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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Magic Mike Live - Bride really unhappy

597 replies

Vickersz · 02/06/2025 05:31

I was given the task of organising my best friend’s hen. I, alongside our other friend, decided on Magic Mike Live. It’s very on theme for a hen and from what I have heard just a very silly dance show which gets people dancing and laughing (not at all seedy).

This will be the end of August. So great weather. We thought we’d go in a little tipsy (after bottomless brunch) and have a laugh as a group of girls (and a couple of gay guys). Finish with a dinner and some dancing. And Bob’s your uncle.

It’s all gone to shit.

Apparently the groom is not happy and thinks it’s a weird choice. He has told the bride he doesn’t want her to go. Everyone’s paid for the non-refundable tickets! There was a bbq last week and it was the main topic of conversation apparently. With all these weird theories as to why it was chosen. It’s not that deep!

My friend often attends bottomless brunch, dances on tables etc. And is no prude.

i genuinely feel ill! It’s being referred to as a strip show! The bride’s step mum and mum will be in attendance.

I really want to walk away from the whole thing.

I spoke to the bride and she is not happy at all

OP posts:
disappointedfox · 02/06/2025 15:22

MightAsWellBeGretel · 02/06/2025 06:26

So why does it attract hen dos and groups of women? Why do no heterosexual men feel compelled to go along to this great comedy act?

Maybe because toxic masculinity has them proclaiming it to be "gay" if they watched it?

beetr00 · 02/06/2025 15:27

ByBlueMoose · 02/06/2025 15:07

Yes, some people enjoy objectifying other peoples bodies and others don't.

But it's never harmless.

"it's never harmless" but to grown, adult women?

We have the choice, surely?

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 02/06/2025 15:27

Berlinlover · 02/06/2025 15:19

Well she clearly lacks class for a start.

Haha hilarious.

So, you anyone (by your definition) who ‘lacks class’ must also enjoy strippers?

You sound so judgemental!

RampantIvy · 02/06/2025 15:36

TanginaBarrons · 02/06/2025 14:51

Jesus op you’re getting a hard time! I bet half the people clutching their pearls on here would be quite happy watching burlesque - to insinuate it is seedy and sexual is laughable. Standard hen night entertainment - sorry the groom is so weird and the bride is making you feel bad - I’d ditch the lot of them, precious snowflakes.

People like different things. I would prefer to go to a gig or see a decent stand up comedian to this or burlesque.

Nothing to do with being a prude, but they would interest me more.

deydododatdodontdeydo · 02/06/2025 15:44

I must be a "controlling arsehole" too, because if DH had booked a strip show for his stag, even a "tame" one such as burlesque, I wouldn't have been happy.
Thankfully I didn't have to worry about that, and it was over 25 years ago.

ByBlueMoose · 02/06/2025 15:47

beetr00 · 02/06/2025 15:27

"it's never harmless" but to grown, adult women?

We have the choice, surely?

Of course.

Adults can choose to engage in all many of things so long as they're not illegal.

It doesn't mean they're not harmful though.

PopcornKitten · 02/06/2025 15:55

when I got married I made it clear that I didn’t want hubby to be going to strip clubs or similar. I wouldn’t choose to go to anything in a similar vein as a hen.
it’s not about being controlling, it’s about ensuring your DP is comfortable.
He went paintballing so it’s not as though he’s being a hypocrite.
It would have been helpful for the bride to have let you know that this wasn’t on the cards for her so you could plan something more suitable.

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 15:59

disappointedfox · 02/06/2025 15:22

Maybe because toxic masculinity has them proclaiming it to be "gay" if they watched it?

Bollocks (pardon the pun). 🤣

Men don't want to watch half naked men for the same reason women don't want to watch half naked women.

Surely you don't think it's a coincidence that hen do's always go to things like Magic Mike where it's men getting their kit off?

Don't think you can really blame this one on the patriarchy. 😂

FiendsandFairies · 02/06/2025 16:02

Vickersz · 02/06/2025 05:44

I thought the bride would enjoy it! She’s watched all the films.

Well that WOULD indicate to me that it was a good idea (as in contrast I haven’t seen any of them).

beetr00 · 02/06/2025 16:06

ByBlueMoose · 02/06/2025 15:47

Of course.

Adults can choose to engage in all many of things so long as they're not illegal.

It doesn't mean they're not harmful though.

I really don't mean to be obtuse @ByBlueMoose but in what respect, exactly wrt "harmful"?

eta; clarification

Bumblebeebug · 02/06/2025 16:08

Dont feel bad OP, its just a misjudgement on your part, albeit a costly one. Hopefully there is a solution to be found.

The double standards on show in the thread are unsurprising, not to mention the cognative dissonance.

Some people are saying the women on stage are plants, others saying they (normal guests) were personally on stage.

Some people say its a stage show and there is no contact, other saying the dancers go round every row of seats lap dancing on people.

Some people saying its not sleazy, others saying the talk is about making guests wet and jizzing on them.

All of these double standards, the dishonesty and the sleaze is why I absolutely insisted on no stag/hen nights when we got married. It wasn't a popular decision, but I didnt care - I was not prepared to compromise on it, and OH could have walked away if they wanted. Fortunately they prioritised our relationship over an ultimately meaningless night out.

I am not controlling or distrustful, I just strongly dislike these things in principle. I personally feel they cheapen the wedding and relationship and I wanted my wedding to be better than that. Having respect for your partner - and feeling respected in return - is a big part of relationships and I felt these nights out would threaten that.

(I have no issue with OH going for nights out or a weekend away with friends, as they have done several times since).

Hen/stag activities directly affect the other partner and so how they feel is important. That so many people seem to disregard this is probably why so many marriages fail.

Sure, many such nights out are unobjectionable - but I wasnt prepared to gamble or feel uncomfortable in the slightest. I wanted to feel comfortable and happy in the run up to my wedding.

People say "you dont trust your partner" - but its not your partner you need to trust, its their friends. Usually people have been drinking heavily and often feel obliged or pressured to "go along with" things they wouldn't usually do when their judgement is impaired. Some guests think the nights are all about pushing boundaries and trying to embarrass the stag/hen. This, coupled with the notorious secrecy and inevitable dishonesty, is all why I just wasnt having it.

OHs friends are pleasant enough, but I dont know them well and so dont trust them personally. Some of the friends own events were beyond the pale in my opinion and so I was hardly going leave it up to them, especially as they had attempted to lie about some of these events (and got caught out, which is why I knew about it).

If people are comfortable with behaviour like this, especially in the run up to their wedding, then that's up to them. I dont agree, but ultimately my opinion is irrelevant in the context of their relationship - but it is relevant and important in the context of mine.

I dont see the need for the events, why cant the wedding and reception be the big celebration which everyone can enjoy together? No one is entitled to use someone else's big day as a vehicle for sleaze.

Of my own close friends, only 1 had such an event and it did involve a bit of smut, so I just made an excuse and didnt go.

Rainbowpony6 · 02/06/2025 16:08

You can all still go
Tickets are paid for
Just don't call it the hen night
Bride can organise something different for her hen do ,if it doesn't suit

wordler · 02/06/2025 16:08

@Vickersz Is the bride upset because she doesn’t like the idea, or upset because it’s created drama, or upset with her fiancé’s reaction?

If she’d actually like to go I’d get Bride’s Mum on board and get her to speak to the groom to explain it’s a tame show and not what he is probably imagining as the equivalent of a strip club.

ChicaWowWow · 02/06/2025 16:14

Vickersz · 02/06/2025 05:57

I think the fact the groom has kicked up a fuss has just caused a lot of issues. I had picked tickets not in the thick of the action (cheaper but also for people who may not want to be so directly involved)

At the end of the day 19 women (and a couple
of gay guys) booked non refundable tickets. Clearly they were into it.

Seems weirdly possessive and controlling from
the groom.

Edited

I agree, it sounds really controlling from the groom! Bit of a red flag! Everyone knows Magic Mike is pretty tame and not sexual. It's not my cup of tea, but I would have gone anyway and would have a laugh too. I think this is unfair on you and clearly a groom/bride relationship issue.

I'd go with the other girls, and up to the bride if she goes or not. I don't see what else you could do.

disappointedfox · 02/06/2025 16:29

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 15:59

Bollocks (pardon the pun). 🤣

Men don't want to watch half naked men for the same reason women don't want to watch half naked women.

Surely you don't think it's a coincidence that hen do's always go to things like Magic Mike where it's men getting their kit off?

Don't think you can really blame this one on the patriarchy. 😂

Women do go to events with naked women all the time. Burlesque is massively popular with women.

OonaStubbs · 02/06/2025 17:03

Is there an equivalent to the Magic Mike show but for men? Some kind of show with sexy ladies in skimpy clothes (but not naked) gyrating about?

VibeCurator · 02/06/2025 17:10

I don’t think there’s really a ‘direct equivalent’ that I can think of. But there are shows where women don’t wear much, I saw Moulin Rouge on the west end recently and that had lots of women in very skimpy lingerie dancing. Lots of female singers (eg Sabrina Carpenter) also perform in quite risqué outfits and do ‘sexy’ dancing etc

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 17:12

disappointedfox · 02/06/2025 16:29

Women do go to events with naked women all the time. Burlesque is massively popular with women.

So why do you always see women on hen do's walking around with massive inflatable penises? 🤔

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 02/06/2025 17:23

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 17:12

So why do you always see women on hen do's walking around with massive inflatable penises? 🤔

Always?
And not sure what that has to do with women watching burlesque shows?

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 17:28

I'm just saying it's not the patriarchy making women go to shows like the Chippendales and Magic Mike. To suggest so is bonkers.

OonaStubbs · 02/06/2025 17:43

Maybe there's a market for some kind of "acceptable" show for men to go on stag nights etc where the women dancing about in sexy underwear but don't perform any overtly sexual acts.

Noodles1234 · 02/06/2025 19:25

I have to say at first I’d be horrified at this idea, I’m more a (boring), ceramics painting cafe, nice sandwich / pub on a river and gentle chat whiling the hours away.

Seeing men gyrate and drunk women would not be my bag in the slightest.

However being lighthearted I’d be so thankful friends had spent time arranging and I’d happily have a go.

I hope you all have a nice time, and if she doesn’t want to go I’d all go anyway!

MightAsWellBeGretel · 02/06/2025 19:28

FiendsandFairies · 02/06/2025 16:02

Well that WOULD indicate to me that it was a good idea (as in contrast I haven’t seen any of them).

People watch sex scenes in films, doesn't mean they want to go dogging 🤣

Watching something on screen isn't quite the same as seeing it in real life.

QurikySparrowHatrack · 02/06/2025 19:44

MagicMichaelCaine · 02/06/2025 17:28

I'm just saying it's not the patriarchy making women go to shows like the Chippendales and Magic Mike. To suggest so is bonkers.

Has anyone suggested that's the case?

MiracleCures · 02/06/2025 19:46

MightAsWellBeGretel · 02/06/2025 19:28

People watch sex scenes in films, doesn't mean they want to go dogging 🤣

Watching something on screen isn't quite the same as seeing it in real life.

Quite. Although you are probably being controlling if you object to your spouse going dogging.