In fact, we’ve put together some fantastic options for our daytime-loving hens that’ll ensure you’ll have an absolutely wonderful time without feeling the pressure to party all night…

1. Chocolate making. 

Indulgent, delicious and the perfect way to create both memories and edible hen souvenirs! You’ll start your session by learning from your expert instructor the history of chocolate and chocolatiers, and you’ll then get to delve right in and make delectable creations!

2. Life Drawing

Quite cheeky and super crafty our life drawing class is ideal for any daytime hens looking for a bit of fun! During the session you’ll receive expert insights and tips on how best to draw your model, and at the end you’ll be able to compare pictures!

3. Inflatable Games

Loaded with fun and fantastic memory-making our inflatable games are one of the most popular hen activities we offer and provide fantastic feedback every time! Jump giant hurdles, run up slippery mountains and climb crazy walls with this wacky, amazing experience!

4. Pampering Day

Time to relax and unwind before the wedding planning really takes heed? Treat all the girls to the ultimate pamper session- a day at the spa is the perfect way to get all the girls involved, include some well-needed relaxation and learn some skills from expert beauticians!

5. Ringos

Strap yourselves in for this fun watersport- you and the girls will be in inflatable rings pulled along behind a speedboat! Ringos are a great way to add an unusual element to your weekend and make some hilarious memories!

And yet more fantastic news is that if it’s just a daytime activity you’re after then we’re more than happy to help sort that out for you- we’ve got a fantastic range of activity-only ideas and packages waiting and ready for you daytime ladies! Here are all the GoHen activities – have an explore and book the girls a fantastic time!

My name’s Ian, I’ve been compiling various lists, blogs, articles and insights into fancy dress one way or another for ten years now, and something that I have noticed when it comes to the world of fancy dress, regardless of the event or use of the outfits, there’s a common requirement by a lot of people. “I want something different” she said in her tweet before I sent her a reply containing a link to a Mona Lisa painting fancy dress costume (yes it really does exist). Like this one, lovely lady’s request on Twitter, there seems to be a growing demand for costumes that are as far from bunny girls, nurses and French maids as you could wish to imagine.

Chances are that in finding this post you’ll be looking for a fancy dress theme that’s a little more unique, a little more original than say superheroes or Moulin Rouge. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with those fancy dress themes, they’re great ideas, but quite a few people do already opt for them for a hen do fancy dress theme. Here I’m going to suggest five different themes that are somewhat askew from the norm. One for each finger and thumb. One for each day of the week it rains. One for each man that can maintain eye contact while you wear a sheer panel dress. One for each hair on Patrick Stewart’s head. I’ll stop …

Before we start I’d like to impart one single piece of advice. If you have been awarded the task of organising the hen party weekend and you’re looking for inspiration, treat the job like buying a really good gift, ask yourself ‘what would she really want?’ and attempt to make it something the bride-to-be would want, make it about her and keep her as happy as possible. Chances are she’ll never smile again following the honeymoon, so make it count!

Safari

I’d like to think that most people are keen on animals, and I don’t mean in a Muppets or Charles Bronson kind of way. safari costumes offer an image of the bride’s friends all decked out in animal fancy dress such as zebra, cheetah and parrot costumes.

When you think of the group of ladies that’ll be attending the party would you compare them to cute and cuddly animals, the kind that you might discover during an overland wildlife discovery? No comparing the mother-in-law to a rhinoceros, we’re above that here.

You could get everyone to come as a safari animal that resembles their personality, assign a colour of animal or have each person pick an animal based upon certain characters of the alphabet. This could indeed prevent everyone being dressed as a leopard. If you ‘d rather everyone was wearing the exact same outfit pick something that is available in a range of sizes and falls somewhere between modest and revealing to keep everyone happy.

The safari theme is playful, fun and relatively easy to organise.

90s

With each and every decade that passes we get treated to another ten years of characters, time-specific fashion statements and faux-pas’. 90s costume fancy dress would make a nice choice of hen party weekend theme if you are keeping it low key at a Butlins retro weekend or even if the lady to be wed grew up in the timeless age that brought us Saved by The Bell. Think Spice Girls, Ninja Turtles and grunge.

I guess we’d consider this option one for the fancy dress purists. 90s costumes are generally character driven . Like I’ve already mentioned, becoming a Ninja Turle isn’t everyone’s idea of an ideal hen night costume, but to the right person it would create costume combinations that will lead to a really great night out.

Peter Pan

Even though Robin Williams tried his best to ruin the character, chances are that most people are at least familiar with Peter Pan in its most basic form of story and will remember it fondly from youth. Peter Pan costumes as a hen do fancy dress theme is actually way more engaging than you might think. Imagine all those Tinkerbells’ tinkering about on the dance floor, it would make for some cool photographs.

It would be wrong to assume that everybody loves Disney, but, at some point during childhood you must have wanted to become a fairytale princess or Disney character? Now here’s your opportunity to revisit childhood.

Members of the party could dress as Captain Hook and Peter Pan, however, what would really be cool would be the entire group clad in fairy costumes, the air filled with fairy dust, wands tapping each other mid-air and wings balanced delicately upon backs. It just produces images too cute to mention.

There’s a pretty diverse range of Tinkerbell fancy dress costumes available to buy today ranging from official licensed Disney costumes to generic fairy costumes that just happen to look the part. Either way, Peter Pan is definitely a little different.

Egyptian

This is a personal favourite of mine as far as hen do themes go. When you picture Egyptian costumes in your head what do you think of? Mummies right? There’s actually way more options to explore, think of Cleopatra, glorious Egyptian gowns and, alright, mummy costumes!

Egyptian is a unique theme that’s perfect for the summer month(s), long nights that’ll be spent inside or an exotic location where it’ll be warmer. A chance to show off a little skin and really invest time on hair, nails and beautiful Egyptian style makeup, I feel this is one where you can really apply effort and just make everyone look utterly divine.

If everyone is to wear a Cleopatra costume, the great thing is that there’s so many different designs and styles available that you can keep everyone happy. From shockingly slutty to demure and classy, whether you shop online or from your local costume shop there are perfect costumes for the drunken shameless friend or the conservative mother in law, and everyone should be happy.

Harry Potter

If the bride to be is a massive fan of Harry Potter why not treat her to what she really wants? Of each of my suggested hen do themes, a magical Hogwarts hen party would be desired by not just anyone, for the right person however, this could be a truly momentous occasion where her closest friends all decked out in Harry Potter costumes would be a very special moment indeed.

This one is more of an opportunity for a conservative theme, as far as the official Hermione Granger costume is concerned anyway. One of the biggest concerns about fancy dress seems to be the length of skirts, on this occasion it wouldn’t be an issue at all. You’d be able to wear regular clothes underneath, which does appeal to many people.

A geeky theme, this would give you the chance to accessorise heavily! Think along the lines of glasses, magic wands, scars, brooms and wigs. Harry Potter party materials are also readily available so if you’re organising a party too you’ll have no issue gathering decorative materials to set the scene.

This is a guest post by Ian Tomkins from Jokers’ Masquerade fancy dress. In his spare time he writes best man speech jokes, eats cupcakes and searches for a perfect purple haired woman on Plenty of Fish. He once gate crashed a wedding in Cape Town and has never been invited to a hen party.

Why not do something different on your hen night and where better than in Edinburgh. Will you and your hens be able to solve the deepest mysteries of the capital? The murder mystery includes drinks on arrival, a superb 3 course meal and then the killer will strike. All you have to do is find out who the murderer is and you will have the girls discussing for hours into the night!

If the murder mystery isn’t for you, there is plenty of other entertainment for you to do – be chauffeur driven in our fire engine limo, enjoy a night cruise on the riverboats or gain VIP entry into many of the clubs in the city.

Not sure what to do during the daytime? Don’t worry about a thing, Edinburgh has a variety of activities for you to explore. Whether its white water rafting, cheerleading lessons, high ropes course or a more relaxed afternoon at the spa for a facial, massage or pedicure, Edinburgh offers highly trained professionals who will take care of your day and guarantee the girls have an enjoyable time.

Of course a visit to Edinburgh wouldn’t be complete without the traditional Scottish Highland Games, a tour around the distillery’s or a master class in wine tasting. The best thing about visiting Edinburgh is that you can choose as few or as many activities as you like.

For an unforgettable Edinburgh hen weekend away all you need to do is choose your activities and entertainment and let us organize the rest for you – find out more about the fabulous city here.

With perhaps the biggest day in your life coming up, you want to look at your best and getting that hair style right is crucial. But, knowing where to look for a great stylist, and more importantly, what to look for, can be a tricky business. When you’re choosing a salon or stylist to create that magical look you’re after, the criteria are somewhat different.

Never forget it’s for your wedding

Ha, I know this sounds silly – how could you possibly forget? Well, you’d be surprised how many brides go to salons or stylists that they’ve been going to for years but who don’t specialise in wedding hair. Wedding hair is its own unique category with different rules and different standards. My advice is to only go to somewhere that understands this and places almost as much emphasis as you.

When hunting for something truly exceptional, go somewhere that delivers truly exceptional.

Know your style

Having a firm idea of what you’re after will help tremendously when making the all important decision of who is going to be responsible for your head. Love curls? Look up people who specialise in curls.

I know it’s difficult to have a firm idea beyond “make me pretty!”, but if you can, have a good think first and at least narrow down the different areas,

Don’t be afraid to travel

It’s unlikely you live in the area with all the best hairdressers, so if you are after the perfect look, you may have to broaden your options. Some salons may not be able to do home visits (though a home visit is ideal!), but don’t be put off. Remember what the end goals is (outshining the bridesmaids and your younger sister): put the effort in and you’ll be rewarded with many jealous stares!

Read reviews

Makes sense, right? Have a good dig around online to find all the sordid little secrets the salon might be hiding – customer reviews are very much the best way to gauge the competence of a company. But, just because there’s a bad review doesn’t mean that the salon isn’t the right place for you.

If someone is dissatisfied with a hairdresser because they didn’t get their colouring quite right, consider whether it’s colouring you’re after. If not, what’s the worry?

Have a backup plan and leave plenty of time

Ah, planning – the best part of any wedding to be sure. Get up super early and have your hair as the first thing done. If something were to go awry, and let’s face it, it always does, you have plenty of time to have it sorted out.

Make sure you always have a contingency plan, like having a family member or friend who can step up in an instant. Maybe hats even become involved after a certain line is crossed. Alternatively, have your local lady hanging by at a moment’s notice (without offending her too much for having gone with someone else in the first place!).

The loved-up pair headed to St Michael and All Angels Church in Hathersage, close to where they both grew up. The Olympic medallist donned a stunning Monique Lhuillier wedding gown as she walked down the aisle, a gown with a majestic ruffled skirt and floor-length veil. In her hand was a beautiful bunch of cream and pink roses.

Creative director at Browns (where Jessica purchased the dress), Caroline Burstein, told Vogue, “The dress had a simple, sporty top, with a dropped waist and a tulle ruffle skirt. The top was very flattering to Jessica’s athletic body but remained feminine and romantic at the same time. Jessica was a wonderful bride to dress. Monique captures what a modern bride is looking for, her dresses are feminine, soft and romantic but her collection allows each brides individuality to shine through.”

Around 100 guests attended the ceremony and hymns included Love Divine and To God Be The Glory; when the couple emerged from the church the Beatles classic All You Need Is Love was playing.

Jessica and Andy met when both attending the King Ecbert School in Sheffield and they’ve been dating for eight years. He proposed to her back in 2010 (on Christmas Eve no less!) but the wedding plans had to be put on hold while Jessica trained for the London 2012 Olympic Games- and after an incredible performance there finally had the chance for the wedding of her dreams.

The Office

If you like gin (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t), The Office is the perfect place for you. With 25 different varieties of gins behind the bar, including some firm favourites as well as a few more exotic recipes, there is something for everyone. In a casual pub atmosphere, you can sample some of the world’s finest gin, eat delicious Thai food and, in warmer weather, enjoy the cute garden out the back. Plus, it’s located in the heart of the North Lanes; close to the centre of Brighton and in a particularly trendy area.

Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

For a venue with a unique personality and an abundance of cool art supplied by local artists, head to Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar (yes, that’s really its name) for refreshing slush puppy cocktails, quality bottles of bubbly, a fun atmosphere, and some great disco tunes to dance along to.

Bohemia

Aimed at the over 25 crowd, Bohemia is the leader of the mature and sophisticated pack when it comes to drinking hotspots in Brighton. The roof terrace is home to a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Roof Garden complete with astro turf to invoke the feeling of being at a society garden party and, inside, there’s the Champagne Late Lounge complete with booths, upbeat music, and ‘The Barman’s Table’. This historic sounding attraction is home to gin, vodka, rum, and champagne ‘experiences’; yes, that’s right, you can sample some of the leading brands and learn about their history. Group travel for a hen weekend is often hard to plan, but Bohemia offers the Champagne Late Lounge for hire complete with a personal barman who will shake up some delicious cocktails for you all evening.

Metrodeco

For a daytime drink, or for a morning-after-the-night-before drink, head to Metrodeco in the fashionable Kemptown area of Brighton. Described as a ‘1930s Parisian style tea salon’, you can sip a range of unusual teas with quirky names (‘The Devil is a Woman’ and ‘Some Like it Hot (and Cold)’ are just a couple of examples) against a retro backdrop of vintage furniture and crockery which are all available to buy should you like it enough!  For the ultimate Metrodeco experience, head there for afternoon tea and enjoy home-baked scones, petit fours, and a variety of other cakes all served up with a cuppa or a glass of fizz.

The Mesmerist

The Mesmerist is like no other club in Brighton and it is a firm favourite amongst the vintage-lovers in Brighton. Its slogan persists that you leave conventionality at the door before entering ‘the Lanes’ newest, absinthe inspired wonderland of the weird and burlesque.’ With a passion for the bizarre, you will never have a boring night in the Mesmerist as you move your feet to 20s music surrounded by entertainment that has been inspired by the dark arts; expect seductive burlesque performances, walkabout theatre shows, circus acts, and magic amongst many other weird and wonderful aspects. You’re going to want to stay late here, but don’t worry! There are plenty of hotels in the centre of Brighton for you to make your way back to after an evening of wild entertainment.

Author Bio: Lizzie is a writer who can’t seem to move away from Brighton and its laidback atmosphere and retro charm. In her spare time you can find her exploring cities throughout Europe, enjoying the outdoors, and drinking an obscene amount of tea. 

(Check out the whole infographic here)

About Shane Co:

Shane Co. is the largest privately-held jeweller in the United States. The Denver, Colo.-based company is a direct importer of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and pearls, and operates 20 stores in 13 states, as well as an online store at www.shaneco.com. Shane Co. is recognized in the industry as a price leader offering the finest array of customer benefits, including a Free Lifetime Warranty and a 60-day Money-Back Guarantee.

1. She’s getting married. 

Yep, that’s right, she’s already forking out a fortune on dresses and venues and rings and music and food and certificates and hairdressers and shoes and vicars and cakes and florists and favours and invitations and caterers. Therefore the cost to you is really just a drop in the ocean- be grateful that it’s just a tiny amount compared to the wedding costs!

2. She’ll be incredibly grateful

No doubt she’ll be absolutely touched that you’ve decided to split the costs of her attendance between you, and in turn making her feel happy will make you happy. When you see the big smile spread across her face as she realises she doesn’t have to give up on her dream band just to attend it’ll be totally worth it (promise).

3. It could double as a wedding gift

Unless you’re really good friends with the groom-to-be (in which case you should probably get a token present that’ll benefit him too) then you can get away with your hen party contribution being her wedding gift.

4. It probably wont cost as much as you think

With the average hen party costing £138 per person and the average amount of guests being 13 (figures cultivated from our own records) that means you’ll only have to fork out a tiny £11 each to pay for the hen. So really it’s not that big of a deal.

5. Your turn will come around!

One of the main benefits is that what goes around comes around! Give her her hen party place as a present now and when it comes round to you getting married you can have your own spectacular hen party which your friends might hopefully contribute towards!

Got your own thoughts on paying for the hen? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page

This striking, ironic idea was created by student Demi Barnes, 15, of West Sussex, who created this incredible gown from more than 1,500 sheets of divorce papers for her school art project!

Demi told ABCNews.com, “I wanted to create a wedding dress with meaning. For me, the dress represents that too many people rush into marriage and end up getting divorced. I love the irony of the idea.”

The paper creation took Demi two school days to create during her 10 hour art exam at Lingfield Notre Dame School. “It was mainly trial and error, being a very challenging piece,” she said. “I constructed the bodice with wire and then folded the papers (this was the most time consuming part) and stapled them on.”

Once she’d finished making the dress she posted pictures of the final product to her Facebook page to share with her cousin in Italy. The pictures went super viral following this, with more than 47,000 likes and nearly 1,500 shares! She’s even been approached by brides-to-be and major designers wanting to find out more about her work and enquire about her designing their dresses.

Demi’s headmaster Richard Bool told, “Demi’s wedding dress is the talk of the school. I am extremely proud of the work Demi and the entire art department have achieved this academic year. It is also a pleasure to see the power of social media working for a student in a positive and responsible way.”

The school’s Head of Art Claire David added, “Demi became charged, like electricity, when she has the idea for the dress. This was an incredibly ambitious piece and it took courage, patience and tenacity to see this through from concept to final piece.”

The wonderful dress is currently on display in the school (for safekeeping) but Demi might have different ideas for it, joking “My mum would like it at home but it’s not an easy thing to move around, and we’d probably need to remove the front door!”

Check out pictures of the incredible dress below:

Creating your own ring is easy (see here). You simply choose the cut, shape, carat and colour of the diamond that you want, choose a ring setting to put it in and voila, you have your ring.

Step 1.

Select your diamond.

Step 2.

Choose your setting.

Step 3.

View your finished ring.

Having created your style, you ensure that the ring is unique and special to you and you can work around your own budget. When buying any diamond, make sure you get the most for your money and do your research on the 4C’s.

The Cut:

The cut is the most important factor when determining value of the diamond. A good cut lets a diamond handle light well and emit sparkle. Grades of cut range from ‘Super Ideal’ to ‘Good’, ‘Super Ideal’ being the highest cut grade.

In a well cut diamond the light enters the diamond and is reflected from one side of the diamond to the other and back into the viewer’s eye.  This light is called the ‘brilliance’. In a poorly cut diamond the light ‘leaks’ out the sides or bottom of the diamond, rather than being reflected.

The Carat:

The Carat is the weight of the diamond. The higher the carat the higher the value and size.

Colour:

The colour of a diamond is graded by how ‘white’ the stone is. Grade D is colourless and Z has a yellow tint. The whiter the diamond the greater it’s value.

Clarity:

Clarity is affected by flaws known as ‘inclusions’ on or in the stone. Grades of clarity range from FL (flawless) to i3 (visible inclusions). The less inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable it is.

If you place an order with Diamond Manufacturers (http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk/) before 3pm you can have your items with you the following day, which means that you’ll have one less thing to worry about. And if whatever reason, you or your partner aren’t sure about the ring, Diamond Manufacturers offer a 90 days returns policy.