I am at my wits end with my best friend who is getting married later this year, and has turned into a total bridezilla.

She is the first of our group to walk up the aisle and we are all thrilled for her, as the guy she’s marrying is a dote. That’s if we survive the next few months, and the hen party, in particular.

Most of us are working, but none of us are huge earners and those who aren’t living at home definitely don’t have a lot of disposable income. The bride had wanted to go abroad for a long weekend, but I’ve managed to convince her that we can’t afford that.

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She’s now decided she wants a farm-themed hen party to usher her into her new life as a farmer’s wife.

The thing is, she won’t be a farmer’s wife in the practical sense as she’ll continue working as a nurse and doesn’t intend doing anything on her in-law’s farm. We’re all from the same town so aren’t strangers to rural life, but the majority of the girls were hoping for a night of glam in another city where we can get dolled up and maybe even meet our own future husbands.

I’m finding it very hard to sell the farm theme to the wider group, while I can’t convince the hen that a more sophisticated night to mark the end of her single days is more appropriate. What do I do?

– Laura, Co Longford

Dear reader,

The joys of being maid of honour places you in the unenviable role of mediator and I’m afraid you’re going to have to find a compromise that will keep everyone happy, for the sake of the wider friendship.

You can work a little harder to convince the wider group that this is their friend’s big day/night and you all should cater to her demands, especially now that it doesn’t include foreign travel.

There are several farms around the country hosting such hen groups, and this would definitely tick the box for the hen, as she can get her hands dirty with milking or bog jumping an option at many

The fact she has rowed back on this request does put her in a stronger position as she should get to choose how she would like to celebrate the occasion.

You could ask her to meet you in the middle, by opting for a trip to a working farm during the day, and then heading out on the town for a meal and some drinks that would appeal to the party as a whole.

There are several farms around the country hosting such hen groups, and this would definitely tick the box for the hen, as she can get her hands dirty with milking or bog jumping an option at many.

Do plenty of research and you will no doubt find somewhere that can keep everyone happy, while not costing the earth.

Typical admission to these farms is in the region of €40, and if you can find one near enough to a city, you can continue the party with dinner and drinks, appealing to the majority in the group. The priority here is that you all enjoy the celebration and make memories you will all look back on fondly.

Remember that your friendship will hopefully extend long beyond this occasion and the wedding itself, so be sure to protect that bond with your friend above and beyond everything else. Hopefully, in years to come, you’ll all look back and laugh at her ‘bridezilla’ behaviour.

Do you have a problem you would like to share? If so, write in confidence to: Dear Miriam, Agony Aunt, Irish Country Living, Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12, or email miriam@farmersjournal.ie