Hen celebrations have moved on from being just one night of partying. Your hen celebrations are the perfect way to have a long girls-only weekend break with your closest friends.
If you can’t decide how to celebrate getting married with your girls, having the whole weekend means you’ve got the time to do a bit of everything! You could book an apartment in the city, go out for brunch, book an experience like an interactive show or a trip on the river, and head out to the bars in the evening.
If you still have some planning and shopping to do before the big day, why not start your weekend off by trying on dresses, sitting front row at a bridal catwalk show, getting expert advice from skin care and makeup professionals, and lots more, all with a glass of bubbly in hand!
The perfect start to your hen weekend:
Adding The National Wedding Show to your list of activities will make your hen weekend a fun and memorable trip for your closest gal pals.
Your bridal party will be able to help you choose everything from table decorations, to that surprise honeymoon suit and spa day you’ve been wanting to book for your other half. As the ultimate one-stop wedding planning destination, The National Wedding Show is perfect for if you want your Maid of Honor and bridesmaids to help with the big decisions and you can’t find multiple weekends when you’re all free.
Plus, if mum isn’t so keen on the ‘going out-out’ night that you’ve planned, she can still have that time with you and the girls to really feel involved in the celebrations (and she can finally decide on a hat!).
What’s on at the show?
At The National Wedding Show, you can visit hundreds of top bridal boutiques, jewelers, makeup brands, cake companies, photographers, party services and more. When it comes to the mammoth task of choosing bridesmaids dresses that everyone loves, there are hundreds of suppliers and changing rooms where the girls can find the perfect compliment to your showstopper gown.
If you book VIP tickets, you can head to the VIP Lounge and indulge in a glass of bubbly provided for by the exclusive drinks partner of the show whilst flicking through the show guide to plan your day. Once you have planned what stands you’d love to visit, head to the catwalk stage to see the latest bridal trends from the biggest names in the bridal world.
When you’ve explored the show in either Birmingham or London, and you’re ready to hit the town to celebrate your new purchases and bookings, it’s an easy commute to restaurants, bars and clubs from both of the show’s locations.
Where to head after the show:
London ExCeL
If you’re thinking of heading into central London for a big night out, the ExCeL show is the perfect place to get in the mood to celebrate your engagement with just a short trip on the new Elizabeth Line to all the best restaurants, clubs and bars in London. The incredible transport links from this venue means getting to Chelsea for a Michelin Star meal, or to a vibrant night out in Soho is easier than ever.
NEC Birmingham
If you have decided to hit the major city of Birmingham for your hen celebrations, the NEC is the best place to start with amazing transport links into the center so you don’t need to think about parking and driving. Why not go all out and book you and the girls in for a night at one of Birmingham’s top hotels just a short distance from the NEC. The city is full of incredible restaurants and rooftop bars and, of course, a great club scene.
