Planning the perfect bachelorette party can be a stressful business. Finding something within budget that will please hens and bride alike is not always easy, but after much experience I’d love to help you a bachelorette party that is anything but boring!

From the sophisticated to outrageous I’d recommend keeping it simple, but by adding a twist to traditional hen activities you’re sure to find something that has everyone enjoying themselves.

High-class high tea

Like I did for my bridal shower, a High Tea is a perfect hens activity. Take tea and cake to the next level and research the most sophisticated hotels and tearooms in your area for the best high tea. Finger sandwiches, cakes and scones, accompanied by a glass or two of fizz in a suitably luxurious setting is the perfect way to bring your hens together for a little indulgent fun. Orbit 360 at Auckland’s Sky Tower has to be a top contender here, as are Grand Windsor’s new high tea, or the recently rebranded Cordis (formerly Langham).

Weekend away

If you’re really pushing the boat out, then there’s no better option than a luxurious weekend away from home – whether getting out of town, or at a nice city hotel. If it’s dancing, cocktails, party games and brunch on your agenda and if you want to get all of this in one location then a glamorous hotel is probably the way to go, as my bestie and I did last year, recreating my Las Vegas bachelorette!

We spent a night away a central city hotel with gambling and cocktails – just like we had in “Sin City” itself. Just because you and your girl gang aren’t heading to the Mojave Desert, doesn’t mean you bachelorette should be anything less than a Vegas-worthy celebration.

Ski Weekend Away

Winter brides, or those that just love the snow, head away with the girls for a ski weekend. New Zealand is spoiled for choice: in the South, Queenstown is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crystal clear lakes while offering first class accommodation and scenery. In the North, just 4 hours from Auckland, Mt Ruapehu offers two playgrounds, Whakapapa and Turoa, as well as plenty of other exciting activities. Dressed in the cutest snow-bunny outfits, or rocking garish 80’s get-up from your local op-shop, hit the slopes for skiing and hot chocolates on the mountain by day, and sip on cocktails or mulled wine at night.

Up for a splurge? You could even take the girls in a helicopter ride to see the sights from above (and take instagram pics that’ll be the envy of every other bride-to-be)! A trip to Queenstown is incomplete without that Onsen Hot Pools shot, so submerge yourself in the hot springs spa to warm up. At the end of all of your action-packed days, sit by the fire roasting marshmallows, and recalling your best (and most embarrassing) memories with the girls. This plan will surely de-stress the bride and get her ready for the big day.

Concert: Get the girls together and go to a music festival or attend the concert of the bride’s favourite artist. Whether a two-day festival in the sun (relive your teenage years at RnV) or a local gig, a concert is sure to get you in a celebratory mood. Make it an unforgettable weekend by booking a hotel for the night too, the perfect spot for pre-drinks and the afterparty.

Road Trip: Just like when you were teenagers – blast the music, wind down the windows, let your hair down and just enjoy being together and the journey. Find cool stops along the way and plan fun activities at the destination – swimming, bon-fires, camping, cafes, picnics, local restaurants and attractions, even a scavenger hunt of the area.

If you’ve road-tripped in the past, take the bride on a trip down memory lane – visit the spots you all used to visit; where the bride had her first kiss (or her first Vodka Cruiser!). This could even be turned into a “guess what the bride did here” game as you travel back in time to relive the best of times with the girls, and share a couple laughs along the way.

Health Retreat: Starting the morning with yoga, healthy food made for you and ending the day with cooking classes and massages. Health conscious brides will love to be pampered with a relaxing retreat. Crave Fitness is a wellness weekend held in Taupo that focuses on de-stressing and keeping fit while motivating and challenging everyone. Great food, amazing accommodation and personal training and yoga suited to your guests are just some of the options.

Vineyard

Wherever you are in New Zealand, you’re never too far from great vineyards and views – not to mention wine. Whether taking the ferry (or the chopper) across to Waiheke Island, or road-tripping around Kumeu, Marlborough, Otago, or Hawkes Bay to name a few, lunch and wine-tasting is the perfect way to begin a classy bachelorette day out. Closest to Auckland, we’re heading to Villa Maria to do just that soon! Learn how the wine process works, or just taste them all while taking advantage of the beautiful landscapes.

Book a Bach? If you’re heading away, whether on a road trip or over to Waiheke on the ferry, why not make a night of it and book a bach for the night. This is what my gals organised for me last February, and it was an absolute dream.

So simple, yet so perfect, we spent the afternoon drinking wine and eating nibbles, had a swim at Waiheke’s Palm Beach, and continued the night with cocktails, games, and all sorts of other debauchery I won’t mention! If I was in charge of booking a hens weekend, I’d take the girls back to Palm Beach on Waiheke.

Sometimes the best ideas are also the most simple, and with a little forethought and planning, you can pull off the perfect bachelorette party!

There are thousands of other fabulous hen party ideas out there too, from cocktail making classes to dance nights and cooking lessons. With a bit of planning and plenty of Google searching and asking around, it’s possible to mix and match really well, helping you end up with a hen-party that will leave everyone feeling fab.

For everything else you have to organise, make sure you stay on track with the little white book wedding planner!