Your perfect sten Having looked into the ‘why’, perhaps we’ve persuaded you to ditch tradition in favour of a more inclusive pre-wedding celebration shared with your nearest and dearest. So, let’s explore what your very own ‘sten’ do might look like, with some suggestions from the adventurous to the laid-back. To keep costs in check, we’re keeping our feet firmly planted in good old Blighty! With so many diverse options on your doorstep, why go anywhere else? ADVENTURE SEEKERS For lovers of the great outdoors who prefer adventure activities and getting stuck in, there are some fantastic opportunities available for a great weekend getaway. What about a hiking and wild swimming weekend in the Lake District? Organise guided hikes, paddleboarding, sauna sessions and wild swimming for the daytime, followed by cosy pub dinners and relaxing in a comfy cottage or lodge in the evenings. This works well for any gender and age range as guests can choose their intensity level and for those wishing to bow out of physical activity altogether, there are plenty of more leisurely options available back at base, such as reading by the fire or heading to the pub, before you all come together again for the evening. It’s a cosy social celebration rather than a chaotic one. unsplash.com/@catbassano SLOW TRAVELLERS For those who enjoy a slower pace of life and can think of nothing better than spending quality time with loved ones over a packed itinerary, consider a countryside house weekend in the Cotswolds. Think long-table dinners, leisurely strolls between villages, pub lunches, board games, evenings around a fire pit and even the occasional spa treatment. Here, there’s no pressure for constant group participation, as people will naturally separate and regroup throughout the day. No forced fun here, just relaxed convivial vibes, spending time in harmony with each other. unsplash.com/@hugo1951 CREATIVE SOULS Getting creative together works particularly well in the context of a sten event as these types of activities allow natural conversation to flow and give you all a sense of shared memory-making. For the foodies among you, consider hiring a private chef and hosting an evening of fine dining, heading out to a cocktail-making workshop, wine-blending experience or a cookery class. Why not get arty with an afternoon of pottery painting or a flower arranging workshop? Guests leave with physical memories instead of hangovers! Creative stens replace passive partying with collaborative participation, so if you fancy yourselves budding detectives, a murder mystery night could be for you. They’re packed with spectacle and laughs, allowing you to connect and create memories to last a lifetime. Escape rooms are also great for embracing your inner Poirot. LIFE’S LUXURIES You may decide to skip the pre-wedding bash and invest the budget into a longer wedding celebration. With the trend for weekend weddings growing, more and more venues are offering three-day packages allowing you to gather your nearest and dearest the night before the wedding for a ‘rehearsal’ dinner and stay to share breakfast the day after the main event. If you’re set on keeping the two celebrations apart but you love the concept, a luxury sten weekend could match your vision. Curate a luxury itinerary of private chef dining and wine tasting, or, for those who prefer something a little more boho, how about a luxury picnic styled to perfection, with grazing options aplenty? The key is privacy, comfort and above all, connection. unsplash.com@nicolesherrero unsplash.com/@3tnik 44
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