mrs2be.ie

[funfunfun]

Hi all,

I've set the date for my Hen, it's in a few weeks time and I chose Dublin to keep the costs down for as many people as possible. My guests are a real mixed bag and range from 25 to 50. Some are from work, some friends from school and then my sister's and sister-in-laws - most have never met each other before and I'm absolutely bricking it!!!!! My BM is going to organise it, but I need to help her out. I just don't know what to do that will suit every-one ???? My worst nightmare would be that we sit down to dinner and you can hear a pin drop. Only thing I'm definate on is that we can all dress up to the nines, so no theme. Is a pole dancing lesson really tacky? What are you views on naked still life drawing? I don't want it to be tacky, but I don't want every-one to be bored to tears either. Help me please.......

[MrsA2be]

Don't be worrying about people not mixing with each other, I've been to A LOT of hen nights over the last few years and everyone always mixes, they are there for a good time so are going to make the most of it.
Personal opinion but I would hate a naked still life drawing but that's just me. If I was doing a pole dancing lesson I would most definitely want a few drinks beforehand to build up the courage

[mrsmccormack2b]

Hey funfunfun....firstly remember it's your hen night so you have to be happy firstly with what you're going to do! If you're really worried about the meal you could do up a table plan and put people who are lessy chatty with some who are more chatty. You could always do a game of some sort, put people into teams which would get people talking too!

If you wanted to go down the route of a lesson of some sort you could do a burlesque lesson rather than pole dancing if you wanted to include those who are less able to swing round a pole if you know what I mean!!

Also you could make the theme Sex in the "City" cos your doing it in Dublin & that'd be the dress code then, dolled up to the nines!!

Hope that helps xxx

[funfunfun]

Thank you !! I'll skip the still life then, I was a bit cringy about that myself as I don't have the strongest stomach I hadn't thought of the burlesque option - good compromise. What are you doing for yours ? or have to been to any particularly memorable hens???

[bingowings]

Went to a hen recently where we had a cocktail making class. We had a brilliant time and more importantly so did the bride. It was like yours a mix of all types and ages and it suited everyone. Also went to another hen to a place call Boda Borg in Roscommon. It's like a crystal maze type of thing where you go into different rooms and solve puzzles raging from mental to physical to very physical activities. It was great crack but it might not suit some people. Again it was a mix of people where half and half knew eachother so the bride put us into groups with people we never met and it was a great way to get to know everyone and helped later on at dinner too and we all met up again at the wedding and it was like we were friends for ages!

One last thing - you're never going to please everyone so make sure it's a night for you to remember and love and don't worry too much about others. You are the hen and they should be worrying about you!

[lady-in-waiting]

Hi Funfunfun,

I have organised quites a few hens in the past two years (5 altogether !!), even though I was not a BM - I just seemed to get roped into doing it !
I have never had a Hen where people did not mix even though they might be from completely diverse groups. A drinking game followed by a team game always worked. for example the 'I never ' game followed by a naughty pin the tail on the Donkey !!
I have also organised a burlesque class and a 'Paint a nude class'. The success of either class hangs on your instructor, if they are fun, explain a little about what they are going to do, willing to have a giggle with the girls etc...
The Burlesque was good but the room we had it in the house we were staying in and it was way too small - all the girls couldn't fit in room at same time so we had to take it in turns !!
The Paint a nude class was a real giggle !! but they give you two hours and really it could easily have been wrapped up in 45mins !
No matter what you choose it will be good fun, everyone there makes an effort to have mingle & Chat, and I have often had events roll on without my help with very funny consequences.
Good luck !

[never2be]

there is a thing in dublin called the ghosttour or ghostbus where they show you around dublin at night maybe this would be an option ? its organised by dublin bus

[stick]

there is a thing in dublin called the ghosttour or ghostbus where they show you around dublin at night maybe this would be an option ? its organised by dublin bus

or the viking boat tour.

[lady-in-waiting]

Yes, Viking Splash tour is great fun !! but not well suited if it rains !!! The bus is partly 'open top'.
I got soaked last time !!

[funfunfun]

Yeah, I've always wanted to do the Viking Splash thing. Thanks a mill for all the ideas - guess I just need to get over panicking about it and just get into it and enjoy

[sweetie1]

Once there's a few drinks involved people will mix. I think the cocktail making is a great option, noone gets wet, ye can still be dressed up and everyone can partake - even if there's non drinkers there'll be virgin cocktails.
I'd no activities for mine, we just went for an early meal and then out for the night. I'd the same worry, we were in a private room for dinner...but once the vino was opened there was plenty of chatter & laughter! Then onto a few pubs and we'd an area and a few freebies arranged in a nightclub - this was great as it meant we all got into the nightclub together - people didn't get separated and there was somewhere to sit (which may be important for some in your group). I'd a great night and don't think I'd change a thing. You'll have a great time being out with all of your girlfriends on one night. And they'll enjoy it too and they'll know more people for the wedding, so everyone's a winner

[funfunfun]

Hi all, have decided to go for cocktail option, seems like the perfect solution and everyone gets really boozed up. Cheers for all that.