It may only be February but if you’ve a pal tying the knot this spring or summer, and you’re a bridesmaid, chances are planning a hen party is on your agenda! If you’ve been given this fun task, there’s lots to think about. Not sure where to start? Check out these handy pointers…

Location

One of the first things to think about is where you want to head for the hen. There’s a few things to keep in mind before deciding on the ideal spot. You need to factor in where everyone is travelling from, how accessible it is (are there trains or buses if people aren’t driving), accommodation options and activities close by. The girls will probably be travelling from various parts of Ireland so choosing somewhere central or with a good bus or rail system is ideal – places like Galway, Kilkenny, Belfast, Dublin, Dingle, Cork and Carrick-on-Shannon are some of the most popular destinations for this reason.

Price

Weddings are expensive and while everyone is usually only too happy to party it up at the hen, they don’t want to bankrupt themselves in the process. Work out some costings in advance so everyone has an idea of what’s involved budget wise as well as when it needs to be paid.

Activity

Photo via TheFancyHen.ie

Activities are such an important part of the hen – chances are, there’ll be a group of girls who may not all know each other so an activity is a great way to break the ice and get everyone mingling. There are so many fun options to consider from making a ring to a gin tea party, a chick flick movie sesh or hut tub cocktail party! Take a peek at 13 Fun Hen Party Activities Your Girls Will LOVE for more great ideas.

Games

Another thing to think about is games. Again, it’s a great way to get everyone chatting and is a bit of craic to boot. There’s all sorts of fun options out there from making a wedding dress out of toilet paper to ‘How Well Do You Know the Bride?’. Check out some hen party faves here!

Accessories

Hen Parties and accessories go hand in hand! Whether you decide to go full on with some cossies or pick up some staples like tiaras, badges, sashes or hen party tatts, it can be fun to have some cute pieces for everyone to wear. If you’re not an L Pate or willy fun, worry not, hen party accessories have gotten a stylish update with all sorts of pretty pieces available the girls will be only too happy to don. You’ll find a great range in the likes of HenWorld.ie, Jokeshop.ie, The Lovely Little Label and The Wedding Genie.

The Decor

Like accessories, it can be nice to spruce up your space with some decor whether it’s a hotel room or your living room! You don’t have to spend a fortune – a cute banner, chair sign, some balloons or confetti will add to the festivities. And if you’re looking to serve up some drinks and nibbles in style, you can pick up some fun ‘I Do’ crew napkins and hentastic glasses and straws too! Check out some fab finds here.

The Gift

If you’re planning to get the bride a gift, make sure to let everyone know the plan in advance so they can chip in! A photo memory book is a popular idea that’s perfect for the lady of the moment – everyone gets to include a pic of them with the bride-to-be as well as some funny stories or sweet sentiments. Plus it’s a gorgeous keepsake she’ll pore over again and again! If you’re after something she can use, a cute Mrs or Bride robe, hanger or clutch will be a gorgeous addition to the wedding day.

The Morning After…

If you’re planning on having a few drinks at the hen and want to make sure everyone is prepared for the morning after, some hen party survival kits are a great idea! You can include practical things like coffee sachets, a bag of crisps (soakage), some painkillers, sunnies or hair bobbins. You can also add in some fun pieces for the night itself like some props for snaps and disposable cameras.

Top tip: Make sure the phone is well charged to capture all the antics or invest in some disposable cameras for some surprise pics!

Main photo: Bride Tribe Tattoos available from Henworld.ie

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Last week on the blog we shared some handy tips for any maids planning a hen party! There’s lots of little things to think about and decking out the hotel room or your house with some hen party inspired accessories will defo be on the to-do list. You want the room to be a fun backdrop for the festivities and a few pretty props and hen party decorations will do the job nicely. When it comes to sprucing up your space, there’s lots of gorgeous pieces you can pick up from banners and bunting to cute balloons, napkins, plates, cups and straws. We’ve rounded up a selection of fun pieces you can find in Irish hen party specialist stores Henworld.ie, Jokeshop.ie and The Lovely Little Label. Happy shopping!

13 Fun Hen Party Activities Your Girls Will LOVE

From Miss to Mrs Banner, €5.99 from Henworld.ie

She Said Yes Mint to Be Bouquet, €18 from Joksehop.ie

Team Bride Napkins, €4.99 from The Lovely Little Label

Team Bride Confetti Balloons, €3.99 from Henworld.ie

Hen Party Bubbles, €4.20 from Jokeshop.ie

Hangover Recovery Kit Bags, €6.49 from Henworld.ie

I Do Crew Cups, €3.99 from The Lovely Little Label

Bride to Be Caker Topper, €2.99 from Henworld.ie

Pass the Parcel Hen Party Game Kit, €5.99 from The Lovely Little Label

Mint to Be Standard Satin XL Foil Balloons, €3 from Jokeshop.ie

Team Bride Glasses, €3.99 from The Lovely Little Label

Hen Party Tape, €2.10 from Jokeshop.ie

Hen Party Straws, €4.10 from Jokeshop.ie

Hen Party Plates, €3.99 from Henworld.ie

Bride to Be Bunting, €5.99 from The Lovely Little Label

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If your bestie is getting married soon, chances are you are thinking about her hen party. There’s a lot to plan, but the first biggie is location. We may be biased but we think Ireland is the perfect spot! Today we’re looking at Carlingford hen parties.

Carlingford is an Irish town situated on the Cooley Peninsula. It is best known for its gorgeous views of the mountains of Slieve Foye, medieval buildings, harbour views and outdoor activities. If you are planning a hen party for an adventurous bride who is up for something unique, Carlingford is the place to go.

We’ve rounded up a few hen party necessities to get your planning started!

A unique venue

The Old Mill at Carlingford Brewing Co is a beautiful venue for a hen party. This has been a fully functioning mill for over 600 years! The building has many of the features from when it operated as a working mill and a medieval interior that will make you think you’re on the set of Game Of Thrones. The grounds sit within mature woodland, with an idyllic stream going past the mill. Imagine all the stunning photos you can take together as a group!

Fun activities

An activity is the best way to celebrate with the bride, particularly if you are expecting guests who don’t know each other very well. Pamper parties, Irish dancing, cocktail making, outdoor adventures, and more. Chat to the team at Create Your Night and they will help you put together a magical (and fun) hen party!

Super cute hampers

Cute robes, comfy slippers, eye masks and bath bombs. This lovely hamper by Absolutely Fabulous Hampers is the perfect gift to spoil the bride! And if budget will allow, you could put something together for the guests too.

Hen party accessories

Head on over to online shop, Jokeshop.ie to browse through their selection of accessories. You can also pick up cute novelties and costumes for every type of hen party. Not sure about your theme yet? Get inspiration from the variety of themes on their website.

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We’re talking all things hen party on the blog lately and one thing that’s defo on every bride-to-be’s radar is the perfect outfit! If you’re the lady of the moment, a crisp white dress is perfect for hen festivities. It’s a lovely little nod to the Big Day and will get you in bridal mode. With Spring on the horizon, there’s also lots of gorgeous little white dresses in stores at the mo. And there’s something for every taste from chic lace numbers to cute minis and elegant midis! We’ve rounded up some fab white hen party dresses that would work a treat below…

15 Pretty Hen Party Decorations to Deck Your Space Out With!

White diamante embellished bodycon tux dress, €75 from River Island

Cream bow back midi bodycon dress, €75 from River Island

ASOS EDITION 3D floral backless mini dress, €165.90 from ASOS

Tall white short sleeve layered lace dress, €61 from Missguided

Forever Unique white bodycon midi dress, €160 from River Island

Club L London London Plus slinky tie side ruched mini bodycon dress in white, €55.30 from ASOS

Maggie Dress, £35 from Chi Chi London

White sequin sleeveless swing dress, €55 from River Island

Petite white tie bow bardot tapered jumpsuit, €87 from River Island

Lavish Alice scuba v midi dress with sculpted frill detail in white, €89.86 from ASOS

Cream bardot ruffle midi bodycon dress, €75 from River Island

ASOS DESIGN scuba cami pephem midi dress, €52.54 from ASOS

Petite white bodycon knot front dress, €75 from River Island

ASOS DESIGN one shoulder ruffle a-line mini dress, €48.39 from ASOS

Chi Chi Rebeka Dress, £38 from Chi Chi London

Forever Unique white lace bodycon dress, €185 from River Island

The post 16 Gorgeous White Dresses for Your Hen Party appeared first on weddingsonline.

Last week we shared some cute hen party decorations to deck your hotel room or house out with! So today we’re turning our attention to the squad. Yep, no hen party is complete without some accessories. While L Plates were the go to accessory for years (we’ve still included them below for anyone that loves a bit of old school fun!), groups are on the hunt for some stylish hen party accessories when it comes to finishing off their look for the festivities. There are so many pretty accessories you can pick up for you and the girls from ‘Team Bride’ tatts to floral crowns, fun sashes and all manner of rosettes and stickers. We’ve rounded up a selection of gorgeous goodies for the squad below…

13 Fun Hen Party Activities Your Girls Will LOVE

Credits

1. Bride Headband, €4.99 from Henworld.ie | 2. Floral Bride-to-be Sash, €5.99 from Henworld.ie | 3. Team Bride Tattoo x 1, €2.50 from Henworld.ie | 4. 2 x L Party Hen Plates, 2.99 from Henworld.ie | 5. Team Bride Sashes x 6, €16.99 from Henworld.ie | 6. ‘She Said Yes’ Personalised Badge, €1.50 from Jokeshop.ie | 7. Floral Headband, €8 from Henworld.ie | 8. Hen Party L Plates Glasses, €3.90 from Jokeshop.ie | 9. Hen Party Tattoos, €0.75 from Jokeshop.ie | 10. Hen Party Bracelets x 6, €3.95 from Jokeshop.ie | 11. Bride-to-be Bow with Netting, €1.25 from Jokeshop.ie | 12. Hen Party Badge Set, €3.50 from Jokeshop.ie | 13. I Do Crew Glasses, €4.99 from The Lovely Little Label | 14. Team Bride Rosettes, €6.49 (assorted pack of 9) from Henworld.ie | 15. Bride-to-be Veil, €5.01 from Henworld.ie

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Hen party on the horizon? If you’re in need of some inspo in the wardrobe department, take a peek at some gorgeous outfits to don for the Big Night below! Whether you’re looking to dazzle in sequins, channel bridal vibes in white, go classic with an LBD or bring a pop of colour to the festivities, we’ve got you covered with today’s edit. And to help you imagine how you might look on the night, we’ve included some cute props and accessories too (so if you see something you like, tag your squad!)…

Go Glam in Gold

1. Sequinned Dress, €39.95 from Zara | 2. Aldo Sandals, €80 from Kurt Geiger | 3. Otti Clutch, €70 from Kurt Geiger | 4. Team Bride Tattoo x 1, €2.50 from Henworld.ie | 5. Bride Headband, €4.99 from Henworld.ie

Wow in a Little White Dress

1. Forever Unique Lace Dress, €175 from River Island | 2. Dernice Shoes, £60 from Dune | 3. Bartlette Clutch, £45 from Dune | 4. Floral Props, €4.99 from Henworld.ie | 5. Floral Bride-to-be Sash, €5.99 from Henworld.ie

Classic in Black

1. Black Wrap Dress, €47 from River Island | 2. Holly Clutch, €45 from Kurt Geiger | 3. Michael Kors Sandals, €225 from Kurt Geiger | 4. 2 x L Party Hen Plates, €2.99 from Henworld.ie | 5. Hen Party L Plates Glasses, €3.90 from Jokeshop.ie | 6. Hen Party Balloons, €2.99 for pack of 6 from Henworld.ie

Pretty in Pink

1. Pink Halter Neck Swing Dress, €55 from River Island | 2. Monochrome Sandals, €55 from River Island | 3. Black Croc Bag, €22 from River Island | 4. Bride Headband, €9.99 from Henworld.ie | 5. Hen Party Tattoos, €0.75 from Jokeshop.ie

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If you’re planning a hen party, hen party survival kits are a great addition! It’s going to be fun and action packed night… so chances are there’ll be some sore and tired heads in the morning. One way to make sure the girls are all set for the night out and the morning after is with a nifty hen party survival kit. These cute bags are full of handy bits and bobs. They act as a lovely little gift for any ladies attending the bash. And they’re practical too! Wondering what to include? We’ve compiled a list of items that will work a treat! It goes without saying that you don’t need everything on this list. Pick and choose as you please! It’s also worth investing in some bulk buys like hair bobbles, plasters, coffee sachets and sweets and divvying them up!

What to Include in Your Hen Party Survival Kits

• Bridal tattoos – these are a fun way to create a party feel (find them here)
• Badges – so all the gang can get hen ready (shop them here)
• Beauty treats (glitter, nail polish, lippy etc) – t0 help you get dolled up for the night ahead
• Bubbly & straws – to toast the bride-to-be
• Disposable camera – to capture lots of surprise snaps
• Props – for fun posing (pick up here)
• Plasters – in case anyone gets in to trouble (these cuties are from Boots)
• Wet Wipes – for a quick refresh the morning after or to mop up any spills (H&M have a great range)
• Hair ties – just in case you need the hair back asap
• Mints – to freshen up STAT
• Sweets – for a sugar hit
• Painkillers of some description – for any sore heads
• Sunnies – to hide tired eyes
• Lip Balm & Face Mask – to help you revitalise after the antics
• Coffee sachets – to keep you going the next day

Main photo via BeCollective on Etsy

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Wait, how have I never heard of this before?… is what you may be thinking. But if you’re a little extra, or if your bestie is getting married and she is a little extra, a honeymoon party is the perfect excuse for another pre-wedding event! A honeymoon party is another lovely way of spoiling the bride and spending time together. It can be very low-key at someone’s home, with snacks and drinks! While it’s not technically a hen party, it could form part of the hen party festivities or it could be its own separate party altogether.

The fundamental difference between a hen party and a honeymoon party is the gifts. Honeymoon party gifts are things the bride will use on honeymoon. More specific (and super cute) ideas below, but think of things like beach attire with ‘wife’ or ‘bride’ emblazoned on it, or some honeymoon necessities like sunblock!

The activities you have at a honeymoon party depend on the size of the group and how low-key the event is. Generally the event centres around spoiling the bride with gifts for the honeymoon, so gift-opening is a big part of the festivities. You could turn this into a fun little game by blindfolding the bride and making her feel the gifts before opening them. Whenever she says something funny, like “It’s huge” or “It feels funny” you could write it down and read it aloud to the group afterwards.

Since a lot of couples choose tropical locations for their honeymoon, it’s totally apt to have a tropical, beach themed honeymoon party! Better yet, theme the party after the couple’s honeymoon destination of choice. You could include country-specific decor and food, and guests could come dressed accordingly.

Gifts for the honeymoon party

Anything goes! Think of cute and practical things that the bride would appreciate but may not be able to get for herself. Things like a ‘Just Married’ hat, cute flip flops, a lovely robe, a bridal bikini or a wifey beach towel. You could also be very practical and get her things like sunblock, body lotion or a honeymoon survival kit which includes things like condoms, lube and massage oils.

Candles and cream hamper by Absolutely Fabulous Hampers

Wifey robe by weddingrobes.ie

Just Married hamper from The Lovely Little Label

Available at boohoo.com

Honeymoon survival kit inspo by Brooklyn Berry Designs

Wifey AF swimsuit available on loveculture.com

Honeymoon vibes shirt as seen on Vacation to World

Monogrammed towel from Etsy

Wifey for Lifey one piece from Show me your mumu

Honeymoon Vibes tee from FR and co

Just Married flip flops by Kate Spade

The post Super Fun Honeymoon Party Ideas appeared first on weddingsonline.

When it comes to hen party activities, there are plenty of unique ideas for you to choose from! A relaxing spa day, an adventurous day of outdoor activities, jewellery making workshops, or VIP night club experience. We’ve listed our absolute favourite activities for you to choose from…

Make your own jewellery

With Lulu and Belle you can treat your guests to a 2.5 hour workshop where you’ll get to create your own beautiful jewellery. Prosecco, tea/coffee and treats, along with gorgeous seaside views are just added bonuses! This is the perfect activity for smaller groups of 4 to 10 people and it’ll all take place in Lulu and Belle’s studio in North Co Dublin.

Adrenalin filled adventure

Is your group the adventurous kind? Plan an adventure day full of fun outdoor activities to do together. Kippure Estate is the perfect setting for those looking for adventure days, clay shooting, treasure hunts, kayaking and more!

Professional makeover and magazine cover shoot

The evening begins with a professional makeover for the whole group. This is followed by a fun photoshoot, full of classic model poses. Each girl will receive her favourite shot, edited and presented as a framed magazine cover shot. This is one of the packages available at Hen Party at the Headfort Arms Hotel

A relaxing spa day

We couldn’t think of a better way to relax and unwind than with a spa day. Spoil the bride and pamper the whole group with lovely spa treatments, courtesy of Create Your Night.

Riverside adventure

With The Courtyard Apartments you can book a gorgeous house for everyone to share. One of the many perks is that you’d get a priority booking for the Moon River Cruise!

Paintball

Another fun adventure hen party is paintball! We love a good outdoor activity where you can guarantee everyone will be laughing and having fun together. Get in touch with Pallas Karting & Paintball today!

A VIP night club experience

What’s better than going to a club for your hen party? Getting a semi-private booth, state of the art bar, and incredible ambiance in the heart of Galway! We’re talking about DNA Night Club of course.

Make a silver ring

For lovers of all things silver and pretty, join Silver Works and learn how to make your own silver ring. As a group, you’ll learn how to use a handsaw to cut the ring, files to shape it, different hammers to form it and give it your chosen texture!

The post 8 Fun and Unique Hen Party Activities Everyone Will Love appeared first on weddingsonline.

With modern technology and amazing online tools like Zoom, there's no reason you can't throw a virtual hen party.

Although heading for a weekend in the sun with your best girls is the perfect hen party for some brides not all will want to go away. From keeping within a sensible budget to work or family constraints many brides are happy to stay at home and make their own fun! I know an afternoon sipping Prosecco and having an at home pedicure was exactly what I needed for my hen-do (a fair few years ago now!). My girls understood the constraints of my life and planned the perfect hen party that suited around my life. 

Today we’re sharing eight fantastic at home food and drink stations that you can prep for the perfect day or night at home hen party! 

1. Who doesn’t love a good scone?! Now, jam or cream first – that’s the big question!

(Image: Thyme Lane Photography via Rock My Wedding)

2.

Continue reading 8 Food & Drink Stations For An At Home Hen Party at weddingsonline.

Looking for fabulous hen party activities in Ireland? We've got a list of amazing options for you to check out!

There’s not many occasions call for a white dress, but being the bride you get the chance to wear it on at least two occasions – on your wedding day, and of course when you are the Hen.

Today it’s all about 12 amazing white dresses and jumpsuits for your hen party. This year your Hen-Do mightn’t be as big a party as you were first thinking of, but that certainly doesn’t mean your outfit has to be anything less than amazing!

From cool to quirky, and casual to all out glam, we’ve got the outfit for you… happy shopping! 

If you're in the planning stages and you've run out of ideas, we've got some fun bridal shower activities for you! 

If your bestie is a fan of the show, why not incorporate some fabulous Love Island hen party ideas into her celebrations.

If interactive hen party experiences are what you're in the mood for, we've got you covered!

Put the newlyweds to the test with these Mr & Mrs Questions (and Mr & Mr and Mrs & Mrs options too)!

Quite often brides will be treated to an extra hen party. This one will include your mum, Gran, aunts and generally closer family members who probably won’t attend your main hen party. If you’re one of these lucky brides-to-be, you’ll need a pretty dress for the occasion. Whether it’s an afternoon tea party, or an evening meal in your favourite local restaurant, you’ll want to look your best, and today we’re here to help with that!

As always with summer styling, florals are huge, so expect lots of colour and cheer, as well as colour blocking in vibrant shades.

(Image: The Ice Breaker Challenge)

Are you a bridesmaid tasked with the job of planning your brides hen party? Today you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got a rundown of everything you’ll need to organise to create the best hen party, plus some extra special little details. 

The Basics

Being asked to plan the hen party can seem like a mammoth task. With lots of peoples calendars to work around, budgets to consider and all those tiny details, it can seem like a lot. The best way forward is to take it easy, one step at a time… 

1. Chat to the bride – Who does she want to invite, has she any preference on number of nights away (if any), distance to travel etc. 

2. Set a date – The earlier you set a date the better and easier it will be for all involved to keep that date free.

Hen party games will be a fabulous way to have all the guests mingling, laughing and having a great time together!