The Hen Night - It's My Party!
Once upon a time there were no hen nights, only stag nights. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? But a couple of decades ago a hen night was no more than a decorous glass of wine and rolling your hair round some Carmen rollers to make sure you looked your best for the next day. How things change!
Even if you’re just planning a simple night in with your g/fs, it’s bound to include a raunchy video or stripper-gram, pizza, shots, rude games and silly clothing. You might be heading for a lunatic night on the town, or going as far as a long weekend in the sun ... whatever you’re aiming for, we’ll help you have the time of your life!
"R.E.S.P.E.C.T.”
Your friends may want to give you some surprises, but the invitees to your hen night shouldn’t be one of them. If you are going to really enjoy your last slice of freedom, you need good friends around you – don’t feel pressured to invite your mother, or his, or his sisters: there’s plenty of time for them to enjoy themselves at the wedding, and you don’t want your style cramped. If you want to make a nice gesture, get together with them for a drink before you and the posse head off for some fun, then the mums and distant friends can wish you well without you having to think about how it’s going to look to them to see you coping with a chocolate and chilli willy!
"I WILL SURVIVE”
Remember to pack aspirin, breath mints, hankies (we all get a bit teary at some point in the evening), small change for the phone, tampons (of course you won’t be that unlucky, but better safe than sorry), and a disposable camera in your handbag. When the girls are good and giggly you can pull out your camera and get some excellent shots – then if they try and embarrass you with hen night photos, you’ll have some ammunition to use on them.
One of the huge advantages of an organised hen venue is you don’t have to worry about a thing. If you’re organising the event yourself, please, PLEASE be aware of the increasing risks of date rape and don’t leave your drink unattended: it’s rare for a hen night to be targeted, but unscrupulous men are dosing girls’ drinks with Rohypnol all over Europe – don’t be a victim, be a survivor.
"YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON”
Fancy dress – we love it! Tiaras, T-shirts,
sashes and veils. L-plates, halter tops,
garters and handcuffs. Devils, nuns,
hens and harlots – go mad, but do it in style!
Remember to:
Wear shoes you can walk in – if you’re going bar to bar, you’ll hate it if you turn your ankle and have to limp. Tuck some wet wipes into your handbag – sloppy kisses are all very well, but you don’t want smeary chops if you’re going to be kissing all the guys you meet.
Think theme – if you’re planning a pink wedding, carry it through into the hen night or buy extra wedding ribbon and get your hens to tie it into their hair, wrap it around their garters etc.
"OOH AH, JUST A LITTLE BIT”
Budget carefully and establish costs before booking anything. If you can’t afford a big do, don’t be ashamed to make the most of your mates by staying home and having fun. Good ideas include:
Pamper Nights – hire a therapist to come and give you all a manicure and pedicure, you’ll be amazed how cheap this is as a group booking. Mehndi art, or henna tattoos, are becoming increasingly popular outside the Asian community and tap into a centuries old tradition.
Video Lovelies – Father of the Bride or My Best Friend’s Wedding, Four Weddings and a Funeral or Thelma and Louise? Whatever floats your boat, break out the hankies and sit down to have a good weep with the girls. Liqueur chocolates, pink champagne and smoked salmon make stay home cinema a real treat.
Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves – silly games are fun! There are books and DVDs full of dares and games for hen nights. Try making a jelly for each of your hens and getting them to sculpt a jelly willy using only a plastic spoon, or play dressing up games with the loser having to drink a cocktail Karoake is always fun, and those old kiddie games like pass the parcel are a hoot if you wrap up some silly prizes: condoms, lip balm, undies etc and play rock anthems instead of nursery rhymes while you pass the parcel round.
"LADIES NIGHT”
Whatever you do, make sure you get lots of pictures. You can put them in special albums for your bridesmaids – they make a lovely gift at the reception and mean you’ll never forget the night of your life.
