I don't know if it's my age (hurtling swiftly towards my 30s) or just that marriage has seemingly become popular again, but this summer more than others I found myself at many weddings. Granted, a few of them were for business (events coordinating) but mostly they were for pleasure, and boy oh boy, do I love a good wedding. What is better than a celebration of love, a selection of friends and family, free-flowing bubbles, and generally a decent meal and dancing? Not much.
Hens/stags
Before the big day there's the important question of the hen's night, and I've been keeping a close eye on the trends (and quizzing all my friends about the ones they've been to this summer). Generally speaking, there appears to be a move away from penis straws and strippers (maturity perhaps?). A bit more of a focus on nice food and wine means vineyards are very popular, as are BYO affairs in a hired space. Weekends at the beach are also good, if not a little costly, especially the week before a wedding. As much as one might avoid the veil and the sash, dressing up the bride still seems to be something that has to be done.
It's slightly classier though - think 1950s housewives, day of the dead floral headbands, or lei's around the neck. Dance classes are popular but can be expensive and awkward, cocktail making sessions make for a fun night for all ages, and an outrageously outfitted drag queen serving dessert in lieu of a stripper was also a highlight of recent hens. And as long as the hen is happy (and oh, have I seen some tears) then hopefully everyone else is.
The stag do stories I've most recently heard have involved nudity, fights, and cheap beer. Enough said.
