-led. Perfect!
Laura, Founder + Editor of Festival Brides
My idea of a perfect hen do would have to be heading to one of my favourite festivals. Glastonbury, Wilderness or The Secret Garden Party – they have pretty much everything you need to have an awesome weekend! Live music, discos, great food, a place to chill out, yoga, dress up, massage, film screenings, poetry readings, arts and craft – you name it you can get it at a festival, there really is something for everyone.
You can arrange one day where you all explore the festival together and on other days you can just go with the flow and maybe choose 1 thing to do all together, like a yoga workshop or getting your faces painted with jewels or sparkles.
If you have people that aren’t so keen on camping then you could think about luxing it up with boutique glamping or, if some of your friends are against camping all together, they can stay at a hotel or B&B nearby and just come for the day.
Festival’s always bring out the best in people and they are so much fun. For me, it’s the perfect place to spend your last blow out as a Miss with your favourite girlfriends.
So what are you doing for your Hen party? Let us know in the comments below. For more ideas check out Expedia’s Hen Hub they have some fantastic ideas there for thrifty hens and alternative hens!
Last year Trini got married and we travelled to Mallorca for enjoying the Hen party, with lots of friends, lots of party and it was amazing because we did tourism, we laughed and the wedding was also incredible.
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Y’all have so much taste! Great hen party ideas :)) part of mine was spent at Karoke Box singing my ‘lil heart out. Fun for me, perhaps not so much for my hens…. Lol XxX
Looking for inspirations, think I just got a great one! Thanks! 🙂
Lots of great ideas for a hen weekend thank you! I love the idea of hiring a cool house for the weekend. I am getting personalised t-shirts made for my hen 🙂 Ruby
I love the hens party in Australia. They offer life drawing and some topless waiters. Wish it will happen again. For the girls out there… always remember to include Hens party before you tie a knot. It will become memorable for life.