This is a guest article from our friends at Truly Experiences

If you’re at that age when it seems like every friend, cousin and their hamster is getting hitched, I’m sure you’ll agree – boozed up, wild hen and stag dos are getting old very quickly. The penis straws are kitsch, the ass-exposed waiters are degrading, and the hangovers just aren’t worth it.

Luckily for you (and your liver), there are plenty of unique party ideas to celebrate your mate who’s about to get married. Workshops are an excellent way to have fun, get to know the rest of the bridal party, and pick up a new craft, all at the same time. What’s not to love about that?

Take your pick from these some somewhat quirky, but still unbelievably fun hen, stag and sten ideas that’ll be a total hit with everyone from the conservative Gran to the crazy out-there best friend.

Mixology Masterclass

This workshop is for those who want to get a little loosey-goosey, but not by knocking back shot after shot of tequila. 

Learn the sophisticated art of cocktail mixology in a hands-on cocktail workshop. An expert mixologist will show you and your pals the ropes on how to mix and match exciting ingredients to create your tipple of choice, in a fun and informative environment.

With the plethora of trendy bars dotted around England, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to what kind of concoctions you want to create. Smoky molecular mixology, the vintage classics, or even indulgent chocolate cocktails! 

The best part of this crafty activity? You get to take home the knowledge of how to whip up a fantastic cocktail at home, or even at the wedding. Cheers to that!

Practical Leather Course

Get some leather action going at your sten do. And no, we’re not talking about a kinky leather whip.

A unique idea, discover the art behind creating artisan leather goods. Both ladies and men will relish learning the bespoke skill of how to design and craft their own leather bags or accessories.

As a special touch, have everyone’s leather goods engraved with the bride and grooms initials. It’ll be an extra special party gift that they can take home to remember such a fun event and such a special couple.

Design a Terrarium

Terraria are all the rage these days. They’re trendy, a home decor must-have and give you a chance to show off your green fingers without owning a garden. No idea what I’m on about?

A terrarium is a chich glass vessel housing plants and soil to create a miniature ecosystem. You’ve probably seen them hanging in trendy cafes and restaurants, or even bought them to decorate your home. But have you ever made one from scratch?

Learn to design, plant and sustain a lush miniature indoor garden at a hands-on terrarium workshop. Discover how to wiggle little plants through thin bottlenecks and make them snug with charcoal, stones and soil to create a low-maintenance and on-trend biosphere. You could even use everyone’s terrarium as part of your wedding arrangement centerpiece, decorating your guests’ tables with the mini gardens they made themselves. Hen do and wedding table decor – two birds with one fun stone!

Photo by Mong Bui on Unsplash

Photography Workshop

Get the gang together for a creative, inspiring photography masterclass. Stopping at the most photogenic spots in the city, everyone can try their hand at being a professional photographer, releasing a creative side they never even knew they had. With guidance from a professional photographer, you’ll learn how to capture the love and friendship between the bride, the groom, and their friends and family. 

If someone proves to be particularly talented, ask them to step up as the wedding photographer on the big day. Personally knowing the person who took your wedding photos makes them even more special.

Chocolate Tasting, Making and Racing

Science has spoken – chocolate is good for you. It has high levels of antioxidants, may reduce heart disease, and could improve brain function. Oh, and it tastes bloody delicious.

Indulge in some sticky, sweet fun with a private group chocolate tasting masterclass. Savour luxury handcrafted chocolate and cocoa-based confectionery under the tutelage of the chocolate experts, discovering the tasting profiles and ingredients of different chocolate.

Of course, you could always make your own chocolate! In a bean-to-bar workshop, crush roasted cocoa nibs to produce a special chocolate paste, and then get hands-on knowledge on the art of tempering. The result is your very own chocolate bar.

For the competitive chocoholics, there’s the Chocolate Street Challenge hosted by MyChocolate. In this fast-paced deliciously sweet activity, have the lads compete against the gals in a chocolate-infused sten treasure hunt around London. It’s a race against the clock to solve a series of clues, uncover hidden items and capture specific photographs for those elusive bonus points.

DIY Bridal Bouquet and Flower Centrepieces Workshop

It’s no secret that weddings are expensive. The venue, the dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the decor; it all adds up. So why not use the help of the wedding guests to cut back on your flower and decor budget? We promise they’ll have a bunch of fun too!

This brilliant creative hen do activity is something everyone can get involved with. Guests will love expanding their floral arrangement knowledge, adding their personal touch to the wedding decorations. For something even more creative, spend a crafty afternoon making unique paper flowers to be used in the bridal bouquet or as part of the table centerpieces. Because they’re made of paper, they’ll last forever, serving as delicate memorabilia of your special day.

Online Cooking Class By International Chefs

Are the bride and groom foodie fanatics? They’ll be bursting at the seams with excitement knowing their hen and stag dos involve cooking their favourite international cuisine. Pasta from Italy? Sushi from Japan? Tapas from Spain? Learning how to create these dishes authentically doesn’t require an expensive flight ticket across the world.

Take everyone on a global culinary journey with an online cooking class hosted by an international chef from your destination of choice. In the comfort of your kitchen, you’ll discover fascinating facts about the culture of your chosen cuisine and learn how to prepare a meal from your choice of gastronomical style. Naturally, the event culminates in an unforgettable dinner party of homemade international dishes and a glass of wine.

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

Great Group Bake Off

Instead of the traditional “high tea” for just the hen do guests, turn up the heat with a battle of the sexes in a Bake Off sten do. Lads against lasses, spend a fun-filled day recreating the Great British Bake Off in with a white lawn marquee, competing for the prestigious ‘Star Baker’ honour. Guests will have heaps of battling it out to discover which of the sexes trumps in the baking department. After a fast-paced, sugar-coated day baking up a storm, end the day with an afternoon tea featuring each team’s baked masterpieces.

Screen Printing Workshop

Inspire creativity and do something totally different with a crafty printing workshop. As well as teach you the basics of screen printing onto fabric, these fun and informative classes offer the opportunity to create a personalised screen printed design and work with beautiful linen fabric. Create bespoke cushions or napkins that you can use at your wedding, adding a personal touch to your reception decorations. It’s the perfect creative day for sharing with friends and family.