A hen party, or bachelorette party, is the female equivalent of a stag do and is held for the bride shortly before she gets married. Considered as something of a rite of passage, a hen party provides the bride and her closest female friends and family members with a chance to have a final celebration together. Typically it is arranged by the maid of honour, and will last anywhere from a day to a weekend, happening a few weeks ahead of the wedding ceremony.

The format of a hen party varies and will often include a mixture of activities, with the possibility of some pampering and a hotel stay. Combining daytime and evening activities allows the group to get the best of both worlds and there is no reason why the adrenaline-pumping activities should be solely reserved for the stag do.

For hens looking to cram a selection of treats and activities into one weekend, there are plenty of cities around the UK that can offer the full package. From city escapes, to coastal towns, or countryside retreats – there are numerous destinations that offer luxury hotels, fine dining and outdoor activities without having to travel too far at all. Daytime activities provide the perfect platform for individuals within the group to get to know each other if they don’t already, and then the party can move onto somewhere a little more relaxing should they wish.

Organising a hen do?

Take a look at some of our top tips below to help you plan the perfect party and then take your pick from what kind of activity will best suit your group. Already got it sussed? Then head over to the activities page and start putting together the perfect day or weekend by finding out what’s available near you.

Choose your format

Are you looking to go away for a day, a weekend, or even longer? Naturally this will depend heavily on budget. Will there be a mix of day and evening activities? If so, it makes sense to avoid planning a big night out before an early start the following day. Cocktails before a pamper session might be ok, but a heavy night before a bungee jump probably won’t end well.

When choosing the activity, it’s worth taking into account the interests of the bride, and the ages, physical abilities and numbers of the group in general. Although it might be tempting to invite every friend, colleague and far-flung family member, it’s a good idea to keep numbers under control from the outset. Over the top hen parties complicate planning and bookings, drive up costs and will make it difficult to ensure everyone feels included.

Plan ahead, set your budget and then stick to it…

Planning a party of any sort always takes a lot longer than you think, and a hen do is no different. Don’t be fooled into thinking that many hands make light work – involving more people in the organisation could slow the decision making process down. There is no harm in starting early – even if it’s just investigating prices and ideas, and you may want to limit the decisions to the bride and maid of honour. If it looks to be expensive and may require time off work – whether that is to travel to a destination, to do the activities themselves, or to sleep off the hangover – then you will need to notify everyone in advance and be flexible with dates.

Once you have set a date, ensure that you don’t price anyone out of attending by keeping costs down where possible. No doubt the bride would rather be surrounded by her nearest and dearest in attendance than to jet off to a far-flung country with just a couple of counterparts. Make sure you book early and book together – don’t leave it up to individuals to sort themselves out, someone will always forget.

Pick your destination

Once you’ve got your date and a target budget, it’s time to settle on location. If you’ve got your heart set on a specific activity, then your location may be driven by this. Equally, if there is a spot that holds sentimental significance to the bride, then it makes sense to search for activities and accomodation in that area.

Have a solid plan with just a little room for manoeuvre

Once you’ve chosen your format, budget, destination and activity, you’ll have a good backbone to your getaway. Around this you will also need to consider food and drink, transport and any filler activities, games, or alike. The bigger your party, the more crucial this will be – as trying to get a walk-in pampering session for 20 people just isn’t going to happen.

Bring the group together

The hen party may involve a mixture of the bride’s mother, childhood friends, relatives, colleagues, and any number of other individuals. Introductions should be made early on to bond the group and ensure maximum enjoyment for all. The activity you choose will be a make or break in this sense. It may be worth opting for a competitive activity that involves a few teams early on in the weekend to help everyone get to know each other.

In summary – do your research, plan ahead and get everyone involved and you’ll be on the right path.

Feeling ready? Decide on your budget, get planning, get excited, and don’t forget to pack a camera!