Hen parties are the last big party a bride will have as an unmarried woman, and it’s a great opportunity to have some fun with her closest friends and reflect on her upcoming nuptials. It’s also a chance for the bridesmaids and other guests in attendance to celebrate their dear friend, let their hair down, and perhaps get to know each other better if they haven’t met before.
While hen parties can of course be a lot of fun, there is a lot of pressure on them to be the best possible send-off into married life for the bride, and require a lot of organisation to help them go off with a bang. If you are a member of the bridal party who has been put in charge of the hen party, then here are some ideas and tips to help you keep the bride happy.
Consider Everyone’s Budget
The first thing you need to do before you start throwing out ideas and making bookings is to ask what budget everyone is comfortable with. Weddings are expensive, and these additional celebrations around the main event can bring a financial strain on some of the guests attending.
Money can be a little awkward for people to talk about, so ask people to let you know a number that they are comfortable with via private message or see if you can set up a way for the guests to tell you anonymously. Try to keep your hen party plans around the lowest budget, provided it is reasonable, so that no one has to feel left out or worried about money.
Choosing The Date
The bride will no doubt have a lot of last-minute details to iron out when it comes to her wedding plans, so it’s important to try and not add to this pressure by organising the hen party too close to her wedding day.
Ideally, it should take place about a month beforehand as this way, it is close enough to the wedding to kick off the celebrations, but not so close that it will risk causing the bride additional stress. You should also check in with the other guests to make sure that they don’t have any other commitments, and you can choose a date that seems to work for the majority.
Getting Help From The Pros
Sometimes, the best way to ensure your hen weekend goes off without a hitch is to enlist the help of professional planners. These experts can take the stress out of organising, offering bespoke packages that cater to your group’s interests and budget. From securing bookings for activities and accommodations to suggesting unique experiences you might not have considered, their insider knowledge can be invaluable. They understand the logistics involved and can handle any unforeseen issues, allowing you to focus on enjoying the celebration.
For those looking to create a truly bespoke experience, expert planners can offer tailored advice and access to exclusive deals. Whether you’re after a luxury spa retreat, a culinary tour, or an adventure-packed weekend, they can help craft the perfect itinerary for your hen weekend. This professional touch ensures that every detail is considered, from dietary requirements to transportation, making your hen weekend memorable and seamless. With their support, you can relax, knowing that every aspect of your special weekend is in capable hands, allowing you and your friends to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
What Should You Do?
While sticking to a smart budget for everyone and choosing the right date are both essential, choosing the right activities for the hen party can be the tricky part. Everyone will have different opinions of what they want to do, but you need to try and stay true to the bride and think about what kind of hen party she would want. It is her night, after all!
If you are struggling to think of some ideas, here are a few suggestions you might find inspiring…
Spa Weekend
If you think the bride and the guests could use a weekend of relaxing and being pampered, then organising a spa weekend could be the ideal choice. This is perfect for brides who do like to unwind and feel spoilt and is a calmer, sophisticated option for a hen party.
If your budget doesn’t allow for a full weekend, consider staying for just one night or spending the day at the spa instead, perhaps including a champagne afternoon tea for refreshments, before indulging in massages, facials, and perhaps a yoga session to rejuvenate.
Visit A Vineyard
Much to the chagrin of the continent, English wine is starting to get a bonafide, stellar, sparkling reputation. And not a moment too soon; this country has been creating the good stuff for some time. Fortunately, recognition is catching on and many vineyards offer wine tasting tours for groups and packages for hen dos. From Kent’s wine gardens, through Sussex and Essex all the way down to Devon, there’s some serious and sophisticated drinking to be done within these shores.
City Break
In recent years, more and more people have chosen to travel abroad for a long weekend or even a full week for their hen and stag parties. It is a great way to combine a holiday with these celebrations and can be a wonderful adventure for all involved.
However, these are going to be more costly, so if this is something you want to do, look for deals or consider renting a private holiday home that each guest can chip in for so that you can enjoy comfortable accommodation without going over budget.
City breaks are ideal for hen parties because you’ll have access to lots of cultural sights and activities, including fine restaurants, bars, and clubs for the evening. However, beach holidays or escaping into the countryside can also work well. Just bear in mind the cost of hen dos abroad is expensive – not everyone may be able to afford a trip abroad.
Arts & Crafts
If you are looking for something a little bit more laid back and different compared to the usual booze-fuelled shenanigans, you could always look into booking your hen party in for some arts and crafts orientated activities, such as learning how to do floral arrangements, wreaths making if it’s a winter wedding, or even life drawing, can all be a lot of fun.
Cooking Or Cocktail Masterclass
This is a great activity to do in the daytime or early evening and can be followed by a delicious meal out or drinks and dancing if you want to. Cooking and cocktail masterclasses can be a lot of fun, and if your bride is a foodie or loves trying different cocktails, this could be an ideal hen party for her. They’re also quite affordable as a nice treat. Therefore, you shouldn’t need to worry too much about sticking to reasonable budgets for the party, and you may even be able to find discounts for big parties such as this are on offer too.
Go See Some Live Music
If there is an artist or band that the bride loves playing near you, then perhaps arranging tickets to this concert would be a great hen party idea? Alternatively, if you don’t want to go to a big stadium or concert hall, you can always look for the best live music bars in your local town or city to enjoy some dancing and a good atmosphere. Perhaps book in for a special hen party dinner at the bride’s favourite restaurant before to make sure everyone is fed and happy.
The Bottom Line
If you have been put in charge of organizing your friend’s hen party and you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath! While there can be a lot of pressure to host a great night, you need to make sure that you are enjoying yourself as well. Use these tips to help you make sure everyone feels comfortable with the plans in terms of how much they can spend, and think about the suggestions for party ideas and whether or not these are things the bride would love.
