Top 5 Hen Night Tips

Over the past few years the Bride's hen party has become a major part of the wedding experience. This is a night of great expectation and one where there is a lot of fun and excitement to be had. What chief bridesmaids don't realise is how much planning goes into a night like this and how to prepare. Below are 5 tips to help plan an incredible hen night for all.

1. Start planning at least one month in advance
Don’t wait until last minute to plan the hen night. If you do, you’ll end up spending more money, having disorganised plans, a group who is upset with one another, and a night that isn’t fun. A party is not fun when limousines don’t show, when the clubs visited have attitudes, expensive dinners and uncertain plans. It takes at least one month to plan a great stress-free hen do. It’s better to plan early, relax, and look forward to a great night.

2. Appoint a leader!( The Cheif Bridesmaid )
Although many women in the hen party may not know one another, it is crucial that someone is appointed to take the lead. The leader should gather the group, talk about what everyone would like to do, decide on how much everyone wants to spend– and start planning! This is not an easy job, but for this important night - it’s worth it! All too often women wait until last minute to plan, and end up putting together sloppy plans that don’t run smoothly.

3. Have more than one activity for the evening.
Whether your plan is to go to dinner, dance the night away, have a lap dance lesson or theatre shows have a plan of what to do afterwards. These activities last 2-3 hours and it takes more than a few hours of activity to create a memorable evening. Play it safe, be prepared to have the most fun and have more than one activity on the agenda.

4. Know where to go & what it’ll be like once you get there.
I’ve heard plenty of stories about a group going to a club or restaurant based on a recommendation, which ended up being disaster. This place may have been a “hot spot” several months ago, but when this new group went there the scene was no longer happening. This can be a real upset, and no one wants to figure out a new place to go last minute. Popular places change from month to month and the only way of knowing if it’s still good is to do your research.

5. Reputation, reputation, reputation!
If you are getting a limo for the evening, hiring a male stripper, going to a restaurant, spa, or club ask around before you book and see if the place or company is reliable. Strippers don’t always show up, limousines may be promised as “top of the line” but when they arrive were definitely not, restaurants' and clubs' staff may rude or make your group wait. Remember, your goal is to have a memorable evening that runs as smooth as possible.

As an extra bonus tip don't forget great hen night accessories make for a great hen party.

What is the Cheif Bridesmaid Supposed To Do

What should the Cheif Bridesmaid Do

In the movie 27 Dresses, one of Jane’s (main character) “duties” as a bridesmaid, apparently, is to hold the bride’s dress while the bride is …well…using the restroom. Now, I’m not sure that exact duty would be listed in any etiquette book. And, there lies the problem. What exactly are the duties of today’s 21st-century bridesmaid? It seems that everyone has an opinion on this, which just complicates the issue. We need a basic list to work with. So, here it is.

When asked to participate in a wedding as an attendant, we often become a bit lightheaded about the honor, feeling very special that someone would care for us so much that they would want us to share this moment. And yes, it is an honor. But, it is also expensive and time consuming. So, consider all aspects and responsibilities of the position before agreeing.

Money, Money, Money…
When considering expenses, the bridesmaid is responsible for the cost of her attire, including alterations, and shoes. She can even be expected to pay for hair and make-up. Although, if the bride is insisting on all bridesmaids using a specific salon, this cost is/should be negotiable.

Gifts, Gifts and more Gifts?
One of the most common questions from bridesmaids is, “Do I still have to give the bride a wedding gift if the wedding is a destination wedding for which I am expected to pay for travel expenses? We feel for your ever-lighter pocket book, but the answer is yes. However, it is common and acceptable, besides just plain smart, to share the expense of the shower and wedding gift with your fellow bridesmaids. And, please remember, both of the gifts do not have to be expensive, just heartfelt.


Party Like It’s 1999!
Between the time the couple set the date and the beginning of the reception, it can be one pre-wedding party after another. Are bridesmaids obligated to attend? If it is humanly possible, yes. However, out of town bridesmaids usually receive a get-out-of-jail-free-card, or at least out of the obligation of attending, except, of course, the reception.

Traditionally, the two parties in which the bridesmaids hosted are the shower and the hen party. However, these two, as are all pre-wedding parties, are optional. Bridesmaids may host if they wish. But, all must agree on the cost and are not obligated to pay unless they are all in agreement.

Bridesmaids may host a bridesmaids’ lunch, but it is most commonly hosted (and it is fairer to the bridesmaids) by the bride. The bride may host this to thank her bridesmaids for the time they have given her.

Maid Of Honor Duties Guide - The original maid of honor guide details the duties and responsibilities of the MOH. Also get special maid of honor speeches, hen night games and ideas and the new bridal shower games/ideas bonus guides.


And, how about all of those bridesmaid duties? Attending every pre-wedding party possible is the bridesmaid’s fist duty. All fellow maids should try to help, as much as possible, such as writing invitations, place cards, making decorations or favors, and running wedding related errands. Sometimes this isn’t possible due to general “life stuff,” as we all have our own jobs, school, children, everything that could stand between helping to address invitations and keeping our jobs. So, no squabbling allowed.

However, recriminations may be in order if the bridesmaid repeatedly misses her appointments for alterations or won’t stay in contact with her fellow bridesmaids and the bride. Once she signs on for the duration, it is her duty to stay in touch.

Bridesmaids attend the rehearsal and party. And, on the day of the wedding, each participates in the pre-wedding and post-wedding photos. Many times bridesmaids will help the bride with her multi-layered and many times very heavy dress-hence the holding it while the bride needs to take a …restroom break. They walk down the aisle and stand as instructed.

After the wedding, all maids may stand in a row. Or, is that the receiving line? They may stand in the receiving line or mingle with guests, per the bride’s preference. During the reception they dance the first dance with groomsmen and single bridesmaids are often asked to mingle and dance with unattached guests. The groomsmen join them as well. Single bridesmaids may even compete to catch the bouquet. This could be considered a contact sport, so be forewarned.

Note To Brides: Although the word bridesmaid does include the word “maid”, please don’t treat your bridal attendants like slaves. Remember that you asked them to stand up for you out of love but, not to be used and abused.

Summary of Bridesmaids’ Responsibilities

Expenses Obligatory

Attire
Alterations
Shoes
Travel
Group wedding and shower gift
Expenses Negotiable

Hair Professionally Styled
Makeup Professionally Applied
Professional Manicure and Pedicure
Jewelry


Attendance Obligatory

Bridal Shower
Hen Party
Bridesmaids’ Lunch
Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
Wedding and Reception
(If a bridesmaid is from out of town or has “life commitments,” make allowances.)


Mandatory If Possible
Attend all appointments
Stay in contact with wedding party
Assist with the invitations and place cards
Assist with decorations or favors
Run wedding related errands

Day of the wedding

Assist the bride
Follow directions
Stand in the receiving line
Mingle with guests
Dance with groomsmen and guests
Try to catch the bouquet


Have fun!

A pole dance on my hen night?

Pole dancing hen parties are a great way to celebrate the end of single life, create memories with your friends and enter wedded bliss with some new knowledge that may spice up the honeymoon.

Lots of brides are strapping on stilettos for a night of pole dancing instruction rather than the typical hen night in a pub. There is a range of visit your home instructors who can visit your hen night at home. Or there are various clubs out there that offer classes to hen parties with free nightclub passes for after.
Often the best way to organise a pole dancing hen night is via a hen party package company like Go Bananas. Of course fancy dress & hen night accessories are a must for any pole dancing hen night. Pink boas help add to the sexy glamour of the class along with a pink wig if you can keep it on. Of course the bride to be garter is a must for any pole-dancing bride.

But with out any doubt pole dancing can be a great start to the hen night.

About the author – funkyhen.com are suppliers of hen party accessories, sashes, veils, naughty nibbles and birthday decorations. And have been placing the needs and wants of their hen nite customers at the centre of their thinking for over 3 years.

How to organise a hen night

How to organise a hen night.

The most popular question we get from the chief bridesmaid and hen’s about the hen night is “where do I start?” So this weeks post is hopefully going to give you some help with your hen night planning.

1. The first thing that you want to do is offer to plan the hen night and talk to the bride to be about whom she would like to invite. Draw up a guest list with the bride-to-be that includes first and last names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses. To make the communication easier between all the hens you could start a facebook group to keep everyone posted with updates. The best thing to do is use the bride’s name followed by the words hen night and then the destination if the bride is aware of the destination.

2. The next thing you want to do is pick out a date. The best way to do this is to ask the bride for three dates that suit her best. Then, send the group save the date emails, text or facebook message. You could also have a vote on the hen night facebook page to choose the best date.

3. After you have the date pencilled in, talk to the bride about what she would like to do. She may be your best friend from school, but what you talked about doing in school for your wedding day or hen party might have changed. Just make sure that you are both reading from the same page so she isn’t expecting a spa day at centre parcs and gets a stripper in Blackpool.

4. The next thing you want to do is make a to do list of the things you need to do. Some items may include:

A. InvitationsB. Restaurant reservations
C. Hen night accessories
D. Bar/Club/Spa reservations
E. Hotel room bookings
F. As the organisers don’t forget to collect the money do not leave it to the last minute and miss out on the best accessories and restaurants.

5. After you make the list, delegate! Not only will this save you time, but also when you get people involved they feel more a part of the hen party. Plus, they get to do there bit for the bride to be who is also there friend.

If you have anything else to add to our tips on planning a hen night then why not leave a comment.

About the author – funkyhen.com are suppliers of hen party accessories, sashes, veils, naughty nibbles and birthday decorations. And have been placing the needs and wants of there hen nite customers at the centre of there thinking for over 3 years.

Burlesque Hen Parties

Burlesque Hen Parties and girls nights out are the in thing for 2010 they can form the core activity of a Hen Night. Or just one activity on a jam-packed hen weekend. There are packages available from various companies or you can arrange your own lessons.

In your Hen Night burlesque class you will go through the very basics of gestures and movements and their evolution and transformation into Burlesque choreography. Many venues offer the use of bar facilities and the opportunity to stay on at the club.

A Burlesque Hen Party is suitable for hens of all ages so the Mother of the Groom can join in NO EXCUSES. Many of the Burlesque teachers also offer pole-dancing classes, which can be added on to your Burlesque session.

What are you going to need for your Burlesque Hen Night to look the part?

Most hens just take sports attire track suits shorts etc but this is not the done thing for the Bride to Be

The Burlesque Bride to Be will need

1. A Burlesque fancy dress costume
2. Nipple Tassels if she is brave enough.
3. Feather Boa
4. Pom Poms perhaps
5. Tutu
6. Fancy Dress Wig
7. Long Pink Gloves

Of course after the event she is going to need some nibbles to boost her energy levels and a drink to quench her thirst.

Burlesque Hen Nights are just one of many themes you can choose for your hen party. Information about these themes can be found at www.funkyhen.com .You will also find are large selection of Hen Night Accessories including sashes, boppers, wands and dares.

What would or was your dream Hen Night

Welcome to this week’s hen night discussion blog and this week’s topic is “what would your dream Hen Night be” or if you’re already married what was it?

Tell us about the location, entertainment, hotel and meal and anything else that would or did make it a dream Hen Night.

There are many Hen Night ideas out there one of the new one’s for this year is the Burlesque evening. Including dressing up in all the 50’s costumes and going to a show. Often drinks in a classy cocktail or wine bar can follow this.

Of course there is always the traditional pub-crawl style Hen Night but these are not for the faint hearted. Often these involve printed t-shirts, Hen Night sashes, boppers and Willy wands. In fact anything that flashes or gets attention.

The stay at home Hen Night is also becoming popular also known as a bridal shower. Often this is an opportunity to have a second more sedate Hen Party. Allowing it to be respectful enough for the brides Mother and Ants to attend. These Hen Nights often involve the bride receiving gifts from those who attend such as wedding lingerie or pamper kits. Stay at home Hen Parties often have some form of entertainment. One of the most popular are pamper sessions provided by local beauty therapists and make up artists.

A good source of ideas can be found on twitter or on bridal forums and some facebook pages & link pages.

These are just 3 ideas for you to ponder on but we really want to hear what your dream hen night would be.

So post a comment and let us know

Disney Hen Nights

In 2007 Disney launched a wedding dress section to it's portfolio so if you can do it on the day. Why not do it on the hen night and have a Disney hen party or stag night with disney costumes and accessories.

Check out thw blog below for wedding dress details

"OMG! Disney is now in the Wedding Gown business. It just makes me want to get married all over again.

Disney recently announced a new line of wedding gowns inspired by Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Cinderella and the other Disney princesses. These gowns sell for as much as £4600 and are designed by Kirstie Kelly for Disney.

For more information go to http://www.DisneyBridal.com."

After the wedding come the babies so why not visit our partner site for baby gifts and hampers http://www.heavenlybabygifts.co.uk/.

What Is A Hen Night

A hen party, hen do, or hen night, is a party held for a woman who is about to get married to her beloved. The term hen party or hen night is more common in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. In the states a hen night is called a bachelorette party. The phrase stagette is also now used following on from the phrase ladette, stagette is also used in Canada. It may also be referred to as a girls night out if the bride has already had her wedding day.

More and more common place on the hen party scene is the poultry party. When both male and female friends attend the event. Often this is a hen party held with all of the brides work friends. Often on a Friday afternoon after work and could include such things as champagne afternoon tea.