Let’s throw ourselves back to a year or two ago… Newly engaged couples were excitedly beginning preparations for one of the most important and special days of their lives, searching through glossy bridal magazines, building beautiful Pinterest boards, visiting their favourite florists and sipping on champagne at stunning bridal dress boutiques. Of course, back then we were all blissfully unaware of what was to come. Since March 2020 (I can’t quite believe it began almost 10 months ago now), it is safe to say everybody’s worlds have been turned upside down, people were asked to wear face masks, stay inside and stop seeing those we are closest to. On top of all this, couples received the devastating blow that the wedding they’d been planning for months, if not years, could no longer go ahead, this has had a rippling effect on suppliers, planners and venues who have had to deal with the impact on their businesses.

With all of that being said though, I have witnessed something I can only describe as truly incredible, against all odds I have seen our industry fighting to be able to provide their services, suppliers growing and developing to ensure they adapted to the circumstances that they found themselves in, adjusting to ensure they continued to offer their clients the very best service and bring their couples dreams to life, even if it wasn’t quite what they had anticipated. Couples have also been so strong throughout this period, with the hashtag #loveisnotcancelled being shared nearly 100’000 times on Instagram, despite everything that has been thrown at them, they’ve really shown that love conquers all. It has been amazing to be a part of a select few weddings still going ahead at the moment with between 15 and 30 guests (depending on when the wedding took place), the magic and the atmosphere was certainly still present on the day. Actually, a few couples admitted it was so calm, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable being part of a micro wedding.

Another adjustment that brides are having to face is how to have their Hen Do when we aren’t allowed to mix with other households… Well, that is where I am stepping in, I planned a Virtual Hen Party back in September which was actually so much fun and I wanted to share with you some ideas that may help you make the decision on planning your own.

Let’s start with decor, everyone wants an Insta worthy setting in which to host and Fabel and Moon offer the perfect solution. The lovely Sophie offers many packages to suit every occasion and right to your door too, from balloon garlands and accessories to tablescapes and props, she has everything to ensure your event looks outstanding!

You can find out more about Sophie at What We Do | fableandmoon.

Want to try styling yourself? There are lots of places you can purchase great quality items such as eBay and Amazon. My top must-haves are:

• Balloon Arch

• Flowers (Stunning artificial stems can be found at Berrys and Grey or you can choose a local florist such as The Botany House)

• Crockery such as pretty plates, cutlery and glasses like the Porto Stoneware Collection | Home Collections | The White Company UK

The decorations don’t have to stop with there, how about getting yourself and your bridal party dressed up for the occasion? Glitter Bar | UK | Norfolk | Diss | Face ‘n’ Glitz provides beautiful DIY Glitter Kits which can be delivered to the whole group so you can all sparkle your way into your Zoom call. Tutorials are available to those who purchase too so don’t panic if you aren’t sure how to apply!

Now that you have your decorations perfectly planned, it is time to think about food and of course, no Hen Party would be complete without a few cocktails. Lets Graze East Anglia | Catering Norfolk | Event Catering provide delicious spreads of both savoury and sweet treats, it is a great way to make every member feel inclusive, even if they aren’t spending it at the same location. These platters come ready prepared so all you have to do is serve.

Another way to bring the group together is by at home Cocktail Making with Mix Off – Bar ready cocktails delivered to your home. With lots of varieties to choose from they have something to suit every taste and boxes start at just £30.

Now for the fun part, lets get down to planning the activities…

Who doesn’t love to get up, get moving and dance like no one is watching? Every celebration wouldn’t be the same without it and hey, you may even want to pull the routine you’ve learnt out at the wedding reception to impress all the guests. Dance With Sophie | Dance Teacher | England offers her classes via Zoom/ Skype and builds a routine to suit your preferences, you choose the song, she takes care of the rest. Sophie really is a fantastic teacher, she breaks the dance down into manageable sections to allow each participant to learn and when the group has picked it up, she’ll record it for you! Prices start from just £25 so this is a really fun and affordable activity.

For those gin lovers, how about having a cocktail making party with HOME | Smoke & Wildwood (smokeandwildwood.co.uk), they offer a package which includes your very own bartender (who will attend via Zoom) who will talk you through the history of cocktails whilst you sip on a complimentary prosecco and play an introduction game, you’ll also receive a cocktail making kit containing everything you could possibly need such as a cocktail shaker, small bottles of ingredients to make 3 cocktails, a snack and hen party goodies! What more could you need? This package starts at £40pp excluding delivery.

If you have a group of Makeup enthusiasts why not book yourself in with a Makeup Artist to have a Virtual Masterclass? These classes can be a way of connecting with the MUA you have booked for your wedding day or trying out another favourite. Most of the time you can tell the artist what type of look you would all like to focus on for example a gorgeous smokey eye or learning how to master a winged liner. Whatever look you go for, it’s super fun and you might even learn a trick or two!

No Zoom party would be complete without a quiz, these can be as fun and cheeky as you like. There are many quizzes you can play such as:

• How well do you know the bride? Printable Hen Do Game – How Well Do You Know the Bride? | Party Delights Blog

• Couple Mr and Mrs (This will require questioning the groom to be prior to the party and seeing if the Bride can match his answers)

So there you have it, my Virtual Hen Party inspiration! I really hope this helps those who are still continuing to go ahead with their wedding to have an amazing event despite the circumstances. I would absolutely love to hear if you have found this useful and if you have booked with any of the wonderful businesses mentioned!

All the best

Stephanie X