If you are looking for ideas to celebrate your last night of freedom, you should choose something memorable as it's a great opportunity for you to get your best friends together for a big pre-wedding night out or weekend away!
Hen and stag parties are bigger and more adventurous than ever with many brides and grooms-to-be looking for original ideas prior to a perfect send off before married life begins. These are challenging times, of course, but there’s a plethora of activities to choose from that you may not have thought of such as go karting, quad biking and cocktail making as well as spa days, party boats or a good old-fashioned nightclub.
Here’s some great businesses catering for hen and stag parties based in Essex from places like Colchester, Harlow, Southend, Chelmsford, Grays, Braintree and Clacton, whom you might want to get in touch with...
Don't forget to mention An Essex Wedding magazine when contacting a hen and stag party organiser.
Congratulations on your engagement, and now the decision-making begins. Amongst many, of course, is 'where shall we have our wedding ceremony and reception?' With over 100 couples a year deciding to have one or both at our fabulous Kings Oak, we have tremendous experience in organising the 'perfect day' for you and your partner.
Luxury pre-wedding get together - the British Grand Prix
Be closer to the action while enjoying more access, more entertainment and more style than ever before with MATCH Hospitality's FORMULA 1® official hospitality offering. MATCH Hospitality offers an incomparable combination of first-class facilities, unrivalled viewing and seamless service worthy of this breathtaking sport. For the first time, Hilton Garden Inn (the world's first Grand Prix start/finish line hotel – owned by Bricks Group) Silverstone is offering an exclusive hospitality package designed with flexible group sizes in mind, including unforgettable views of the track accompanied by incredible hospitality.
Posted: 7 June 2023
Want to say 'no' to being a maid-of-honour? Here’s how!
Being a maid-of-honour or even a bridesmaid can be hugely exciting and a big honour, however, it takes responsibility, a lot of time, money and energy, all dedicated to making someone else happy. So if you really don't want to be a bridesmaid, plucking up the courage to turn down an invite might seem like a nightmare. A new survey from Ginger Ray which seeks to answer some of weddings' trickiest questions reveals that almost two-thirds (63%) of Brits think it was acceptable to say no to being a member of the wedding party based on the financial burden and additional responsibilities it poses.
Posted: 31 May 2023
Browns launch champagne bottomless brunch
This month, Browns Restaurants will be adding a Champagne bottomless brunch to their signature weekend menus, as part of this year's festivities to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary. From Friday to Sunday until 2pm, guests can enjoy free-flowing Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne, alongside signature brunch dishes such as Browns Lobster Benedict, a satisfying stack of Pancetta Buttermilk Pancakes, Smoked Salmon, Smashed Avocado, Garlic Mushrooms on Sourdough and a variety of classic egg dishes. Alternatively, opt for more substantial dishes, like the Browns Burger and Chargrilled Chicken & Bacon Club.
Posted: 27 May 2023
How to throw a Hen Do on a budget
A typical spend for a Hen Do weekend can cost over £250 per person, taking a big chunk out of the wedding budget. Not only is this a massive cost for the bride, but it could also lead to members of the bridal party worrying about how they can afford such lavish expenses, which may result in them bailing out on the plans. Making arrangements in advance and planning activities ahead of time means both the bride and the party enjoy the celebrations without any falling outs. Sticking to local destinations or opting for activities like bottomless pottery painting over brunch are some of the simple solutions to saving money but still allow everyone to revel in the fun.
Posted: 19 April 2023
Abroad stag and hen dos not an option due to cost of living crisis
Couples planning stag and hen festivities this year may need to think again as Brits admit they would not attend an abroad celebration. Luxury fashion retailer Fenwick, has surveyed the nation to find out opinions on stag and hen dos, including the amount they'd be willing to spend and whether they'd travel abroad. Many people now take their bridal parties or groomsmen on holiday to celebrate their big day. These trips can often end up costing a lot of money especially if heading to popular destinations such as Marbella, Budapest or even Vegas which when the majority of the UK is being squeezed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, isn't something many can afford. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50.70% would refuse to attend a stag do abroad, preferring to celebrate closer to home in the UK.
Posted: 1 February 2023
New interactive feature to make hen and stag dos less stressful
A new randomised spinning wheel feature has been launched by Hen Weekends and Stag Weekends in an effort to make the planning process of hen and stag parties easier and less stressful. This comes as their recent study of hen and stag party bookings found that 30% of hen and stag party organisers have no idea which location to book, with so many different options on offer creating quite the predicament.
Posted: 23 January 2023
New hen/stag do offering in Stratford, London, March 2023!
Grab your #weddingsquad, it's time to get dressed up and put on your dancing shoes because Tony n' Tina's Wedding - the immersive hit Broadway show from America - is coming to London! This unique live theatrical experience - during which the audience and cast interact together during a 'live wedding' - will officially open at the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London on March 16th, 2023, and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think its got all the ingredients for the ultimate stag/hen or sten do!
Posted: 19 January 2023
Braintree’s Bar Number 92's new cocktail offering
Looking to hold a pre-wedding get together? Book Braintree's Bar Number 92, which has recently incorporated the Essex Cocktail Club into its premises. Both venues are available for private use, with Bar Number 92 hosting up to 40, while the Essex Cocktail Club can cater for up to 20. The high calibre venue has an extensive menu, with an incredible list of cocktails, with spirits from the Essex Spirits Company featuring heavily. There's a wide range of wines from New Hall Wine Estate to enjoy, plus an excellent cheese and charcuterie selection from the East Anglian region.
Posted: 10 January 2023
South Woodford’s Grand Trunk Road launches new menu
Now, following London's elongated summer period, Suri and his Head Chef, the reputed Iqbal Ahamad, are launching two festive menus rich with warming flavour, expertly prepared and perfect for enjoying across the darker evenings for a pre- or post-wedding get together. Their Dawat Menu is a three-course delight boasting Spicy & crisp Tilapia Fillet with Carom Seed, Gram Flour and Chilli and Lamb Leg cooked with Creamed Spinach, Whole Spices, Onions and tinged with Fresh Ginger. The Shahi Dawat Menu is designed exclusively to blow minds; a six-course feast including Supreme of Chicken marinated in Cream Cheese, Garlic, Black Pepper and Cardamon, Fish with Tiger Prawns & Scallop in a mild Coconut Sauce with Curry Leaves and a beautiful Chocolate Indulgence with ice cream.
Posted: 30 November 2022
Top tips on how to save money on a hen-do
Hen-dos provide a great opportunity to bring together your nearest and dearest for pre-wedding celebration and excitement. However, with many brides now opting for more exotic or expensive locations for their celebrations, the cost of a hen-do can quickly add up. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to make savings on your upcoming hen-party: Take advantage of drinks packages – Nightclubs are synonymous with hen-dos, however entry and drinks can get pretty pricey. Venues will often offer discounts on pre-purchased drinks packages so it's worth checking what deals you can strike before getting there.
Posted: 21 September 2022
