Hen and the City

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Yesterday I emailed 22 of my closest friends and family and invited them to my hen weekend in London.

It went a little something like this...

"The plans so far are as followed.
Friday - Go to London mid afternoon on the train. Grab something to eat, maybe see a show or a night in a bar...

Saturday - Flight on the London Eye, followed by Afternoon Tea. Back to the hotel to freshen up then out to some bars for the night - possibly the Vodka Ice Bar!

Sunday - Train back home early afternoon. Morning is free for recovering/shopping/what ever you fancy!!...

I'm aware that some people may find it difficult to get the time off work or will struggle to afford the whole weekend, but a few people have already told me that they will be joining us on the Saturday so if that works better for you, there is always that option."

So far I've had 12 replies.

2x "I'm your bridesmaid of course I'll be there"

4x "Definitely count me in!"

1x "Maybe... let me get back to you"

3x "Yes I'll come up on the Saturday"

2x "Sorry I can't make it"

I'm really excited about it now!  Including me there are 7 confirmed all weekend and 3 for the Saturday, with another 10 people yet to get back to me.  I really hope it'll be a good weekend!

Suzie and Hayley are arranging a surprise hen party sometime in September.  It's a compromise, I've put my bridezilla foot down and said over my dead body, no way jose, not on your nelly will there be any L plates, willies, sashes or plastic blow up 80's dolls (Hayley, I'm looking at you!!) making an appearance whilst we're in London.

They gave me their "try and stop us" eyes so I caved in and gave them freedom to organise a party in the privacy of my own home which I have no control over.  God help me!  (I'd rather that than walking around London with flashing badges and a veil!!)

All Aboard!

Saturday was Suzie's hen party.  All the planning, scheming and secret keeping was worth it.  The day started bright and early at Suzie's house, meeting the rest of the hens, sipping Kir Royale and shouting "Arggghhh!" to anyone with a camera...

Cap'in Squish!

Suzie had arranged for all of us to be taken to a photography studio in Birmingham in a limo for loads of silly piratey photos.  We have to wait a few weeks to see the professional shots but it was such a laugh and a great idea for something a little different than the normal hen party.

Once we'd finished smiling and gurning for the cameras it was back to Suzie's quarters for games and gifts

We gave Suzie her scrapbook and played naughty pass the parcel!

We also presented Suzie with her Perfect Wife box, which she loved!  She had some really great and unique presents, like a heart shaped frying pan, sexy underwear, recipe books, and feather dusters!

The only hiccup of the evening was when we got locked in the flat.  Suzie's father-in-law to be had to break down the door to rescue us!  Once we were freed we went to a local bar to dance and drink the night away!

Thank you Suzie for a real swashbucklin' fun day!

Suzie's Hen Party Plans

As one of Suzie's bridesmaids one of my duties was to organise the fun and games for the hen party.  We came up with a few ideas to make Suzie's hen party special.

All the girls created a few scrapbook pages full of advice, photos and memories.

These were my pages.

Another idea we had was the Perfect Wife box.  All the hens bought, made or donated something to the box that they thought would help Suzie become the perfect wife.

My contribution was an apron, I created a design and had it printed by Zazzle.  I sewed a few buttons on the pockets to make it look a little prettier.  Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm the worlds worst sewer so it's a miracle that the buttons stayed on at all!

We played a few games Who am I?" a game where each hen fills in a sheet with answers and Suzie had to guess who it was and "Mr and Mrs"  I had asked Suzie's fiancé Rob a few questions before the party and on the day Suzie had to match her answer to Rob's.

Another game we played was a naughty pass the parcel!  The presents weren't too rude but did include "advice" books *wink, wink*, naughty snap, a naughty word search, the whistles pictured below (from Confetti) and shot glasses.

I think everyone enjoyed the games!  We had a really fun day, stay tuned for the photos!

Back in Black!

Uh Oh!

I've had a terrible accident with a bottle of hair die and look what's happened!!

I joke!

I've been playing about with some brown, black and white hair extensions for Suzie's pirate themed party on Saturday.  I'm going to wear a bandanna and crimp and plait sections of my hair.  What do you think?  Do I look Long John Silver enough?

Ahoy Me Hearties!

This Saturday I shall be dressed in my piratey best aboard the good ship "Hen Party"

It's Suzie's swashbucklin' single life send off and the theme of the day?  Pirates!  (In case you hadn't figured that bit out!)  We're all off to a photography studio armed with inflatable palm trees, monkey's and bottles 'o rum to have lots of crazy photos taken.  Then it's back to Cap'in Suzie's quarters for fun and games!

Because I'm feeling rather mischievous today I'm going to share a sneak peak of some of the goodies and surprises we have in store for our hen...

Sorry Suzie!  Only 4 more days until you find out!

After the party I shall share everything we had planned and if they're not too bad, maybe even some photos!

You're Invited To A Hen Party!

It's full steam ahead with my January "to do" list, I've already booked my hair appointment for the wedding day, looked for possible styles and chased the florist for my confirmation.  And now I've emailed my friends about the Hen Party!

I need to know roughly how many hens will be joining us in London so I can work out whether an apartment or a hotel would be more cost effective.  Plus I wanted to give the girls enough time and warning to save and book holiday if they needed to.

I've already had 2 "Yes!" replies and even though it's a good 9 months away I can't help but get excited!

Plastic willies and L Plates... No Thanks!

Picture this:
A woman so drunk she can barely stand, dressed head to toe in condoms, pink sashes, L plates, badges and flashing head gear...  sounds classy doesn't she!?  All this would understandably conjure up the image of a bride to be on her hen night, but I can promise you 100% that will not be me!

I refuse to have a hen party like that, I want a short relaxing break away where I won't be horrified and mortally ashamed of myself come Monday morning!  Yes you could say I am boring but I honestly believe I do not need to be covered in plastic willies to have a good hen party.

My Mom, Bridesmaids and I have hummed and harred over different ideas.  I can't and won't expect people to spend a fortune my hen party but I also know a lot of my friends are expecting a weekend away.  My Mom's suggestion as a compromise was 2 nights in London.

Go on the Friday afternoon and leave on Sunday.  If people were struggling for time off work or money then they can always join the party on Saturday morning.
I've looked at few options for accommodation such as hotels and apartments but ideally I need to know how many people would be able to join us to start getting an idea on prices.

I've looked at a few things for us to do, like hiring a private pod on the London Eye, or having afternoon tea at Bea's of Bloomsbury at cute shop where we can have afternoon tea.  Very elegant!  I also know there is a Absolt Vodka Ice Bar, where the whole bar is made from ice and you have to wear huge thermal capes to keep you warm!

Obviously the Hen Weekend is going to cost some pennies so I need to warn people early enough so they can budget for it.  I am totally aware that some people will find it difficult to afford the weekend and will 100% understand if they can't come.  Hopefully I'll have a little shindig at home that won't cost anyone anything... Hayley believes this is going to be the L plate and willy party... we'll see!