Latest news with #henDo
Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Times
Dear Dolly: ‘Help! Was my hen do too tame?'
Q. I had my hen do recently. It was lovely, filled with my closest girls, and I was made to feel so special — but it made me realise that my life has changed. I'm almost 31 and of the eight girls invited one was pregnant, one had given birth six weeks earlier, one was breastfeeding and another had two young children at home. I love a party and drinking and have gone out for theirs, but my hen do ended up with just two of us at the end of the night. Am I OK to be upset about this and mourn the loss of that way of life with my friends? Especially when my fiancé gets to go on a two-day baby-free stag in eastern Europe? A. Of course you're allowed to feel upset. It is unfair. What is most unfair is that there is nobody to blame. You are not wrong for wanting your hen do to be the wild night that your friends were given when it was their turn. And they're not wrong for not wanting a wild night out when they're pregnant, breastfeeding or newly postpartum. It is unfair that the moment in life when you want your friends to celebrate your milestone coincides with the time when everyone is too busy living the fallout of all their milestones. You are in the hardest era for female friendship. I know I bleat on about it a lot in the column, but I have to, because I have to reassure women between the ages of 30 and 35 that it won't always be like this. You won't always have to co-ordinate a social life around IVF sobriety, pregnancy sciatica, newborn exhaustion, unaffordable childcare, toddlers who won't sleep and children who are ill. (Why are they always ill? It doesn't seem right. They are not Victorians.) • Read more from Dolly Alderton You are in the first wave of women having children or not having children, and it takes a few years for everyone to adjust. I am sorry your hen became the collateral damage of this, but, what can you do? When it comes to love, you only get given the timeline you get given. You couldn't have engineered a hen do any earlier or later because this is the moment that is right for you to get married. What I can promise you is you will have wild nights out again. They will happen less, and will take twice as long to organise, but they will happen. I can also promise you that a wild hen do is not always a good one. I am now mostly through the hen do years and the memories of penis straws and butlers-in-the-buff have all ambiently merged into one headachey event in my mind. What matters is that your best friends made you feel cared for and special; that they were there for as long as they could be, given the restraints of their current lives. Try to focus on what an act of love that is. And don't envy your fiancé's stag. He will have an absolutely horrible time. There may be more than two of them standing in the club at the end of the night, but not as a gesture of love. In fact, any time you feel down about your hen do, remember my friend's husband whose stag do consisted of his friends tying him to a chair in a garden while they sat inside and had dinner, taking turns to go outside to apply layer after layer of fake tan on him. Take the disappointment of the hen do as a useful lesson in not having too high and specific a set of expectations for your wedding day. I have seen so many brides put too much pressure on themselves for the perfect wedding, only to miss out on the experience of the day because they were absent, living in a realm of their own anxiety. One of my best friends is getting married this summer — she was single for a long time and spent a lot of her twenties and thirties going to other people's weddings and hen dos. I absolutely expected her to, rightfully, be a bridezilla when it was her turn. But the opposite has happened because of everything she has witnessed and learnt over the years. Last week I asked her for an update on her dress and its alterations. She waved her hand dismissively. 'I'm sure it will be great,' she said. 'That's not the point of the day.' • Read more expert advice on sex, relationships, dating and love I wish I could bottle the perspective we have now that we did not have a handful of years ago, and I wish I could send it to you to do a shot of like a tequila slammer. I wish I could give one to my 31-year-old self. I wish I could let her know that babies grow up and her friends will be available for drinks again one day. Instead, I will turn to some words of the great prophet of our times, the singer Self Esteem. 'Getting married isn't the biggest day of your life. All the days that you get to have are big.' Focus on the love and support around you, because it sounds like there's a lot of it. That's the thing that makes a great hen do and wedding, and an even greater life. To get your life dilemma answered by Dolly, email or send a voice note to deardolly@ or DM @theststyle
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mamma Mia star Georgina Castle strips totally NAKED as West End actress goes skinny dipping during her very wild hen-do in Mykonos
She's known for lighting up the West End stage, but Mamma Mia! star Georgina Castle stole the spotlight in Mykonos last weekend. The actress, 32, who is the daughter of former tennis player Andrew Castle, celebrated her very wild hen do on the Greek island - even stripping off at one point. Georgina, who played Sophie Sheridan in the hit ABBA musical in 2017, jetted off to Greece with a glamorous group of friends - including her mother, Sophia, and sister, Claudia - for a no-holds-barred pre-wedding bash. The weekend included choreographed dance routines, champagne, and a late-night naked plunge into the pool. Georgina later leapt, completely nude, into the villa pool alongside her friends Laura Baldwin and Emily Stubbs. A snap shared on Instagram captured the moment the trio shed their clothes and ran giggling into the water, with only strategically placed Greek flag heart emojis covering their modesty. Wearing a white mini bridal gown by Mara Marie and a veil, Georgina looked every inch the bride-to-be as she posed against the golden Cycladic stone walls and toasted to her upcoming nuptials with friends. 'If Carlsberg did hens!!!!' she teased in the caption of the post, which also featured sunset snaps, group hugs, and being entertained by a group performing songs from Mamma Mia! 'This was a complete and utter surprise which was so magical!' Georgina added. 'I didn't even realise I was living my best Sophie Sheridan life until this happened! My friends know me better than I do clearly!' The daughter of Wimbledon legend and TV presenter Andrew, Georgina is set to marry fellow West End star Simon Lipkin, 39, later this year. The couple met in 2022 while starring opposite each other in the West End production of Elf the Musical - Georgina played Jovie, the love interest, while Simon played Buddy the Elf. They quickly bonded offstage as well as on, and their real-life romance blossomed. Simon proposed last year, and the pair have been inseparable ever since. Georgia has just finished playing queen bee Regina George in the hit West End production of Mean Girls - the part played by Rachel McAdams in the cult classic film. Wearing a white mini bridal gown by Mara Marie and a veil, Georgina looked every inch the bride-to-be as she posed against the golden Cycladic stone walls and toasted to her upcoming nuptials with friends Despite his own stage success - including rave reviews and an Olivier Award nomination for his role as Fagin in Oliver! - Simon has joked that he still can't believe his luck. 'She's perfect. I'm punching,' he said recently. 'Her exes are a collection of Adonises. Greek statuettes. Multi-millionaires, washboard-abbed models… and then this chubby little boy turns up. 'I was in a ginger wig that was ill-fitting when we met. I looked like a budget ginger Trump. 'I looked awful. I was almost 20 stone — and somehow she fell in love with me.' He also praised Georgina's intelligence and talent, saying: 'She's better than I am at everything. Georgia has just finished playing queen bee Regina George in the hit West End production of Mean Girls - the part played by Rachel McAdams in the cult classic film (Pictured) She's a better human, she's smarter - the most intelligent woman - she's beautiful, she's talented.' Of course, Simon wasn't in Mykonos for the hen do, but he's more than happy for Georgina to let loose in style. 'I just want to be left alone with a magic book and a cup of tea,' he said. 'She can go out and have the best time - and I'll give her a cuddle when she gets home.'
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mel B, 50, continues her Tunisia hen do celebrations as she enjoys a beach day after her and 35 pals slipped into Scary Spice's signature leopard print bikinis for sun-soaked bash
Mel B has continued her hen do celebrations in Tunisia with a beach day after she was joined by 35 of her pals for a Scary Spice-themed bash. The Spice Girl, 50, is set to marry fiancé of three-years Rory McPhee, 37, at London's famous St. Paul's Cathedral later this year. She took to the beach on Saturday with a huge group of friends, including lookalike daughter Phoenix, who all slipped into leopard print bikinis. And on Monday, several of Mel's pals shared snaps from a more casual beach day as the pop star continued her weekend of celebrating. Mel was seen relaxing on the beach sporting a skimpy two-piece as she munched on snacks and chatted away. The group spent the day in Sidi Bou Said, a town in northern Tunisia which features picturesque white and blue houses and overlooks the Mediterranean. On Saturday, Mel flaunted her figure in skimpy swimwear for a choreographed routine to Beyonce 's End Of Time during the big beach bash. Mel teamed her triangular top and thong with a wedding veil and garter, as well as a white lace kimono that she removed to strut her stuff with her pals. The huge group of hens danced on a deck overlooking the stunning ocean while soaking up the tropical sun and celebrating the Spice Girl. Meanwhile Phoenix, 26, who Mel shares with ex Jimmy Gulzar, took to her Instagram Stories with an equally eye-popping bikini snap before sharing a glimpse of bash's lavish menu. Scary captioned the post: 'HEN DO TIME WITH THE MOST AMAZING GROUP OF 36 WOMEN !!!!!!!' Last month during an appearance on The Tonight Show Mel revealed that she'll be tying the knot in the famous London Cathedral, which is one of the perks of becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), which she attained in 2022. That same legendary church is where Princess Diana and Prince Charles tied the knot in 1981. Mel said she would be 'humbled and honoured' to have her wedding there. While having the wedding there is certainly an honour, she did open up about some very strict rules that must be abided by. Mel B, 50, flaunted her incredible figure as she and 35 pals slipped into Scary Spice's leopard print bikinis amid her sun-soaked hen party on Saturday The singer stunned in the skimpy swimwear for choreographed routine to Beyonce 's End Of Time She even got in a little practice walking down the aisle, saying 'I do' and throwing a bouquet thanks to some lucky audience members. Mel was granted an MBE honour for her tireless work advocating for domestic violence survivors. 'Can I just say, three women a week get killed by their former partner or present partner in this day and age, right now. So the statistics are not going any better. So I've got to keep on talking about it,' she said. She added that her husband-to-be is, 'a wonderful soul,' adding, 'Anyway, so, I'm getting married at St. Paul's Cathedral.' 'And it's a big deal because, you know, when you get married there - not many people are allowed to get married there. You have to be kind of special,' she said. Mel is known for her love of leopard print (pictured performing with the Spice Girls in 1997) 'And it's a big deal because, you know, when you get married there - not many people are allowed to get married there. You have to be kind of special,' she said. Mel confirmed she was tying the knot with Rory back in November 2022 after three years of dating after he got down on one knee with a £100k diamond ring. The singer has credited Rory for making her feel 'more confident than ever'. Speaking in an interview in October 2023, Mel said her new partner calls her 'beautiful every day'. Mel shares her oldest daughter Phoenix, 26, with ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, Angel, 18, who came out earlier his year as trans, with Eddie Murphy and her youngest daughter Madison, 13, with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Gorgeous' – Sandro Tonali's stunning fiancee Juliette branded ‘most beautiful bride to be' in elegant outfit on hen do
SANDRO TONALI'S stunning fiancee Juliette Pastore was branded the 'most beautiful bride to be' while wearing an elegant outfit on her hen do. The couple, both aged 25, got engaged in March after a heartwarming romance dating back to 2019. 10 10 10 10 Juliette showed off a stunning ring to followers as the pair, who briefly split before rekindling their romance in 2021, were congratulated by pals. And now, Juliette has jetted off for her hen do ahead of the big day with Newcastle ace Tonali. She wore an elegant white dress and matching shoes for a night on the town with friends. Juliette first spent some time soaking up the sun at the beach. And as dusk fell, she headed out for a night on the tiles. One picture showed Juliette kissing a bottle of booze. While in another she posed with pals at a glamorous restaurant. And there were plenty of full glasses in sight as a waiter topped up their wine. Fans were quick to congratulate Juliette on her upcoming nuptials. One said: 'Stupendous.' Newcastle confirm first summer signing after pipping Barcelona, Real Madrid and Porto to Spanish wonderkid 10 10 10 10 Another declared: 'So special.' One noted: 'Beautiful.' Another added: 'The most beautiful bride-to-be of them all.' Juliette's party comes amid reports linking former AC Milan star Tonali with a return to Italy. It's reckoned Juventus are interested in a £33million deal which would also see a player head the opposite way. Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic have both been mentioned. But Tonali is seen as a key player by Eddie Howe, who is unlikely to sanction an exit this summer.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Daisy Lowe dazzles in a sparkling sheer dress as she celebrates her hen do with 'dream sleepover' complete with inflatable doll of fiancé Jordan Saul
Daisy Lowe was every inch the glowing bride to be over the weekend as she dazzled in a sparking sheer dress while celebrating her hen do. The model, 36, is preparing to tie the knot with partner Jordan Saul, three years after they got engaged. And Daisy was sure to mark the occasion in style as she and her pals headed to the idyllic Cotswold estate, Hillside Hangouts, for a fun-filled weekend, which saw her carrying an inflatable doll of her husband-to-be. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Daisy shared photos and details of her weekend, which included a 'dream sleepover', a sound bath and a delicious lunch at The Fish Hotel. During the lunch, Daisy revealed that she was not allowed to drop her Jordan doll otherwise she had to take a shot, with the star noting that if she forfeited her shot, she'd have to have her partner's face tattooed onto her body. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Describing her stay at the 'breathtaking' Hillside Hangouts, Daisy noted that it had 'heavenly views, chic and cosy decor & it was completed with the most thoughtful decorations, balloons & a kitchen with all my favourite snacks and drinks.' The emotional beauty went on to add that she loved it so much that she 'burst into tears when I walked in.' Daisy also revealed that her pals had planned her ideal dinner made up of her 'death row' menu, stating: 'Then dinner, I didn't even question when Portia asked me on the phone what my death row meal was… just thought it was our standard chat. 'But that's what they had created in our glorious home for the trip- my favourite starter main & pud… I slipped into the dress of dreams by @anniesibiza.' The mother-of-one's weekend celebrations included a ceramics class and cocktails, concluding with 'a lot of laughter, dancing & Daisy bingo.' Sharing snaps from her hen do, Daisy looked gorgeous in a bridal-inspired ivory embellished dress by Annie's Ibiza complete with a veil. It comes after Daisy revealed that while she is busy with preparations for Somerset wedding to Jordan, the couple have also decided to move to Somerset with their daughter Ivy, two. Daisy admitted she has been quite overwhelmed and 'super anxious' recently as she attempts to balance having a 'toddler, planning a wedding and a new home'. The mother-of-one's weekend celebrations included a ceramics class and cocktails, concluding with 'a lot of laughter, dancing & Daisy bingo' Speaking in the June addition of SOMERSET LIFE magazine, Daisy said she 'needs to get married before she can think about having baby number two'. Daisy said: 'I'm moving to and marrying in Somerset. That's how much I love it. I will coordinate Ivy with me and my bridesmaids, she'll be a little flower girl but I'm still trying to figure it all out. 'Jordan is really practical whereas I'm the creative one, so I need him to make certain decisions and he lets me get on with the creative stuff. 'But having a toddler, planning a wedding and a new home is quite a lot. First thing this morning I had to write so I don't feel super anxious. I don't feel actual pressure, but it is an exciting idea that it could be better than my 18th, which was one of the best parties ever. I think we might top it. The star revealed the couple have decided to move to the country after being 'inspired' by her mum as she grew up surrounded by nature. She said: 'Now the plan is to rent a little eco-home in Somerset while we start looking for somewhere to build our own eco-home. 'We can immerse ourself in the life with Ivy starting nursery there next year and start building out community. The idea that when we're there we will find the exact bit of land.' The mother-of-one is already looking at wormeries, 'so she can give back to the land and reusable water pumps and heat pumps' for her new property.
