glamping

Alternative Hen Party Ideas

The hen party is very much a rite of passage for all brides. But that said, not every bride wants to opt for your standard night out or even weekend away that can often revolve around alcohol or the nightclub.

In fact, these days the idea of an alternative hen party has very much become mainstream. Today, brides-to-be are opting for adventure style outings, afternoon teas, farm stays, glamping, and high end foodie nights out.

Whatever it is you are interested, chances are there’s a tailor made hen party out there for you. So if you’re a chief bridesmaid charged with organising something special for your best pal and bride-to-be, then we’ve got some suggestions of how you can create the perfect hen party.

If you’d like to chat about your upcoming wedding day planning or décor, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

 

Vintage

Whether you want to rock your inner Sandy from Grease with a retro makeover or go back to the Victorian era with servants and long gowns there are a range of fantastic vintage style themes to choose from around the country.  Be it a retro photo shoot full of boudoir glam or a full weekend’s activities these are super fun and great for cool chicks everywhere. Image Decade Darlings

 

Foodie

Cookery classes are a superb idea for a hen party for a bride-to-be who adores all things foodie. Many of these cookery schools outside of Dublin offer accommodation, such as Ballyknocken House in Wicklow, so you can really make a weekend of it. If you’re planning a smaller affair, then why not really treat yourselves with a meal in a Michelin star restaurant?

Image Ballyknocken house 

 

 

Afternoon Tea

Is there any treat nicer than afternoon tea? Mini cakes, sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and prosecco? It’s heaven and there are so many options for this you’ll be spoiled for choice. You could do city chic and opt for something classic like the Shelbourne Hotel, or why not head into the country for a laid back sort of pampering.

Image Shelbourne hotel 

 

Spa

What bride-to-be doesn’t deserve some pampering and what hens don’t enjoy some TLC too? A spa day or weekend is the perfect hen party activity where you can enjoy some luxury and combine it with any location be it city or country. Powerscourt Hotel Spa in Co. Wicklow is a great example. Plus it’s easy to add in lots of other activities and night out with this one if you so wish.

Image Powerscourt hotel spa

 

Adventure Girl

Everything from Glamping, to farm days, quad bike riding and even paintballing are an option for hens who want a something a little more out of the ordinary! Think wellies, campfires and lots of craic. There’s a whole host of options to choose from, such as glamping in Teapot Lane or farm days in the Farmyard.

Image Teapot lane glamping 

Images via Pinterest

 

Marquee Weddings

A marquee style wedding is undeniably beautiful. There’s something about being out almost under the stars that just adds romance to a wedding day. So it’s not surprising, that it’s a trend that is always popular with couples. There are plenty of options to consider when planning a marquee wedding.

You could go with a traditional wedding venue that has a marquee for their weddings, or if you have access to a private piece of land or indeed you want to hire a piece of land this is another option to consider.

If you’re going with the former, then the pros are that you’ll benefit from the hotels existing facilities, however if you want ultimate control then hiring in your own option on private land is worth considering too.

If you’d like to chat about this, or any other aspect of your wedding day décor or planning, then please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

 

Hiring in a Marquee Top Considerations

  • The Cost

Often people assume that hiring in a marquee, works out cheaper than a traditional hotel setting. This isn’t always the case, so make sure to do your research first.

 

  • The Site

Finding the right site is crucial. If you are lucky enough to have access to a piece of land perhaps a family home’s garden etc., then make sure the area is flat with good access. If you are looking to hire a piece of land, again, make sure to do your research in terms of access, facilities and suitability.

 

 

The Planning

  • If you’re hiring in a marquee in your home or you are hiring a piece of land with no facilities, there is a lot to consider, from toilet facilities, to electricity, water, proper flooring, catering, crockery, a catering tent, heating, access, a bar and staff. While many catering companies can look after many of these aspects, often it’s good to hire a wedding planner such as myself who can take care of all these very important, but detailed elements of the day.

 

  • Have a Contingency Plan

While, your professionally set up marquee should be able to withstand the elements, it’s worth considering having an indoor back up plan, especially if you’re having a winter wedding.

 

  • Free Reign

While as you can see there are some drawbacks to hiring in your own marquee, the beauty of it, is the ultimate control you’ll have over the look of the day. If you want a glamping style tent, a tepee, or a grand fairy-tale marquee, with this option, the only limit is your imagination.

 

If Your Venus Has a Marquee

This can be by far the most straight forward option, as you really will benefit from the best of both worlds, with the hotels facilities, plus the special marquee feel. When it comes to décor, try and maximise the ethereal beauty of the marquee –

 

Lanterns and Pom Poms

Chinese lanterns and paper pom poms strung from the ceiling look fabulous, but don’t forget traditional style lanterns and hanging tea lights too.

 

Bunting

Bunting and tents or marquees go together like bread and butter, so have fun with this look. It’s also a very easy to source and an inexpensive piece of décor.

 

 

Lighting

Think about using bistro or string lights, gobo lights, uplighters and coloured lights to set the tone and atmosphere.

 

Chairs

Chairs can really make a difference on the overall look of your marquee. Think about pretty Chiavari or Hannah Jane chairs.