Creative Hen Party Ideas

There are so many options out there if you're looking to create a fun hen party. The pressure can take its toll if you've been put in charge of organising the perfect bachelorette for a friend, but, there is no need to worry as we have collected our favourite creative hen party ideas to make planning something amazing a breeze!

Keep reading to find lots of inspo to make it easy to plan a hen party that will suit any bride to be. 

Colour Pops

If your bride to be loves anything sugary and sweet head the Meringue Girls website to take a look at their Meringue Masterclass. Their workshops have been rated as one of London's best foodie masterclasses, so you're guaranteed to leave with something beautiful and delicious. You'll be plied with delicious snacks and Prosecco and as many meringues as you can eat. You'll be taught the magic of colour, flavour, piping and packaging all in a fun and relaxed environment. 

Lux Life

If your bride is a little bit of a princess and enjoys the luxuries of life you'll want to head to some of the swankiest hotels and restaurants London has to offer. Head on over to the Marylebone Terrace Suites where you can all snuggle up on the gorgeous roof terrace and stare at the stars. With a glass of Prosecco in your hand, nothing beats lounging about next to the outdoor fire with your best friends. If you wanted to kick off this luxury hen party you could head to the nearby Third Space gym for a dance workshop. If dancing isn't your thing, simply head to the pool for a dip or maybe a spot of afternoon tea in the hotel's restaurant.

Bon Bottomless Brunch 

If bottomless brunch is music to your ears you'll want to head over to Bon Vivant for a very fancy take on everyone's favourite meal. What makes this restaurant even better is that it's extremely nearby to King's Cross St Pancras, perfect for a spot of shopping as soon as you step off the train. You'll be treated to a three course brunch menu which features a modern European style food and well as British classics. The best bit has to be the bottomless glass of fizz. Not only is the food delicious but the restaurant is also beautifully designed making it perfect for a girly day out. They also have a dining room which can be privately rented out and decorated to suit your taste. The perfect ingredients, no?

Hipster Foodie

If you like to be making the food rather than sitting down and eating it, the super cool E5 Bakehouse offers a range of classes from one day breadmaking, to pizza, to advanced backing classes. The bakehouse is an independent and organic bakery which is based underneath one of the railway arches in London Fields. A hop skip and a jump away from the park itself as well as the ever hipster Broadway market. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops along Broadway so you could easily spend a whole weekend exploring the London fields area. This is the perfect hen party for anyone who wants to avoid super girly and traditional parties. 

Wedding Ready 

Mad Hatter Workshops is the brainchild of Katherine Elizabeth who has worked with Dior, Dita von Tease and Alexa Chung. She is now running flamboyant headpiece classes at her HQ, your home or a hotel of your choice to bring you a fun and extravagant version of the humble fascinator. You and your hands will be supplied with everything you need to create your own headpiece, supplies include ethically sourced fabric, feathers, beads and trimmings. 

Pin Up Party

Feel spoiled rotten and ready for a night on the town with the Powderpuff Girls. With their team of manicurists, make up artists, and hairstylists, you'll be looking beautiful in no time. With their signature vintage style the powderpuff girls arrive in 1950s style uniforms ready to make you look glamorous and gorgeous. If you live in London they can come to your home or a venue of your choice. Trained in all things vintage hair and make up, the girls will provide you with everything you need to be party ready. 

Crafty Hens

If the hens and the bride are crafty by nature you will love the Make do Menders team. Make do Menders offer a huge selection of creative and crafty activities in London and the south-east of England. From garter making to memory quilt making, Great Gatsby style headbands to flower crowns, your creative needs will be taken care of by one of their expert tutors. They can either come to you or they have a range of venues that they regularly use in Kent, London and Brighton. Why not partner up your crafty activity with afternoon tea for a perfectly creative afternoon?

Fragrance Workshops

The Experimental Perfume Club offers workshops where you can create your own personal blended perfume. Their apprentice workshops allow complete beginners to learn the basics of perfume blending. Each class is structured around perfume expertise and industry based techniques so that you leave with a signature scent that is something you love, wearable and entirely yours. If you want to take your knowledge to the next level they also offer expert master classes and one on one consultations.

We hope that you found this selection of creative and unusual hen party ideas useful, best of luck with your party planning! 

(And as always if you need any help don’t hesitate to drop me a line!)

  

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How To Re-Create Pippa Middleton's Wedding

I probably don't need to tell you that Pippa Middleton recently got married, and what a gorgeous wedding it was – and didn’t she do well to keep the whole thing such a surprise! It must be quite hard (and a little overwhelming) having such a famous sister… and having your nuptials constantly compared to the royal wedding! 

I don’t know about you, but I was on social media watch the whole day waiting eagerly and scouring for any titbits and pics I could find! And I wasn’t disappointed – Pippa looked so beautiful leaving the church with James Matthews at their traditional English ceremony. She oozed class and sophistication, a it was quintessentially British to boot. 

Today, I wanted to share how you can emulate Pippa's style for your own big day, without the posh price tag.

image credit: Getty

The Dress

Pippa walked down the aisle in a Giles Deacon gown, it was prim, proper and traditional. Made entirely of lace and embroidered with tiny pearls the gown was beautifully fitted. The high neck and capped sleeves updated the traditional design slightly and showed off the stunning lace detailing. The fitted waist tapered out to a gentle ballgown shape and tulle train, which looked beautiful when Pippa moved. 

Here are our picks if you'd love to wear a wedding gown like Pippa's:

Melissa Sweet Wedding Dress with Illusion Neckline £500

White By Vera Wang Short sleeve Lace Wedding Dress £1005

David's Bridal Cap Sleeve Tulle Sheath with Lace Applique £348

 

The Flowers

To match her gown Pippa chose a traditional bouquet with relaxed elements to stop the flowers looking too fussy. Her bouquet was a lovely petite teardrop shape, hinting to the traditional style of the day. Pippa's bouquet included sweet pea, peony, astible, freesia, waxflower, green bell and alchemilla mollis. The florist in charge of the floral displays was Lavender Green Flowers, alongside the bouquets they also put together the beautiful garland for the church lychgate. 

Here our top three picks if you want to create something similar:

Traditional trailing bouquet inspiration

Green, blush and White Floral Arch

Peonies, Roses, Alchemilla Mollis and Sage Bouquet

Flower Girls and Page Boys

If you're a fan of traditional ensembles for the smaller members of the wedding party I'm sure you fell in love with the Pepa & Co outfits that the children wore. The flower girl dresses and traditional page boy suits perfectly matched the wedding flowers in ivory, dusty pink and gold fabrics. 

If you'd like to purchase the exact same outfits they are actually available on the Pepa & Co website. However, be prepared to spend £374 for Prince George's page boy outfit, and £498 for Princess Charlotte's dress and accessories (below).

(And what an adorable Prince George lookalike we have here...!)

Pepa & Co Page Boy Outfit £374

Pepa & Co Flower Girl Outfit £498

 

If you don't feel like splashing the cash on designer mini outfits have a look at our affordable alternatives below:

Page Boy Beige Linen Blend Outfit Suit by Baby Magic Dress £22.99

RJR.John Rocha Girls' White Dress from Debenhams £40

I hope you find our affordable picks to re-create Pippa's gorgeous wedding helpful. 

Be sure to have a look at our Pinterest page for even more wedding inspiration too!

  

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Honeymoon Diaries Part 1 – Mo’orea

One of the most difficult decisions to make on the build up to your wedding can be where to honeymoon afterwards. We didn’t want ours to be an afterthought, so took full advantage and milked it for all that we could! For years I’d seen pictures of Bora Bora in French Polynesia being branded as a paradise destination for newlyweds, but always assumed it would be out of our price range.

Young & Fun Wedding Inspiration

This mood board design was all about pushing the boundaries of what is expected at a wedding and throwing out any traditional or stuffy ideas. A perfect trend for any young couple, and a great option if you want to create a relaxed and happy vibe.

Three Ways with Hanging Flowers

We've been seeing the hanging floral trend everywhere recently, it's all over Pinterest and in the big budget bridal magazines. I've collected lots of inspirational images and split this trend into three different styles so no matter what your personal taste is, you're bound to find a way to introduce hanging flowers into your big day.

First up is boho style flowers. You really can do what you want with this trend, the main points to remember are; keep it relaxed, used mixed blooms and texture, and have fun with the shape of the display.

I love the idea of introducing cacti and succulents, too. For a laid back vibe mix in floor cushions and other low seating options to keep the atmosphere intimate and fun. Macramé hanging planters work perfectly with this style, you can either have them lined up above a table or dot them around your venue for a layered effect. I also love the idea of suspending a plank of wood to house a mixture of ferns and pretty flowers.

Remember to have fun with this style, it's all about mixing colour, texture, shape and height - flowing and natural rather than preened and precise. 

Next we have the hugely popular greenery trend, this style is only going to grow and it partners perfectly with hanging flowers.

As foliage is very tonal, it's important to use a mix of textures to stop your displays looking too flat. I suggest a mix of ferns, olive branches, eucalyptus and bay tree branches. For even more visual depth introduce green fruit, herbs, seed pods and grasses, your guests could even use the fresh herbs in their food (or drinks!). There are plenty of display options with this style but I've seen a lot of oversized hoops suspended above tables (so much so I've referenced them twice above!), and also heavy gathered garlands. I also absolutely love the green balloon tails too!

This style is all about texture and different green tones, due to the natural style this foliage trend would suit relaxed informal weddings best.

If you want to create more traditional wedding styling, there's no reason why you can't introduce hanging floral displays. Although this trend is quite modern, there are ways to achieve a classic look. 

Large sweeping garlands and wreaths are two very classic display ideas, and if you combine these with traditional wedding blooms like roses, peonies, lily of the valley and ivy you'll end up with a classically beautiful and perfectly elegant display. A traditional wedding is also the perfect opportunity to make the most out of decorative props like bottles, lanterns, birdcages and ribbons which can all be suspended along with the flowers. 

To keep things looking classic and traditional, you could use vintage styling and flower arranging techniques. Neat, round displays are timeless and if you introduce a few trailing pieces the whole effect will look very romantic. 

I hope you liked this post, and if you need any more hanging flower inspiration have a look at our Pinterest board here. 

I am absolutely in love with hanging flowers and can't wait to create a few variations of this trend at my next few weddings! 

  

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The White Gallery - Favourite Alternative Wedding Dresses

Last week the Devine Bride team were invited along to The White Gallery to be treated to a preview of the most beautiful bridal wear imaginable. The White Gallery is a trade only bridal show, where only the best designers exhibit all their new season collections - not yet in stores. It was so difficult to pick our favourites but I've decided to bring you our favourite alternative wedding gowns. 

The Brides Bloggers Dinner with Moet & Chandon

A few weeks ago, I was personally invited to a prestigious bloggers dinner, hosted by Brides magazine and Moet & Chandon, at The Savoy in central London.  I was beyond thrilled and couldn’t wait to attend!  The only problem was what to wear, as I was due to be setting up and decorating a corporate party the same day.  I knew I would have only 30 mins to turn myself into something Savoy-glam and also get myself from Angel to Embankment. 

Getting Hitched at Chelsea Old Town Hall

Chelsea Old Town Hall is one of the most popular wedding venues in London and it's easy to see why. With its beautiful pastel coloured ceilings, traditional wood panelling and established history as one of the grandest Victorian buildings in central London, what's not to like?

Gillian & Garry - Happily Ever Hemmings

Today I am so excited to bring you a beautifully classic wedding with a contemporary twist, which took place at Norton House Hotel in Edinburgh last November - that I actually attended in person as a guest. Gillian and Garry met in 2012 after being introduced by a mutual friend, Gillian says “I had been single for a couple of years (and wasn’t getting any younger!) so thought, why not?”. Their first date was during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they realised they had so much in common, including their love of guinea pigs!

Evergreen Wedding Inspiration

Pantone appointed ‘greenery’ as the colour of the season so if you’re looking to create a natural yet trendy wedding my new “Evergreen” mood board is a great place to start your planning.

Happy 6th Anniversary Kate and Wills!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since William and Kate’s big day! The time has flown by but I still remember their wedding day perfectly – it was Middleton mania, and we all had the day off, hurrah! So in their honour (and inspired by my own paper anniversary recently - we got each other Eurostar tickets), I wanted to bring you a selection of wedding anniversary gift ideas in case you, or someone close to you, will be celebrating a 6th wedding anniversary soon – just like Wills and Kate this year.

Totally Tropical Wedding Inspiration

This tropical theme is just the thing to add some warmth and sunshine to your wedding. The goal here is to make your guests feel as though they’re on holiday. Although this theme would work anywhere, it's a perfect option for a destination wedding or warmer climate.

Davina & Angus - A Devon Beach Elopement

When this real wedding first landed in my inbox I actually thought it was New Zealand or somewhere much further afield than Devon (I always look at the pictures first!) - I'm sure you’ll agree that the photos by Liberty Pearl Photography are absolutely breath-taking. 

Rita Colson's Debut Bridal Collection

Just a stone's throw off the Strand, and round the corner from The Savoy, the RSA House recently hosted a beautiful evening for the launch of Rita Colson’s new bridal range produced by Nova Reid of Nu Bride - and I was lucky enough to be on the f 'row.   

A Most Curious Wedding Fair 2017

A Most Curious Wedding Fair 2017 took over the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane last week – and it was so good I went twice! 

Debs Wedding Picks (inc Jenny Packham + Savannah Miller)

Debenhams have upped their wedding game this season, so much so that I’m going to check out their personal shopping experience soon with the hope of securing something special to wear to the UK Blog Awards next month.  Not only have they acquired a few exclusives and a few sought-after designers like Jenny Packham and Savannah Miller (I know, right?!), but there is also lots of modern gifting ideas too. 

Something Borrowed – Something Different

As the old rhyme goes, something borrowed on your wedding day represents borrowed happiness.  I prefer to interpret this as happiness you are inspired by, or wish to emulate (as it were).  If you borrow something from a close friend or family member, you would hope to be as happy in your marriage as they are in theirs.  It can also be a meaningful way to commemorate someone who can’t be with you on your wedding day. 

When Veils Meet Flowers

There’s a hot new collaboration in town and it’s just dreamy!  I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch at The Folly a few weeks ago, so here’s the low down: 

The National Wedding Show 2017 – Highlights

Over winter I’ve actually missed going to wedding fairs!  So I launched straight back into it at The National Wedding Show at Olympia in West London.  I’m more of a ‘Brides The Show’ type gal, and had never actually been to The National Wedding Show before, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Much bigger than Brides The Show but much smaller than The Wedding Fair at the ExCel, it was an easy layout and very simple to navigate. 

Wedding Prep – Easy Yoga to Destress

Despite having a dodgy knee and not being super flexible, I was an avid yogi all the way through my wedding planning process and I am a massive fan of its calming effects and health benefits.  I’ve been practicing with Yogasphere for over a year and a half now and I’m still nowhere near pro level (I can still barely touch my toes!), but I can see and feel the benefits.  I don’t always enjoy it when I’m in class as I get frustrated by my incapabilities and I absolutely detest doing a downward dog on a slippery mat, but I always feel both rejuvenated and awash with tranquillity afterwards. 

Wedding Fairs – Dates For Your Diary

Wedding planning can get a bit overwhelming, right?  As can everything that goes along with it!  Wedding fairs can be stressful to negotiate, but they are a great way to get your bearings, see what’s out there, see what the current trends are, and of course see, feel and taste some samples…!  Most suppliers will also do discounts if you book with them there and then, but I prefer to do my research first then come back to them – some even still offer discounts just because I’ve said I’d seen them at a show. 

Ceremony Hints + Tips

Following on from my recent post on questions to ask when venue shopping, I’ve collaborated with a celebrant for this post to give you some hints and tips for planning your wedding ceremony. 

Wow in Westwood Bridal

Eagerly awaited, Vogue broke the news of Vivienne Westwood’s new made-to-order and couture bridal collections landing recently.  I don’t have loads to say about these, other than that they are so wonderfully Westwood. 

Venue Shopping – Questions to Ask

Your venue contributes to absolutely everything on your wedding day, and (like most things in wedding planning) it can be quite daunting doing your initial visits.  Most venues will have their own host or coordinator that will show you the venue, and they’ll usually have a prepared script of things they want to highlight to you. 

Winter Wedding Outfits + LFW Discount

I’ve teamed up with Joey from the super slick fashion blog Northern Magpie and London Fashion Week Festival to bring you this post.  Joey has worked with amazing brands like Topshop, Farfetch, Popsick Vintage and Meduse and I was thrilled when she agreed to do a guest post for Devine Bride.  

Discount for London Fashion Week Festival at the bottom!  Enjoy! 

Bridal Beauty Trends from Award Winning MUA Tamara Tott

Despite working in the beauty industry for the last 10 years, I’m not that confident or experimental with hair and makeup – I’m much better at health and skincare.  For this reason, finding a hair and makeup artist for my wedding was one of the most time consuming and stressful things about the whole wedding.  After many a late night scouring blogs, Instagram, and Google, I came across the award winning makeup artist and hair stylist Tamara Tott.  I loved the mix of classic bridal and high fashion editorials that she had across her websites.  I couldn’t have been happier with my hair and makeup on my wedding day, so I have enlisted her help to bring you this season’s latest and most versatile bridal beauty trends. 

Sail Away With Me Wedding Inspiration

I met up with a lot of my 2017 couples last week and some of their ideas have blown me away!  I can’t wait to start creating them!  Their happiness is my happiness when I create the day of their dreams, so I’m working hard designing some moodboards for them this week to get the ball rolling.  This helps us visualise their day and ensure we’re on the same page creatively, but it’s also a great tool to illustrate our ideas to suppliers. 

Aussie Bridal Pop Up – East London

Save the Date!  There’s an exciting and exclusive pop up coming to East London, and it falls over a good weekend to visit the capital if you’ve got a wedding to plan.  This pop up, ‘The Aussie Bridal Salon’, will run from Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th March in the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green.  In addition, the coveted Chosen Wedding Fair is the 5th March, and there’s also The London Bridal Show on the same weekend.  Even though the latter is a trade only exhibition for buyers, there’s guaranteed to be a bridal buzz around the city.  A great opportunity for a hen party or weekend away with your mum amid your planning journey.