Hen Cruise to Bruges

As a self confessed control freak, I decided to go against the tradition of the Maid of Honor planning the hen do and I would plan my own. Knowing I wanted to do something a little different but going abroad being an essential, I researched and looked into all sorts of packages through various websites and talked to friends and family who had previously married or attended hen do's until I found the one - a hen cruise!

Myself and six girls booked a 3 day cruise to Bruges, Belgium where we would celebrate my final single days in style! The cruise sailed from Southampton - Bruges on the P&O Azura cruise ship. It was the most unbelievable experience and was without doubt, the perfect choice!

On board the ship, everything was catered for - from a casino and nightclub to fine dining and cocktails on tap! It truly exceeded all our expectations!

After sailing for around 32 hours, On day 2 we arrived at the port of Zeebrugge where we caught local transport into the heart of Bruges. Bruges was the most beautiful, cultured city and wearing our tacky yet necessary 'hen do t-shirts' we were official tourists for the day eating Belgium chocolate and site seeing on a horse drawn cart!

For any bride planning their hen do or maid of honor's who have landed the job, my best advise is do your research and you will find the most amazing, reasonably priced trip of a life time!

The beautiful bouquet I received from my lovely bridesmaids they had hand delivered to our cabin when arrived on board.

The food on board was out of this world! I would go as far to say this one of the best meals I have ever had!

Evening 2 on board the Azura, guests were asked to wear 'Black Tie'. Being the bride, I wore white and the girls wore black.

The amazing Azura ship we cruised on

The cruise we selected is not currently available but there is a similar holiday here:

http://www.pocruises.com/e524/?search=true

White dress evening 1 - ASOS ss14 (similar here)

http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4875836&CTAref=We+Recommend_1

White dress evening 2 - AQAQ aw14 (similar here)

http://www.aqaq.com/product/woman/crusher-cross-strap-maxi-dress-cream

Bridal Afternoon Tea

My bridal afternoon tea was where my wedding celebrations really began...

After researching weddings for quite sometime, I grew increasingly fond of the idea of a bridal shower, although very American, I loved the idea. That and the fact that as I was going out of the country for my Hen, so I felt I needed to organise something closer to home for people who unfortunately couldn't make it. My thoughts were to plan a sophisticated, vintage style sit down tea party for friends & family at my parents house in Cheshire as I came across an amazing local vender called 'Tamaryns Treasures', based in Alderly Edge (link below), local to my parents who supplied all things vintage and afternoon tea esque with a background of wedding knowledge. 

http://www.tamarynstreasures.co.uk/

We catered the event with Marks and Spencer's 'Food to Order'.  I placed a pre-order online and collected the food from a local store. It was a fantastic service and the food was perfect - I will defiantly order from M&S again in the future.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/l/food-and-wine/food-to-order/party-food-and-sandwiches

My take on a 'mimosa bar' - traditionally, mimosa cocktails are served with a morning brunch or to guests at weddings which is why mimosas were my cocktail of choice.

I gave Yankee Candle 'Wedding Day' favours to all guests

P.s one other idea I had for my bridal shower but unfortunately didn't get round to organising was to purchase a personalised bottle of champagne (Lanson and Möet Chandon were the best readily available brands I came across). Certain bottles in these brands come supplied with a marker pen and the idea is for your guests to adorn the champagne bottle with a personal message or mark, the personalised bottle being a souvenir of the special moment. 

A fabulous idea and a great keepsake of your day. 

Cream Beaded dress - Miss Selfridge AW14 (similar here)

http://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/clothing-299047/the-premium-collection-3507581/the-premium-collection-3522433/dresses-3522479/fleur-flapper-dress-3187710?bi=1&ps=20

Blog lovin'

Ok so here goes...my first blog!

A little bit about me...

Hi! My name is Stephanie Pellatt. I am a newly married, wedding obsessed, hair perfectionist, fashion follower and nurse.

I married in November 2014 and ever since have thought about how I would love to support and inspire brides-to-be (and those hoping to soon become one!). So, my bridal blog was born. 

My blog will have a main focus on my favorite topic - all things wedding, covering everything from bridal showers to framed wedding dresses as well as posts on trips, my love of fashion and food!

I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I have creating it!