BRIDAL SHOWER & HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS: PROFESSIONALS SHARE THEIR TRICKS OF THE TRADE!

28/1/2021

AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
No matter the occasion, celebrations take a great deal of time and thought to orchestrate. Which is exactly why I want to share these wonderful Kitchen Tea, Bridal Shower and Hen Party Planning tips with you. Straight from the mouths of professional event planners the world over, tips and tricks like these will not only make your planning easier, but will also take it to the next level!

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APPEARANCES MATTER...

“There’s a reason social media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram are so popular – and that’s the fact people LOVE to look at beautiful photos. In fact, you’d probably be hard pressed to find a bride who hadn’t set up a board or two with inspiration for her own big day. With this in mind, take the lesson to heart that appearances matter and put in the time and effort to create a beautiful space with real wow factor.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to do this. One of our favourite touches is Party Picks, which are small messages attached to toothpicks that you can insert into everything from cupcakes to macarons. They’re exactly the sort of thing you would see in an editorial wedding shoot, and help elevate a sense of style.

Oversized balloons are also on trend right now, as are gorgeous tassles in hues ranging from pastel to metallic. Brides are also loving handmade celebration flags, which are attached to retro stripe and polka dot straws and have messages such as “hooray” and “kitchen tea”. They look especially appearling sitting in a mini milk bottle full of Pimms or punch, again enhancing the idea that little touches can have a big impact.

Something else you can also never go wrong with is bunting, especially if it pays tribute to the woman of the hour. Other great decorative ideas include massive paper flowers in vases, mason jars filled with biscuits and candy, and of course, as many awesome but slightly embarrassing photos of the hen as you can find.”

- Amy De Groot (easyweddings.com.au)

IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THE HOST SPENDS...

“The ultimate [celebrations] are not about how much money the host spends... but rather how creative the planner gets. The most memorable events are the ones that make us FEEL deeply!

While it’s wonderful to shower the bride with gifts, the experience is way more important than the amount of things she ultimately takes home.

Consider choosing a theme that has meaning and significance for the bride – a tribute to her childhood or something that celebrates her passions. Anything goes these days so think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try something new. I’ve seen everything from life drawing with a nude model (for the artist bride) to a full on carnival-themed extravaganza complete with flame throwers and elephants!”

- Hayley Devlin (hayleydevlin.com)

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOCATION...

“It’s all about the location for any event. Make sure the bride loves where you’re going and if outdoors, scope it out beforehand. Make sure it’s at the same time of day your party will be so you can check how busy it is and where the shady spots are! Check public transport and the toilet situation as well as parking and any restrictions around what you can and can’t do in the space (those city councils can be strict!). The more planning you do upfront, the better your day will flow in the end”

- Ebby Carson (littlebirdevents.com.au)

IT SHOULD BE PERSONAL, FUN, ENGAGING & CREATIVE...

“Bridal Showers, Kitchen Teas and Hen Parties should be personal, fun, engaging and creative.

My number one tip is to choose a theme that of course relates to the bride.

For example, if she loves to cook, a Kitchen Bridal Shower is a great theme. Guests will be asked to send the bride-to-be a family recipe along with the RSVP. The recipes can go into a special cookbook which will be presented at the shower.

Centerpieces will include kitchen utensils in the midst of the florals and gifts must be kitchen related.

All guests will be given personalised aprons and games can be created based on the brides and grooms’ cooking skills, best and worst cooking experience, and favourite foods.

The more interactive and themed the more guests can use their imagination and creativity.”

- Lynne Goldberg (msweddingplanner.com)

GET THE DECOR RIGHT...

When planning a hens night, it's important to “get the décor right. If your bride is an Instagram Queen and into romantic themes, floral arrangements, candles, and festoon lightings, try to incorporate those things into the décor.

Personalized décor and old photographs are always a hit and a nice way to celebrate special friendships between the bridal party. Try to get an image from each guest to display around the room or on a photo board.
If you are a bit crafty, you can create amazing decorations on a budget! Check out Pinterest or Kmart hacks for inspiration.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, but make sure you go along with what the bride would like”

- Clare (customneon.com.au)

KNOW THE TONE...

“When organising a hen party, know the tone. If Mother-in-law is attending, the blushing bride may not feel totally comfortable dressed up as a giant penis! So asses the situation first.

Likewise, if the bride is insistent on no stripper, don’t have one turn up in the hope she will love it after a few wines. Strippers and willy straws are not prerequisites for a successful hen party!”

- Clare (customneon.com.au)

TAILOR ACTIVITIES TO THE HEN'S PERSONALITY...

"When you’re in the midst of hen do planning, make sure that you “tailor or customise the activities to the Hen’s personality.

If she doesn’t like going out, then don’t force it and plan for a movie marathon with bubbles. Or if she’s an outdoorsy type, plan a weekend away camping.

When you start planning the special day/night, stop to ask yourself – would she plan this for herself?”

- Jamie-Lee Kay (theotherstraw.com)

HAVE KITCHEN TEA, BRIDAL SHOWER AND/OR HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS TO SHARE?

Whether you’re a professional event planner, or a bridesmaid who has organised her fair share of celebrations; we’d love to know how you did it! Simply email bec@foreveryhen.com.au for your chance to have your fave planning tip featured in this article and our magazines!

RELATED HENS PARTY PLANNING ARTICLE:
If you enjoyed the bridal shower & hen party planning tips from the experts above, you will LOVE the the following 5 tips that will make your hen party planning a breeze! Click here and enjoy!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THESE BRIDAL SHOWER & HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS

Whilst planning a celebration can feel quite overwhelming at times, I hope the above tips, tricks and ideas have put your mind at ease and provided you with LOTS of inspiration.

At the end of the day, you can tell whether or not someone has put the effort in when organising an event. Your bride-to-be will be able to see the thought and love that went into creating her special day, and she will adore you even more for it!

As mentioned earlier in the article, if you have any bridal shower and/or hens night planning tips and tricks that you would like to share with our readers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Until then, much love – keep smiling! Bec x
(AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest)

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MAKE YOUR EVENT UNFORGETTABLE WITH THESE PERSONALISED HEN PARTY IDEAS!

27/12/2020

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
A pre-wedding event such as a hens party is designed to celebrate the bride's upcoming nuptials, the fact that she's found the love of her life and, obviously, to celebrate her for the wonderful person that she is! And what better way to show your beautiful best friend that you're thinking of her than with some unforgettable personalised hen party additions.

From accessories to drinks, this article outlines the many ways in which you can add an unexpected yet much appreciated touch to your besties day - making her feel special and loved whilst simultaneously guaranteeing that it's an event she will never forget (for all the right reasons!).

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THE ULTIMATE LIST OF PERSONALISED HEN PARTY IDEAS:

Your guest of honour will never forget the thought that went into creating her celebration. For simple additions to your hen party that will make everyone smile, see the ideas below:

A FEW OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS

FLOWERS & PLANTS
Does your bride-to-be adore flowers and/or plants? Why not decorate her celebration with her favourites! Not only will flowers and indoor plants add a touch of colour to the celebration, but will also add a touch of class. AND you can turn these flowers into sweet bouquets towards the end of the celebration, which can then be used as take-home favours for guests. Likewise, potted plants and flowers can be gifted to your bride (they are her favourite, after all!).

SIGNATURE DRINK
Everyone, whether they know it or not, has an alcoholic (and non-alcoholic!) beverage of choice. Why not incorporate your bride-to-be's favourite drink/s into her special day? Whether it be wine, champagne, punch, or even hot chocolate, this special addition is sure to make her smile!

Hot tip: Take it one step further by getting yourself some personalised bottle labels (these could include anything from your own text (e.g. 'Bec's Hen's Party!) to an image of the bride. Have fun with it!

FUN FOR FOODIES

FAVOURITE FOODS
Does your best friend love digging into a cheese platter? Or perhaps her favourite go-to meal is that totally greasy but completely delicious pizza on the corner? Whatever it is she loves to indulge in, include it in the day!

PERSONALISED BISCUITS
I still laugh every time I look at these. Taking personalised food to a whole new level - custom face biscuits (pictured below) created by the talented team at 'The Confectionist' are not only hilarous, fun and completely unexpected, but also one of the most unique personalised gifts I've ever come across! Check out what they can do by clicking here.

PERSONALISED CHOCOLATE WRAPPERS
Does your best friend just love everything about chocolate? Why not get some cute, custom-made chocolate wrappers put together just for her celebration? These could be used as favours or displayed like the deliciously amazing treats that they are right in the middle of the food table.

These will not only taste great, but are also bound to take centre place in many a photo throughout the celebration!

GET PERSONAL WITH PHOTOS

PHOTOGRAPHIC DRINKS
Your guests won't have to worry about losing their glass with these beauties! A fun idea that is bound to get everyone laughing and talking; all you have to do is find a bunch of photos of your bride-to-be (the funnier the better) and print them as small as possible.

Now, find the glasses that you plan to use at the celebration (these could be wine glasses, champagne flutes, glass jars or personalised cups) and attach the pictures (one photo per glass).

On the day, guests will be able to keep track of their drink by simply looking for the image they chose!

PHOTO COLLAGE
Another great personalised hen do idea is to find as many photos of your bride-to-be as possible and put them into one giant collage! These pictures could be from her childhood, teen years, with her soon-to-be husband/wife, with family and friends, photos of the bride with those attending the hens party, her favourite places around the world, etc. If there are any inside jokes (such as that time you drank too much of a particular brand of vodka) - put a picture of that up there too! The more personal, the better.

Everyone (and I mean, everyone) won't be able to help themselves - it will be a wall that ALL guests will admire.

PHOTO GARLAND
Photographs are such a lovely (and easy) way to personalise an event; and photo garlands are just one way to display these gorgeous moments in time.

To create your very own DIY garland, all you have to do is print off a selection of images from your bride-to-be's life (this could include childhood, her relationship with her soon to be husband/wife, hilarious pictures when she was out and about, etc.). Once printed, cut twine to the length required and then peg each image to the string (we love using mini wooden pegs for this).

Handy hint: This can double as a game (What Age was the Bride?). Ask guests to take a guess as to what age the bride was in each image - the person with the most correct answers wins a prize!

THE BRIDE AND HER GUESTS
If you have contacts for everyone on the guest list, why not get in touch prior to the celebration and ask them to send through an image of themselves with the bride-to-be? Then, on the special day, you can display each of these pictures around the venue. A sweet touch that will be loved by bride and party goers alike!

Hot tip: These don't have to be displayed around the venue. Rather, have each guest send through an image AND a note for the bride-to-be (e.g. well wishes, memories, recipes for a successful marriage, etc.). Print all of these off and stick them into a beautiful keepsake book (or create a photo book online, if you wish). This can then be presented to your best friend on her special day - cue the happy tears and hugs!

PERSONALISED HEN PARTY ACCESSORIES

CUSTOM BUNTING
'Mrs. Jamieson-to-be', 'Bride Tribe', 'Bec's Hen's Party' - the options are endless when you have bunting created just for you! Whether it be a description of the day, a slogan for your 'I Do Crew', or even a hashtag you've created just for the hen's party; this little touch will make a big impact!

PERSONALISED BRIDE SASH
This one doubles as a beautiful keepsake following the celebration! Rather than going for the typical 'Bride-to-Be' sash, why not order your bestie something a little more personal. 'Mrs. Johnson' or 'Mrs. Johnson-to-be', for example. Or even her famous nickname?! There are so many options when it comes to a unique sash for your girl - think of something that is meaningful to her and go with it!

PESONALISED WELCOME SIGN
Welcome guests and hen to the celebration with a special, custom welcome sign. This can say anything that you please, and, as many other options on this list, can become a beautiful keepsake of a wonderful celebration! See the image below for inspiration.

PHOTO FAVOUR BAGS
Do you plan on handing out favours to guests following the celebration? Or at the start, perhaps? Rather than going for plain bags, why not personalise them with images of the bride and her guests'?! Whilst this will take a bit of work (that is, getting pictures of all guests attending the celebration before the big day), it is definitely something that will be appreciated and remembered.

OTHER PERSONALISED HEN DO IDEAS

A MEANINGFUL POEM
Put your heads together before the big day and come up with a cute (or hilarious!) poem about your beautiful bestie and her friendship with each of her guests.

This task can be made easier by asking everyone attending the party to email you details (e.g. how they know the bride, funny stories about the bride, favourite memory with the bride, etc.). You can then incorporate all of this information into the ultimate poetic story! Print onto nice paper, read to the party at the start of the celebration (hello, wonderful ice-breaker!) and then gift to the bride (who can keep it as a beautiful keepsake).

AN ACTIVITY SHE LOVES/WANTS TO TRY
If your bride-to-be can't get enough of an activity (e.g. getting pampered from head to toe, white water rafting, camping with friends) or she's mentioned on numerous occasions something she'd absolutely LOVE to try (e.g. glamping getaway, snowboarding, etc.)... THIS is the time to do it! I mean, what better surprise for your best friend that an activity she's always dreamed of doing?

CUSTOM DRINK LABELS
As mentioned earlier, custom drink labels are a fun way to personalise your beverage area. Whether this be with images of your beautiful bride-to-be or a slogan for your day, this little addition to the celebration is bound to get attention!

PLAY GAMES YOU KNOW SHE WILL LOVE
Does your best friend have a cheeky sense of humour? Maybe some hilariously naughty games should be part of her day! Does she love keepsakes? What about a game that results in many photo memories? Or if you want to tailor something just about her, trivia (about your bestie, no less!), the Mr & Mrs quiz, 'He Said She Said', and 'How Well do you know the Bride' are all great, personalised games.

If you're after more ideas, click here to view over 40 options.

UNIQUE HASH TAG FOR THE DAY
Last names, funny slogans, fun sayings - there are lots of fun ways hashtags can be used at the hen party. If you're struggling to come up with one, check out this free wedding hashtag generator by clicking here.

SO, HOW DO YOU PERSONALISE A HEN PARTY?

Personalising a hen party doesn't have to be hard or expensive - it simply requires a little thought. As you can see above, there are so many fun, sweet and memorable ways to show your bride-to-be how much you love her. Whether this be by decorating with her absolute favourite flowers, serving her signature drinks or even playing her favourite songs - the fact that your best friend was at the front of your mind when putting together this celebration will mean the world to her!

GRAB YOUR FREE PERSONALISED PARTY CHECKLIST:

There was a lot of information above! If you loved the ideas but need something in your hand to follow, check out this FREE checklist!

Download

RELATED PERSONALISED HEN PARTY IDEAS ARTICLE:
If you enjoyed the above personalised hen party inspiration, we think you will also love the following guest book article. Not your typical 'guest book', these ideas are fun, unique and memorable ways to wish your bride-to-be well. To find out what they are, click here.

Personalised Ideas for a Bachelorette Party

ENJOY TREATING YOUR BEST FRIEND TO A PERSONALISED HEN PARTY!

Before signing off I want to take a moment to remind you that you don't need to do absolutely everything in this list to make your best friend feel special. The mere fact that you've incorporated some of her faovurite things into the day... that you've shown how much thought you put into the celebration... that's what will bring her happiness!

As always, I’d love to hear your ideas/real life experiences – so please share your pictures and/or personalised hen party tips to myself and the rest of the For Every Hen community via the comments section below or social media.

Cheers to an incredibly memorable celebration!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
(AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest)

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KITCHEN TEA IDEAS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE!

10/9/2020

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
So you’re hosting a Kitchen Tea for your best friend/sibling and cannot wait to start planning! Which begs the question... where exactly do you start your planning? And what exactly do you need to plan for? Jam packed full of amazing Kitchen Tea ideas, this article 100% has your back! From those early chats with the bride-to-be, right through to the activities and games; everything you need to know about hosting a memorable Kitchen Tea is outlined below!

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START YOUR KITCHEN TEA PLANNING EARLY

The best tip I can give you is to start your planning early! Whilst it may not appear to be, organising a Kitchen Tea is quite the job. Every task, no matter how big or small, adds up. Meaning if you want to create a beautiful, thoughtful event, you will need to put in the time and effort.

CATCH UP WITH THE BRIDE

Before you start to plan anything it’s a great idea to have a chat with your beautiful bride to make sure you’re both on the same page. At your catch up, it’s important to get an idea of the following:

WHAT TYPE OF CELEBRATION IS SHE REALLY AFTER?
Before you go ahead and plan an incredibly beautiful kitchen tea, make sure it’s what she really wants! You don’t want to go to all of this effort only to find out that she was hoping for a bridal shower, or even a hen’s party.

WHEN DOES SHE WANT TO HAVE THE KITCHEN TEA?
Once you’ve established the fact that it’s a Kitchen Tea she’s after, it’s time to work out a date! It’s best to let your bride-to-be pick a day and time that suits her.

On the one hand, wedding planning is HUGE so she’s likely to be pretty busy in the lead-up to her special day (meaning hosting the Kitchen Tea at least two weeks before her nuptials is ideal). On the other hand, if you host the event closer to her wedding, it’s more likely that guests from out of town will be able to attend.

Let her weigh up the pros and cons of each scenario, and come to a decision that works best for her situation. Then pop it in the calendar!

WHO DOES SHE WANT TO INVITE?
Traditionally, a Kitchen Tea is reserved for female friends and family members; but in this day and age there’s no reason close male friend/s and family can’t attend as well (if the bride-to-be wishes, of course!). A Kitchen Tea is also the perfect type of celebration for all generations, with grandmothers and children alike finding it an enjoyable occasion.

With all of this in mind, it’s best to have your bride-to-be write out a guest list for you. This means that everyone she wants to share this special day with has the opportunity to attend!

SAVE THE DATE!

★Click here to view a selection of fun ‘Save the Date’ E-vites★
Woohoo! It's time to put the word out to those lucky enough to score an invite! By sending out a ‘Save the Date’ early you’re giving everyone a greater chance of being able to attend (babysitters can be organised, work can be moved around, etc.).

Share the upcoming special date with your bride-to-be’s guest list via digital E-vite (you can find some fun options by clicking here), email, physical post or even a Facebook event page and get everyone pumped for what will be an incredibly fun day!

START BRAINSTORMING

Thanks to your new intel (from the bride-to-be herself!), you now know when the party will be, who is invited, and the fact that it’s a Kitchen Tea she’s after. With this information at hand, it’s now time to move to the next stage of your planning – brainstorming!

If you haven’t already, get in touch with the other bridesmaids (and/or family members who are helping to plan the Kitchen Tea). An email thread or group conversation on Facebook is a great way to connect with each other and share Kitchen Tea ideas.

Chat about everything from themes, games, activities, food, drinks and gift ideas through to prizes, favours and special ways to personalise the day (e.g. by ordering bunches of her favourite flowers to use as part of the decorations). By putting your heads together you’ll be able to come up with an event tailored to your bride-to-be; one that is well thought out, meaningful and so special!

Tip: there is some great inspiration (everything from activities to favours) further down in this article!

SET A BUDGET

Now that you have a few ideas rolling around, it’s time to set a budget (a realistic one!). Unlike hen parties, guests attending a Kitchen Tea or Bridal Shower aren’t asked to make a monetary donation towards the day (because gift giving is involved). Rather, the host pays for it all.

It’s important to keep this detail in mind; you don’t want to stretch yourself financially. That being said, the overall costs can be split between bridesmaids and/or family members if they are helping to host the event.

DECIDE ON A LOCATION

Despite the name suggesting that a Kitchen Tea is to be held in, well, a kitchen, when it comes to the venue, the possibilities are pretty endless!

Depending on your budget, a Kitchen Tea could be held at a home (bridesmaids, Maid of Honour, or Mother of the Bride’s houses are all fabulous options) or a hired venue. You could also book a table at your bride-to-be’s favourite cafe/restaurant, or venture into the outdoors; hosting the celebration at a park, near the beach, in the forest, or in a backyard.

SET A THEME

Not essential, but definitely an exciting little surprise for guests and bride-to-be alike! Sweet and classy Kitchen Tea themes such as Mad Hatter Tea Party, Boho, Vintage, White, Her Favourite Colour, Pastels, Fairytale, Handmade, Flowers, Winter, Summer or even Tropical are all popular options. Keep it simple and elegant, with a touch of fun!

Tip: I personally find it easier to decorate when I have a theme in mind. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Even picking a few colours (e.g. white, light pink and light purple) makes everything so much easier.

This doesn't mean you go all out in the decor department (because sometimes less really is more). It just means that when you're choosing bunches of flowers, for instance, you stick to that same colour palette (white, light pink and light purple). Everything will flow nicely that way.

Photo credit: littlemisspartyplanner.com.au

SURPRISE THE BRIDE WITH A KITCHEN TEA ACTIVITY

Just because it’s not a hen party doesn’t mean you can’t surprise your beautiful girl with a sweet activity or two! Below are some of our favourite options (many of which slot in perfectly with the overall ‘Kitchen’ theme!):

BAKING PARTY
Kitchen Teas are all about sharing knowledge with others. One of the best ways to do this is by sharing a family recipe and baking it all-together!

A special bonding experience (especially if this is a recipe passed down through many generations) that results in good food and conversation (because, you have to eat what you make!). Working as a group, wine in hand, learning new tricks and creating a delicious feast – it’s bound to be one memorable experience.

BEAUTIFUL BOUQUETS
Fill a cart or table with an assortment of beautiful flowers. At some point during the day, announce to the party that it’s time get creative. Draw their attention to the flowers and explain that they aren’t just for decoration – they are, in fact, an activity!

Ask guests to make their way to the table and pick out a few of their favourite blooms. Once everyone has a handful of flowers, it’s time to gather around the kitchen table. Bring out craft supplies such as scissors, ribbons and twine so that each guest can then create their very own take-home ‘wedding bouquets’! A fun activity and favour all in one.

Tip: if you want to make a lasting bouquet, consider using dried flowers rather than fresh!

BISCUIT DECORATING
A wonderful Kitchen Tea activity that any age can (and will) enjoy! Make sure you have enough edible decorations (such as sprinkles, icing in a range of colours, shaved chocolate, etc.) for all; then watch in awe as plain biscuits are transformed into heavenly treats before your eyes.

You could even make a little competition out of it, requesting guests create ‘wedding themed’ biscuits; handing out a special prize for the masterpiece judged ‘most creative’ by the bride-to-be!

CUPCAKE DRESSES
Similar to above, but rather than sticking to the general ‘wedding’ theme, this time make the rules a little stricter!

Provide guests with piping bags, icing and edible decorations; then leave them to create cute wedding dresses on top of their cupcakes. Take it one step further by printing off small images of your bride-to-be’s face and sticking them to the top of toothpicks. Carefully place these picks into the ‘cupcake dresses’; demonstrating how b-e-a-utiful your bride would look in these sweet-as-can-be outfits on her wedding day!

Side note: This activity could also be used as a cheeky competition - chosen by your bride-to-be, the top 'fashion designer' wins a prize!

EDIBLE KITCHEN GARDEN
Why not help your bride-to-be set up an edible garden for the kitchen by organising a bit of a herb planting sesh?!

Set up a table filled with pots, herb seeds (or starter plants), soil, gloves and small shovels. From here, it’s up to guests (and the bride) to get their hands dirty. And the best part about this activity? These mini herb gardens provide entertainment AND a lasting favour all in one!

HIRE A CARICATURE ARTIST
For a kitchen tea with a very unique twist, why not invest some coin in having a caricature artist come to the party? The bride-to-be along with each of her guests will have the opportunity to be sketched; resulting in gifts/favours that will be forever treasured! It also provides MANY giggles, oohs and ahhs as those watching on see the caricature of their friend come to life in real time!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HAVING A CARICATURE ARTIST AT YOUR PARTY <<<

LIVE MUSIC
If your bestie enjoys nothing more than hitting up the gig scene, or sitting back and listening to some chilled out tunes, incorporate her love for music by hiring a local musician to entertain. The mix of acoustic melodies, good food, good people and good wine is a recipe for success.

SPLURGE ON PROFESSIONAL CHEFS
If you have cash to splash, there is also the option of hosting a cooking class. Either hire a personal chef to cook restaurant quality food for guests in your home (everyone can watch on and learn some sneaky tricks of the trade at the same time!), or take part in a cooking class at a dedicated venue (whereby guests create their own meals, before sitting down and eating their concoctions together).

SPOIL HER WITH A TIME CAPSULE
Help your best friend and her husband celebrate their one year wedding anniversary with a sweet time capsule. To organise, you’ll need to prepare guests before the celebration by asking them to do one or more of the following:

Bring an additional, small, wrapped gift to the Kitchen Tea (a unique kitchen utensil, for example)
Write down date night ideas for the happy couple to complete during their second year of marriage
Write down memories you have of the couple (e.g. what happened the first time you met them)
Wishes for the bride and her husband
Recipes for a happy marriage
Special recipes the couple can cook together
A memento of their friendship with the couple (e.g. photos from years ago)
A surprise (this can be anything the guest wishes to write/bring)

Ask everyone to add their goodies to the ‘time capsule’ box as they arrive (or throughout the party).

Seal the box once the celebration has wrapped up and gift to your best friend. Make sure you give her strict instructions NOT to open it before her wedding anniversary! If she doesn’t think she’ll last, keep it at your place and gift it to her one year later – what a beautiful surprise it will be!

SEND YOUR KITCHEN TEA INVITATIONS

Now that you have an idea of where the celebration will be, whether or not it will be themed, and what (if any) activities you'll be participating in, it's time to tell the guests! When putting your Kitcen Tea invitations together, make sure you include the following points:

What the event is, and who it's for
The date of the celebration and the time it will start (you may wish to include an approximate end time as well)
Where the event will be held (house, cafe, restaurant, garden)
Whether or not the Kitchen Tea details on this invite are to be kept a secret from the bride-to-be - meaning you can surprise her on her special day!
Whether or not guests have to bring anything (i.e. a kitchen gift for the bride-to-be, notes for the time capsule, etc.)
RSVP date and time, alongside your phone number and email

If you decide to do one or two activities and wish to let the guests in on these plans, don't forget to put this information on the invites too. For example, if you're hiring a musician for the day, let guests know when the performance will start so that everyone arrives in plenty of time.

That being said, it can be fun to surprise guests as well - imagine arriving at a celebration and, surprise, finding live acoustic music in the lounge-room!

PLAY SOME GAMES FOR A KITCHEN TEA

Whether they’re used as ice-breakers or to add a bit of lighthearted fun to the day, having a few Kitchen Tea games up your sleeve is definitely a must!

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BRIDAL TRIVIA
Create your very own trivia game, based entirely on your best friend! To organise, have a chat with your bride-to-be about her fun, weird, interesting and silly quirks (the ones she’s happy to share), and make up questions to go along with her answers.

At the Kitchen Tea, separate guests into groups and, one by one, make your way through each of your pre-written questions. The team who gets the most correct win a prize!

HE SAID SHE SAID
★Click here for He Said She Said question inspiration★
First things first – you need to come up with some super cute couple questions to ask the bride and groom! These can be anything from ‘who met the future in-laws first’ to ‘who proposed?’. Tailor these to your friends as best you can. Print off your questions and head on over to your fave couples house; asking them to fill out their answers.

At the party, hand each guest (or team) a piece of paper and a pen. Now, slowly read out the questions to the group; asking players to write down their answers as you go. When you’ve finished, have your bride-to-be read out the actual answers. One point is awarded for every correct answer; with the person/team receiving the most points at the end being the winner/s.

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO PLAY THE ULTIMATE 'HE SAID SHE SAID' GAME <<<

KITCHEN TEA BINGO
★Click here to download your FREE Kitchen Tea Bingo playing cards★
Start by clicking here and printing off enough of these FREE bingo cards for each guest.

When it comes to playing time, ask each party-goer to fill in the blank squares with gifts they think the bride-to-be will receive. As your beautiful bride opens her presents, guests must watch on closely and cross off any gifts that they wrote down before the game started. First to get five in a row (and yell 'BINGO') wins!

MR & MRS QUIZ
This game requires a little bit of organisation (but it is definitely worth it!). A few weeks before the party, ask the soon-to-be husband to answer some questions about himself, his soon-to-be bride, and their relationship. When coming up with these questions, be mindful of the guest list at this Kitchen Tea and the age of guests attending. Keep it classy and fun!

On the day of the Kitchen Tea, sit your beautiful bride-to-be down and, one by one, ask her the very same questions. See how many the couple answer the same!

Tip: Film the groom answering each question. You can then play each of his answers back on the TV after your bride has given her answer. This is a sweet way to tell the party whether or not she was correct.

RECIPES FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE
★Click here for ‘Recipe Card’ inspiration★
This sweet game (that doubles as a keepsake for the bride-to-be!) can be played in one of two ways:

Set out a bunch of wooden spoons and permanent markers next to a printed/framed sign (saying something along the lines of “please write your recipe for a happy marriage on a wooden spoon!” - That's not very creative by me, but you get the gist!).
Place a bunch of homemade ‘recipe cards’ (i.e. a page with the heading ‘recipe’ followed by empty lines) next to a box or chest. Once again, set up a sign letting guests know what to do (e.g. “please share your favourite recipe for a happy marriage”).

From here it’s up to guests to share their words of wisdom. At the end of the celebration, your bride-to-be can take home and read these ‘recipes’ in the lead-up to her special day!

WHAT AGE WAS THE BRIDE?
★Click here to view a selection of beautiful ‘What Age was the Bride?’ playing cards★

This is such a cute game! To get it ready, print off at least 5 photos of your bride-to-be from different points in her life. Be sure to write down her correct age in each photo and keep these little details in a safe place (you will need to know this information on the day of her Kitchen Tea!). Display these pictures as you wish (stick to the wall, frame each photo individually, frame photos as a collage, pin to a pinboard, etc.). When it comes time to play, ask each of the girls to guess what age they think the bride-to-be was in the photographs. The person who gets the most right wins!

Tip: This game can also be played with photographs from the bride and groom’s relationship. Guests can then guess the order these big (or small) events in their lives happened or where they were when the photo was taken. Alternatively, Share photos of baby husband and baby wife – guests have to try and guess which baby is which!

For 20 more kitchen tea game ideas, click here!

OTHER KITCHEN TEA IDEAS

MAKE YOUR BEST FRIEND FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL
This Kitchen Tea is all about celebrating your best friend – so making her feel special is a must!

There are so many ways you can do this; from playing her favourite music, decorating with her favourite flowers and/or creating thoughtful keepsakes, to serving her favourite foods and supplying her favourite drink/s. You could also surprise her by bringing a theme to life that she absolutely adores, or by organising an extra special group gift – something she’s always spoken about but never actually owned.

It’s the little things that really count – the thoughtful touches that will mean the world to her. So put your heads together and come up with ways to wow her. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it just has to be her!

DECORATE LIKE A PRO!
When it comes to decor, you can have so much fun! Whether you go for a themed celebration (as mentioned earlier), stick to an overall ‘Kitchen’ vibe, or simply place a few stunning bunches of flowers around; you really can’t go wrong! To help get you inspired, we’ve shared some of our favourite Kitchen Tea decoration ideas below:

ADD COLOUR WITH FLOWERS
when it comes to decorations, flowers are the BEST! Stunning, elegant and colourful, these beauties come in all shapes and sizes (and can be displayed in a range of fun ways, too!). For inspiration when it comes to floral decor, click here.

COUNT DOWN TO THE WEDDING
Using a blackboard or large sign, build excitement by highlighting how little time is left before the big day! E.g. ’14 days until she says ‘I Do’!’

FUNNY FACES
Help guests tell their glasses/champagne flutes apart in the best kind of way by printing off (at the smallest photo size possible) a range of funny (and nice) images of your bride-to-be.

Now for the fun part! Attach one photo per glass (that is, every single glass/champagne flute has it's own individual image of the bride attached to the stem or handle. A hole punch and some twine is an easy way to get this done).

Party-goers will have a great time checking out each other's images AND they won't forget which cup is theirs!

KITCHEN UTENSILS
Want the Kitchen Tea to be stunning, different and memorable? Why not use kitchen utensils as they've never been used before!

Fill teapots and teacups with flowers, use cheese graters as candle covers, place floating candles in wine glasses, fill the bowl of a mix master with floral bunches, etc.

Mixing a couple of these eccentric decorations into the day will not only create a fun vibe, but will also continue the Kitchen Tea theme no matter what your location may be (garden, lounge room, etc.).

TEA TIN VASES
For a unique twist on floral decor, why not dig out some old (washed!) tea tins and fill them with stunning blooms? This not only brings the ‘Kitchen Tea’ theme to life, but also makes for a fun talking point.

THE CARDBOARD GROOM
After some funny photo ops? A hilarious way to surprise the bride-to-be? Why not invest in a life-size cutout of the groom?!

WEDDING PHOTOS
Add a sweet, personal touch to the celebration by incorporating old wedding photos. Parents of the bride, parents of the groom, grandparents, etc. These could be framed or placed neatly in a photo album (with a special space at the beginning saved for your bride-to-be!).

If you're after some stunning eco-decor ideas for your Kitchen Tea celebration, click here.

KITCHEN TEA FAVOUR IDEAS
If you would like to give your guests a little something at the end of the celebration, check out the following ideas:

BAKED GOODS
Whether you whip up some delicious baked goods on your own, or order from one of the local bake houses, goodies such as cookies, cupcakes, mini cakes, chocolates and more make for beautiful (and mouth-watering!) favour ideas. Pack neatly in little bags or boxes for extra style.

COOKIE CUTTER SET
Coming in a range of shapes and sizes, you can get your hands on cookie cutter sets for just about any theme/occasion! A fun Kitchen Tea favour that’s also extremely handy in the home, cookie cutter sets are something your lucky guests can use again and again for many years to come!

EDIBLE PLANTS/SEEDS
★Click to view gorgeous seed pack favours★
Help guests create their own little kitchen garden by gifting either mini plant or seed pack favours! Thoughtful, eco-friendly, long-lasting and useful, these edible blooms make such a wonderful gift! Whether they are herbs, vegetables or fruits, party-goers are bound to be excited by the thought of adding to their indoor (or outdoor) gardens.

ENGRAVED WOODEN SPOONS
★Click to view some gorgeous, personalized wooden spoons★
It’s safe to say that wooden spoons are a well-used kitchen utensil – which also makes them a fabulous favour idea! But rather than handing out plain wooden spoons that can be picked up at any cooking store, why not make things a little more special and have each spoon engraved? From quotes to sweet messages, there are many ways to bring the fun to your Kitchen Tea with these divine (and useful) favours!

FLOWER BOUQUETS
Typically the bride-to-be gives away her bouquet at the wedding, so this is a fun little twist on tradition that the girls will love. For a bouquet that lasts, we recommend using dried flowers rather than fresh.

TEA CUP SUCCULENTS
Head on down to your local op shop and find yourself some pretty tea cups! Fill each of these little beauties with succulents and soil; then finish off your favour by attaching a name tag to the handle. Living favours with a unique twist – everyone will love them!

After more Kitchen Tea favour inspiration? Check out the following two articles:

RELATED KITCHEN TEA ARTICLE
If you loved the Kitchen Tea ideas mentioned above, you may also enjoy the following article! Blasting any confusion you may have had, here you will learn exactly what the differences are between a Kitchen Tea, Bridal Shower and Hen's Party (plus fun ways to combine two celebrations if your bride-to-be is after a little bit of everything!). Click here to learn more now.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PLANNING A KITCHEN TEA

Phew! That was a lot of info to digest, but hopefully it will make your planning that little bit easier (and a lot more fun!). I'll keep adding to this article as more ideas come to mind. Likewise, if I've missed any inspiration you feel others would LOVE, please don't hesitate to share your thoughts via the comments section below or on our socials (AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).

Cheers to a wonderful Kitchen Tea (planned to a tee!).

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x

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REVEALED: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRIDAL SHOWER AND BACHELORETTE PARTY EVENTS!

3/9/2020

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
Imagine, for just one moment… you’re engaged (woohoo!), you’ve chosen your bridal party, and the wedding planning has well and truly begun. Everything is slowly coming together, with your special date fast approaching.

And whilst you’ve been busying yourself with a ridiculously long list of tasks that go hand-in-hand with organizing such a large event, those beautiful bridesmaids of yours have been secretly planning something too. A special celebration for your beautiful self! On last hurrah where you can celebrate your final days as a ‘single’ lady whilst surrounded by close friends and family.

Which begs the question… how do you want to spend your ‘final fling before the ring’?
Hen’s party, bridal shower or kitchen tea?

But to answer this question, you first need to know: what IS the difference between bridal shower and bachelorette party? What IS a kitchen tea? To help, we discuss the three different options below!

The difference between bridal shower and bachelorette party

WHAT IS A KITCHEN TEA?

Click here for kitchen tea/bridal shower ideas & inspiration

WHAT DO YOU DO AT A KITCHEN TEA?
Generally held during the day, a ‘Kitchen Tea’ is a fairly relaxed occasion whereby the bride’s closest friends and family (including the groom’s family) gather to share advice regarding the kitchen, enjoy some refreshments, dig in to some light meals and/or high tea, and play a couple of sweet games.

It is also commonplace for guests to bring along small gifts suitable for the kitchen (a way to help the happy couple set up their marital home).

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: KITCHEN TEA IDEAS - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE! <<<

WHO SCORES AN INVITE?
This type of celebration is perfect for those who wish to include the generations in their special day; with grandmothers, aunts, parents and younger family members all finding a Kitchen Tea welcoming and enjoyable.

And whilst this type of event was traditionally reserved for female friends and family only, the guest list is entirely up to the host (meaning close male friend/s and family members are more than welcome to take part in the day if you wish!).

WHERE DO YOU CELEBRATE?
When it comes to location, the beauty of hosting a Kitchen Tea is that there are an abundance of options! As long as the venue is somewhere you feel comfortable celebrating, giggling and telling stories, there is no reason you can’t celebrate there.

Whether this be a café, restaurant, house or even a picnic in the park/at the beach depends on your budget and the style of party you’re after.

FUN KITCHEN TEA GAME IDEA/S:
A sweet, fun and useful Kitchen Tea activity involves asking each guest to write down their favourite recipe prior to the event; bringing it along with them on the actual day.

When everyone has arrived, collect the recipes and stick them into a scrapbook. Leave this on a ‘guest book’ table alongside a Polaroid camera and some pens. This gives guests’ the chance to add photos of themselves with the bride-to-be, extra notes, etc. next to their recipe contribution.

Memories of the day will come flooding back every time the bride uses this book to create masterpieces in the kitchen!

You can find many more bridal shower & kitchen tea game ideas by clicking here.

WHAT IS A BRIDAL SHOWER (A.K.A. WEDDING SHOWER)?

Click here for bridal shower/kitchen tea themes & styling ideas

WHAT DO YOU DO AT A BRIDAL SHOWER?
Held during the day, a ‘Bridal Shower’ is basically a relaxed celebration with your closest friends and family members (including the groom’s family).

Similar to the Kitchen Tea, light meals or high tea is enjoyed, refreshments are served, a few fun games are played, and advice regarding marriage and/or the home is shared. Guests’ may also take this opportunity to ‘shower’ the bride-to-be with gifts (hence the name!). However, unlike the ‘Kitchen Tea’ where gifts are reserved for the kitchen only, offers received at a Bridal Shower can be used anywhere in the home.

WHO SCORES AN INVITE?
Once again, this is a fantastic way to celebrate with grandmothers, aunts, parents and younger family members. Traditionally, it is a female-only event; however as mentioned earlier, it is entirely up to you who makes the final guest list!

WHERE DO YOU CELEBRATE?
Whether Bridal Showers are held at the maid of honour’s house or a favourite café down the road, it’s bound to be a good time! As with the Kitchen tea, just make sure the chosen venue is somewhere you feel comfortable sharing stories, having a laugh and letting loose (just a little bit!).

FUN BRIDAL SHOWER GAME IDEA/S:
This is a favourite of ours because it’s a fun activity and beautiful keepsake all in one! To play, simply ask each guest to write down their favourite memory involving the bride-to-be onto a piece of paper. Collect each memory and, one-by-one, read them aloud to the group. The bride-to-be must then try and guess who each memory belongs to (she may even like to tell the back story if it’s a good one!).

After the shower, stick each of the memories into a scrapbook or photo album – a lovely souvenir from a wonderful day!

Click here to find more fun bridal shower games.

WHAT IS A HENS PARTY (A.K.A. BACHELORETTE PARTY)?

Click here for hens party/bachelorette party themes & styling ideas

WHAT IS A HENS PARTY?
In complete contrast to the relaxed family affairs mentioned above, a ‘Hens Party’ is often quite the adventure! Generally beginning with some drinks, nibbles and ice-breaker games, the hens soon move on to an activity or two.

Depending on the bride-to-be and her wishes (it’s always a good idea to find out what type of celebration she’s after before planning anything!), these activities could be anything from a group dance class to a strip show.

By the time the pre-planned shenanigans have finished, expect guests to be well and truly in party mode! It’s not uncommon for celebrations to continue well into the small hours of the morning.

WHO SCORES AN INVITE?
As a hens party can be quite revealing at times, the bride-to-be must feel comfortable with those in attendance. Therefore, inviting close friends and, if the hen doesn’t get embarrassed easily, family, is a safe bet. This is definitely not the type of event for youngsters (and grandmothers may not appreciate an invite either!).

That being said, a hens party doesn’t have to be all cheek. Many brides are opting for classy celebrations these days – no peckers in site – making them more accommodating to other attendees!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: IMPORTANT INVITE DETAILS YOU CAN'T MISS! <<<

WHERE DO YOU CELEBRATE?
When it comes to location, hen’s parties differ greatly. Almost always they begin at a particular meeting point (such as a house, hotel room or restaurant). This provides time for guests to arrive, get to know one another, and have a few drinks/nibbles before anything too crazy kicks off.

Where to next depends on what has been planned. Travel to activities is quite common; however with so many mobile entertainment options available these days, hen parties at home (or at one particular venue) are becoming more and more popular.

FUN HEN PARTY GAME IDEA/S?
‘Before’ and ‘After’ photos make for some hilarious keepsakes of the night. Simply take a picture of each guest as they arrive (looking Ah-mazing!), holing a blackboard or sign that says ‘Before’. Take another photo as guests’ leave (this time holding a board or sign that says ‘After’).

Stick each guests’ before and after photo next to each other in a book and challenge your hen to NOT smile when she looks back at it!

For a huge list of hen party games (sweet, cheeky and everything in between!), click here.

WHAT NOW?

If you’re not sure what type of celebration your beautiful bride-to-be is after, definitely ask her! If a particular style jumps out at her, let the bridesmaids know as soon as possible and plan accordingly. This will not only mean that you can organize something truly special, but will also ensure that the guest of honour doesn’t end up getting whisked away on a hen’s party when what she really wanted was a bridal shower (or vice versa).

To help with your planning journey, check out the 'Party Planning Tips' page by clicking here!

RELATED ARTICLE:
If you enjoyed learning about the difference between bridal shower and bachelorette party, you may also enjoy learning more about the Kitchen Tea party. From the first steps of planning right through to the games and activities, this article has absolutely everything you need to know to pull off an amazing celebration! Click here to read this Kitchen Tea article now.

CONCLUDING ON BRIDAL SHOWER VS BACHELORETTE PARTY EVENTS

Whether you end up organizing a casual high tea, a cheeky night on the town, or a little bit of both, it’s sure to be an event to remember! Why? Because when someone is surrounded by all of their incredible friends at the same time, fun and laughs WILL be had – no matter where you are or what you’re doing!

If you have anything else to add, please don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments section below (or via our socials: AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).

Cheers to an AMAZING celebration, no matter the style!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x

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Difference Between Bridal Shower and Hens Party

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MEMORABLE HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS YOUR BRIDE-TO-BE WILL LOVE!

8/6/2020

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
Coming up with beautiful keepsakes for your best friend’s hen party or bridal shower is, in my opinion, just as important as planning the activities and games. Whether you organise a special box filled with notes, a hen guest book full of sweet messages, or a dress covered in signatures, this item will be something that is kept forever. It will be something that brings back the most amazing memories from one of the best days of her life! For some unforgettable hens party guest book ideas and keepsakes, see the inspiration below.

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HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS:

Cheeky Hen Night Guest Book Personalised

INFLATABLE BEAST
Perfect for that naughty hens party you’ve been planning; all you need is an inflatable pecker (the bigger the better!) and a permanent marker. Inflate before celebrations kick off and then, throughout the night, ask the girls to write their hen party guest book messages ALL over it! Following the party, she can deflate the beast and keep it somewhere special for those moments in life she needs a laugh or just wants to remember the day.

Handy Hint: If you’re heading out and about, make it a rule that your bride-to-be must take this beautiful giant with here EVERYWHERE she goes; meaning you could end up with hilarious well wishes written by complete strangers as well!

ENVELOPE GUEST BOOK
★Click here for ‘envelope guest book’ inspiration★
I love the idea of these! An envelope guest book is basically a book that has tiny envelopes strategically placed and glued down throughout (see examples here). Leave it open on a table alongside some pens, pencils and paper – guests can then go to town drawing pictures or writing sweet notes, marriage advice, anything really, before ‘posting’ it to your gorgeous hen.

Handy Hint: Encourage guests to bring along items (such as small photographs, poems, ticket stubs from a concert they attended with the hen, etc.) that can be ‘posted’ in the book as well! These will make for a beautiful and welcome surprise when your bride-to-be goes through it following the celebration.

LOVE LETTERS
Set up a letterbox, some envelopes, pens, pencils, etc. on a table and ask guests to write your bride-to-be a letter. This could be some excited words about her upcoming marriage, marriage advice, a funny poem, jokes, funny stories from the past, date night ideas – you get the idea! Each guest will then place their letter inside an envelope, seal it and ‘post’ it.

Your bride-to-be can then read one or two letters per day in the lead up to her wedding OR read one per day until she runs out!

PERSONALISED HEN PARTY GUEST BOOK
★Click to view a range of unique hen guest book ideas★
There’s no better way to make the guest of honour feel special than by treating her to some custom made gifts; and a personalised hen guest book is one way to do just that! If this type of keepsake sounds like something your best friend would absolutely adore, Etsy is a great place to start your search. From photo books to drop box frames, there are so many unique options that you’re bound to find a personalised party guest book perfect for your occasion!

SIGN THE FRAME
If you can find a beautiful, big frame that has a small area for a photograph, why not use this as your ‘guest book’? To pull this off, remove the glass from the frame and place somewhere safe (you will need it again later), fill the photo section with an image of your beautiful bride-to-be (she can switch this for a group shot once the hen party is done and dusted) and then put the frame back together. Place your glass-less frame on a table next to a jar full of pens.

When it comes time for the party, guests can then make their way to the table and write a message and/or sign their names on the matte (the card-like piece surrounding the image). After the party, put the glass back in its place and gift to your hen!
Click here for an example.

BUCKET LIST
★Click to view a printable ‘Bucket List’ sign★
This is such a fun idea that will give your hen SO many options when it comes to date nights/weekends full of adventure. To set up, grab yourself a ‘bucket’ (this can be a small tin bucket, an actual bucket, a jar, a wooden box... anything works!), some paper and some pens. Using a cute sign (click here for an example), ask guests to share their favourite things to do and/or favourite places to go. All of these notes will be placed into the ‘bucket' and gifted to your bride-to-be at the end of her celebration. The happy couple can then slowly make their way through their ‘bucket list’ together. This will not only provide HEAPS of fun and laughter in their first year of marriage, but will also give them the opportunity to experience new and exciting activities/holidays/etc. that they may not have thought of otherwise.

Handy Hint: Make a rule that as your hen and her husband complete ideas, they must send a picture of themselves at that particular place to the person who suggested it (unless it was a cheeky R rated suggestion of course!).

DRESS TO IMPRESS
We did this for my sister’s hen’s party and it went down an absolute treat! First, I went shopping with her for a cheap dress that she liked, but would probably never wear again (these were the 2 rules we stuck to whilst browsing). I wanted her to look and feel amazing, but I also had a secret plan for this piece of clothing... hence the ‘won’t want to wear again’ rule.

On the day of her hen’s party, she turned up looking incredible in what we had picked. After a couple of drinks, the bridesmaids asked that everyone at the party sign the ‘hen night guest book’ before the night was over. Trick being that the ‘guest book’ was actually our beautiful bride-to-be’s dress!

From that moment on her girl’s took turns writing cute, fun and hilarious messages/well wishes all over her outfit using coloured permanent markers. The more drinks that were downed the funnier the notes became. We still can’t look at this piece of clothing without smiling and laughing, and it’s a great reminder of the fun had every time she looks in her cupboard!

KISS THE MISS GOODBYE
★Click to view a beautiful ‘Kiss the Miss’ printable★
One of the cuter hen party guest book ideas, this involves all of the ladies attending to show off their luscious lips! To make this work, you will need to request that each guest wear/bring their own lipstick. As the girls enter the party, you can then have them ‘kiss’ the canvas (or paper) and sign their name/write a short message next to the coloured lip print left behind! This canvas or print off (see examples here) can then be framed and gifted to the bride-to-be following her festivities.

PHOTO BOOK
Rather than purchasing a hen do guest book with a custom cover and blank pages, why not create your own masterpiece using one of the online photo book tools?! With the ability to make your own cover AND include pictures throughout, this will end up being one truly loved memento!

Handy Hint: Ask each person on the guest list to send you a picture of themselves with the bride-to-be. You can then create the photo book so that every second page has ONE large image (that is, one of the pictures you’ve been sent) and it sits alongside one blank page. This means that guests can sign or write a message next to a photo of themselves with the bride-to-be – making the book that much more meaningful and special!

Have a guest who can’t attend the celebrations but still wants to be part of the fun? They can send through a photo of their written well-wishes which can then be inserted next to their photo image!

PINATA GUEST BOOK
Purchase or make a piñata in a shape that suits your celebration (that is, if you’re hosting a themed event, use a piñata that will compliment it. No theme at all? The first letter of her name would work perfectly, as would a pretty heart!). On the day of the party, set the piñata up on a table, alongside some pens, paper and a framed note that says something along the lines of:

“Leave me a note, joke or some marriage advice. On our one year wedding anniversary we’ll pop it open and read everything inside!”

Guests can then write what they wish on the paper provided and drop it in a hole at the top of the piñata (the part where the lollies usually go... maybe sneak some sweet treats in too for an extra surprise!). Patch it up after the party and gift to your bride-to-be and her fiancé.

PERSONALISED PUZZLE
Using a fun image of your bride-to-be, organise to have a custom puzzle sent to you via a local printing agency (or one of the bigger stores such as Harvey Norman/Officeworks).

On the day of the party, each guest can then sign and/or write a little message on the back of a puzzle piece. Once the event is over, place all of the pieces into a special box and pair with your bestie's favourite bottle of wine. Not only will this make for a beautiful gift, but it also gives your hen the chance to have a cute date night with her soon-to-be hubby - puzzle (of her face... he will LOVE this!), wine, food and messages from friends #bliss

Handy Hint: The bigger the puzzle pieces the more space the girls will have for messages. Consider this before deciding which puzzle size to order.

HANDY TIP

Guest books work best when party goers have the opportunity to write their piece at a time that suits them. Whether this be at the start, middle or end of the party is entirely up to each guest.

To make this process as easy as possible for them (and to ensure they know the guest book is there to be written in!), set up a special table complete with cute sign, pens, pencils and any other items needed. This will entice friends and family to check out the table and, in turn, encourage them to leave a special note! See below for printable guest book sign inspiration:

ARTICLE RELATED TO GUEST BOOK IDEAS:
If you enjoyed the hen weekend guest book inspiration above, we also think you'll love these amazing party hacks! Great ways to cut costs (without sacrificing the beauty of your celebration) - click here for 13 wonderful ways to spend less when hosting your next event.

ENJOY FINDING THE BEST HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS FOR YOUR HEN!

I hope the cheeky, classy and completely unique hen do guest book ideas in this article have inspired you! We absolutely LOVE hearing your feedback! If you have any comments on this particular article (or have a wicked guest book idea we've missed in the above list), please let us know via the comments section or social media (AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest)!

Cheers to an incredible and memorable celebration!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x

CLICK FOR FREE PRINTABLES!

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

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BRIDAL SHOWER GAME PRIZES GUESTS' WILL LOVE!

31/5/2020

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
Have a few bridal shower games up your sleeve but still in need of some sneaky prizes for the winner/s? Lucky for you there is definitely no shortage when it comes to bridal shower game prizes! From home cooked goodies to reusable drinking tools, this list will give you all the inspiration needed to treat those winning guests of yours!

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS WE MAY RECEIVE A COMMISSION, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU, IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH A LINK. PLEASE SEE OUR DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO.

BRIDAL SHOWER GAMES PRIZES LIST

ALCOHOL
Mini bottles of wine or champagne make perfect prizes for bridal shower games - especially when you have a few winners (this happens when games require guests to break into teams and, therefore, win as a team). Buy in bulk (six packs or more) when on special and save yourself some money!

BAKED GOODS
★Click to view stunning message cookies perfect for bridal showers★
Whether you decide to cook up a storm or purchase from one of your local bakers, small baked goods packed neatly in little bags or boxes make for beautiful (and delicious) prize ideas! If you're hosting a themed bridal shower or party, this is also a great opportunity to get a little creative in the kitchen (you could bake biscuits or cupcakes to suit just about any theme/colour palette!).

CHOCOLATES
Easy and loved by many - boxed chocolates not only make for inexpensive bridal shower prizes, but are also bound to be received with mouth watering smiles! Favourites, Malteasers, M&Ms or something a little extra (Baci is one of my faves!), there are so many choices when it comes to boxed chocolatelly goodness that you'll have as much fun shopping for them as your winner will devouring them!

BEESWAX WRAPS
★Click to view gorgeous beeswax wrap packs★
Beeswax Food wraps make such fun prizes for wedding shower games! Environmentally friendly, reasonably priced and full of funky colours/patterns, they can be used to cover salad bowls, sandwiches, leftover food, cut vegetables and more. Plus, it’s kind of like opening the door to a party whenever you go to the fridge – so many colours!

COLOURFUL REUSABLE STRAWS
★Click to view a range of colourful reusable straws★
Many people love to sip their bevies from a straw, so why not provide them with the environmentally friendly tools to do so? Bright and fun, these reusable stainless steel straw packs make fantastic gifts and prizes that can be used over and over… and over again!

COOKIE CUTTER SET
★Click to view a fun range of cookie cutter sets★
Cookie cutter sets come in all shapes and sizes! From cartoons and animals through to shapes such as hearts, they are the perfect prize option if you’re trying to keep everything in theme (because, let’s be honest, there’s a little something for everyone when it comes to these little treats!). A fun prize that’s also extremely handy in the home, cookie cutter sets will be something the lucky winner can continue to use for many years to come!

ENGRAVED WOODEN SPOONS
★Click to view a range of engraved wooden spoons★
Wooden spoons are a must-have kitchen utensil, which means they would also make for fantastic bridal shower prize ideas! But rather than handing your beautiful winner a plain old wooden spoon, why not make things a little more exciting and present them with an engraved spoon instead?! From sweet messages to hilariously cheeky quotes, there are so many ways to bring the fun to the party with these gorgeous prizes!

TEALIGHT CANDLE HOLDERS
★Click to view our favorite natural wooden tealight candle holders★
Candles holders make a beautiful addition to the home – so why not use them as a prize option as well?! From sleek, modern designs to rustic beauty, there are so many different types of holders on offer that you’re bound to find one to suit the overall theme of your event!

VASES
Vases can be created out of anything. A pack of mini glass milk bottles minus the lids, unique jars that have been cleaned up, actual vases in a variety of colours and/or sizes. Alternatively, you could purchase one beautiful vase and have it displayed in a pretty box - the options for these game prizes for bridal showers are endless!

FLOWERS IN A VASE
Ok... so these were living! But they're just as beautiful in vases as they were in the garden! A great and inexpensive option for those who have yards full of colourful beauties; simply bunch them up, fasten with pretty ribbon and/or twine and place in small glass jars filled with water.

MAGIC BEANS
Just the name 'magic beans' sounds fun! These cute bridal shower game prize ideas have images or words engraved on their seed, meaning as they grow they will show a special message! Such a beautiful and unique gift that's also lasting.

PLANTABLE CARDS
★Click here to view a beautiful plantable heart pack★
I absolutely love the idea of plantable cards! They look beautiful and have an air of surprise about them (your guest won't know what the flower is until it grows!). Customise with a cute message (such as 'WINNER at Bec's Bridal Shower!') for extra fun.

PLANTS
★Click here to view beautiful indoor plants for sale★
Indoor pot plants that you've either potted up yourself or purchased from a store make wonderful prizes! They're beautiful, great for cleaning the air in your home AND will be a constant reminder of the fun had at your friend's bridal shower.

As you don't have to buy for the whole guest list, you have the chance to purchase in a size that suits you (big, small, on sale - it's your choice!). You can also go for any style of your choice... will they be cute? Prickly? Edible? The choice is yours!

SEEDS
★Click here to buy stunning seed packs★
Thoughtful, long lasting and eco-friendly, seeds make such a great gift. Meaning they would also make fabulous bridal shower prizes! Whether they are herbs, flowers or vegetables, the recipient is bound to be beyond happy with their winnings.

SEED BOMBS
★Click to view a range of unique seed bomb prize ideas★
So unique and so much fun! Seed bombs are gorgeous little balls made up of seeds, clay, soil and water that, when you’re ready to get your gardening on, will grow flowers or herbs wherever you throw them! For those who love a bit of DIY, seed bombs can be created at home (click here for instructions). If you don’t have the time to create them yourself, check out some awesome pre-made seed bombs here!

SUCCULENTS
★Click here for a range of beautiful succulent prize options★
As with the above ‘living prize’ options, succulents are a wonderful keepsake that will just keep giving. Easy to look after and fantastic at bringing warmth and beauty to the home, who wouldn’t want to snatch up such an amazing prize?!

ADULT COLOURING BOOK
★Click to view a beautiful adult colouring book★
Adult colouring books are actually amazing! There is something about grabbing a pack of pencils and quietly filling in those gaps that’s really calming (plus the end picture looks GREAT because of your quality colouring in skills!). Package the book with some pretty pencils for a unique bridal shower prize idea that guests will love!

CARD GAMES
If you come across some reasonably priced, unique card games whilst out and about, consider grabbing a couple to use as prizes on the day of your event. Something that people can enjoy over dinner parties, with their children, etc. will be a welcome addition their gaming cupboard!

PUZZLES
As with card games (mentioned above), puzzles are another great option to stock up on should they be on sale. Not only do they make wonderful prizes for bridal shower, but also make great gifts should no-one snap them up (that, or you could keep them yourself - don't underestimate the hours of fun a puzzle can provide your family!).

... AND FOR THE BIG WINNERS!

COLD WEATHER CARE PACKAGE
Blankets, gloves, beanies, hot chocolate mix, fuzzy socks, hot water bottles, mugs, soup - there are so many fun filling ideas for cold weather care packages! Make the hamper as small or large as you like (budget depending, of course). You could even ditch the hamper idea all together and make these individual prizes!

KITCHEN PACK
A great prize for someone who has just moved into their new home, kitchen packs can be filled with anything from utensils (such as wooden spoons and egg flippers) to fun mugs, tea towels and aprons!

PAMPER HAMPER
Pamper products displayed nicely in a small basket or box makes for a beautiful prize that will leave the winner feeling relaxed, refreshed and revitalised! Give the gift of pamper with face masks, bath bombs, candles, natural body scrubs, soaps and more. A simple yet effective hamper that will go down a treat!

PRIZE BASKETS
If your bridal shower games prizes are of similar value, why not place them all into a basket and allow guests to pick their own should they win? This means your lovely friends will get something they actually like and can't wait to take home!

TOKENS
Make the games a little more fun by handing out tokens to winners rather than prizes. Why? Because at the end of the day, each winner can then redeem a prize depending on the amount of tokens they have (just like picking out toys after winning tickets at TimeZone!).

To set this up, simply bunch prizes into different groups on a table. Place small signs in front of each bunch letting party-goers know how many tokens they're worth. The more tokens, the more elaborate the prize (for example, 1 token = small box of chocolates, 10 tokens = cold weather care package). Those with the most tokens get to pick first!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BRIDAL SHOWER GAME PRIZES:

If after reading the above ideas you're unsure of what to do, see below! We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about bridal shower prizes below. Check them out and, if we haven't answered your particular questions (or you would like us to explain something in a little more detail), please don't hesitate to get in touch by clicking here!

WHAT ARE GOOD BRIDAL SHOWER PRIZES?
A good bridal shower prize is anything that your guest can eat, drink or use in their everyday life (see article content above for LOTS of ideas). You don't want to spend money on prizes that are either left at the party, or worse, thrown away as guests have no use for them.

Keep these tips in mind when spending your hard earned cash - it will result in better buys and happy prize winners!

HOW MUCH SHOULD BRIDAL SHOWER PRIZES COST?
This will completely depend on your budget. There is no need to spend a fortune on prizes (unless, of course, you want to. Then absolutely go for it!).

For those who want to keep costs down, small gifts such as plants/seedlings, chocolates, bunches of flowers, home-made goodies, mini champagnes and more will compliment your event nicely without breaking the bank.

ARTICLE RELATED TO BRIDAL SHOWER PRIZES:
If you enjoyed these bridal shower game prizes, you may also want to check out this 'gift bag' article. From funny accessories to plantable gifts, the ideas here also double as favours (giving you a little extra inspiration if need be!). Click here to read now.

HAVE AN ABSOLUTE BLAST HANDING OUT YOUR PRIZES FOR BRIDAL SHOWERS!

As you can see, the secret behind awesome bridal shower prize ideas is finding something that's useful and fun - without a huge price tag. With this little piece of info, it won't matter whether you use the beautiful prize options in this article or come up with some epic ideas of your own (please feel free to share!); your guests are going to feel like the luckiest party-people ever!

Cheers to a wonderful Bridal Shower with the BEST prizes in town!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
(AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).

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BENEFITS OF HOSTING A HEN PARTY ABROAD VS. LOCALLY

13/2/2020

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AUTHOR: ANNA NGUYEN
Everyone loves a wedding. Not just the event, but the planning and parties that come along with it. Hen parties are a traditional part of the bride and bridesmaids escaping for one last fling together. These memories last a lifetime. There are so many activities and places to go for a weekend adventure that can be mind-boggling. Should you stay close to home or jump a flight and find an awesome place to begin the fun? Here are a few ideas for hosting your hen party abroad or having it a little closer to home.

WHETHER IT'S A HEN PARTY ABROAD OR A PARTY IN YOUR LOUNGE... INCLUDE THE TEAM!

All friends of the bride want the Hens escapade to be exciting. Getting everyone to agree on the adventure may take some doing in the beginning.

When planning a hen party abroad, taking time away from home and travel expenses may be a deciding factor for many. Have everyone lay their cards on the table, so you all know what is doable. Don’t leave everything up to the bride-to-be. Make the final destination a team effort.

And speaking of the bride-to-be, she is going to feel like she is drowning in details and lack of time. As a bridesmaid, you can eliminate much of this pressure by scheduling times, events and places. If she’s overly stressed, you could even speak to the bride about hiring a wedding planner and celebrant to take the weight off of her shoulders (meaning they can take care of the wedding details while you concentrate on the fun hens!).

INEXPENSIVE ABROAD DESTINATIONS

There are places in the world that are quite affordable and can guarantee a good time. Here are just a few hen party destinations abroad to choose from:

SPLIT, CROATIA
A place where few are familiar with, but it offers history, beautiful beaches, inexpensive dining and few tourists. Spring and Autumn are the time to get great deals on lodging.

DUBLIN, IRELAND
Fantastic for being entertained and enjoying the affordable nightlife. Popular among hens, the group will not be disappointed.

ASIA
A great option for more affordable accommodation and a rich culture. It all depends on what the bride wants! If your group are food lovers, Asia is an excellent choice for a hen do abroad.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA
One of the best deals that many have found is visiting Las Vegas. There are several deals of free lodging, free meals and tons of casinos. However, you will need to start searching well in advance to get a good deal.

EXPLORING AUSTRALIA

If the problem of travelling abroad due to family, passports, time restrictions and so on make it impossible to head out for a far off hens weekend, consider the alternative of exploring the awesome places in Australia.

Many people do not realise the fantastic sights of their own country. Keeping your hens on the continent of Australia will provide a chance to explore what you have been missing. For example, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise that outlines the Yarra Valley in perfect serenity; allowing you to put life into perspective with your most important friends. Followed by a champagne breakfast and tour of one of the greatest wineries in the area, this is a reflective way to remember your hens.

You could even opt for a guesthouse that was once a church in the 1800s; an appropriate way of celebrating the upcoming event. Located in St. Albans, New South Wales, there will be plenty of relaxing with horseback riding, swimming or meeting new people.

MAKE IT COSY & INTIMATE

Trips are great when everyone’s schedule coincides, and money is no object. But, what do you do when one or two of the bridesmaids cannot attend? There are other ways to have a hens gathering that is much cosier and more intimate. Just look at these ideas:

PLAN AN ADVENTURE IN YOUR AREA
The idea of a hens celebration is to spend time with your closest friends. Plan an overnight party with games, outrageous food and drink, and lots of pictures to post on social media.

KEEP IT CLOSE
Keep your bride-to-be in the dark and travel to nearby clubs where the entertainment has been waiting for you. Drinks and dancers will be an evening to remember.

TRY SOMETHING NEW
Go on a picnic with lots of treats, wine and funny gifts. Go canoeing down the river, visit the zoo. It doesn’t matter what your agenda consists of as long as it brings you all close one last time before the wedding

ACTIVITIES GALORE
Keep the fun flowing non-stop by planning as many activities as possible. Make sure that everyone is ready to have the time of their life because there will be no stress allowed!

THE HENS NIGHT

It’s completely understandable that weddings can be stressful due to financial strains and pressure from both sides of the family. A hens is a special moment for the bride and her close loved ones to celebrate your journey so far. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly ideas to celebrate at home or want to splurge on a glamping weekend for your event, there are options for every bride!

RELATED ARTICLE:
If you enjoyed the hen party abroad ideas in this article, we think you may also enjoy these Glamping hens party ideas. Celebrating in luxury with incredible scenery - check out what it would be like to have a hens party from a glamping tent by clicking here!

Hens Party Abroad or local? Glamping Hens Ideas

AUTHOR BIO - ANNA NGUYEN

Anna Nguyen is from the Content Team at Oneflare! She's typically writing content with real-life insights, discussing life milestones from planning a wedding to renovating your first home.

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P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE TIPS ON WHETHER YOU SHOULD PLAN A HENS PARTY ABROAD OR LOCAL- YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

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GLORIOUS FOOD BAR IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE TRIED!

3/11/2019

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
Unlike the typical party food table, a food bar (or station) tends to focus on one type of dish, treat or beverage only. And it's this focus that not only makes them incredibly fun to style, but also quite easy to tie into your overall event theme (hot chocolate bars pair perfectly with a winter wonderland theme, for example). On top of this, they also encourage guests to self-serve; meaning that although there is some prep involved before the celebration, you can sit back and enjoy your meal with friends once the party is underway.

With all of these positives, it's easy to see why food stations have become such a popular way to feed the hoards around the world. I, for one, LOVE the idea of these glorious tables; so much so that I decided to write an entire blog on them! If you're just like me (or you're curious and want to learn more), check out my favourite options below.

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DIY BRUSCHETTA BAR

★Take your Bruschetta Bar to the next level with this printable sign★

Homemade bruschetta is almost always on the menu when I’m hosting a party; not only because it’s quite easy to prep, but also because that deliciously crispy piece of bread can be garnished with a range of toppings (meaning it appeals to most, if not all, guests). And it’s this range of flavours and dressings that make a DIY Bruschetta Bar so much fun to put together (and even more fun for party-goers to devour)!

CREATING YOUR DIY BRUSCHETTA BAR
The first step in creating your mouth-watering set-up is deciding on a variety of spreads and toppings to serve. Traditionally, bruschetta is garnished with tomatoes and garlic; but don’t let this hold you back. Offer everything from cheeses, meats, avocados and salmon to hummus and salsa. Chop toppings into bite-size pieces and serve in individual bowls alongside mini tongs or other serving utensils. Fill glass jars with delicious spreads alongside spoons and knives. If you want to get a little fancy, label your jars and bowls so that guests know exactly what it is they’re sinking their teeth into.

Now it’s time to prepare the base. Toast thin slices of bread, infused with herbs and oil, either in the oven or on a pan. Once ready, serve immediately in baskets lined with tea-towels, or on plates that have been warmed in the oven.

From here it is up to your guests to get creative; experimenting with new and exciting toppings, or sticking to their good old fashioned favourites!

If you're considering a Bruschetta Bar at your next event, click here for more inspiration. With everything from meat/cheese pairing ideas to made-from-scratch pesto/spread recipes, these tips will have you WOWing guests with your cooking skills in no time!

DIY COOKIE IN A JAR BAR

Looking for food bar ideas with a difference? This DIY Cookie in a Jar Bar, the brainchild of Krystyn from 'Really, Are You Serious?', will provide guests with the opportunity to not only create cookies from scratch, but also to test out wonderful mixtures they may not have otherwise tried. Even better? It also doubles as a favour following the event!

CREATING YOUR DIY COOKIE IN A JAR BAR
For starters, you will have to source enough large glass jars as there are guests. Rather than purchasing new, put the call-out on Facebook and collect friend's jars once they've emptied them of food. Soak to remove any labels and wash thoroughly.

Whilst your jars are drying, it's time to prep the ingredients. What you offer will depend greatly on the recipe you decide to follow, although most will require self-raising flour (wholemeal and gluten free options are great to have just in case), brown and/or white sugar, baking powder and baking soda (find some fantastic cookie in a jar recipes - and video tutorial - by clicking here). You should also grab lots of chocolate chips, M&Ms, sprinkles, nuts and anything else you can see making a great addition to your delicious desserts!

On the day of your celebration, place jars neatly in a basket at one end of the table, and ingredients in their own individual bowls (each with its own measuring cup, scoop or serving utensil). On a large blackboard, write down the base recipe for guests to follow (this is particularly important for the cookie part - any additions, such as chocolate chips, is entirely up to your friends!). Print off cooking instructions that can be taken home following the event. If you wish, you can also leave some cute tags, strings and ribbons on the table for people to decorate their final product with (if they don't want to keep it, it will make a beautiful gift for someone they love!).

From here, guests can enjoy creating their very own cookies. A very interactive activity that will involve lots of fun and laughter, but will also result in a beautiful take-home favour. For more DIY Cookie in a Jar Bar inspiration (+ set-up ideas), click here.

Handy Hints: If you don't like the idea of creating cookies from scratch, there is also the option of purchasing pre-made cookie mixes from your local Supermarket. Simply place the mix in your jars before guests arrive (as pictured below); party-goers can then add in any extras they like (such as peanuts) and take home to bake!

Not sold on the cookie idea? These 'build it yourself' style bars also work with hot chocolate (click here for video recipes), brownies, muffins and cakes. Pick your poison and go from there!

Credit: reallyareyouserious.com/diy-cookie-in-a-jar-bar-free-printable/

DIY HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

★Take your Hot Chocolate Bar to the next level with this printable pack★

Is your event scheduled to take place in the middle of winter? Or perhaps your guest of honour loves nothing more than indulging in some chocolately goodness whenever possible? If you answered a resounding ‘yes’ to either of these questions, a DIY hot chocolate bar would be the ideal addition to your celebration!

CREATING YOUR DIY HOT CHOCOLATE BAR
This enticing drink station can be put together in three simple steps, starting with the milk. It’s important to offer a variety of milk (warmed), ensuring that all dietary requirements are catered for. Full cream, light and soy are all quite common choices, as is almond milk. Pour the options you decide to serve into separate jugs and place them neatly on your table; adding cute little labels or tags so that the contents of each jug are easily identifiable.

Next, it’s time to set up the cocoa itself. Offer a range of options (think along the lines of shaved Lindt chocolate, Milo, drinking chocolate, or your own mix of cocoa and sugar); placing a spoon nearby so that guests can easily scoop and stir it into their mugs.

And finally, no DIY Hot Chocolate Bar is complete without some sort of dipping treat! Set out little bowls filled with cookies, gingerbread men, marshmallows, mints, shaved chocolate, hot chocolate on a stick (click here for recipe) and, if your celebration happens to fall around Christmas (or Christmas in July), some cute candy-canes.

Handy Hint: If you’d prefer, you can pre-make the hot chocolate in a saucepan; keeping it warm until guests are ready to enjoy it. Once your party-goers have filled their mugs with warming cocoa, direct them to the Hot Chocolate Station to stock up on their favourite dipping treats, toppings and more!

Hot chocolate alone not going to cut it for your event? Why not make it a 'Hot Beverage Station' instead? Alongside your sweet warming drinks area, offer a selection of different teas (green, black, herbal, etc.) and coffee. Place a kettle or hot water urn next to mugs, sugar and spoons and let your guests do the rest!

Credit: pinkfortitude.com/hot-chocolate-station

DIY MASHED POTATO BAR

★Take your Mashed Potato Bar to the next level with this printable sign★

After a food station that will cater to a range of dietary requirements, fill those stomachs AND taste great? You cannot go past a mashed (and/or baked) potato bar! Perfect as a side dish or appetiser, there's something about this dish, smeared with delicious toppings, that you just can't go past. So go ahead - treat those guests of yours (and yourself) to a spread so good everyone will be back for more!

CREATING YOUR DIY MASHED POTATO BAR
To pull off this food station, you need to offer guests a range of fun and exciting toppings. Whilst this may sound daunting, I assure you it's not. From mince to vegetables, herbs to shredded cheese, what you choose to serve here is only limited by what's available in your fridge!

Next, you need to focus on the potato. Search for fresh, home-made recipes online (here's a fabulous one to get you started) and cook up a storm. Dish up in small bowls or, as 'Adventures of Mel' suggests, in martini glasses.

From here guests can serve themselves; topping their mashed (or baked) potato with one or more of the wonderful options on offer.

Considering a Mashed Potato Bar for your event? Click here for plenty of inspiration! From mashed potato recipes to setting up the bar itself (see images below), these tips will have you creating a food station so beautiful guests won't want to ruin it by digging in (until the wonderful smell gets to them, of course!)

Credit: adventuresofmel.com/the-ultimate-mashed-potato-bar

DIY POKE BOWL STATION

DIY Poke Bowl Station section written by Karina of Order-In
Poke bowls are not only on trend right now in the foodie world, but they are an excellent option for events. They are completely customizable for everyone’s individual tastes and dietary needs, and don’t require arduous set up. DIY Poke Bowl Stations are easy to create, but certainly don’t skimp on flavor.

CREATING YOUR DIY POKE BOWL STATION
The first step to building your DIY Poke Bowl Station is deciding on your selection of bases. This will act as the foundation to the bowl. You can keep it simple with white or brown rice, or opt for lighter alternatives of quinoa and leafy greens.

Next step in the poke bowl station should be your protein options. Traditionally, poke bowls are topped with salmon or tuna tossed with soy sauce presenting flavours similar to sushi, but there are endless options to suit your tastes. In addition to the fish, try out shiitake mushrooms or tofu for vegetarian and vegan options, chicken, crab or even fresh prawns. Line up your variation of protein preferences so guests can top up according to their own tastes.

Now for the fun part; dressing and garnishing! This is where your poke bowl will take on all the beautiful colours, textures and flavours they are known for. Dressings can be spicy, sweet, or salty (even all three)! Try out wasabi aioli, siracha mayo, chilli sauce, honey garlic soy or even miso. There are plenty of delectable dressings you can include and combine for creative flavour blends.

Add a couple of fresh garnishes to top off the dish and add some colourful crunch. Fresh fruit and veggies make excellent flavour additions, as well as fresh chilli, onion or pickles. Nuts and seeds can also act as additional protein to make sure everyone’s bowl is satisfying.

If you’re looking for a fun, healthy and flavourful way to enhance your hen’s party or bridal shower, a DIY Poke Bowl Station can be the perfect thing to place on your menu.

For more tips and tricks, check out how to make your own poke bowl here.

DIY POPCORN BAR

★Take your Popcorn Bar to the next level with this printable sign★

Fun and the perfect option for any bride-to-be with a sweet tooth, popcorn bars are all about cheeky flavours, unique toppings and sugar highs!

CREATING YOUR DIY POPCORN BAR
Setting up a Popcorn Bar is an enjoyable experience, as you're limited only by your imagination. To get started, source some bowls and/or jars (for displaying popcorn and toppings), serving tools (such as scoops and spoons), and recyclable popcorn boxes or bags. Set all of your items out on the table and arrange as desired.

Now for the hero of the table. Will you serve delicious, fresh plain popcorn drizzled with butter and salt? Or show off your amazing cooking skills; delighting guests with a range of home-made, uniquely flavoured options (caramel popcorn, butter popcorn or even chocolate coated popcorn, for example - click here for some easy to make recipes)?

Whichever you decide, be sure to provide a range of topping options as well - with everything from butter and shaved chocolate to sprinkles and lollies being more than acceptable! Remember: the more variety you offer guests in this area, the more pairings you can experiment with. This will result in new favourite combos being made, most disgusting combos being avoided, and sweet-tooth foodies rejoicing!

For more Popcorn Bar ideas, tips and tricks (including recipes, topping ideas and table set-up inspiration), click here.

Credit: abrideonabudget.com/2018/05/diy-wedding-popcorn-bar.html

DIY SALAD STATION

★Take your Salad Bar to the next level with this printable sign★

Summer or winter, fresh or baked, salad always makes a fantastic side-dish! And with so many delicious vegetables to choose from, it's no wonder food stations featuring a mix of edible plants, meats, and pasta/rice products is a popular choice at parties year-round.

CREATING YOUR DIY SALAD STATION
The first step in creating your DIY Salad Station is preparing the vegetables. Carrots, lettuce, pumpkin, capsicum, onion, broccoli, mushrooms and corn are a great place to start. Chop or grate each option and place in individual bowls.

Next, it's time to turn your attention to the meats. Popular options include chicken, turkey, bacon, ham and seafood (tuna, salmon and shrimp, for example). These can either be sliced (when appropriate) and served in individual bowls, or placed neatly on a grazing platter.

Now, it's time to cater for the more adventurous eaters on your guest-list! Wholegrains (such as quinoa and rice), sesame seeds (and other seed varieties), dried fruit (such as cherries and raisins), beans, tofu, fresh fruits (such as pears, tomatoes, avocados and apples), nuts, herbs, noodles and dressings (mayonnaise or salsa, for instance) will all be a welcome addition for any food lover.

And finally, don't forget the staples of many a salad at home - boiled eggs and cheese!

Handy Hint: Serve all of this alongside bread slices and rolls so that guests can decide between salad in a bowl or as part of a sandwich.

If you have the time, you can also add some baked (or mixed) salad options to the set-up. These include potato salad, coleslaw, warm roasted vegetables, noodle salad, pasta salad, greek salad and more.

ARTICLE RELATED TO D.I.Y. FOOD BARS:
If you enjoyed the food bar inspiration above, we think the grazing table article below will also be a winner in your books! With easy step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to make three awesome grazing platters for your next celebration. Click here to read more!

MAKING YOUR FOODIE FRIEND'S DREAMS COME TRUE!

Fun and easier to create than you think, your food bar or drink station is bound to be an absolute hit at your celebration - not only because it means guests' serve themselves (less work for you #winning), but also because they look AH-MAZING! If you have any tips yourself, or I've missed some food stations that absolutely NEED to be featured, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comment section below or on our socials.

Cheers to THE most mouth-watering event around!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
(AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest)

CLICK FOR FREE PRINTABLES!

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE FOOD BAR IDEAS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

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20+ IMPRESSIVE HEN DO THEMES THAT EVERYONE WILL LOVE!

3/10/2019

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AUTHOR: BEC OF 'FOR EVERY HEN'
Celebrating your best friend’s upcoming nuptials is going to be a great time, whether you have a theme or not. But if your bestie happens to love dressing up for occasions (or you want to bring your whole group together in an easy and classy way), it could be fun to include this little extra in her day. From outrageous fancy dress to beautiful bold colours, there are bound to be hen themes that suit your bride-to-be’s personality perfectly. And if this is something you’re considering (or you're curious to see what options are out there), the following hen do themes will have you giggling, oohing and then settling on your favourite option in no time! Enjoy x

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20+ HEN DO THEMES

BURLESQUE
★Click here for Burlesque themed photo booth props★
For a sultry, sexy occasion, you cannot go past the burlesque theme. Moody colours, corsets, feathers and stockings are only the beginning when it comes to this show-stopping celebration; a celebration that combines confidence and seduction in one incredibly fun little package. And with activities ranging from burlesque makeovers and dance classes through to dinner and a show (who wouldn't want to watch the professionals strut their stuff?!), this hen party will not only have everyone feeling their most fabulous, but will also be an experience not to be forgotten.

MASQUERADE
★Click here for printable Masquerade Party signs★
For a sexy edge that is a little more subtle than the other themes in this section, masquerade will provide an air of mystery and adventure to your event; whereby guests can wear any outfit they like, as long as it includes some kind of intriguing mask. Paired with activities such as ballroom dancing (i.e. your very own masquerade ball!), blindfolded meals or surprise dining, and the thrill of the unknown will continue throughout the celebration - making it a memorable evening for all.

NAUGHTY NURSES
Ask everyone to dress in their cheekiest nursing attire (short skirts, high heels, cute hats, etc.) and arrive ready to par-tay! This theme brings with it many fun options, such as drinking shots from syringes, trying to solve puzzles in a hospital themed escape room, hiring a 'doctor' stripper for some 18+ entertainment, and being waited upon by topless 'doctors' who love nothing more than doting on their fellow nurses. Combined with 'medicine' (i.e. alcoholic beverages of your choice!) and some good tunes, and this naughty night out will be a winner!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HOSTING A MEDICAL THEMED PARTY FOR ADULTS <<<

BOHO BABES
Have guests show off their inner boho goddess! Flowing dresses, skirts and tops, gorgeous patterns, lots of colours, lace, flower crowns... there are so many beautiful options when it comes to this style. Combined with a chilled out picnic amongst nature, plus some cheeky drinks, and your boho babe of a bride will be in her element!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: DIY BOHO PICNIC <<<

VINTAGE VIXENS
Add some vintage glam into your celebration with a theme that brings past to present! From getting dolled up with vintage makeovers, or learning all the right moves at a vintage dance class, to taking in a movie at a boutique theatre or digging into delicious spreads at a specific-era bar/restaurant, there's no telling where this theme will take you! Have guests wear their favourite vintage glam outfit (borrowed from parents, purchased from op-shops, or found in their wardrobe) and let the good old fashioned fun begin!

ALL WHITE
★Click here for a range of stunning black & white printable party signs★
As the name suggests, this kind of party is all white. Ask guests to wear their favourite white attire (pants, skirts, tops, anything - as long as it's white!). You can decorate with beautiful white flowers, nibble on white chocolate muffins, and sip on Bailey's Flat White Martinis. Classy and fun, this theme is quite easy to pull off (for hosts and guests alike) and looks amazing. Just be careful of the red wine!

Handy tip: Ask your bride-to-be to come in her favourite colour. The only bright dress will make her stand out in the crowd!

JELLYBEAN PARTY
I absolutely love the idea behind a Jellybean party! To host, you will need to assign each guest one colour before the celebration. They will need this time to not only find an outfit in their particular colour, but also a drink! For example, if I were given red, I would turn up to the party in a red outfit, holding a bottle of red wine. The range of colours and drinks will create an incredibly fun atmosphere (and have you testing out beverages you probably didn't even know existed!).

Handy tip: Make your bride-to-be stand out by dressing her all in white OR ask her to come dressed in her favourite colour!

LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Black outfits (in particular, the LBD) are often a staple in many people's wardrobes; meaning this theme should be quite an easy one to pull off. It's also a great base for other hen night themes (such as 'black & bling', where guests wear some fancy jewellery with their outfit, and 'monochrome', whereby guests arrive wearing all black, whilst the bride-to-be wears all white!).

PRETTY PASTELS
Rather than having the entire party donning the exact same colour, broaden the theme a little by encouraging guests to wear their favourite pastel outfit. The mix of soft hues will not only look beautiful on the day, but will also give the girls a little more freedom when it comes to what they're wearing.

ANGELS & DEVILS
The ideal way to show both the cheeky and angelic side of your soon-to-be bride! Simply ask your guests to arrive in their favourite red and/or black outfit, and your hen to arrive in all white. You can then either purchase devil horns for everyone in your group from a local discount store, ask guests to borrow/buy their own set of horns, or get crafty and create them yourself (along with a beautiful halo or flower crown for your 'angel'!). Make the most out of this theme by planning naughty AND nice activities (such as flower crown making + a surprise stripper!).

CHEERLEADERS
★Click here for a fun, personalised Cheerleader sign★
Ready? OK! The lead up to a wedding can be stressful; so make sure your bride-to-be has the BEST time possible by creating her own personal cheer squad! Donning skirts, tops, pom poms and an excitement for life, this theme not only provides fantastic photo ops, but also the opportunity to create hilarious cheers about your hen that you can randomly sing throughout the night!

Handy hint: Organise a cheerleader style dance class to take part in at some point during the celebrations - then 'flash mob' what you've learnt when out and about later in the night!

CIRCUS
A circus theme brings so much colour and excitement that it will ooze fun party vibes from beginning to end! From circus characters (ringmaster, clown, aerialist, etc.) to clown makeup (dramatic eyes, red nose, red lips and rosy cheeks) or even a set dress code (bright colours and bows, for example), there are so many different ways to celebrate this theme. Add in an adult circus class for good measure and you'll have the most show-stopping hens of the season!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: ADULT CIRCUS PARTY <<<

COPS & ROBBERS
Your bride-to-be has been overrun by naughty robbers. She is now in their control and must do what they say to guarantee her freedom!

Set the scene for this theme by asking guests to arrive in all black. You can create 'robber masks' by cutting the shapes out of cardboard, painting them black and attaching them to sticks, ready for guests to wear when they arrive.

For your hen, organise a sexy police woman outfit that will have her looking and feeling amazing! Bring the whole theme together by serving food and drink such as donuts, milk, chocolate coins and convict cookies. Rather than a photo booth, set up an area for 'mug shots', leaving a blackboard for guests to write why they've been caught. Hire a private stripper dressed as a policeman for the ultimate surprise!

FAIRYTALES
Your best friend has met her prince, fallen in love and is about to get her 'happily ever after'. So why not celebrate her real-life fairytale with a corresponding theme?! From Beauty and the Beast to Frozen, there are so many magical ways to make your bride-to-be feel like the princess she is. Click here for all the inspiration you'll need to plan an enchanted event like no other!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO HOST A FAIRYTALE HEN PARTY <<<

MEDICAL THEMED PARTY
If your bestie is in the medical field and you want to celebrate her amazingness, or maybe you just love the idea of playing 'doctors and nurses' for the night (oh behave!), a medical themed hens party is the way to go! From fun costume ideas and hilarious food/drink options through to themed activities and games, a medical party is guaranteed to be a great time!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HOSTING A MEDICAL THEMED PARTY FOR ADULTS <<<

PIRATES
Get those scallywags ready - you have a night of rum drinking shenanigans on the high seas to prepare for!

Have everyone arrive in their best pirate attire (op shops are great for this theme, as you can find old clothes and chop them to suit - think jagged edges, bandanas, etc.!); and then add in some fun piratey activities (such as a river cruise, sailing in an actual pirate ship, seafood at a restaurant on the harbour, etc.).

Alternatively, turn your home into pirate HQ for the night, set up a rustic bar area, put together a photo booth (complete with treasure and pirate accessories for posing) and organise some activities (such as a comedy hypnotist - imagine the funny pirate acts your friends would take part in, a dance class, rum cocktail making class, or even a piratey stripper!).

RED CARPET/HOLLYWOOD
★Click here for printable VIP Guest Passes★
Does your best friend love getting dolled up for special occasions? Then it's time to host the most exclusive hen do in town! Dress to the nines (ballgowns, dramatic outfits, etc.), enjoy professional hair & makeup sessions, organise VIP access into the most beautiful bars and travel between activities in style (did someone say limo?!).

Want to keep the price down? Why not celebrate at home with your very own red carpet, delicious cocktails, delectable food and an activity or two that your hen would adore.

GRANNIES
There's no better way to celebrate growing old with the one you love, than by giving them a preview of what it will look like! Party like it's 1939 with this hilarious theme, where everything from hair rollers and walking sticks to night gowns and slippers is more than acceptable (some might even say fashionable?!).

Paired with activities such as barefoot bowls (so much fun!), Vintage dance classes (because these grannies have all the moves) and afternoon naps (just kidding); this celebration will go down as one of the most memorable!

LOOK-A-LIKES
She loves her partner, so why not surround her by him (or her)?! Have life-size masks made up of your best friend's better half, dress in outfits they're known for (my husband, for example, loves to rock a flanny!), and prepare for a day and night full of giggles and hilarious photos!

Handy tip: Whilst you can use one photo for every mask, it could also be fun to mix it up a bit. Track down as many different images of your bride-to-be's partner as you can - the more unique masks, the better!

OP SHOP PARTY
If you're after a hen party theme that brings the giggles in loads, this one is for you! Request that the girls find their outfit at an op shop; encouraging unique and outrageous get-ups by letting them know that there will be a variety of 'best dressed' prizes on the night (think along the lines of 'funniest outfit', 'most ridiculous outfit', 'sexiest outfit', etc.). From sleepwear to 80's ball gowns, there's no telling what your guests will choose to wear for the celebration. The end result (and photos) will be priceless!

Handy tip: Find an old-school wedding dress for your bride-to-be to wear as her costume!

RUBIK'S CUBE PARTY
A Rubik's Cube party is full of fun, laughter AND clothes swaps! To host, ask each guest to arrive in an outfit with at least one piece of clothing in each of the Rubik's Cube colours (white jumper, red pants, blue headband, orange socks, green singlet and yellow gloves, for example).
The aim during the party is then for guests to swap articles of clothing until they have 'solved' their cube (that is, they're wearing one colour only; all red for instance).

Made even more fun with cheeky swap rules, it's a game within a party that your guests and hen will love! For game rules and more information, click here.

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO HOST A RUBIK'S CUBE PARTY <<<

BRIDAL BOOTCAMP
Thinking of hosting a healthy hens? Or perhaps you have some activities planned that require your guests to be in clothes that allow for lots of movement? Then bridal bootcamp is the way to go! Set a 'uniform' for the girls (such as black shorts and white t-shirts). With everyone wearing the same thing, it will bring the group together and make you feel like a team; a team that can take on whatever the day throws at you!

Handy hint: Bring some permanent markers so that you can write cheeky messages on each other's tops throughout the event - your bride and her friends can then keep the tops as mementos of the day.

HANDMADE HENS
Perfect for the creative girl in your life. Ask guests to hit up the local op shop to purchase a couple of items that will, by the time of the party, make up their outfit! The catch? They have to create something new from these items (e.g. they could turn a pair of pants into shorts, a top and a skirt into a dress, etc.).

The get-ups that people arrive in will be amazing, hilarious and everything in-between! Pair this theme with creative activities (such as cooking classes, creative workshops, jewellery making, etc.), and it will be a celebration limited only by your imagination!

SLEEPOVER
Sleepovers always bring back memories of my childhood. Times where we would stay up all night gossiping, eating sweet treats and watching our favourite movies. Fast forward to today, and it's still such a wonderful way to spend quality time with your closest friends (only now, there is also wine!).

Create the perfect atmosphere for such a theme by asking guests to wear their most loved PJs, dressing gowns and slippers. Serve lots of food (including popcorn!), sweets and drinks, have a selection of movies and board games at the ready, plus a couple of surprise activities (PJ dance class, karaoke, or even some topless waiters, for example).

Handy hint: If you want to go all out, you could hire a beautiful house in one of your best friend's favourite locations. Spend the weekend there as a group - sleepover/mini getaway!

TUXEDO
Ladies - it's time to SUIT UP! Sophisticated, flattering and incredibly fun, rocking a suit at your hen party could be the best choice you make. Hire some matching tuxedos for the group, get yourselves some funky bow ties, and hit the town looking like 'the absolute bosses you are'! Bring the whole theme together by adding in some James Bond style activities (such as hiring a beautiful house, travelling in style, hitting up the casino and drinking martinis), and basically enjoy living the high life (even if it is just for the day) with your closest pals!

>>> RELATED ARTICLE: TUXEDO THEMED HEN'S PARTY <<<

ARTICLE RELATED TO HEN DO THEMES:
Now that you've nailed the theme part of your event, it's time to plan some wicked games! From sweet to cheeky, the following article has a little something for everyone! Click here to check out the list of over 40 ideas now!

Hens party Games to go with your Hens Party Themes

HAVE AN AMAZING TIME WITH YOUR HEN PARTY THEMES!

I hope this list has provided you with LOTS of hen party theme ideas, making your planning that much easier. I'm constantly on the lookout for fun, new, interesting and unique options, and every time I come across a new one I'll update this article. So, if you have any you would like to share, please do so via the comments section below or social media! (AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).

Cheers to the best dressed party in town!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x

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HOW TO PLAN A HEN PARTY FROM SCRATCH (WITHOUT ANY STRESS!)

25/8/2019

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AUTHOR: SOPHIE ANDERSEN
Organising a party can be tough; especially if you’re throwing one for your best friend who is getting married soon, or if you’re the one who is getting married and would like to keep everything under control. From ordering food and drinks and picking out the perfect party outfits, to decorating the house and planning out the activities – when you plan a hen party it takes a lot of time and effort to put together; and you’ll probably need some help if you’re going to organise the whole thing on your own.

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WHAT IS A HEN PARTY & HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A BRIDAL SHOWER?

First, let’s start by explaining the notion of hen parties and when/why they have become so popular.

The beginning of hen parties can be traced back to the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the phrase started to gain more prominence and began to have a context (many experts put this down to the fact that the 1960s was a period of sexual revolution). So it’s safe to say that hen parties are a pretty recent phenomenon.

Similar to bridal showers, hen parties are all about the bride-to-be and her friends having fun and celebrating the fact that she’s getting married. However, bridal showers tend to be more classy, PG-rated and based upon gifting the guest of honour items to help set up her marital home. Hen parties, on the other hand, are more on the wild side; including all kinds of fun activities for the most memorable night with the girls.

While bridal showers are usually cheaper to organise, with the bride’s family often paying for the event; hen parties are all about joining forces with the girls in order to organise the party and have a blast. Also, when it comes to a hen party, there’s no need to bring any presents for the bride. Rather, hens are often gifted goodie bags to remind them of this fun-filled night.

ORGANISING YOUR HEN PARTY

★Click here to view a range of personalised hen party accessories★
There are a number of ways you can organise a hen party.

You could pick a destination you’ll all go to, you can throw a party out in the open, you can organise an experience you'll all participate in, or you can throw it at your own home to keep costs down (and then spend that extra money elsewhere, say, accessories!).

Sashes, tees, and veils are all accessories that usually accompany a hen party, alongside reusable plates and cups. You can also provide photo booth props and take some of the most hilarious photographs of you and your friends.

If you’ve decided to throw your hen party at home, there are a wide range of activities you can go for to ensure everyone has a great time. A pamper party could be just what you need after weeks of planning it out, while a makeover night will make you feel glamorous. You can also play some popular hen party games, such as 'Never Have I Ever', and learn the naughtiest, most hilarious facts about your friends that they probably wouldn’t admit to when sober!

If you do decide to celebrate at home, you’ll need to consider all the major and minor details, including food and drinks. You can make your own hors d’oeuvre by using easy canapés and cocktail recipes (many of which can be found online).

But if you would prefer to avoid unnecessary stress, you could also hire an event catering company. This second option will not only deliver great-tasting food and make sure it is presented in an appealing way, but will also take a significant amount of work off your chest; saving you time (and nerves!) and allowing you to focus on other aspects of the party.

HEN PARTY TRENDS

Hen parties are becoming more and more popular, and different brides-to-be want different things for their celebrations; so we thought we’d throw in a couple of hen party trends that we can anticipate in the coming year.

Themed hen parties are gaining a significant amount of attention – from Bollywood and burlesque nights to roller disco, these hen parties are sure to be remembered.

We’re also seeing a rise in getaways, with Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Magaluf being some of the top hen party destinations in the world.

Hiring a buff butler for a hen party is a sure way to spice up the girls’ night, while a gin masterclass or a day of wine tasting is sure to teach you how to appreciate your drinks and widen your drinking horizon (getting tipsy is an added bonus!).

MAKE IT COUNT

Now, all you’ve got to do is roll up your sleeves and start writing down all you want and need for your hen party. After all, you’ve only got one shot, so make it fun, make it memorable, and definitely make it count!

ARTICLE RELATED TO HEN PARTY PLANNING:
Now that you've got the bachelorette party planning under control, it's time to focus on some fun things - such as games! From cheeky to classy, the following article has so many fun, unique and hilarious options to choose from (and best of all, they're all free to play!). To check out the list, click here.

AUTHOR BIO - SOPHIE ANDERSEN

BLOGGER, ENVIRONMENTALIST & PASSIONATE GOURMAND
Sophie is a blogger from Australia. She spends a lot of time in the kitchen, exploring new recipes. She also enjoys decorating food and home. At the end of the day, she loves to sit down, write and share her everyday experience.

Website: www.clippings.me/missophie

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APPEARANCES MATTER...

IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THE HOST SPENDS...

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOCATION...

IT SHOULD BE PERSONAL, FUN, ENGAGING & CREATIVE...

GET THE DECOR RIGHT...

KNOW THE TONE...

TAILOR ACTIVITIES TO THE HEN'S PERSONALITY...

HAVE KITCHEN TEA, BRIDAL SHOWER AND/OR HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS TO SHARE?

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THESE BRIDAL SHOWER & HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS

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THE ULTIMATE LIST OF PERSONALISED HEN PARTY IDEAS:

A FEW OF HER FAVOURITE THINGS

FUN FOR FOODIES

GET PERSONAL WITH PHOTOS

PERSONALISED HEN PARTY ACCESSORIES

OTHER PERSONALISED HEN DO IDEAS

​SO, HOW DO YOU PERSONALISE A HEN PARTY?

GRAB YOUR FREE PERSONALISED PARTY CHECKLIST:

ENJOY TREATING YOUR BEST FRIEND TO A PERSONALISED HEN PARTY!

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START YOUR KITCHEN TEA PLANNING EARLY

CATCH UP WITH THE BRIDE

SAVE THE DATE!

START BRAINSTORMING

SET A BUDGET

DECIDE ON A LOCATION

SET A THEME

SURPRISE THE BRIDE WITH A KITCHEN TEA ACTIVITY

SEND YOUR KITCHEN TEA INVITATIONS

PLAY SOME GAMES FOR A KITCHEN TEA

OTHER KITCHEN TEA IDEAS

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PLANNING A KITCHEN TEA

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WHAT IS A KITCHEN TEA?

WHAT IS A BRIDAL SHOWER (A.K.A. WEDDING SHOWER)?

WHAT IS A HENS PARTY (A.K.A. BACHELORETTE PARTY)?

WHAT NOW?

CONCLUDING ON BRIDAL SHOWER VS BACHELORETTE PARTY ​EVENTS

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HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS:

HANDY TIP

ENJOY FINDING THE BEST HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS FOR YOUR HEN!

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BRIDAL SHOWER GAMES PRIZES LIST

... AND FOR THE BIG WINNERS!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BRIDAL SHOWER GAME PRIZES:

HAVE AN ABSOLUTE BLAST HANDING OUT YOUR PRIZES FOR BRIDAL SHOWERS!

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WHETHER IT'S A HEN PARTY ABROAD OR A PARTY IN YOUR LOUNGE... INCLUDE THE TEAM!

INEXPENSIVE ABROAD DESTINATIONS

EXPLORING AUSTRALIA

MAKE IT COSY & INTIMATE

THE HENS NIGHT

AUTHOR BIO - ANNA NGUYEN

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DIY BRUSCHETTA BAR

DIY COOKIE IN A JAR BAR

DIY HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

DIY MASHED POTATO BAR

DIY POKE BOWL STATION

DIY POPCORN BAR

DIY SALAD STATION

MAKING YOUR FOODIE FRIEND'S DREAMS COME TRUE!

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20+ HEN DO THEMES

HAVE AN AMAZING TIME WITH YOUR HEN PARTY THEMES!

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WHAT IS A HEN PARTY & HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A BRIDAL SHOWER?

ORGANISING YOUR HEN PARTY

HEN PARTY TRENDS

MAKE IT COUNT

AUTHOR BIO - ​SOPHIE ANDERSEN

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POPULAR ARTICLES

CATEGORIES

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE BRIDAL SHOWER & HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

SO, HOW DO YOU PERSONALISE A HEN PARTY?

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CONCLUDING ON BRIDAL SHOWER VS BACHELORETTE PARTY EVENTS

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE HENS PARTY GUEST BOOK IDEAS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE BRIDAL SHOWER PRIZE IDEAS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE TIPS ON WHETHER YOU SHOULD PLAN A HENS PARTY ABROAD OR LOCAL- YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE FOOD BAR IDEAS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE AWESOME HEN DO THEMES - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)

AUTHOR BIO - SOPHIE ANDERSEN

P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE HEN PARTY PLANNING TIPS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)