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Planning a Hen Party? How to Get the Party Started
Are you the lucky one tasked with planning a hen party for the bride-to-be? It’s an honor, no doubt, but it can also feel like you’ve just been handed a blank canvas with the expectation of creating a masterpiece. A hen party is more than just a get-together—it’s a celebration of friendship, love, and one last wild hurrah before the wedding bells ring. This isn’t just organizing a brunch; it’s crafting memories that will be cherished (and laughed about) for years to come.
Whether your bride dreams of a chill spa day, a glitzy night out, or something completely unconventional, the possibilities are endless. And that’s where the pressure kicks in! But don’t fret; with a sprinkle of creativity and some practical tips, you’ll have everyone raving about your planning skills. From finding the top cocktails for hen parties to deciding on a location and activities, we’re covering everything you should know about planning the ultimate hen party.
Ready to dive in? Let’s make this the hen party of her dreams.
Decide if the Party’s a Surprise
Trying to surprise the bride ahead of her wedding by throwing a fun hen party? If so, you’re going to need to be a little sneaky. You want to find out the bride’s likes and dislikes without giving anything away.
For example, does the bride love being outdoors or is she a spa kind of girl? Maybe she loves partying. Her likes will help you plan the type and location of the hen party. For example, if the bride is looking forward to partying you probably don’t want to plan on a nature retreat.
Watch this surprise hen party for some inspo:
Involve the Other Bridesmaids
Even though you’re the one planning the hen party, it doesn’t mean the other bridesmaids can’t help out. You can get together and brainstorm ideas for the party and even divide up the task.
While you’re researching top cocktails for the event, another bridesmaid can take care of booking the event space. Someone else can pick up party favors, giving you more time to finalize the plans.
Involve the other bridesmaids. Photo by Stephanie Lima on Pexels.com
Create a Guestlist
This can go a few different ways. Some hen parties are limited to the bride and bridesmaids. Others involve friends not in the wedding party but invited to the big event. Your hen party may even include family members like the bride and groom’s mothers.
Another option is to have a ‘Sten’ party. This is a combination of a hen and stag party so the groom and his groomsmen are also invited to the party. This is becoming popular with couples who share the same group of friends.
If the hen party is a surprise for the bride, creating a guest list can be a little tricky. For example, it’s not always easy to know if the bride wants the groom at her event. Hopefully, the bride has provided some clues. You know, just in case she gets a surprise hen party.
When the bride knows what you’re planning, creating a guest list is easier. You can get her to help with the guest list, ensuring it includes everyone she wants at her hen party.
Decide on the Date
Okay, you know who’s invited to the hen party and if it’s a surprise for the bride. Now it’s time to figure out when everyone’s getting together. What you probably don’t want to do is start asking every invited guest which date works best. You’re going to get a ton of different answers and you can’t make everyone happy.
Instead, focus on the bride’s schedule. After all, this is her party and her attendance is the one you’re most concerned about.
A good idea to help ensure everyone can make it to the party is to pick two or three dates and let everyone choose which one is best for them. Go with the most popular date. This way, if everyone can’t attend you still have plenty of guests.
Figure Out the Party Budget
You don’t need a huge budget to throw a fabulous hen party. However, you will need to decide on a budget before you start tackling things like the location and party activities.
The bride can help you sort out a budget, as long as the party’s not a surprise. You should also plan on talking to the other bridesmaids and invited guests. Find out what they can comfortably afford to spend. Be open and honest about any potential costs. This can minimize any complaints and hurt feelings if the price is over someone’s budget. For more tips on budgeting a hen party – read this.
If you’re on a budget – watch this video for some tips:
Settle on a Party Location
A few things can go into deciding on a party location. Do you want the hen party close to the wedding venue? This may be a great idea if the party is happening close to the wedding date. You may also want to keep the hen party close to the wedding location if the bride and groom are throwing a destination wedding. This may help cut down on some travel costs.
Your budget should also match the party’s location. If you’re working with a smaller budget, you probably don’t want to throw a hen party at an upscale resort. Your activities should also match the location. If the bride is looking forward to an outdoor picnic complete with craft cocktails, holding the party in a spa probably isn’t the best idea.
Don’t Wait to Book the Location
Some locations like restaurants, spas, and even retreats require some advance notice of your party. As soon as you know where you want to hold the hen party, get in touch with the venue. Don’t put it off until the last minute.
Some venues have limited bookings and if you miss your chance, you’re back to planning the hen party from the beginning. Even worse, you may end up disappointing the bride. For more hen party location ideas – read this.
For some more ideas – watch this:
Plan the Activities
As we mentioned earlier, where you’re holding the hen party will have a lot to do with the activities. You’re not going to play pin the body party on the groom if you’re at a silent, nature retreat.
If you’re searching for some fun and original hen party ideas, what about holding a cocktail-making class? An instructor provides everything you and the girls need to craft unique and delicious cocktails and mocktails. You can even compete to see who can create a cocktail to serve at the reception.
For some hen party game ideas – watch this:
Let Everyone Know Your Plans
Congratulations! After following the advice outlined above, you’ve finally planned a fun hen party that everyone will remember, enjoy, and cherish over the long term. Now, all that’s left to do is let everyone know the details so they can RSVP!
Even if you’re including most of the information about the event on the invitations themselves, it’s still a good idea to send a text or email to gauge the temperature first. This way, you can go into a little more detail than you otherwise would as well as be ready to answer any questions about the upcoming hen party.
To Conclude…
In conclusion, planning a hen party doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little creativity, clear communication, and a solid plan in place, you can host an event that’s not only memorable but also meaningful to the bride and all of her guests. From selecting the perfect location and budget to crafting fun and personalised activities, every detail counts in creating a celebration that reflects the bride’s unique style and preferences. So, get ready to embrace the excitement of the planning process and enjoy the rewarding experience of delivering a hen party the bride will cherish forever!
