Article by Johanna Osborne.

Whilst you might be forgiven for thinking that it’s all about the 24 hours that span around the magical wedding day, there are a few other events that feature heavily on the wedding frivolity radar.

Tried and true traditions like Hens’ Parties and Kitchen Teas are making a massive and refined come-back. No longer do images of hot-pink veiled “brides” staggering down Courtenay Place carrying money-jars spring to mind… Hens Parties these days are about celebrating with the girls, in a fun, carefree and classy way.

I personally attended the best hen’s party ever just recently. It involved a large gaggle of us gals assembling at a local establishment for morning coffees. This was followed by all the ladies jumping onboard a rented van and taking a surprise trip to the Wairarapa, where a divine wine tasting and lunch amongst the vines awaited us. There were presents, games and lot of fun and laughter. Everyone dressed up and it was the best day for all of us. The bride went home with great memories, and suitably relieved that she wasn’t embarrassed in front of her mother and sister.

Sharing experiences with those that matter is what these age-old traditions are truly about. Your friends have accompanied you this far in life, and are now setting you free and “handing the reins over” to your new husband. Up until he came along, they knew you best and shared your most important moments growing up. Having a hen’s party is a rite of passage, but can be done in so many different ways – and none of them need be tacky or scandalous! Great suggestions include cocktails and dinner parties, day trips, salon pampering experiences or even brief trips away. Many stag-dos now also mirror this type of format, with fishing trips and weekends away proving very popular.

When I think back to my wedding, the things that stand out most (besides marrying the love of my life) were the moments earlier in the day ‘before’ I got to the church. I fondly look back on this snippet in time: with my 3 best friends in the whole world, fresh from the hairdresser, wearing robes, sipping champagne, eating cheese and crackers and gossiping to our heart’s content in the calm safety of my lounge – all before the madness of the main event. The air was thick with excitement and we were all running on adrenalin (and perhaps a bit of Red Bull and lots of Moet). The feelings on a day like this are so incredibly special, and stay with you a lifetime. And so too can the memories of an extraordinary hens or stag party planned in a tasteful and fun way.

Want some more ideas on how to plan the perfect event? Email us [email protected]