Hen and stag parties
They take place all-year-round and normally involve a large group of people following an outrageous theme and encouraging each other to be as silly and over-the-top as possible, with fancy dress, accessories and all manner of fun extras. The party industry loves hen and stag parties – and with good reason! PPE finds out more about the big night out.
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Above: Hen party fashions have changed, n modern Britain, it’s not necessarily as Smiffys latest collection proves. about the size of your hen and stag Below: Sancto’s hen party accessories party; it’s what you do with it. A include all the classics! Right: Pioneer Europe has a range of weekend away is de rigeur these hen party themed Qualatex days – and although trips to Malia balloons to choose from. seem to have fallen out of favour, ‘Team Bride’ and ‘Team Stag’ “From the are (mostly) still happy to put Pint of Beer their hands in their pockets costume to to fund a cottage or airbnb good old somewhere in the UK. Hairy Mary, The figures speak for the classics themselves; while groups will always are getting smaller sell. It’s basically and more exclusive, which costume will people are embarrass the stag prepared to spend the most! Hen parties more (according don’t necessarily to gohen.com, go for costumes, it’s stags spent 50% normally accessories more in 2017 than or personalised 2013, while hens are t-shirts for them. spending 28% more They do purchase per group in the same plenty of our ‘saucy’ “Hen and stag parties play period. Stags also spend products though!” a massive part in the party more than hens; with Fran also points out industry as they are held all a 2017 average spend that while spring and year round. We have a number of £191 vs £153). But summer is the time of items available to help – alcohol aside – what most hen parties take create the perfect night for any do they spend it on? place, they are really a bride- or groom-to-be, with a According to Fran year-round event which range of funny stag costumes Hales, marketing presents a valuable and veils or head boppers as manager at Bristol opportunity to sell well as willy straws, cutlery, Novelty, it’s all about outside of the key inflatables and novelty items.” novelty costumes. “They seasonal trade periods. Anna Solly, sales director, are always popular with “We have Sancto (Widmann) stag parties,” he says. expanded our hen
lines in the new Party & Events range,” Fran says. “We have also expanded our range of 80-inspired as we expect those to continue to do well, adding a fun touch to any pre-wedding celebration!” Fran also reveals that Bristol Novelty is looking to bring in more weird and wonderful costumes for stags (“they love the tacky element and the shock factor”) and more unusual accessories for the hens. “Blow up dolls and inflatables remain popular additions. They are easy to carry and can double up “In the past few seasons the main colour for hen parties has been hot pink and black. Now customers prefer more elegant shades such as light pink mixed with gold and even some elegant floral designs.” Magdalena Wojteczek, sales manager, GoDan as a comfy pillow if anyone fails to make it back to the hotel!” Taking a slightly more sophisticated approach to its hen party offering is Smiffys, which has created a new range of rose gold, glitter and blush pink hen party essentials which includes sashes, rosettes and headbands with veils as well as a collection of finishing touches such as marble and gold gift bags and pin badges to create the ‘Team Bride’ feel. However, it’s not just about rose gold accessories and taking a good MAY/JUNE 2019 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE
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04/06/2019 11:23