Weddings

In just two and a half weeks, we’ll be jetting off to Marrakech with 11 of my best friends for my hen do!! It’s come around so quickly, and I can’t believe we’re going to be there so soon. My matron of honour, friends and mum have taken on the burden of all the planning, which has been a huge weight off my mind with the run up to the wedding stressing me out. It’s fun being in the dark and not knowing what we’ll be up to!

Planning a hen party isn’t easy but it’s really fun – I planned one for my best friend a couple of years ago. Keeping the bride and all the bridesmaids happy along with ensuring it’s the best experience EVER can be a little intimidating. I found it hard enough planning a hen locally, let alone planning one abroad, so I couldn’t be more thankful that everybody has pulled together to throw me an epic hen. I really have the best friends.

If Marrakech isn’t your jam (no idea why it wouldn’t be! 😂) then there are tons of other destinations that are perfect for a hen holiday. Whether you’re inspired by Kate Moss’s hen party on the Isle of Wight or are after a wild themed hen do in London a little closer to home, it’s time to get planning. So if your friend has a taste for all things fancy, here’s where you can host a celebrity-inspired hen do for your stylish bride-to-be.

Mexico

No time to siesta, it’s her final fiesta! Bustling cities, fantastic weather plus beachfront resorts reverberating with fun and glamour rank Mexico right at the top of celebrity hen party destinations. Mexico is one of the most popular party places in America with a rich culture and art.

The stunning and the beautiful bride-to-be can relax at the country’s stunning beaches and lagoons. You can also plan photo shoots for the bride-to-be around the pyramids of Tulum and Chichen Itza. The notable must-visit attractions are the Mesoamerican ruins, colonial cities, nature reserves and cultural festivals.

Julianne Hough’s hen do was one for the books of Mexico. Hough’s BFF Nina Dobrev, Cindy Crawford, and other friends mad the most of their hen weekend in Cabo San Lucas. The girls went out to the beach for a morning workout session and sunbathed before the party night.

Miami

Who’s ready for the beach? The most populous county of South Florida, Miami is one of the hottest spots to host the ultimate fling before the ring. The beautiful beaches and Cuban-inspired eats make Miami one of the most fantastic hen party destinations.

Apart from the incredible nightlife, Miami enjoys a vibrant and rich culture that is influenced by population from all around the world. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Miami include the South Beach, Lincoln Road, Bayside Marketplace and Downtown Miami. The Art Deco District in South Beach is famous for its beaches, historical buildings, nightclubs and shopping. It is best for a relaxing, fun-filled hen weekend!

Coleen Rooney took her close pals away for a spot sunbathing in Miami. The bride to be and her hens spent the weekend lounging in the sun and partying in the Florida beach resort.

Las vegas

Las Vegas Hen Party is the definitely the best way to wave goodbye to the single life. Las Vegas does everything bigger and fancier than any other city in the world. For the bride-to-be who wants to blow off the steam in the celebrity style, the Sin City is definitely the entertainment capital of the world.

Las Vegas has an amazing nightlife. The Bellagio’s club, Hyde Bellagio, offers a range of hen dos to make your night memorable. Even if all night clubbing isn’t your thing, you can consider a sophisticated dinner at the Society Café, Encore. It is only in Las Vegas that you can ride a roller coaster at the top of a hotel in the middle of the desert.

The singer, Rihanna organised an epic hen do for her best friend Katy Perry in Las Vegas. She hired Cirque du Soleil, one of LA’s top acts, in keeping with the theme of Katy’s wedding.

Hen it up!

If your best friend is getting married and you can send her off into the married life by planning her hen do with ultimate style. Deciding for a hen do destination where you can party like a celebrity can be tricky. So, if you were confused about where to host the hen do or about how to live up to the expectations of a stylish bride, then you can choose from the above ideas and be rest assured, it’ll turn out to be the best party.

Every bride wants to look like they just stepped off a Florida beach on their wedding day. However, you might need some help if it’s a winter wedding or your skin just doesn’t retain the perfect tan like you want it to.

Instead of stepping into the harmful UV rays that accompany a tanning bed, try an alternate solution to get the perfect glow. Here are five ways to get the faux tan you’ve been looking for before your wedding day.

Bohemian wedding dress from Grace Loves Lace

1. Airbrush Tan

An airbrush tan is a bit more invasive than a spray tan. While that might seem like a potential downside, it leads to a more even and custom colour than a spray tan. The colour gets custom-calibrated to your skin tone so your technician can create the best hue for you and contour your muscles to give you a well-defined look.

Try to book an appointment for an airbrush tan a few days before your wedding, or a week before if you’re super busy. This is the most expensive option, so you want to ask questions and make sure you’re going somewhere with plenty of experience. Like spray tans, you should try to exfoliate beforehand to make your tan last longer. Moisturize as well, since fully hydrated skin retains your tan for longer.

2. Spray Tan

Gone are the days when spray tans left you with an orange glow that made you look like a Halloween decoration. Today’s spray tans are quick and easy and leave you with a nice even tan for your wedding day. You strip down, apply some lotion, step into a booth and finish up one or two minutes later. A spray with a bronzer leaves you with an instant glow, while the regular spray works in about four to 12 hours.

It’s important to note that you should exfoliate before your spray tan to smooth out any rough areas of skin that could lead to uneven colour. Before getting into the booth, make sure you apply lotions to the places you don’t want to look too dark, such as your hands. Start the process about a month before the big day to make sure you get the exact colour you want. Take a few days to wait between each session so you can decide if the tan you have now is good or if you want to go a shade darker.

French Girl Organics Sea Polish available from Anthropologie

3. Tanning Lotion

If you don’t want to travel for your tan, you can use a self-tanning lotion to create the perfect shade at home. Every product is different, so make sure you test different tanning lotions before choosing the one you want to use on your wedding day.

You can choose to apply the tanning lotion, or you can talk to a friend or a technician to see if they will do or offer the service. Just make sure that whoever applies it doesn’t apply a small amount. If you apply only a little product, you could end up with streaks. Use enough tanning lotion so it goes on smoothly over your skin. Your body will only absorb a certain amount, so there’s no way to use too much of it.

4. Tanning at Home

You can do any of these faux tanning options at home. More and more technicians are offering at-home services, so you don’t need to leave the comfort of your house to get a spray tan or an airbrush tan. There’s also the option of doing your tan yourself. This way, you know exactly how much you’re using and can control the shade you want.

This option is inexpensive, since one bottle or tube will work through several applications. You can choose a shade that’s a little lighter than you want and reapply it every couple of days before your wedding. Make sure you use a gentle body scrub in the shower, and then use moisturiser on the parts you don’t want to get too tan. Apply an extra layer on parts of your body that you want to contour with a tanning mitt.

5. Facial Oil

Don’t forget about your face! It’s easy to go through the entire tanning process without adding a little colour here. Talk to your technician about the best option for keeping a glowing tan on your face during the wedding. However, in many cases, you can use a facial oil that’s designed specifically for your face and stays on for a while. Just make sure you choose something that won’t come off if it gets too wet.

Start Early

The key to any faux tan is to start examining your options well before your wedding day. Decide what kind of a tan you’d like and call around to see what products and options people recommend. No matter what you choose, you’ll be a glowing bride full of love on your big day.