If you are put off the idea of planning a hen party because you think they are all about oiled-up strippers and watered down cocktails, prepare to be impressed with these fantastic hen party ideas for modern brides-to-be.
A romantic city break with your other half is a completely different experience to a weekend away with the girls. Choose a city you have always wanted to visit and do it in style. It doesn’t have to be expensive if you book your flights and accommodation early. Organise an itinerary that’s a mix of sightseeing, shopping, and eating, and build in some free time so everyone has a chance to do what they want. Top cities for a hen weekend include Edinburgh, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Benidorm.
Do you need a relaxing weekend in the midst of insane wedding preparation? Rent a cottage in the country and get ready to indulge in pleasures like laughter filled chats over large glasses of wine, open fireplaces, outdoor hot tubs, comfortably rustic pubs, appetite-building walks, shopping in country market towns, and cream teas. Stay in the New Forest and organise a bike ride, turn your weekend into an epic adventure with a climb up one of Britain’s tallest peaks, learn to surf in Cornwall, or simply enjoy the view of wherever you are from a comfy lounger.
Getting married does not mean you stop having fun. Mark your impending nuptials with a massive all-nighter. Take the late Eurostar to Paris and return first thing in the morning and you won't even need an overnight case. If you are planning to hit a few different clubs, or you are going to an unfamiliar city, a Party Bus will take the hassle out of getting everyone around.
Dance is a fun way of breaking the ice and getting your female family and friends to know each other. Learn the moves, whether it is Bollywood, ballet, or Britney Spears, and put them all together in a choreographed routine under professional tuition. Not only will you have a blast at your hen party, you will get the opportunity to bust out your moves at your wedding reception too.
Put your feet up and be pampered at a hen weekend spa break. Your pre-wedding tension will melt away as you are steamed, massaged, and manicured, all while enjoying a healthy meal and a good gossip with your best friends. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and invigorated, and ready to tackle the final manic stretch leading to your big day.
Loosen your inhibitions and find your signature cocktail at a mixology class. You and your hens will gain skills that will make you popular at parties for the rest of your lives. Once the cocktails have done their work, why not unleash your inner Celine Dion or P!nk with a night of karaoke.
While you’ll never be able to please everyone when planning a hen party you should ask for their input and do what you can to satisfy the majority. Remember to stock up on all those essential hen party accessories that will make your event even more fabulous, stay safe and have fun!
A new and great fun idea we recently came across is taking your hen party girlfriends to a craft workshop or having the workshop visit you. One popular one, a shoe customisation workshop, specialises in hosting hen parties and your hens could even end up with something funky to wear at the wedding. Checkout Rock My Shoes for more details.
A more classy alternative to hiring a stripper is having a male model come to your private party for you and your hens to draw.
With a stripper it may well all be over in a flash, whereas with a life drawing class you get your guests entertained for around two hours and often includes tuition and materials. Check out these people for an example.
What could be more civilised than an afternoon tea party with the girls? Check out Brighton Belles who will do everything for you including the washing up.
For more inspiration please visit our new Hen Party Directory
*Any companies or third party websites mentioned or linked to are as examples only, we cannot vouch for any third party company or website.