Not all hen weekends consist of pampering, slapping on make-up and going out on the town in a pink limousine. Today, ladies are looking for a challenging hen adventure weekend, to test their wit and strength. Women are opting out of the traditional house wife lifestyle, with the new generation looking for success and power. So, if you’re up for a challenge, organise a hen adventure weekend in Newcastle and grab life by the… err, balls?

You have probably witnessed over the past 15 years, lots of couples exchanging their stereotypical identities and many women are becoming known as the alpha female. The ladies are landing high profile careers, while the men have taken on the house husband duties. The rise of the metrosexual has seen the pampering weekend grow to become a stag do favourite.

Men may have accepted their new found femininity but it’s the women who have relished in the male world. The hen adventure party is increasing in popularity each year and proves that women are fed up of sitting around discussing the wedding.

A hen adventure party in Newcastle could consist of activities that really get the adrenalin pumping. Paintball is a great combat activity for all those Lara Croft types that love nothing more than running around shooting guns. Paintballing is a fantastic way to release some of that pre-wedding tension, and if you’re the bossy sort you can execute some complex military strategies that you’ve been planning for the last couple of weeks. However, most just try and shoot their best friend in the head, so it ruins her new haircut. Either way, you will enjoy a unique day out.

Once your overalls are off and your friend has washed the paint out of her ruined hair do, you can start the real competition, by getting over to a race track. Jump in a 45mph kart and burn some rubber like you’re Ms. Lewis Hamilton. Hopefully, this part of the hen adventure weekend won’t have you pulling each other’s hair out because one of the girls has cut you off at the first corner.

Now that the hen party is back to being friends and the adrenalin is still pumping, it’s time to wrap up your weekend of adventure. Hen groups feeling energetic could try their hands at a spot of rock climbing. Scaling a rock face and reaching the top will give you a sense of achievement and satisfaction that only a hen adventure day out in Newcastle can provide. You won’t be climbing Everest and you’re not the late, great Edmund Hilary (the first guy to climb Everest), but this activity is good for all the girls to get together, exercise and enjoy an unforgettable day out.

If you decide on a hen adventure weekend and don’t know where to start, have an events company like eclipseleisure.co.uk arrange the whole thing for you. Eclipse leisure provides a superb range of packages for all hen parties interested in adventure activities.

So when you get home from your hen adventure weekend, still covered in mud and bruises, don’t be surprised if your fiancé wants to show you his fantastic manicure and tell you how relaxing his Indian head massage was.

Elton John chose London as his hen party destination, a city to live up to his infamously lavish tastes. London’s possibilities for the ultimate hen do are mind-blowing; the capital has so much to offer that you cannot go wrong organising the most memorable hen weekend or even a one night hen party in London.

London is packed full of great shows and first class entertainment that no other city in the world can contend with. Your London hen party options will leave you struggling to decide. You will want to cram everything into your hen bash, but unless you intend on having a never-ending party, then you will have to narrow your choices down. From shooting clays to shooting your own pop video, the range of hen party activities is vast.

If your London hen party doesn’t include a supersize club then consider London’s vibrant evening comedy circuit that hosts the top comics on tour. Escape the wedding-plan mayhem with a deeply indulgent pampering package at a luxury hotel or some of the finest leisure clubs in London. Hen parties can relax and enjoy a fabulous facial, so that all you have to worry about is the behaviour of the opposing stag party!

A London hen party is perfect for all shopaholics as the capital is home to a variety of shops that range from incredibly inexpensive to the fabulously extravagant. Your London hen weekend could kick off with a purse emptying spree along Oxford Street or head to Camden Town for some vintage attire.

Eclipse Leisure can help you choose, arrange and organise your ultimate London hen party, so that you can just show up and let the Big Smoke take you on a whirl wind extravaganza of fun and excitement. Your London hen weekend will certainly be a memorable one and if you’re lucky you might just meet Sir Elton yourself (waxwork, of course).

The Irish certainly know how to relax and enjoy the finer things in life and that is why many hen parties in Belfast are pampering themselves to a peach-perfect beauty, before they walk down the aisle.

Hen groups are certainly trying out the more adventurous activities for their last days of freedom, but you can’t deny that a full day of pampering and being treated like a princess is a must for any bride-to-be. You and the bachelorettes can indulge with a facial, manicure or massage, the list is endless, so go mad (in a relaxing way).

A pampering hen weekend in Belfast could be exactly what you and the girls need before your brain swells from the stress of putting together a fabulous wedding. 

The last few weeks of choosing floral arrangements, getting hold of that perfect dress and keeping your useless fiancé in line has probably produced a few grey hairs. The only possible solution to reverse this process is a full day of detoxing and relaxation.

Belfast is home to all sorts of pampering venues, with top of the range facilities that include spas, holistic therapies, detoxing treatments and everything else that makes you look and feel eighteen again.

The pampering hen weekend can be a fantastic way to recharge your batteries, so you’re prepared for any wedding mishaps that arise.

As we all know, the stag and his cronies are likely to head off to a few pubs and clubs for a raucous weekend of drinking and headaches; whereas you and the girls can enjoy the best of both worlds by going out and partying the night away and then, the following day, proceeding to your pampering paradise for a day of extreme luxury.

The pampering packages available at Eclipse Leisure are perfect for all those hens looking for a deep cleanse, so contact the hen team and get booking.

When you get back from your weekend of pleasure, you will undoubtedly feel a million dollars, while your groom will probably feel a million tiny hammers tapping his head.   

Choosing a best man is a dilemma for any groom. This important role requires organisation, punctuality and stacks of responsibility. Do you have anyone in mind? Well, before you decide consider the new breed of best man that’s emerging: the female best man.

Yes, nowadays the groom is opting for a female best man to take on the vital speech and crucial stag do. Now fellas, we know what you’re thinking, the best man should always be your best male friend, but take a second to think of the positives of having that special lady (no, not that one) by your side at the alter. Women are often more reliable, their organisational skills are often better and let’s face it, the real reason you’re hiring a woman is she’s probably less likely to organise a stag do where you end up tied to a lamp post naked.

 Recently, wedding traditions have morphed to suit the bride and groom’s personal tastes. If the groom’s best friend is a female, why not have her as the best man; regardless of tradition. However, as this is a relatively new trend in wedding etiquette, problems have crept in. For example, what do you call her? Best woman? What does that make the bride? Another common obstacle is what wedding attire is appropriate. If she wears a fancy gown, will your auntie sitting in the cheap seats be able to tell her apart from the bride?  This could also cause the ultimate wedding no-no, outshining the bride.

 Hopefully, this hasn’t put you off, because in reality these are just minor details that can be avoided with a little communication and compromise. After all, this is your big day and you can do what you like.

 So you’ve thought about it long and hard and you’ve made a decision. Your best man will be a woman.  Now to get this thing rolling, firstly sit down with your new appointed best man and explain in detail what you are expecting from her. But be careful not to overwhelm the poor girl; don’t forget she probably never thought this opportunity would arise.

Send her in the right direction by suggesting a chat with an experienced best man for inspiration, she may be a lady but there’s know harm in asking the guys for tips and ideas.  You must make her feel comfortable in her role by letting her know that she can come to you if anything is bothering her, for instance, arranging the all important pre-wedding bash for the stag and his friends. This will be, as you can imagine, a daunting task for your best man and will need plenty of input from you and your pals.

 Clarify what you expect the stag night or stag weekend to include, but don’t dictate the event as your best man will feel you don’t trust her.  If she’s a close friend she will know what you like and dislike, so make suggestions but let her lead the way. She can quite easily arrange fantastic stag packages and stag activities through Eclipse Leisure, who will organise and arrange the perfect stag weekend so your best man can concentrate on other matters.

 Last but not least; you must have complete and utter confidence in your best man, so think carefully and choose someone you are comfortable with. This is your wedding and you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons.      

 Congratulations, you’ve made a great decision in choosing this wonderful lady to be your wedding sidekick; and just think you were considering your slightly alcoholic friend who’s renowned for losing his keys (not to mention his marbles) and turning up late.

He may be a good buddy, but when you look back at your wedding video you don’t want to remember the moment your best man stumbled through the doors, threw up on your mother-in-law and passed you a hula hoop in place of the wedding ring.

Taking the hen party out to a European city is perfect for those with a sense of adventure, and can be just as affordable as a weekend break in the UK. Here we bring you a choice of popular destinations and some great ideas for keeping the girls amused while you’re out there. Remember: what goes on tour stays on tour!

 1) Go-Karting in Amsterdam

When you’re revving up at the mini Grand Prix with between 10 and 40 petrol engined go-karts, who says boys have to have all the driving fun? These toys go up to 45mph, and leave everyone with a full tank of adrenaline. Once the champagne’s been spilt then it’s off to the luxury hotel (you can choose your appropriate level of decadence from a wide range of accommodation options) for a delicious dinner and an evening spent carousing the night away in several of Amsterdam’s infamous night spots. There are no shortage of bars and night clubs so this is an easy choice for the hen weekend organiser!

 
2) Sailing hen weekend in Galway

Out on the water on a summer’s day you’ll feel a million miles from your cares and worries. Under the expert supervision of a crew of able bodied seamen, you’ll take to the high seas for an unforgettable day’s sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. Later on, set course for Galway’s thriving club scene where you can regale the locals with tall tales of your adventures on the high seas. Your VIP entrance has already been arranged so you can party in style or head back to the late bar at the centrally located hotel, where a full English breakfast is also included.

 3) Pampering and Partying in Ibiza

Ibiza represents the pinnacle of party pleasure on the planet. No other destination can top it for sheer decadence, superstar DJ line-ups and clubbing excellence. So when you add a day-long programme of pampering and relaxation in a fully equipped leisure club, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve died and gone to heaven! Your 3 or 4 star hotel with swimming pool is located a short walk from San Antonio, and provides a perfect retreat after the night’s excesses.

4) Skiing in the French Alps

For the more adventuresome hen party, a 2 day break on the pristine slopes of Alpe D’Huez in the French Alps is a very affordable yet spectacular alternative to the more traditional cheesy hen weekend options. Your group will stay in well appointed self-catered apartments, all of which boast panoramic views. The skiing is excellent, with good snow conditions throughout the winter season and remarkably good off-piste trails too. Access to an indoor ice skating rink and a heated outdoor swimming pool gives you plenty of options for après ski  relaxation.

5) White water rafting weekend in Krakow

 An exhilarating ride down the rip-roaring rapids of a Polish river is one sure way to get the adrenaline pumping and the hens screaming for more. The full complement of safety gear is included, but we know no safety belt can hold you back from the night of partying that awaits you afterwards in one of the biggest clubbing capitals in Europe! You can tailor your accommodation options to the size and budget of the group, and all local transfers are included.

Top 5 hen weekend ideas

Summary

Planning a hen weekend or hen night can be almost as nerve racking as walking up the aisle yourself. This article gives 5 great ideas to get the party started.

Planning a hen weekend or hen night can be almost as nerve racking as walking up the aisle yourself! The bride has entrusted you with taking the girls out in style one final time – and she’s hoping you’ll make it a trip to remember. To help you decide what to do, here’s a selection of the best hen nights and hen weekends we’ve found.

1) Pole dancing lessons

Curious to find out why this new trend in hen nights has become so popular? Or maybe you’ve always fantasised about letting out the risqué performer in you? Trying this out on a hen weekend is bound to be a giggle – plus you’ll impress the lads no end with your new found skills to tease and tantalise when you all get back from your hen weekend away.

2) Pampering Paradise – Madrid

A classic girlie hen weekend, with the added excitement of a trip to one of Europe’s top clubbing capitals! The sheer indulgence of being spoiled rotten at a luxurious spa with steam room, massages and Jacuzzi before hitting the best of Madrid’s late-night club scene keeps this city high on the hen weekends most popular list.

3) Model Make over experience

Ever fancied yourself as the next Kate Moss? Take a peek inside the glamour business for a day and be transformed by professionals from inside the industry. Each guest on the hen weekend gets a mini-makeover and a glass of wine while the queen hen enjoys the full model makeover experience. Then everyone is given a complimentary photograph and spends the rest of the hen night looking drop dead gorgeous!

4) Adonis Cabaret in Brighton

Brighton’s legendary tongue-in-cheek hen weekend show goes down at the Babylon Lounge on the seafront in Hove. Describing themselves as “Dedicated to Hen Nights”, the hunks in trunks (celebrities from Footballers wives, Eastenders and more…) give V.I.P treatment to the hen queen, while the rest of the girls get up to all those unruly hen weekend antics.

5) The Orb fun run in Brighton and Nottingham

New Zealand… the nation that brought you Bungee Jumping has now come up with an even crazier idea: The Zorb. This hedonistic hen weekend activity is best tried on day one before any serious hen night drinking has been done! You’ll have a ridiculous amount of fun hurtling down a half mile of hill in a bouncy inflatable sphere, with enough of an adrenaline buzz to keep you up for the full night of clubbing that completes this high powered hen weekend.