Increasingly, brides are opting out of the usual hen party bar crawl in favour of much more intimate and inventive gatherings.

Leading the way is The Make Lounge (www.themakelounge.com), which recently launched bespoke hen events for girlfriends to get creative, have fun, and make some gorgeous accessories for the big day. Events are geared towards creating girlie delights; from making sparkly jewellery or funky fascinator hats to creating delicious pampering bath and body products.

As with the traditional hen party, events are usually arranged by the maid of honour or a close friend. The Make Lounge hen party expert will help create an event to meet every bride's need. This includes a private room, a wide choice of craft workshops, music, champagne, chocolates, food or anything else required.

Events include expert instruction and usually run from two to four hours, making them the perfect first stop along the way to a great evening or weekend. Mixing wine, music and a creative project is a relaxing and fun way to get a group of girls together.

Set in an elegant Georgian house in Islington, The Make Lounge has three spacious workshop spaces that host workshops every evening and on weekends. At its core, The Make Lounge offers a fresh alternative to nights out. Aimed at busy Londoners who lead hectic lives but want to learn new skills, its one-off workshops are perfect for dipping in and out of.

Working with a team of more than 25 workshop leaders, The Make Lounge supplies all expert instruction plus materials; guests leave with a new skill plus a finished, hand-made project a few hours later.

The Make Lounge bespoke parties, hen nights and day-events and corporate gatherings range in price but start at £35 per person for a three-hour workshop (5 to 10 people; discounts available for larger groups). In addition, The Make Lounge will travel to create special events in homes or venues across the country.

The Make Lounge officially opens on 30th April 2008, at 49-51 Barnsbury Street, London N1 1TP.

Phone 0207 609 0275 (for publication).

Press contact: Marie Louise Pumfrey or Julia Smee at MLPR on 0208 537 0011 or email
ml@mlpr.co.uk; jules@mlpr.co.uk.