The hen party is one of the most enjoyable elements of wedding planning – an opportunity to spend a day, evening or perhaps even a weekend with your closest friends. Follow our dos and don’ts to make sure your event goes all right on the night…
Image courtesy of www.bridalmusings.com
DO choose your chief bridesmaid wisely. Make sure she’s well-organised and happy to plan your hen party, and also that she’ll arrange something you’re going to enjoy.
DO give your bridesmaids an idea of what you would like to do. They want you to have a great time, so a few guidelines are always useful.
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DON’T be too controlling. If you’ve given a few suggestions of what you might like (or not like) to do, leave the rest to your bridesmaids. They may have a few surprises in store, and it’s all part of the event.
DO be gracious. A lot of planning and effort will have gone in to your hen party. Be sure to thank your bridesmaids and make sure they feel appreciated.
DON’T be late! If you’re given an arrival time, make sure you’re there on the dot.
DO listen to the bride. This is a memorable event for her, and should be so for all the right reasons! If she says she doesn’t want to walk around wearing ‘L’ Plates, don’t make her.
DON’T get too drunk. If the bride-to-be has to escort you home at the end of the evening, you’ve gone too far. If it’s the other way around, fair enough!
DO make sure payment is clear. All hens should be aware of what they need to pay for the event, and whether or not you’re all paying for the bride too. There shouldn’t be any unexpected costs at the end of the evening.
DO look after any hens who might not know anyone else. Often a hen party involves friends from various walks of life. It’s your job to make sure everyone is introduced and included.
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DON’T do a disappearing act. As chief bridesmaid, you need to be there for the entirety of the event. This means you can’t disappear off with your boyfriend or go home early. You’re there for the long haul!
DO hold your tongue! This is not the night for arguments of any kind, especially with the bride-to-be.
DO consider all eventualities. An excellent hen party organiser will plan everything from the moment you all meet up to the taxi home. If you have made bookings, confirm them beforehand and take all paperwork and telephone numbers with you.
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Alternative cakes ideas January 11, 2016As sweet as it is, wedding cake isn’t for everyone. Maybe you have bad memories of dry fruitcake in heavy royal icing, or maybe you just prefer savoury snacks. Maybe you want to mix it up with a centrepiece that’s guaranteed to get your guests talking! Whatever your reason, here are seven alternative wedding cakes that will suit you down to the ground.
The cheese wedding cake is a trend that’s really taken off at British weddings over the last few years, and we’re sure it’ll stick around for a while yet! This is a great option to have alongside a traditional sweet cake, or even to replace it – serve with a variety of crackers, chutneys and fresh fruit for a cheese course with a difference!
Not to be confused with cheese cakes, cheesecakes are definitely more for couples with a sweet tooth. Companies like The English Cheesecake Company create incredible five-tiered cheesecakes that are ideal for weddings, with delectable flavours such as Cookie Cream Smash and Champagne Chocolate Truffle. You could even get mini cheesecakes to serve up to 100!
Image courtesy of The English Cheesecake Company
Macarons have made a massive comeback in the last year or so, and are the ideal delicate treat for weddings. Instead of simply giving your guests a delicious macaron as a wedding favour, why not have an entire wedding cake made out of them? They come in a huge variety of colours and flavours, and are much lighter than traditional cakes – bonus!
This confectionary masterpiece is stolen from our European neighbours – a croquembouche is a tower of filled choux pastries covered in spun caramel, and is often served at French and Italian weddings. They look completely beautiful on their own, but you could also decorate your croquembouche with sugar flowers or chocolate.
Another fantastic savoury option, the pork pie cake is a relative newcomer to the world of weddings, but we’re pretty sure that UK couples are going to welcome it with open arms! This scrummy three-tier version is from good old Marks and Spencer, and would be a fantastic option either for a winter wedding feast or a summery picnic-style celebration.
Image courtesy of Marks and Spencer
If you’re a cake fan but want something a little lighter (and more creative!), then the cake pop cake is for you. These bite-sized treats can be easily customized to fit your wedding theme – we love a stylish ombre take on the trend – and you can even make them yourself! Why not get your bridesmaids round for a night of cake-pop making and create your very own wedding cake or favours?
If you’re a Krispy Kreme fiend or your other half comes over all Homer Simpson when he spies a doughnut, then a fun alternative to a traditional cake is the doughnut wedding cake! Krispy Kreme sell stands of up to 216 delicious doughnuts, or you can buy in bulk and create your own.
The final touches, such as your wedding table names, can often be the hardest to decide on – but they’re worth every effort. To make it a little bit easier for you, we’re sharing 30 of our favourite table name ideas with you.
Give your day a musical feel with a selection of your favourite bands. Perfect for helping create your playlist too!
Image courtesy of Holly Collins Photography
If your happy place is soaking up the sun on the beach, then theme your table names around your favourite spots.
Image courtesy of No Ordinary Emporium
Any ale lover will feel right at home with this idea. And you can have plenty of fun sampling a few cold ones to find your favourites!
Image courtesy of Liberty Pearl Photography
Birds and wildlife make a great theme for wedding table names, especially when they look as beautiful as this.
Image courtesy of Sarah Maria Photography
We’re just going to say it, it’s hard to beat a good cheese! Use your favourites as your table names and include a block for your guests to get stuck into.
Image courtesy of Leah Lombardi Photography
Who doesn’t love a good cocktail? You could always combine this theme with your drinks reception choices too.
Image courtesy of Silk and Ink Designs
Embrace your love of comic books with your favourite superheroes on each table.
Image courtesy of Robin Shotola Photography
Star-crossed lovers deserve the perfect wedding table names and these constellation-themed cards look amazing too.
Image courtesy of Rachel Emma Studio
Channel your inner Disney princess with a nod to your favourite movies.
Image courtesy of Laura Debourde Photography
Sometimes, nothing is more effective than a meaningful few lines.
Image courtesy of Becky Ryan Photography
We’re not just talking nice holiday destinations, what about those special places you’ve visited in books and films?
Image courtesy of Isaiah and Taylor Photography
If your bests days have been spent in fields listening to your favourite bands, then festival themed table names are for you!
Image courtesy of Lisa Love Designs
Weddings and flowers go hand in hand, so it makes sense to give your table names are floral feel.
Image courtesy of Sophia Victoria Joy
Celebrate your love of all things Friends with this amazing and totally DIYable table name idea.
Image courtesy of HMH Designs
If you were serious about the Starks or crazy about King’s Landing, then why not use a Game of Thrones theme? Just don’t mention the red wedding!
Image courtesy of Anya Ames Photography
Think how amazing your venue will smell if all the tables feature a different herb in the centre!
Image courtesy of Sharon Cooper Photography
Glamourous, sophisticated, celebratory – maybe a horse racing theme is the perfect partner for your day.
Image courtesy of Project Pretty
From London landmarks to popular tube stops – this table name idea is perfect for any city lover.
Image courtesy of Rock Paper Sazzle
With Marvel and DC getting more and more popular, give your day a little throwback to the good old days with some vintage comic strips.
Who doesn’t love a good rom-com? Classic film titles will make a great wedding table name theme for your love-filled day.
Image courtesy of Clouds and Currents
This is a must for any art lover. Whether you use the names of your favourite artists or even a selection of amazing paintings, they’ll represent your passion perfectly.
Image courtesy of Inkon Table Design
Unleash your inner scientist with periodic table-themed names.
Image courtesy of Lisa Boggs Photography
Any scrabble fan will be all over this table name idea! There are plenty of options out there for other board games too.
Image courtesy of Navy Blur
Christmas makes an incredible theme, so make sure your wedding table names follow suit.
Image courtesy of Lisa Loves Design
Nothing says ‘you’ like tables named after your favourite songs. Maybe choose ones that have special meaning from your time together?
You can’t beat a nice cuppa, so give your tables a tea theme! You could even serve each table a different tea after your wedding breakfast.
Image courtesy of Helen King Photography
Travel-themed table names are a popular choice, but they don’t always look as cool as this! Think about style as well as your locations.
Image courtesy of Rodo Creative
All things sustainable and environmentally friendly are very much on trend, so how about a tree theme for your wedding table names?
Image courtesy of ECreative16
Any budding sommelier or wine connoisseur will love this idea! You could match your table drinks to your names too.
Image courtesy of LesserthanThree
These old school illustrations always look great and will work wonderfully with a vintage or woodland theme.
Image courtesy of Summer Lane Studio
Head this way for more inspiration and Table Plan ideas…
Want to make sure your big day is a relaxed as possible? Well follow our top tips and read How To Have A Stress-Free Wedding.