The changing face of the hen night

AS the average age of brides rises to 32, hen nights are toning down.

L-plates and willy straws could soon become a thing of the past, according to those in the know.

“Brides are older now than they used to be,” says Emma Maxwell, of Mrs2Be.ie.

“You do still get blow-up dolls and dare cards, but, in general, I think hen parties are not as ‘in your face’ as they probably once were.”

Brides-to-be Jennifer Aniston, 44, Elle McPherson, 49, and Sofia Vergara, 41, are older stars currently planning their last night of freedom.

Here at home, former Miss World, Rosanna Davison — who’s set to wed long-term boyfriend, Wesley Quirke, next summer — says she won’t go too wild before becoming a wife.

“I’m looking forward to my hen party,” Rosanna, 29, told Feelgood.

“I see it as a chance to get away with my best friends for some quality time, rather than a last hurrah.

“Nothing is planned, so far, but a long weekend abroad, with some relaxing lunches, shopping and clubbing, would be perfect.”

More than 21,000 couples tied the knot here last year, according to the latest CSO figures, with most brides-to-be opting for a prenuptial party.

“Getting married is something you’ll, hopefully, only do once,” says Emma Maxwell, “so most brides want to celebrate in style.

“For girls, the hen is seen as the official beginning of the big event. Whereas stags usually just jump on a train or plane and head to the nearest bar, hen parties are usually meticulously planned.”

“Girls are just as eager to celebrate their last night of freedom as guys,” says Dean Gammell, who runs HenIt.ie and StagIt.ie.

“Weddings can be quite stressful, so it’s a great way to blow off some steam before the big day.”

Burlesque dance classes, cocktail-making courses, and spa weekends are the more grown-up ways brides are being sent off by their pals.

“You do still get the girls with pink zogabongs and sashes, but I think it very much depends on the personal taste of the hen,” says Naoise McNally, of OneFabDay.com.

“Most friends know not to organise a stripper for a girl who wants a tea party, or force her to wear pink, fluffy everything if that’s not her.

“If she’s into raunch, go for it; if she’s not, it’s going to be tamer.”

Even former wild child, Peaches Geldof (24), who is married to musician, Thomas Cohen, said she was tucked-up in bed by midnight, after her hen party last year.

Describing the evening, the mum-of-two tweeted: “It was just a little dinner at a sushi restaurant with the bridesmaids and a few close friends, but was it nice to see everyone.

“I was given all manner of weird penis-themed items, in classic hen-do style, though, so, at least, we did that part right, even if the wild partying and male strippers were sadly absent.”

But going the classy route doesn’t have to be boring, says wedding planner, Olivia Buckley, who has just launched ‘wOw Weekends’ — bespoke, pre-wedding weekends for the hen and her chicks.

“Brides often say to me: ‘I don’t want any tack’,” says Olivia, founder of OliviaBuckley.com.

“Today’s young professionals usually want to have a nice, relaxing weekend, rather than going wild.

“For me, the pre-wedding weekend is all about giving the bride and her best friends quality time together before the big day.

“It can be an emotional time, because you’re leaving your single life behind.”

“Sometimes, if you go to a town you don’t know, you can end up queuing for nightclubs, and it gets messy,” she says. “But there are so many nice things you can do, apart from wearing L-plates and getting full of shots.

“For instance, we can arrange for you to spend the weekend at a beautiful manor house, with lots of cocktails, spa treatments, activities and even a photographer, so you can relax and have fun at the same time.”

Galway, Carrick-on-Shannon and Kilkenny — where Amy Huberman let her hair down before tying the knot with Brian O’Driscoll, in 2010 — are the most hen-tastic towns in Ireland, according to a survey by HenIt.ie.

Just over half — 54% — make a weekend of it with a two-night package.

With the average party-goer spending €113 on going away, and a further €148 when they get there, going on a hen isn’t cheap.

“Weddings are expensive enough without having to splash nearly €300 on a hen party first,” says Naoise McNally of OneFabDay.com.

“In the current climate, more and more brides are opting to have their hen party at home.

“I think you do a really good hen — with a cocktail-making course, dinner and nightclub — for around €50 to €80 per person.”

“I have found that some brides like to plan their hen themselves,” says Mrs2Be.ie’s Emma Maxwell, though it is traditionally organised by the maid of honour.

“They might give their bridesmaids certain tasks to do, but, on the whole, they are in control of who goes and what happens.”

Classy or brassy, though, unlike the hit movie, Bridesmaids, most hens will just be hoping their last hurrah goes without a hitch.

“Thankfully, I haven’t heard any disaster stories,” says Maxwell. “Although, I did see photos of an old friend on crutches, after her hen, on Facebook. “As long as the bride enjoys herself, then, that really is the perfect hen party.”