Add some fairy dust to your hen party

A new workshop from Betty’s Birds, one of the UK’s growing hen parties and events companies, offers hens the chance to indulge into some self-love before the big day. The ‘My Fairy-Hen Mother’ workshop is great fun mixing creativity, craft skills and well-being - perfect for making the bride and her maids feel loved and pampered!

Boosting brides' confidence 

Betty's Birds was launched in 2015, by Bristol based artist, Beth Nicholas, who has a real passion and understanding of the modern bride. Her latest addition to the Betty’s Birds portfolio aims to boost brides' confidence: “As females we tend to air on the negative side when it comes to talking about ourselves, whether it be image, intellect, or achievements."

"The ‘My Fairy-Hen Mother’ workshop is designed to encourage some self-love and well-being, ensuring brides are filled with complete self-confidence before they start a new and exciting chapter of their lives. Like the other workshops we run, it maintains a  creative element, with wand making, glitter and candles included for starters", she adds.

DIY hen parties 

Indeed,  Betty's Birds really spoils brides with activities ranging from customising pieces such as French knickers, bras or corsets, making fascinators, headdresses or garters, as well as lessons in vintage hair and make-up, and even hula-hooping. 

There's no doubt that the demand for alternative and creative hen parties will soon match that of DIY weddings. “To date the Betty’s Birds brand has been extremely well received with bridal parties from across the UK looking for something alternative and creative to do in celebration of their hen do”, shares Beth.

In celebration of the launch of its new ‘My Fairy Hen Mother’ workshop, Betty’s Birds is offering an introductory discount of 15% per person, when booking for a minimum of seven people.

Details 

Betty’s Birds

W: www.bettysbirds.com

E: betty@bettysbirds.com 

Girls' nights in and boys' nights out at Aztec Hotel & Spa

When it comes to providing everything you need for your wedding, Aztec Hotel & Spa doesn't stop at offering a venue, menu and decorations. Going well beyond the call, Aztec has created packages for hen and stag dos that will make planning easy for bridesmaids and groomsmen, and will be a lot of fun for the entire bridal party.

Girls' Nights In

Beginning at £90 per person, per night, Aztec offers a stay at a stylish 4-star hotel for all your bridesmaids, and provides everything you could need for a cozy night in: goody bags, use of their extensive spa facilities, a supper of nibbles and finger food, and a selection of chick-flicks and popcorn. What more could we ask for for the perfect night in with the girls?

Read about all their different packages and options here: http://www.shirehotels.co.uk/short-breaks-and-offers/girls-night-in

Boys' Nights Out

Contrary to the title, these offerings would actually suit stags OR hens. Aztec puts on a variety of tribute nights throughout the year to suit every taste and style - ranging from a Take That tribute night, to a Motown night, a Dirty Dancing night, and even a Mamma Mia night! Each tribute night includes a 3 ouurse meal, half a bottle of wine per person, and many of the evenings end with a disco! These packages start at around £38 per person.

For more information, visit: http://www.aztechotelbristol.com/default.aspx?code=1-9766, or call the Events Team at 01454 201 090.

Fashion Friday: Fifties-inspired

For once we're turning today's Fashion Friday from focusing on wedding guests to members of the wedding party - namely, bridesmaids.

In recent years we've seen trends for bridesmaids' dresses branch out into vintage, eclectic, mixed-colours, casual, trousers-and-shirts, and just about everything non-traditional. While there's much to be said for the non-traditional, there's also a lot to be said for a throwback to a simple, flattering, A-line dress cut (which, as a bonus, still hearkens of 'vintage' for those of you still wed to that trend). An additional benefit of the A-line cut is that its simplicity allows you to play more with colour and patterns without causing too much distraction for the eye.

To convince you, we've rounded up four of our favourite A-line, fifties-inspired gowns for the modern bridesmaid. Enjoy!

Fifties All The Way by westweddings featuring a black dress

Find us on Polyvore at Polyvore.com/WestWeddings.

Twinkle, twinkle

We here at West Weddings are a bit like magpies. We love bright, sparkly, pretty things, which is why we love new specialist boutique Bridezillas.

For brides searching for the perfect accessories, Bridezillas is definitely set to become your new favourite shop. With tiaras, jewellery, shoes, gifts and more on offer, this bridal emporium is full to the brim of beautiful trimmings to make your day even more special.

Bridezillas is the brainchild of Amanda Davis-Harrison and came about after she was making arrangements for her own wedding. “I spent far too much time trekking around department stores, high street shops and searching the internet for the right accessories. It was then that my dream of Bridezillas was born. I want to give brides a wonderful experience and provide them with somewhere they can bring their maid of honour and bridesmaids to relax, have fun and take time to try on and choose their accessories,” says Amanda.  And Bridezillas provides just that. For the full special experience, brides can even book a VIP appointment and benefit from having the entire shop to themselves and the undivided attention of Amanda and her capable staff. We love the idea of having the time and privacy to browse to your heart's desire - a great way to ensure you end up with just the right accessories.

Bridezillas is found in Keynsham, ideally placed between Bath and Bristol. Stocking designers such as Amanda Wyatt, Ivory & Co and Fifi, you'll definitely find something to treat yourself with!

West Weddings giveaway! Win a pair of stylish Rollasoles

Ever been on one of those nights out when your heels, no matter how good they look, start to become unbearably painful? You used to have two options: struggle home with chafing feet or risk going barefoot. But with the arrival on the scene of Rollasoles those days are long gone!

 

Bristol-based Rollasole provides funky flats that roll up into a small ball. Put them into your bag or pocket at the start of the night, and then as soon as the heels start to grate, slip on the Rollasoles instead!

When it comes to weddings, Rollasoles are a complete lifesaver. After all the Champagne, dancing, photographs and general merriment, change into a pair of Rollasoles to make sure your heels don’t cramp your style. Rollasoles would also make a fabulous gift for your bridesmaids – buy them all a pair to make sure they can keep on partying alongside you! And with celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Hayden Panettiere snapped wearing theirs, you'll be in good company!

Rollasoles are available in a range of colours including gold, silver and the newest addition, leopard print, meaning you can match them to your outfit. Each pair comes with a free bag that you can roll up around the Rollasoles when you’re not using them. You can also use it to put your heels in when you change.

So, where do I get these wondrous shoes I hear you cry? As well as being sold online at www.rollasole.com, Miss Selfridge is also pleased to announce it has become an exclusive stockist, both in store and online at www.missselfridge.com.

Now here at West Weddings we like to treat you well, and today is no exception. We have a pair of gold Rollasoles to give away to one lucky reader. They are in medium size which fits feet sized 5-6.

In order to enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below by midday Friday 26th August, saying hello and why you read the West Weddings blog. The winner will be picked at random from these entries. (Sorry, UK entries only.) Good luck!