Tuesday 12 June 2018
Explore
1. Plan for all eventualities - and personalities!
The chances are, a mix of friends and family members are gathering to celebrate the bride’s special weekend, which means that people may not know each other initially. So it could be a savvy idea to organise activities to bring the group together. In the Cotswolds, you’re spoilt for choice with flower arranging workshops, perfume making courses, rally driving, idyllic spas and murder mystery dinners to name a few. There really is something for everyone, not to mention great shopping, and restaurants and bars where you can party the night away.
If you’re planning a more low key affair, the perfect girls night in with a movie marathon could be just the ticket (Bridesmaids anyone?) And at our Parson’s Barn luxury holiday cottage, you’ll find Netflix, Sky, box sets and a Nintendo Switch all ready and waiting. All you need is the popcorn…
2. Choose a rental with relaxing social spaces
The bride-to-be will be full of excitement to see all of her closest family and friends, and no doubt wedding chatter will commence over a tipple or two. So doing some extra research to find a rental cottage with spacious social areas to sit and relax and will go down very well with guests.
At Parson’s Barn, super squashy sofas, magazines and board games are in the living area, while the eight seater table in the dining space is the perfect place to spend a warm summer evening with a glass of wine in hand. The garden terrace is the ideal remedy for the morning after where guests can enjoy breakfast al-fresco in the sun.
3. Be flexible
Rule number one of a hen do: do your best to try and cater for all. The best way to do this is by being flexible and bearing in mind that some people may not be able to make the whole weekend, or all of the planned events. The key is to ensure that everyone feels welcome.
We know members of the hen party may need to bring additional family members, so a place like Parson’s Barn, which is dog-friendly and can sleep two small children and six adults, could prove the perfect place for everybody.
4. Go all out with the little luxuries
A hen party should be centred around making the bride feel a million dollars. So going the extra mile and splashing out on the little luxuries that can transform a weekend away into once-in-a-lifetime event to remember can really pay off.
Why not treat guests to personalised mini goodie bags? Or plan ahead and bring a couple of bottles of champagne? We can help you arrange delivery of an online supermarket shop before your stay if you’d like to pre-order drinks and nibbles for your weekend. The bride will most definitely feel like a princess if her drink is chilled and ready to sip on her arrival!
5. Get the guests in on the bridal action
Everyone loves a good wedding, and if the ladies on your hen do get to feel like they’re part of the big day in some way - even better. There are so many ways to get them in on the bridal preparations. Hold your bridal make-up or hair trial during the weekend so they can help you choose your wedding look, or order some samples of edible wedding favours to test out. You could even have a group pamper session by hiring a beauty therapist for the day so everyone can have a massage without having to leave the cottage. Bliss…