I been at a lot of hen parties, pampering hens with hair, makeup and beauty treatments - I alway love it as friends really do put a lot of effort into making hen parties really special for the hen. I've worked at some which have brought me to tears with emotion and others which have brought me to tears of laughter! So I just wanted to share some of my top tips.

The Party Planning

• We all know its easy to get carried away when planning parties, especially if its a bigger party and your trying to keep everyone happy. Remember you can't keep everyone happy all the time, the one person you want to make happy is the hen. Therefore try and plan things she would love to do.

• A smaller and more intimate hen party with your closest and best friends are generally more touching for the bride to be, after all they do say its quality and not quantity! It can be very stressful trying to organise a big group - how about trying to split into a few different occasions - a weekend away for your closest friends, a night out where you can invite work friends and a afternoon tea which might be more suitable for mother of the bride and groom and grandparents.

• When planning the party or weekend some of the people you invite may seem to be difficult whether it's being inflexible about dates and times or restricted on budgets. Having a group message on WhatsApp or Facebook is a good way for people who may not already know each other to get talking and talk about the details, get excited or discuss any issues. Its easy to take things the wrong way on messages, if this happens try to take a step back and focus on whats best for the bride (after all thats who the party is for!). Try and arrange a meet up with those who are involved with any disagreements to clear the air before the fun weekend.

• It's easy to plan expensive venues and expensive cities but its always the thought that counts and the more personal moments during the hen weekend that the hen will remember the most. Its also the perfect time to show the hen how much she means to each individual person there. So why not try personalising games, gifts and events or activities. There are lots of large serviced apartments or houses, which is a great way for your group to socialise, as apposed to separate hotel or B&B rooms.
  

Activities & Budget

• Not everyone has a lot of disposable income and time, so try and not over plan with lots of extra activities. Also bear in mind how long it takes us girls to get ready! Allow time for everyone to chill out and chat, and expect things to take longer than expected, including people traveling to the party and not arriving on time. It's always nice to have a relaxing night for the first night on the hen weekend, its also the perfect opportunity for everyone to talk and get to know each other as well as the hen catching up with everyone. Pamper partiesare a great way to feel ready for the weekend ahead. I provide a mobile pamper party servicescoming to you, this saves you organising any extra travel as I come to your venue or accommodation.

• The nicest events I have witnessed are homemade games, involving memories and personal stories - which not only helps the group get to know each other, it is also a fun trip down memory lane to single life! I had one party all bring a pair of pants, the bride had to guess whose they were - then there was a story of how the guest knew the bride.

• Games involving photos are also good - at a recent party the organiser had been through the hens facebook and printed off loads of photos involving men, to which she was ask to name the year, man, and event which caused lots of giggles!

• It likely your quiet night in will end up with one or two sore heads in the morning! Also it takes a large group of ladies a long time to get ready, especially with the added issue of shared bathrooms! So allow extra time in the mornings. Unfortunately some of your guests will have to leave early on the last day to travel home, so on the last day a casual brunch / lunch or a afternoon spa trip or pampering session for the reduced numbers who are lucky enough to have Monday off work.

Forthose of us who are slightly older and want a more sophisticated hen do, thereare other options than strippers and pin the willy on the hunk!

Hereare a few ideas:

• Makeover - Get ready for your big night out and get make up or hair (or both). I offer a makeover service in the Bristol and Bath area; Choose from beauty, glitter face Art or vintage make overs.
• Dance Classes - Again there are lots of dance schools or mobile services that come to you.
• Afternoon Tea - There are lots of lovely little vintage tea rooms in most cities, and mobile services or why not do a DIY and have a bake-off competition with the guests.
• Craft - Again weather its make your own garters, sashes or lift drawing - theres plenty available on location or mobile, of for restricted budget arrange a diy craft making activity, maybe even something for your fancy dress theme. I had one party decorate champagne glasses which they all got to keep which was a nice touch.
• Spa / Beauty - there are lots of spas which you can attend, and pampering always goes down well! Or there are lots of mobile pamper party companies. I offer a pamper party service in the Bristol / Bath area , and have a pick and mix menu to suite all budgets. This is a nice relaxed activity for the Saturday or Sunday.
• Cocktail Making - Vodka revolution do national, or smaller companies offer a mobile service.
• Recording Song - a great lasting memory, there are lots of recording studios offering this for hen parties.

The most important thing of all, is to make sure you all enjoy the Hen Celebrations!

It can be very stressful for the Maid Of Honour organising the weekend, but hopefully it will all be worth it and you will all have a great weekend and the Bride will feel lucky to have such amazing Bridesmaids and friends.

I hope these tips help and you have a amazing time celebrating the lucky bride to be

Jackie x

Jax-Glam Beauty