Hen Party Help!!

lampshadebrown

I have been chosen to be the Maid of Honour for my friends wedding next summer!

However, this means I am in charge of organising the Hen Party, I have never even attended a hen party in my life. The whole idea of getting wasted with lots of umm *RUDE* items scares me! Its not something I enjoy, and luckily, the bride does not want that sort of night either.

However, WHAT DO I DO!? I don't mean just ideas for what to do for the hen party, but what is involved in organising a hen do, when shall I do it? I've looked up online, but it all seems to be adverts and expecting everyone to spend like £300 each.

I have no idea where to start, and I just need a general guide on what to do, when to do it, how much this is going to cost, general etiquette. Some fun games and suprises (No strippers )

So, in short, HELP!

youngie

why not talk to all ladies concerned see what the budget is and everyones avalabilty and try a spa break or a butlins party weekend

cashewnut

You don't need to spend £300. Go somewhere with a Travelodge if you're staying over - you can get three people in a family sized room.

You should break the day up so people who may be on a tight budget can just come to some of it.

I helped organise my friend's hen do in Cambridge last weekend and the day went lunch, boat trip, pub crawl, room party/get ready at the Travelodge, dinner at a Turkish restaurant and a couple of bars to go dancing. Not everyone came to every bit but it worked perfectly.

She hates the traditional hen paraphernalia so we got her a cute tiara from clare's, a bride to be rosette and I had a load of badges made for all the hens on a badgemaking site I found on google.

Hope that helps

lampshadebrown

Thanks youngie .

Yes, I will be doing that already, Like i said im not necessarily looking for what to do. More of the exact steps of what I am meant to do. Step by step, from now untill the big day. Ive never experianced a hen do, So ive no idea what happens. Ive already spoken to the bride, but she is very busy with the wedding and it seems like she just wants me to take control without constantly bugging and asking her things. I will be speaking to the other coming when I know exactly whos coming, the bride hasnt given me the names and contacts of who she wants yet.

cashewnut

For what it's worth I would personally hate a spa weekend...

lampshadebrown

cashewnut wrote: »

You don't need to spend £300. Go somewhere with a Travelodge if you're staying over - you can get three people in a family sized room.

You should break the day up so people who may be on a tight budget can just come to some of it.

I helped organise my friend's hen do in Cambridge last weekend and the day went lunch, boat trip, pub crawl, room party/get ready at the Travelodge, dinner at a Turkish restaurant and a couple of bars to go dancing. Not everyone came to every bit but it worked perfectly.

She hates the traditional hen paraphernalia so we got her a cute tiara from clare's, a bride to be rosette and I had a load of badges made for all the hens on a badgemaking site I found on google.

Hope that helps

Thank you. I think she just wants a day thing as she is a mother of two young children. I like the idea of doing different things so different people can come to different parts.

KRB2725

Afternoon tea in a nice hotel?

selloptape

Find out if bride wants a day, evening or weekend away or local celebration and what date she wants to have it. This is essential as it needs to be when the bride is available and you don't want to disappoint if she is looking forward to a child free night out.

Research ideas to give rough idea of budget if a special activity ( eg spa day, or accommodation costs if booking a cottage etc).

Contact guests with date, let know if day/eve/weekend, let them know rough budget, find out who's in. Closed Facebook groups are useful for hen do chat. You can include bride if she wants or not if it will be a surprise. Also useful to brainstorm other hens for ideas.

With final no's then book activity/accom/restaurant - get hens to transfer money to you to pay.

Turn up and all have a fab time


Hope this helps x

Dustyblinds

Me and dd are organising my nieces hen do, she's not a party person and has said she would like to go somewhere for high tea. I'm quite looking forward to it, so is my sister

dancingfairy

You need an idea of numbers, budgets and timings is it to be an evening do, a weekend away somewhere foreign or a nice meal somewhere? A hen party can be anything you want.
Doing different things throughout the day is a good idea so maybe go bowling then go out for a nice meal or something?
Df

Anatidaephobia

selloptape wrote: »

Find out if bride wants a day, evening or weekend away or local celebration and what date she wants to have it. This is essential as it needs to be when the bride is available and you don't want to disappoint if she is looking forward to a child free night out.

^ This.

No point spending time planning a weekend away then discovering the bride doesn't want to leave her children overnight; equally no point planning local things for one day only to discover the bride is disappointed because she was expecting a break away.

Once she's clarified what she wants, that gives you a starting point and you can start researching things to do.

Are there other bridesmaids who can help? Or does the bride have any close friends or sisters who would want to be included in the planning? If so, make contact with them so you can share ideas.