What is a reasonable cost for Hen night ?

Cat72

Hi
I have been struggling what to do about my Hen night.
As I live miles away from everyone- with poor transport I cant have a party in my house.
So I found a central venue that is offering what seems like a reasonable priced package -that looks fun too.

However Im not wanting my friends to pay a lot and be out of pocket and am wondering what most people would feel is a reasonable cost for a hen night with some entertainment ?

funny_bunny_2

I think that if it is booked far enough in advance then it will give people enough time to save up for your hen night.

p-pincher

I agree with funny bunny

My hen night will be weekend (2 nights) away, its about £20 for transport and approx £50 for accommodation. Were going in october and my sister who is arranging it told everyone of her plans bout January time. I have a few friends who arent coming cos of mone issues and i totally understand.

Last hen weekend i went on cost about £90 for accommodation and travel and i was happy to pay that but it depends on everybody's individual circumstances.

Cat72

Thanks.
Unfortunately there wil only be a month to the Hen as we only got engaged a few weeks ago ,then my friend was supposed to organising things but let me down. So I just started trying to organise things this week.
Its just I hate the ides of people being out of pocket with my wedding- as they are buying new outfits etc.

The package I am looking at is -
welcome cocktail ( served by butler in the buff ! ) , private venue ,private cinema film, buffet, then drag act with VIP free entry to the nighclub with our own security. The venue are also offering cheap cocktails about £2.50 and reduced drinks - as after the first drink I think its best for people to buy their own to suit their budget.
It will cost about £30 per person .

SmlSave

That sounds great Cat!

We've spent +£200 for a weekend away but as we had a year to get organised I told everyone to start saving £20 a month - how terrible am I!!!

Sammy85_2

Ive been to two hen weekends this year so far!!

First one was 2 nights in central manchester. We paid £165 upfront which included 2 nights accommodation in a 5 bed apartment (2 and 3 bed bedrooms & two bathrooms) It also included Saturday day time photoshoot and saturday night entry into "birdcage"

What it didnt include was photographs at the photoshoot, cheapest was £50 per photo or packages starting at £250. Most girls spent £400 as it was too difficult to pick only a couple of photos. Also was costs of Friday and Saturday meals & drinks.

I would say, in total the weekend cost me around £600.


The second hen party was Saturday night out in Southampton. Hotel was £30 each (3 to a room) in central southampton and i would say i spend around £50 on food and drink on the night out.

IMO the second hen night was the best and i'll be basing my hen night on the second one!

Kittendreich

Only you know your friends and what they are likely to be able to afford and enjoy. £30 plus drinks doesn't sound too bad as it is not far away from what most 'big nights out' cost. Your approach of being open with everyone about money and acknowledging that not everyone might be able to afford it will be welcomed by those who can't.

Why not also have a cheap night in then people can bring their own pizza & wine or whatever to suit their budget, but still get to mark the occassion with you (you could even rope them into making favours or something!). Make it a pyjama party and then no accommodation or taxi costs too...

I just had a meal at a local chinese and then a few drinks - not sure how much it cost as they wouldn't let me pay my share!

JenE_2

Mine cost £105 up front, which covered a day at the races with a picnic lunch, accommodation (B&B) and clay pigeon shooting (!). It also covered the first drink out in the evening (my MIL2B bought the wine for the meal, which was really sweet of her), and all taxis etc around - we paid for trains to/from York, evening meal and all other drinks on top. I reckon the whole thing prob cost £150 for everything.
My two mates were fab organisers! I'd asked them to make sure that people could choose to come to the bits they wanted to/could afford, so 3 only came to the races (which cost about £25), and another 3 stayed overnight (about £60) but didn't come shooting (which was great! Not what I'd have picked, so a fab surprise!). That way I think people could fit coming to celebrate with how much money they wanted to spend.
Hope you have a great time - what you've described sounds like a really good deal, and hopefully your friends will come and celebrate with you!

louisecat

I think £30 per person is cheap enough for people to be able to afford it, plus I'm sure that your friends will make an effort to come! I'm personally in 2 minds about what I want to do and whether to do it the day before (pampering etc so we're all dolled up for the big day) or a week before and go to a burlesque club and get smashed!

Cat72

Thanks for the replys.
Clayshooting sounds fun !

I was unsure what to do to- I met the women from polestars when I was at the venue and she was really nice- they do burlesque, grease, bollywood and dirty dancing nights .
Im having my hen two weeks before the wedding- as too much to do before the wedding and want to have a fun night out.

In theend I never thought of a drag act but the guy suggested it and I thought that be cool. Will show a drag/camp dvd and having a glamour theme.

The guy at the venue told us of a fantastic hen last weekend. The bride was dressed as bo beep and all the other girls dressed as her sheep. They all had " if you spot this sheep text boo peep here " on their outfits and went on a pub crawl with the bride staying behind getting texts from complete strangers saying they had found her sheep ! Mad ! lol

p-pincher

£30 per person sounds a bargain for night out x