Any ideas for a classy hen's night and bridal shower?

Question

My best friend is getting married in a couple of months and i have to organise the hen's night and bridal shower (have decided on both so that mum and grandmum can come to the latter). She doesn't want anything tacky like strippers or s** toys. There will be about 20 people present at each. Ideas please???

Answer 1

Find a coffeeshop, restaurant, or pub with a large and pleasant seating area -- outdoors if there is any chance of nice weather.

Encourage all the guests to bring along photos and photo albums which include the bride, her family, and her friends. Great way to get the different generations and groups to mingle and share memories.

Bring disposable or digital cameras and let the guests use them. I love the photos of our day-before party, when I could really spend time with the guests, even more than the wedding photos.

If you're really worried about cultivating a good social vibe, you can bring some party games too -- but really, the best parties are those at which everybody is free to relax and mingle.

Answer 2

An afternoon tea would be really nice for a bridal shower. You can make or order little tea sandwiches which are very inexpensive and quite tasty. Having it in a sun room or garden would be quite traditional and really nice. Plus, you would be saving a lot of money by having it between 2-4 pm so you wouldn't have to serve a meal. Just tea, sandwiches, and cookies. You can play games if you want (like who knows the bride the best?) and have everyone bring their favorite recipe to assemble in a recipe box for the bride.

As far as a hen's night, it should be fun. Is there a favorite pub or night club that you like to hang out at? If so, see if you can reserve a room or a few tables and party there. Everyone can buy there own drinks and you can focus on making sure everyone has fun. If you are a tamer sort, you can have a ton of fun by reserving a big table at your favorite restaurant and just having a ton of fun.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Cooking classes: Check with local cooking schools and see what classes they have scheduled in the next couple months. Even if your group can't agree on food (my wedding party wouldn't have been able to), you could all take a class in knife skills or seafood basics or Wine 101 or some such.

Spa party: Whether you book appointments for everyone at a local day spa or hire a couple of aestheticians to come to your house, it's G-rated fun for everyone. Express manicures and pedicures or mini-facials or mini-makeovers or 10-minute chair massage are things that gals of every age love.

Brunch: What's not to love about a meal where you can eat whatever you want and drink champagne, too?

Private dance lesson: Arrange for a one-time dance lesson for your group - ballroom, salsa, whatever style you think people would enjoy most. Most private dance studios will be happy to accommodate your request.

Answer 4

Rather than in the eveing you could have an afternoon tea party? Or a beauty afternoon with facials, makeup, manicures.

If you have to have a "night out" try to do something everyone enjoys. A dinner, a play, a concert, even a movie. If you're going to be opening gifts, too, then you can do that at a restaurant, an ice cream parlor, a coffee house, just about anyplace,

Answer 5

I'm also throwing a bridal shower soon (next month).

Here is what I am doing/have done (maybe I can give you ideas from my idea):

Sorry for the long post!

I am having a shower with a "wine tasting" theme. I'm throwing it at a local winery in the wine cellar room (You can't see it in the picture, but there are wine barrels all along the right wall.): http://hiddenlakewinery.com/cellarrm.htm...

When I sent out the invites I designed them with grapes in the background to accentuate the wine theme. I also included a map to the place, an RSVP card (w/return envelope), and an insert of the registry info. (I got the addresses from the bride of who to send to.)

I have decided to stay with the colors of the room and am having wine colored tablecloths, and gold plates/napkins. I am also borrowing hurricane lamps that I am going to put a candle in as the centerpiece on the table. I also bought some wax grapes to decorate the head/food tables. I am also going to get some shower balloons to put on the gift table.

Food wise I am having appetizers (the winery will prepare them) of cheese & crackers, fruit & dip, and a cake. I am obviously having wine since this is a wine tasting themed shower, but am also bringing in punch.

I have also purchased a bridal shower book (from the party store) that I am going to have all the women inpart words of wisdom to the bride in, and leave their address in for thank you's.

As for games, I plan on doing the purse scavenger hunt (Make a list of items for women to find in their purse. The one with the most wins.) and the toilet paper bride, and want to do one more, but have yet to figure that out. For prizes, since I don't have give-awayable centerpieces, I bought some spa goodies in the dollar spot at Target (Check that out for some good stuff!).

As for favors, since I am having the shower at the winery, I am giving away engraved wine glasses as favors (They have the winery logo, and are $2 a piece).

I think that's about it..... I hope my experience has helped you get some ideas. Feel free to email me if you want to talk about it, maybe my experinence can help you, or maybe you can help me with mine. [e-mail]

GOOD LUCK!!! :)

Answer 6

You could hire a small place and arrange for a 'tea & cakes' afternoon. There are some beauticians/beauty companies who will attend your 'venue' and will do massage or facials, waxing etc for a discounted fee. That way you all have a lovely relaxing day and they still make money!

Answer 7

You could have a Coffee Bar party for the Hen's night. and have a nice little luncheon for the bridal shower.good luck

Answer 8

hi - i am getting married at the end of September
I hate the thought of being covered in L plates and condoms so I have decided to have an evening of bingo bling

many of my friends play bingo so that will start off the night
and will go for a few bevvies afterwards - we will dress up j lo style and therefore each person can 'bling' up to their own preference
i personally will be overdoing it- gold eyeshadow, false eyelashes
gold pvc trousers and a handbag with a toy poodle...

Answer 9

Most restuarants have rooms that you could rent. Sunday mornings are usually discounted rates. Have a brunch(the food is cheaper) and the bridal shower.

Answer 10

Get each of the guests to write a dare and a forfeit on a card, the divvy them out during the night.