Give her a unique and far classier send-off than an alcohol-fueled X-rated evening with these luxurious and fun hen’s party ideas.
Taking it from personal experience, there seems to be a growing trend of brides preferring relaxing getaways, experiences and dinners with their girlfriends over a rub-up by as many topless men as possible while downing a bottle of Champagne for their hen’s night.
Sounds like you/the bride-to-be?
If your answer is “yes” then brides, bridesmaids and party planners here are ideas to make that send-off a fun, relaxing and – most importantly – memorable one.
Feature image: Esty - Pretty Paper and Co
1. Girl’s pamper day
One of the hottest trends for hen's party is a girly spa day.
Pamper packages and treatment options abound (check out Vaniday if you don’t believe us) which can include massages, facials, makeup, nails and hair treatments.
Many high-end hotels have day spas so you might even like to book in a room for the girls so they can stay overnight and enjoy a gourmet breakfast the following day, too.
For budget-friendly options, you might like to hit up group buying sites like Groupon.
2. Weekend getaway
Weekend or longer? For hens who love to go long, a weekend getaway or overseas trip could be on the cards.
Choose to hit up another city to explore together or rent out a cabin in the countryside or on the coast to spoil yourselves with the scenery and fresh produce.
Keep it cheap by browsing for gorgeous abodes on home rental sites like HomeAway or HouseTrip. You never know what you might find. For example, Ralston Retreat - Beach House (image), which has arresting views of Palm Beach and Lion Island. It sleeps up to 12 for just over $1000 per night.
3. Book a boat
Party boats, schmarty boats. If you want to ditch the “studs afloat” cruise but still wish to set sail, try a holiday cruise package, harbour cruise or luxury boat hire.
While holiday cruise packages involve packing and organising leave, harbour cruises only last a few hours and come with meals and entertainment attached.
Charter boat hire can cater to your every whim and fancy, from overnight stays to being able to dock into specific harbours for a swim and a meal.
Image: Cruise Direct
4. Start with some art
Bring an activity to the table with an art class. Booking a private art class gives the hens something to do and learn and food generally can be included in the package. For those who can’t resist, a nude art class is never a bad thing…
Something that’s becoming big is bespoke design workshop parties where, under the tutorage of an expert, hens design their own fashion accessories (shoes, lingerie, perfume etc) which they can take home afterwards.
Alternatively, Workshop in Sydney and Melbourne also has bespoke activities for both hens and bucks parties and Rabbit Hole Dining has bespoke brew events.
Image: Shoes of Prey / David Jones
5. High tea
Different from a kitchen tea, which is an afternoon tea where guests traditionally bring a gift for the bride-to-be’s kitchen, high teas are a luxurious and classy experience for all and yeah, they don’t require you to bring a gift to the table.
Book a tea room and sip on tea and cakes while catching up with your girls and playing games.
On a budget? Move the tea to a house where hens can bake their own goodies and bring their own teas to share with everyone else.
Image: Sheraton on the Park Fashion High Tea
6. Hire an estate and gardens
Decorate the lawn with a gazebo, balloons and streamers and host a picnic on the lawn. Some estates will even provide you all the trimmings for your party. Browse through sites like Unique Estates or browse for wedding gardens to give you an idea of what's available.
Hire outdoor games like croquet or giant jenga to play and organise fun games like toilet paper wedding dress.
Image: The Estate Trentham
7. Let me entertain you
Centre the hen's night around a performance that everyone can enjoy.
Your options include a burlesque or cabaret show (for something naughty), a comedy event, concert, musical a movie marathon night.
Viagogo has heaps of tickets available to popular events and a great place to start to get some ideas of what’s happening near you.
Image:
8. Glamping under the stars
For a getaway with a twist, try glamping. It’s something even the least adventurous hen can get into as you don’t have to rough it AT ALL and can be as luxurious as you want it to be with linen, beds and lounges as standard.
Glamp on the beach, the wilderness or a rooftop.
For example, Cockatoo Island glamp includes with island bar and woodfired pizza, Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore lets you sleep in a tent near the animals and includes a buffet dinner and night tour and St Jerome’s rooftop glamp comes with Messina ice cream.
Image: Cockatoo Island
9. A foodie’s dream
10. Yoga retreat
Is the bride a dedicated yogi? Or in need of some serious 'R&R'?
A yoga retreat or wellness escape takes relaxing next level, ensuring the whole party is rejuvenated and ready for the event ahead.
We'd recommend Bondi Yoga House for a hen getaway with a side of zen. The house itself is more of a community than a guesthouse, meaning hosts Amanda and Ben will tailor the experience just for you. Packages can include delicious, healthy breakfasts, plus the option for treatments such as massage, Reiki and even organic spray tanning.
Image: Bondi Yoga House
11. Dance off
Learn a new move at a dance class. The style could be something risque like lap dancing or pole dancing, something with finesse like aerial arts (pictured) or something fun and energetic like hip hop or zumba.
Take it a step further and organise a “bridesmaids dance” class, where the girls learn a choreographed routine to dance on the wedding night.
Image: The Aerial Arts Group
12. Costume photoshoot
While it’s customary to give the hens a “thank you” gift at the end of the evening we think the bride deserves one, too and they can with a costume photoshoot.
From a fun vintage or pin-up to an alternative or steampunk photoshoot, studios can dress, photograph, print and frame a memory for the bride that she can keep forever.
