A wedding is a massive undertaking requiring months of planning. However, one activity the bride doesn't have to worry about is the bridal shower.
As in the tradition of Western weddings, many local bridesmaids are taking up the custom of a fun day or night out with the bride-to-be.
'Usually, the bridesmaids organise the bridal shower and, for the most part, it's a celebration with the bride,' says Sonya Yeung, founder and creative director at Bliss Creations (
www.blissweddings.asia).
One of the most common activities is a spa party with manicures and pedicures, and Champagne. Melo Spa at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin (
www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com) has introduced Sparties with pampering treatments and spa snacks and drinks.
Meanwhile, at Sense of Touch(
www.senseoftouch.com.hk), the day spa with five locations in Hong Kong, offers in-house spa party packages. For groups of 12 or less, the Lan Kwai Fong branch has a private rooftop.
Yeung recommends The Feel Good Factor (
www.feelgoodfactor.com.hk), which is decked out with bronze basins and multicoloured tiles, and is known for its manicure and pedicure treatments.
For the artistic bride, Yeung says Art Jam (
www.artjamming.com) is a creative way to have fun. With locations in Central and Causeway Bay, an art-jamming session includes a canvas, free-flow of acrylic paints, a wide selection of tools and a box to take home your masterpiece.
If cooking and good food is the bride's passion, Yeung suggests a night out at Corner Kitchen (
www.corner-kitchen.com) in Sheung Wan.
The event starts with wine and tapas, followed by 90 minutes to two hours of cooking with a chef on-hand for guidance.
Then, everybody sits down to enjoy the meal they have prepared. Many bridesmaids 'do a simple dinner and a drunken night out, parading the bride around town in a silly costume, then going for dessert buffet', Yeung says.
Director at Tiara (
www.tiara.hk), Karen Wan says the type of shower depends on the bride. 'A lot of women have a girls' night out, but others might book a hotel room with a bartender and play games,' she says. 'Some also hire a male entertainer, but it's just for fun.'
To bring out the bride's sexy and seductive side, Wan suggests a pole dancing party.
The Ariel Arts Academy (
www.poledancehongkong.com) offers parties which include an instructor at the studio or an off-site venue and a session where participants can learn basic spins, tricks and moves around a pole, with themes such as 'Las Vegas' or 'Burlesque'.
The group will be able to perform a mini-dance routine at the end.
For many the ideal shower is a weekend away from Hong Kong.
'About half have a bridal shower overseas, normally to a resort close by, like Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui or Malaysia,' Wan says.
