Off Limits, one of the UK’s leading providers of pre-wedding parties, has recorded a huge shift from stag bookings to hen bookings. Some 70% of advance bookings are now made for hen parties, with stag parties trailing behind at 30%.

The company has also noted that advance bookings are up overall, with a 14% year-on-year increase.

UK bookings manager Karen Speeden said: “The shift from stag bookings to hen bookings has changed alot with 70% being hen bookings and 30% now stag. Last year, the hen to stag split was 60/40 and the year before it was 50/50.”

According to Karen’s team, stag parties are still popular but they tend to be booked far later than hen parties. Hen parties are booked up to a year in advance, whilst the majority of stag parties are booked three months in advance or later.

Stags are also more likely to book at the very last minute. They’re also more likely to book a main package and then add activities at the last minute – 24 hours before the actual event in many cases.

Cocktail making is the most popular activity for UK hen parties. Off Limits has recorded an increase in bookings for cocktail making for the third consecutive year. The traditional spa pamper weekend has experienced a drop in popularity. Hotels are now offering girly weekenders, movie nights and party packs, which are proving to be very popular.

For stag groups, driving activities are still popular, with 20% of groups booking off-road driving of karting sessions.

According to Karen, both stag and hen parties like a laugh: “Comedy clubs are more popular than last year for both, particularly hens.”

ENDS.

For more information on this story or Off Limits, please contact Karen Speeden on 01773 766051.

Stag Weekends, one of the UK’s leading providers of pre-wedding parties, has recorded a huge drop in the numbers of groups booking lap dancers. Those choosing to celebrate in the UK are shunning the traditional saucy sendoff in favour of high-octane activities and events.

Lap dancing in particular has seen a huge drop in demand. Only 3-5% of UK stag parties booked lap dancing as part of a package over the past 12 months.

Stag Weekends is now taking less bookings for erotic entertainment and more for adrenaline-fuelled daytime activities and events such as karting, off-road driving and ‘It’s a Knockout’. Comedy clubs are particularly popular, as is pre-paid nightclub entry.

Karen Speeden, UK Manager at Stag Weekends, explained the latest key trends:

“Times are changing and there are more possibilities for UK stag weekends than ever before. Long gone are the days when guys had to make do with a night out in the local pub with a strip show thrown in at some point. Pre-arranged nightclub entry is still popular but strip and lap dancing club entry? Not so much.
Nowadays, it’s all about the blood-pumping activities and cool evening entertainment. Not all stags want a traditional sendoff. They’re far more adventurous; some are opting for extreme sports such as coasteering and canyoning.”

Karen has also noticed a massive increase in the numbers of UK stag parties interested in one-night celebrations. Those opting for a sendoff overseas tend to book a weekend break lasting 48 or 72 hours. However, it’s a different story in the UK, as Karen points out:

“The proportion of stag parties celebrating in the UK has increased considerably over the past 12 months. Some 85% of stags opting to stay in the UK booked a one-night package last year.”

ENDS

For more information on this story and Stag Weekends, please visit www.stagweekends.co.uk

Henweekends.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading providers of pre-wedding parties, has recorded a huge drop in the number of groups booking male strippers. According to their latest figures, only 10% of hen parties either booked a male stripper or went to see a male strip show in a public venue.

Traditionally, hen parties would follow a formula that included a meal, drinks and a male stripper. Now, the majority of hen groups prefer something more sophisticated. Weekends away in upmarket beach resorts have replaced the traditional one night celebration in Brighton or Blackpool.

Henweekends.co.uk names Barcelona, Marbella and Puerto Banus as their top three hen weekend destinations.

Zoe Medwell, overseas sales manager at Henweekends.co.uk commented:

“There has been a huge shift in attitudes, preferences and location popularity over the past five years. We’ve noticed a massive shift from the traditional hen night to the hen weekend that’s become the norm today.

Hen parties are increasingly looking for luxury. Spa pamper weekends are perennially popular. When it comes to activities, hens are favouring dance classes and cocktail making lessons.

Only 10% of hen weekends booked through us over the past 12 months featured male strippers.”

The sharp decline in the popularity of male strippers for hen parties has been offset by the popularity of alternative cheeky entertainment. Hen parties are increasingly opting for less salacious alternatives. Cheeky butlers in revealing aprons and shirtless waiters have trumped male strippers in the popularity stakes.

Hens may no longer want the full monty but there’s still a demand for cheeky entertainment.

Off Limits, one of the UK’s leading providers of stag and hen weekends, has noticed a big trend towards early bookings for 2013. The company has recorded a huge increase in bookings made 8-12 months and 4-6 months in advance of the wedding date. Hens are leading the way when it comes to forward planning. A grand total of 70% of hens booked six months or more in advance, compared to 30% of stag parties. Total bookings for UK stag and hen parties are up 14% year-on-year.

Bookings for 2013 are already being made with a particular emphasis on Spanish beach breaks.
According to overseas manager Zoe Medwell, there’s been a huge upsurge in advance bookings over the past six months.

“Most people leave at least a year for wedding planning and the traditional pre-wedding weekend away is a key part of the celebrations. The old ‘last night of freedom’ has evolved into a 48 or 72-hour weekend – often abroad.

Both stag and hen groups are booking their main packages alot earlier than they did in recent years.”
Zoe Medwell identified three reasons for the new trend towards booking stag and hen weekends up to a year in advance.

“For starters, flights are available earlier, which means it’s possible to set a date in stone earlier than ever before. Furthermore, booking early gives groups access to special offers and preferential rates on accommodation and activities. Finally, you’ve got the budget issue. People are being careful in the current economic climate but if our bookings for 2013 are anything to go by, they still want to celebrate abroad. The only thing that’s changed is that stag and hen groups are giving themselves longer to pay for the party.

Stag and hen parties can pay their packages off in instalments online. The cost is spread out over a longer period of time which makes things easier – especially if you’re planning a big wedding!” ENDS

For more information on this story and Off Limits, please contact Zoe Medwell or visit www.henweekends.co.uk

It is the hotly anticipated wedding to come and has already been dubbed the media event of the century; Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wedding. After nearly seven years of rumours, Brangelina officially announced their engagement last week and it has been revealed that Brad’s ex-wife Jennifer Aniston will be getting an invite with her beau, actor Justin Theroux.

After having six children together, Brad and Angelina have finally got engaged and wedding bells can be heard all around Hollywood. All the famous stars are reportedly desperate to be invited to the special day and Jack Black, who worked with Angelina whilst filming the Kung Fu Panda movies, has already made it known that he expects an invite to the nuptials but that he doesn’t want to give a present.

This will be the second marriage for the actor and the third for the actress. A wedding invite can give an insight to the lucky guests of the theme of the day and offer a hint into the style of day, its décor and the overall theme.

It’s reported that Brad took nearly a year to design a ring for his beloved because he is such a perfectionist and this suggests that the wedding planning as well as the invites will be just as meticulous.

The Perfect Wedding and Party Store specialise in quality wedding invites at affordable rates. Choose from a vast array of invitations, thank you cards and wedding stationery and every product is the range is part of a free delivery promotion to selected places in the UK.

Whatever style of wedding that you dream about, there is bound to be something to suit your taste so visit www.perfectweddingandpartystore.com today for all your invite needs.

ENDS

There is no doubt that the union of Prince William and Kate Middleton gave many bridal retailers and online suppliers a lift in 2011 and this has followed through into 2012. Indeed, there has been a significant uplift in the number of engagements throughout the UK since this special event.

The perfect wedding is every girls dream: the dress, the cake, the venue and the flowers. Every detail has to be researched and painstakingly planned, to create a unique day that completely reflects the happy couple’s personalities and importantly, their lasting relationship together.

With so much to organise on top of todays busy lifestyles, it is no wonder that the internet is now playing a significant part in helping couples to plan their special day. This is where leading websites such as TheWeddingVine.com have become an invaluable research tool, enabling couples to create themselves and exceptional wedding.

The website is all about inspiring fabulous weddings and providing couples with the contacts they need to plan their big day with ease by recommending unique wedding venues and high calibre suppliers to match their own specific requirements.

Featuring the best industry names, TheWeddingVine.com provides any bride with an opportunity to browse, perfect and purchase all that’s necessary for her to make her wedding day a day to remember.

Claire Severn, recently appointed as ‘Editor in Chief’ commented, “This is a really good time to move the business forward. Over the next few months we will be looking to bring our readers more of what they have come to expect from the site – more real life wedding experiences and a unique shop front into the luxury weddings arena, helping style conscious brides plan their own amazing day.”

Couples are invited to a wedding fair at Sandwell’s Register Office this Saturday (18 February.)

Visitors can see inside Highfields – the Grade II listed house just off West Bromwich’s High Street where hundreds of couples wed each year – plus there’s a competition to win a free ceremony at the recently refurbished Sandwell Suite.

More than 20 exhibitors including photographers, caterers, florists, a jeweller and suppliers of bridal wear, cakes, balloons and car hire will be displaying their wares on the day.

The wedding fair runs from 10am-4pm and will include fashion shows, mock ceremonies and a chance to see the facilities on offer.

Sandwell’s Mayor Councillor Joyce Underhill will officially open the new-look Sandwell Suite, which is fully licensed and can hold up to 85 guests.

The day starts at 10am, with the first bridal catwalk show at 11am and mock ceremonies beginning at noon and 3pm. The Mayor will officially reopen the refurbished Sandwell Suite at 1.45pm, followed by a second catwalk show.

The prize draw for the free ceremony and a wedding-themed raffle in aid of the Mayor’s charities will be drawn at 3.30pm.

Registration services manager Paul Sheldon said: “We’ve just finished refurbishing the Sandwell Suite and it looks fantastic. The room has been beautifully decorated and we know that couples are going to love it.

“The wedding fair will be a really great chance for couples to imagine their special day at Highfields, as well as meeting local wedding suppliers and the chance to win a free ceremony.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for service improvement Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “Highfields is a really lovely building and we’ve made lots of improvements recently.

“We do keep the cost of ceremonies down which hopefully in these economic times, will help people who want to get married in beautiful surroundings without spending a fortune.”

Highfields itself underwent a £17,000 facelift last year, when the exterior was completely redecorated and improvements made to the grounds.

For more details about the wedding fair or to book a ceremony go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/registeroffice or call 0121 569 2480.

1) The refurbished Sandwell Suite. Visitors to the wedding fair have the chance to win a free ceremony.

2) Highfields was given a £17,000 makeover last year, making it even prettier for wedding photos.

TIMES:

10am – Open

11am – Bridal wear catwalk show

Noon – Mock ceremony

1.45pm – Mayor’s official opening of Sandwell Suite 2pm – Bridal wear catwalk show 3pm – Mock ceremony 3.30pm – Grand prize draw to win a free wedding ceremony at Highfields in 2012 and Mayor’s wedding-themed charity raffle

Nowadays, more and more brides choose to wear vintage wedding dresses. Obviously, it’s popular. It may not possible for any bride to get a vintage gown, but vintage inspired wedding dress can be a good choice. Allbrideglamour.com now introduces their vintage collection again to all brides. These brand-new vintage dresses will help brides to set the tone. It’s not old-fashion, it’s modern.

In the online store AllBrideGlamour, classic art and modern elements are combined together so that the wedding gowns here look more elegant. All of them are in high quality. They will be brides’ life of souvenirs, which means classic and eternity.

There are many gorgeous styles available at Allbrideglamour.com, as A-line princess silhouette is the main vintage idea, strapless, sweetheart and V-neckline are all elegant neckline that could complement brides’ appearance. Another big point is the stylish details on these dresses: embroidery with elegant and exquisite pattern, Cathedral Train, multiple layers, tulleﾡﾭAll these designs can let brides show off their charm and grace.

Wear a vintage wedding dress would show the sense associated with style off to all guests. With all the pictures that’ll be taken, brides will want to be able to always look back at them and stay proud of how gorgeous that looked. Choose the wear wisely since will probably be part of memories that brides have forever. Also, do not wear accessories like jewelry overload when plan vintage bridal dress, keep it simple as well as understated.

AllBrideGlamour is brides’ top online source for wedding dresses, here stocks various styles in vibrant colors and gorgeous fabrics. It is a great spot where customers can get the privilege of shopping online for classic yet fashion bridal wear. Browse the modern vintage collection to give off a message about who the brides are inside and look the way in which it did originally.

Here it is: http://www.allbrideglamour.com/vintage-wedding-dresses-c-1/

Tea-length nowadays has showed its charm and been a popular choice for the spring. And to follow the widespread popularity of 2012 bridal dresses, AllBrideGlamour added some new styles of tea length wedding dresses.

The Tea Length Wedding Dress in right design can be really stunning. AllBrideGlamour create many options to choose from, A-line is the main silhouette that available in this collection, combined with strapless, V-neck, sleeveless spaghetti straps and halter neckline, slightly short and unique high-low designs, all of the Tea-Length dresses at the store can make brides Princess look. Also, fabric in lace and chiffon are more popular and smart choice for brides-to-be. Yet, the online store will add further lines of wedding gowns to the existing range that simple, elegant and modest.

Being simple and chic, Tea length wedding dress has become a popular choice among modern brides. Besides the neckline and silhouette, color is also an important point to enhance bridal appearance. AllBrideGlamour also allow brides to custom the color of the products, it’s suggested to choose bright color, such as peach, pink, yellow, lavender and the like.

No matter where the couples are planning the wedding, in the garden, beach or other outdoor areas, perfectly comfortable in both a grand cathedral ceremony and a backyard barbecue style wedding. With the simple and proper length design, they are easy to maintain as they do not meet the floor. What’s more, they enable brides to walk freely, so that make the whole mood more fun and relaxed.

As well as leading suppliers of bridal gowns, AllBrideGlamour UK makes it easy to browse various styles of dresses which are both gorgeous and affordable. And always aim to improve brides-to-be’ experience with a greater range of dresses to suit all budgets. It’s time to go for an eye-catching Tea Length wedding dress for the wedding day in the online store.

For more information about Tea length wedding dress: http://www.allbrideglamour.com/tea-length-bridal-dresses-c-10/.

Work has begun on the second, major phase of the refurbishment of Cliff House. The work currently underway includes repairs to the roof, the balconies at all levels on the front (East) elevation of the building, and balustrades and external joinery as well as windows and doors at all levels. In addition the stonework quoins are being made good with a combination of replacement and specialist render repairs. The work is due to be completed within fourteen to sixteen weeks of the start date. In the spring of this year, the local and wider community were invited to become Friends of Cliff House Salcombe. This appeal resulted in gifts and donations in excess of £45,000.00 which has allowed for the refurbishment of the ground floor Assembly Room, Kitchens and a new Bar together with the purchase of modern staging with a lighting gantry. In addition a Director has been appointed to run the day to day business at Cliff House. As a result of all this the level of enquiries and bookings for the Wedding venue South Devon has risen dramatically, thus ensuring future income for ongoing maintenance and the underwriting of community use and events.

The Trustees have been able to commit to Phase 2 as a consequence of their improved financial position together with personal loans received from individuals within the community.

Contact Details: Jack Tyler
Cliff House Salcombe
Cliff Road
Salcombe
Devon
TQ8 8JQ
United Kingdom
01548 844 704
enquiries@cliffhousesalcombe.com

http://www.cliffhousesalcombe.co.uk/

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