A Bridesmaid’s Guide to Hosting an Unforgettable Hen Party

A hen party is a rite of passage for every bride-to-be – one last carefree and mischievous celebration with the girls before saying, ‘I do’! However, the humble hen do has come a long way since hot pink L plates, polyester veils and plastic tiaras. In fact, research shows that in the UK we now spend an astronomical £507 per hen party[1],as celebrations have become more extravagant than ever.

Sound familiar?! Not to worry, with wedding season just around the corner, we have created the ultimate DIY hen party guide to ensure you give the bride-to-be a night to remember – without breaking the bank!

Shake Things Up

Forget hitting the tiles for a cocktail class, bring the party to you by hosting your very own at-home mixology masterclass. Not only is it just as fun to create your own tipples at home, it’s also a great way to break the ice and get the party started. Check out our cocktail ideas on our noticeboard!

Host a Sophisticated Sparkling Afternoon Tea

For brides with a sweet tooth, an indulgent afternoon tea is the perfect surprise. Bake like Mary Berry and plan a picnic in the garden, complete with delectable cakes, sumptuous scones and a selection of savoury treats and sandwiches, served alongside a refreshing glass of bubbles!

Better yet, introduce some competition and challenge the hens to get their hands dirty with an at-home Bake-Off competition. At the end of the hard work, kick back and relax with a bottle or two of i heart Prosecco.

Go for Glamourous Glamping

If your party is of a more adventurous nature, whisk them away for an authentic countryside camping experience, sleeping under the stars and exploring the great outdoors. Get the vino out while you build the tents, fire up the barbeque and make the ultimate sweet treat – s’mores! To add a decadent, boozy twist to your mini marshmallow delights, enhance the melted chocolate with 2 tablespoons of i heart Pinot Noir. This will add sweet plummy flavours and a kick of spice to the popular chocolate dessert.

If this sounds a little like hard work or canvas brings you out in hives, rent a cottage for your hen party crew and stock the fridge with lots of prosecco. Play games in the garden or take a walk into the nearest village to enjoy a cosy pub lunch.

Host an ‘Un-brie-lievable’ Wine Tasting

Just like the bride and groom to be (we hope), wine and cheese are a match made in heaven. If budget allows, invite a sommelier to host a wine and cheese tasting. If not, do your own research and impress your fromage-loving hens with your extensive knowledge of grapes and cheese.

As a handy starting point, check out our food recommendations on the ‘Our wines’ page on our website. For instance, i heart Shiraz has juicy black fruit flavours and hint of spice which make it the perfect match for soft cheeses such as brie or camembert.

Create an Oasis of Tranquillity

Ensure the future Mrs feels fabulous ahead of the big day by transforming your home into an oasis of tranquillity and getting the girls together for the ultimate at-home pamper session.

To enjoy a taste of the Champneys without the hefty price tag, book a mobile spa service to come to your home so you can enjoy a relaxing and peaceful day, complete with bubbles and blow dries, facials and pedicures.

For a true touch of zen, pop some calming music on in the background, light a few candles and enjoy a crisp glass of i heart Sauvignon Blanc!

[1] Research conducted by clothing retailer Banana Moon