Stuck on hen party ideas? Here's a few that aren't the usual
Captured by Becca Tapert
Don’t sigh just yet, you strong, independent bride squad!
Yes, most hens aren’t complete without a pretend fireman busting his way into the room to put out the fire you and your friends are exerting - but for the modest bride, or someone who’s just into having a good time with her friends, here are a few seeds to plant, that, let’s face it - don’t involve a substandard stripper rubbing himself up in your girl’s grill.
All in all, when it comes to planning the perfect hens there is nothing that screams ‘best friend’ more than organising a day filled with your bride’s favourite things to do. Ditch the games and the gadgets and switch your focus to those special rituals and activities and you’re going to host a hens that will be spoken about for years to come.
Take a flower crown making class
The lovely Shayla of Fleur Couture has partnered with Fika Events to offer flower crown (or arrangement) making classes. You will be sure to have a blast in this virtually foolproof workshop and they can easily come to your chosen location.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with cookie and/or cake decorating
For the bride with a sweet tooth, a little decorating class could be the perfect touch to her special day. Enquire with Jeanie of The Cookie Lab for more information.
Dine in style with a truly unique in-house experience
Bring in the pros to your venue to configure and create a bespoke restaurant-quality dining experience for your girl and her gang with Crisp & Vale With an ethos delivering simple food, done well, you're truly in the safest of hands! Pair it with a private tasting from Laura at Wine Divine and you have a recipe for a night to remember.
Take a cooking class and enjoy the outcome
Get hands-on in the kitchen and take away some new skills with the incredible Jacob from The Bespoke Chef. Get adventurous, or perfect some simple tricks to take your meals to the next level and cook the occasion away before sitting down to enjoy it all at the end.
Indulge in a luxury pamper package
Being only a 25-minute drive from central Christchurch, Waipuna Estate is a spot of logistical magic whilst feeling like an oasis well out of town! Get together with up to 10 of your nearest and dearest and enjoy exclusive use of the estate for the afternoon or evening. Start with a relaxing facial or massage, then enjoy dinner over a delicious platter and drinks - You’re welcome to BYO too! What you do with the evening is entirely up to you; enjoy the spa and soak up the view or jump into your comfies in front of the fire and talk the night away before tucking into bed for the night and waking up to breakfast curated from some of the finest local eats there is on offer.
Enjoy a touch of class with a high tea experience
Relax with your closest circle in the tranquil setting of Hemsworth Estate and enjoy a morning or afternoon indulging in a high tea experience. Hemsworth Estate is perfectly suited to those in mid-Canterbury, or, if you are making a trip from Christchurch, the venue offers two beautiful bedrooms for you to spend the night in.
Book a Spa-ty!
Spend part of your day in total relaxation mode with your friends at Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa or Moss Spa. With spaces designed for sharing treatments, it’s sure to be a social occasion whilst experiencing utter bliss with their package offerings.
Take it to the next level
Say it with a selfie, and book a mobile, luxe photobooth with Selfie Station.
Our friends at Flagship Events have a gorgeous Sperry tent perfect for this type of occasion. It’s a great option if you have outdoor space at the celebration location and want to really kit it out. Seating up to 70 you can work with a local hire and/or styling company to create a fully seated event or leave space for games and antics - either way, you’re going to create a spectacle that won’t be forgotten!
On a smaller scale, the ladies at Good Gatherings offer collections perfectly suited to a grazing or picnic-style occasion of 2-20 people.
Become models for the afternoon with a Bride Tribe photoshoot
You’re probably going to get dressed up at some point during the day, so why don’t you enlist the help of one of the amazing CW photographers and capture the occasion. Pack some bubbles and snacks, get the music cranking and head to an amazing space around the region to have some fun. The bride will absolutely love a keepsake from the day that will bring back memories for years to come.
Take a walk on the wild side with a hike and picnic
Either make a little picnic yourself, or pick a spot with views to die for and enlist the help of Fare Boutique Food Co. to create your own slice of grazing perfection. Perfect for brunch, or heading up the hills to watch the sunset, this can be a really inexpensive way to give your bride to be a gorgeous send-off she will remember forever.
And top it off with a few more
Makeup workshops with Kasia Stanicich
Kasia really is just a bundle of fun and has taken the makeup industry by storm, recently launched group makeup workshops where you are sure to learn a thing or two! In her 'Hands on' option, Kasia demonstrates a look on a model she brings along, and you complete the transformation on yourself as she takes you through the process. If that sounds a bit daunting, you can 'Watch and Learn' Kasia demonstrate a look on a model, and ask all the questions you like along the way. You can even bolt on a platter and a glass of vino for the full experience. Mention 'CHRISTCHURCH WEDDINGS' in your enquiry and you will receive $100 off the 'Hands on', or $50 off the 'Watch and Learn'.
Margarita making masterclass with Mexico
These classes are suitable for groups of up to 20 people (although soon be increased), and last around an hour. Mexico will give a cheat-sheet style discussion of tequila, including how it's made, how it's different from other spirits, and the different kinds you can get. They then talk about the history of the margarita cocktail, before jumping into the exciting part - making your own! Every guest makes two margaritas, an original style and one of Mexico’s in-house flavoured recipes, while they guide you through some tricks of the trade to demystify mixing drinks bartender style.
Akaroa night paddle boarding with NightSUP
Get your gals together for a weekend in Akaroa and paddleboard under the stars as you get to witness the sealife come alive beneath. It is dependant on weather conditions, but these balmy summer nights sure make it sound extra appealing, and for those of you first timers, a lesson is always provided at the beginning.
Bring the cocktails to you with The Cocktail People
Nothing says ‘girls night out’ quite like a selection of handmade cocktails! Create a custom menu, or simply select your tried and true favourites, and with a team of dedicated bartenders have all the stress taken away! There are packages to suit all budgets, so reach out when you’re ready to rock and roll.
Take a road trip to remember with a North Canterbury wine tour
Because, wine not? North Canterbury is literally at our doorstep and has some exquisite drops on offer. The likes of North Canterbury Wine tours can hook you up with a tour, or you could tiki tour out yourselves to one of the many restaurants for an afternoon in the sun. My pick? You have to venture out to Black Estate and Terrace Edge
Bring out those green fingers and create a Terrarium jungle
You could easily DIY this idea by gathering all the items together and taking the class yourself, click HERE for a step by step article to give you an idea.
Relax and unwind with a pottery class
If someone took me to do a pottery class I think I’d get on my knees and kiss them! A group pottery class is a very on-trend, relaxing way to kick off a hens. There’s a few studios around town so do a little research and find the best one for you.
With the launch of Modeletto, this is something you could even do from your chosen location. Just order in their DIY pottery kits and get creating!
Learn some new skills over a cooking class
For the true foodie, why don’t you treat your bride to be with an experience she’ll never forget - and one that feeds her too! Click HERE for a great link to a number of cooking schools around Canterbury that has something to cater for nearly every taste.
*For the dumpling lovers out there, Potsticker Dumpling Bar also cater for dumpling-making events!
Japanese to your door with Shin’s Teppanyaki
A Japanese Teppanyaki experience right on your door step? Yes Please! Shin’s Teppanyaki bring everything you need for a beautiful meal (although you could do a little extra decorating to make it truly beautiful), cook it, and even do the dishes afterwards.
Paint and Sip... Literally!
Located in Ilam, Amanda and the team at Paint and Sip will have you feeling like an artist in no time! Perfect for bridal groups, they have a range of art themes to select from, or you can let your imagination run wild with abstract designs of the bride, or even a topless model. Paint the night away over a few nibbles, and sip away on the great wine on offer.
Stretch those legs with a Salsa class
Taking our wedding dance lessons with Carrie from Latin Addiction was one of the best experiences ever, and you can enjoy a slice of that too with a hen’s booking! Carrie and the team can even come to you, just simply turn up and be ready for a great time.
And a few extra ideas to kick the day, or night, off!
Hit up your favourite gym for a private class with your squad
Head to the Adventure Park for some MTB action, take the zipline or take a hike and cruise down the chair lift.
If there's not something within these little gems that are tickling your fancy, I do hope I've now put you on the right path. Trust me, it was hard to stop where I did without writing a novel so if you're still feeling stuck and wanting some ideas, get in touch - I so love hearing from you!
Until next,
