It’s always nice to see an office romance blossom into true love and marriage. That’s exactly what happened to Chillisauce.co.uk employees Chris Perry and Kimberlee Drew, who, in true rom-com style, first hooked up under the mistletoe at the office Christmas party five years ago. But what we really want to know is how do two people who have spent eight years planning killer weekends away for others go about organising their own celebrations? We caught up with the happy couple to find out…
The Stag party
Lads on tour
Like any stag do expert worth his salt, Chris made the most of it and actually enjoyed two celebrations. The first one was an activity-packed weekend away to eastern Europe with nine work buddies that ticked a lot of the boxes for a lads trip. He decided on Sofia in Bulgaria, as it was somewhere none of his friends had been before and, crucially, because it was ‘very cheap’.
Friday started with an early flight to make the most of the day and then they got the blood pumping with a spot of go-kart racing. “This is great because everyone can be involved at the same time,” says Chris. “It gets the adrenaline pumping and it’s competitive.”
In the evening they left it up to the experts and took part in a guided bar and club tour, an essential ingredient for first timers in a new city, Chris insists. “We didn’t have to think at all, or worry about going anywhere dodgy,” says Chris. “Our guide led us to all the best places.”
The night ended in true stag fashion as well, with the stag being hauled on stage and suitably embarrassed in front of his pals in a lap-dancing club.
Saturday saw them show off their metrosexual side, with a trip to a local spa – “Friday night is always the biggest on a stag weekend, so the sauna, jacuzzi and pools all helped get over the big hangover!”
Round two
If that wasn’t enough Chris did it all over again on home soil with 30 more friends, with a second stag weekend in Brighton, perfect for its nightlife and location with it being easy to reach from his home city of London.
With such a big group, entry into various bars and clubs had been prearranged for their Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday was an adrenaline-fuelled affair too, with the stag party enjoying a day out at an activity centre, taking in off road buggies, an assault course, archery and air rifle shooting. Phew!
The hen party
The last night of freedom
Like her husband-to-be, sales manager Kimberlee spoiled herself with two hen parties, although she says they were both very different. “I had two very different hen dos,” says Kimberlee. “One was wild and the other very relaxed.”
As an Aussie who relocated to the UK, Kimberlee celebrated both here and back at home. First up came the British hen do, which turned into decadent affair at her holiday home by the sea in Selsey. Friday saw them spend the day drinking wine and eating cheese overlooking the sea before her Friday night surprise arrived in the shape of two naked butlers and a chef who cooked up a BBQ for the hens, served them drinks all night and even cleaned up afterwards.
More pampering was in store the following day with a Champagne breakfast and a trip to a luxury day spa. “it was the best decision for sore heads and ideal way to laze through the day before backing up and drinking again,” says Kimberlee. The evening started with traditional fish and chips for tea before heading out to dance the night away at the local club.
Partying down under
Her second hen do down under also saw Kimberlee relaxing on the coast, but this time with a lot more sun! After going back to Australia for Christmas she was able to gather all her friends from home to bask in the sunshine on Sydney Harbour with a catered lunch and lots of Champagne. Friends and Champagne were the key ingredients here though, no games, surprises or rowdiness, just plenty of gossiping and catching up with old pals.
Unsurprisingly, Kimberlee encourages anyone to indulge in as many celebrations as possible ahead of their big day. “The best tip I can give is to simply have two hen dos,” says Kimberlee. “You’ll get an even greater opportunity to celebrate your upcoming wedding day with everyone!”
