BEFORE THE WEDDING

Bachelorettes: one night of fun or a weekend away?

Hens’ nights or bachelorette parties have become an almost essential part of the wedding planning journey. Spending some much-deserved time with your friends after the exhaustion of wedding planning is a must – but do you opt for a single night of fun or should you stretch the party out to a whole weekend?

Many people believe that a hen’s night should be exactly that – a single night (or day). After all, everyone has their own commitments and plans, and while a girly weekend is undoubtedly fun, asking people to whom you may not be that close to drop everything to spend a weekend with you (and probably pay a sizeable sum in order to do so) can be a little awkward. Keeping your hen’s night to one single evening is practical – it’s easier to co-ordinate, less expensive and allows you to invite a wider range of people, from close family members to co-workers to old school friends. You can do all sorts of things, from a spa day, to dinner and drinks to a bar hopping cruise to a party.

On the other hand, a weekend away is a great idea for a smaller number of people. It can be a great time to bond and share memories of your friendship while relaxing in each other’s company. You can go on a girly mini-break – either a quick flight to a nearby destination or just a weekend break at a nearby spa resort, depending on you and your bridal party’s budget and tastes. Either way, you can really let your hair down! The benefits of a weekend away are that you can take it easy and take part in lots of different activities, from the leisurely to the adrenaline-inducing, with plenty of places that offer packages tailored to bridal parties.

Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t have both! You can have a single hen’s night for your wider circle of friends and a weekend away with your inner circle at a separate date. For some unusual bachelorette party ideas, click here.