Skip the exxy bar tabs and Ubers, and make it the party of all house parties for the bride to be.
Good food, good drink, good friends – at its essence, a party is a timeless combination of elements brought to life by the individual touch that hosts and guests contribute to the occasion. To help you pull off your best and most fun-filled gathering yet, our Dan’s Daily Blueprints tell you everything you need to host whatever event is next on your hit list.
Are you in charge of planning a hen’s party? Fun! It’s a big responsibility being tasked with delivering the most unforgettable day of a bride-to-be’s life (no pressure). Booking a venue is always an option, but for this Blueprint, we’re championing the at-home hen’s. If you – or someone in the bridal party – are happy to host, then all that’s left to do is get a little creative, rally the crew, pull in everyone’s cash contributions for the day, and make sure the vibes are high from start to finish (but again, no pressure).
Hosting at home saves you from unnecessary venue costs and frees up the kitty for more exciting things – like doodle straws, a next-level grazing table and a few bottles of bubbly for good measure. Add a theme, some cheeky games, a late-night living room dancefloor, and it could go down as a history-making hen’s.
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What to drink
1. The party starter
A glass of prosecco to kick off festivities? We can already hear the squeals of excitement as the bubbles are poured. Prosecco is generally always a crowd-pleaser and a fun, fizzy way to welcome guests to the event. We love Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco because it’s approachable, fresh and lively. It has bright citrus and pear aromas with lovely crisp apple, pear and lemon flavours, complemented by gentle bubbles and a clean, refreshing finish. A very sippable bubbly – from a Champagne flute (or phallic-shaped straw). Stocking up on quality OJ for a round of Mimosas will make it go further.
2. A wine that pairs well with (almost) anything
An easy-drinking rosé from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Chapel Hill The Parson Sangiovese Rosé is a dry and textured style, showcasing sangiovese’s delicious core of sour cherry fruit. Expect aromas of cranberry and pomegranate, and fresh, juicy berry flavours, which make it a lovely drop as the hors d’oeuvres roll into the main course or as the grazing table is slowly devoured. On the subject of food, rosé is a great pick because it pairs nicely with so many different flavours, especially snacks and finger food, mild and soft cheeses, cured meats and more. In other words, a classic hen’s party menu.
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3. The cocktail-hour no-brainer
As the day (or night) progresses, so does everyone’s appetite for a fun cocktail. If you’ve hired a male bartender (who also happens to leave most of his clothes at home), then you can leave the shaking and stirring to him. If you plan on getting on the tools as a maid of honour or bridesmaid, then consider cocktails that aren’t too difficult to make en masse. Opt for pre-batching ahead of time if you can, otherwise tipples like a Sex On The Beach, Cosmo or Lemon Drop will all go down a treat. They’re all fresh, easy to make and use vodka as a base, so grab a few bottles of Absolut Vodka to give you lots of options.
4. For when the dancefloor kicks off
So, the party has switched gears and the place is jumping (as it should be). Time to bring out the fuss-free drinks – something that's easy to chill, self-serve and low on dancefloor spillage. Our pick? The Archie Rose Gin & Mango Soda. A super refreshing, ready-to-drink option in a can that combines the distillery's award-winning Straight Dry Gin with juicy mango and native Australian finger lime. Vibrant, fun and best sipped between Charlie XCX verses.
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