Zoe Brakes Costume Designer: "I caught the bouquet"......The next Bride............

Hens at the Ready!!!!!!

My wonderful sister and maid of honour Yvette, caught the bouquet at mine and

Dans wedding, shortly after her wonderful boyfriend proposed..............

This was the maid of honour who had put a tremendous amount

of effort into both my hen dos, and so I was to repay the favour.

Birmingham and Portsmouth are her chosen venues.

These had to be the best Hen Dos I could muster up.

And this post will tell you just what I have in mind.....

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The Invites

My vintage Luggage tag theme continues throughout most of my work,

And this design is no different.

I think they make a really effective invite idea......

Little reminders of dates and a rough ideas of the plan, so the girls know what to expect/pack/bring etc. I'm aware the plans may change at this stage but believe a pre-warning works wonders when you are organising an event for lots of people!!!

The two plans on separate tags to clearly state the plan for each event.

Decoration is key...

The envelopes to match the theme.....

Lets hope they can all make it :) .....................

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The Organising

Where to begin.......

My first port of call was to concentrate on the nearest Hen do, Birmingham, and plan a blinder!! What the Bride likes/dislikes and expects from her own special send off. Now I have the upper hand here being her twin sister!

Yvette is a classy girl who doesn't crave the tacky pink girls on a mission to get wasted (personal choice obviously as the 'last night of freedom' is done to suit the bride), that said, a willy straw, Bride to be sash, and copious drinks are not off the menu, however they will be manipulated into a sophisticated treat. Places you would USUALLY go are OFF the menu, treat yourself, splash out, ching a glass of prosecco over a dare for the Bride!

Something different, something different, something different......hmmmmm......

Ah....since when do you go to a murder mystery night/ replay silly games from your childhood/ go to fancy expensive bars/ pamper yourself????? At a Hen Do is the answer :)

The same goes for Portsmouth, different guests but same Bride, needs to be new and non repetitive. Holding 2 Hens means ideas need to be flowing. Research the area, the bride and activities available.

Ok....when do you do a BBQ/ treasure hunt/ pub crawl/ classy restaurant come bar/ and spa??? again a hen, with difference.

Now to the planning.....Im a natural designer, its all about the decoration, the costumes, the food and the presentation..................

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Birmingham

FRIDAY

Murder Mystery dinner party

Alice in Wonderland Theme

The room was equipped with cake stands, tea cups, balloons, playing cards and food.....

I hereby welcome you to your Alice in Wonderland Murder Mystery dinner party!!

*Key to successful Hen is a Surprised Hen. After setting up the room and getting into costume we shocked the Bride to be with an activity she would NEVER expect!

Goody Bags for the hens

Bring and share food (always good to give a rough idea as to what each Hen should bring to avoid duplication).........and FYI homemade goodies go down a treat.These (above) choccy treats are made by my lovey sister Sarah.

Triangle sandwiches, teacakes, cupcakes, scones, crudites hmmm yum!!!

The costumes (based on Tim Burtons film) were definitely created to shock and impress the bride to be.....hers was waiting in her room with instructions for the evening and her secrets she must share in the murder mystery game!!

Presenting, myself your host and victim, The Queen of Hearts....

My wonderful sister and possible suspect, The Mad Hatter.....

And the Bride to be as Alice.....

All together we looked impressive and as though we belonged in a dreamworld!! Perfect

Queen of hearts, Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee, Blue Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat.

Ladies and Gentlemen......The Bride to be

Ladies and Gentlemen.....The guilty one, White Rabbit how could you!!!

SATURDAY
Silly games
Prosecco Picnic
Meal and Mailbox

If you're lucky enough to have a Mum like mine,always invite them to the Hen!

My mum prepared a really impressive feast, and the picnic in the park was such a laugh-win win I say!

Game time.....egg and spoon race, three legged race, and dress the Bride.........

.....False start,definitely a false start!!! :)

Dress the Bride

This wedding themed game is ideal for a bit of competitive fun. Split yourself into two teams and pick another 'Bride' to dress. All you need is toilet role and maybe even foil...its all about the detail :)
Then just make the best wedding dress you can....most successful dress wins!!!

Yvette being dressed

Katy being dressed

veils and tiaras...all in the little details...

Votes Please.............

Bring on the willy straws, novelty head gear, sashes, and dares.......

Night out with good food, classy bars and stunning Hens :)

SUNDAY

Its always nice to end the weekend with a relaxing Sunday to catch up and laugh about the night before, Pub lunch was our choice of hangover cure and catch up.

Cheers!!!!

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Portsmouth

FRIDAY
BBQ and Drinks

Good food, good drinks, good food good laugh.
Can keep parts of the Hen casual,breaks up the weekend nicely and gives travelling hens time to get there.

A good accompaniment to BBQ food and any good Hen is of course jelly shots!!!

SATURDAY
Treasure hunt
Bar crawl
Restaurant come bar

In the day its nice to have a focused task, something to create conversation, especially good if some hens don't know each other!!! A Treasure hunt allowed us to get to know the area better too!

Photo evidence of our findings......

Answer 1

The church Yvette will become a Mrs in next weekend!!

How many thumbs on the man with no center?? answer- 1

Searching....searching.....time for a drinks stop me thinks......

.....A suitable breakfast for a hen I think. Bellini and Pimms...oh ok!
When any activity is over or phases out always have another time filler prepared...Pub crawl does well in places well equipped with pubs......we 'pubbed' our way home.

Now to get ready for the next surprise....

Bubbles are a must for pre drinking gatherings, even if its drunk out of a plastic cup :)

WATERMARK Port Solent, Portsmouth
Our fantastic waiter and the hens!
*would definitely recommend this place!

Bride to be all Henned up :)

Bring on the challenges/games/laughs

A man's sexual anatomy from found objects....(one of many) 1pt

Shameful....BUT worth 5 points no?? :)

FORGET FLING FOREVER......who's your forever??

A few antics and challenges caught on camera......because its all about being silly and daring!!!.....

dance hens dance

H.E.N :)

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THE WEDDING

05.04.14

My job wasn't quite complete...last minute jobs needed my attention, and making sure the Mrs and Mrs to be were relaxed as poss and well fed...a good breakfast to begin the day before the wedding prep is a must!! That done, jobs finished, rehearsal attended and a dinner with friends and family to get all excited for the big day........yaaayyyy cant wait!!!

From invite to day itself...