10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Hens Party
Congrats on being picked to give your friend one last hoorah before the wedding. It says you’re trusted, it says you’re the fun one that can throw one hell of a fun experience. This can, however, put some pressure on you. It also doesn’t help that hens party planning can be a little daunting. Even more so if you haven’t planned one before. That’s where I step in - I’ve been the Bride and the Bridesmaid. Not to mention my job is literally going to Hens Parties every weekend.
A hen’s party is about much more than the popular movie trope of drinking and partying. You’ll have to keep the group happy, plan activities, décor and much more while staying on budget. Most importantly, you have to give the bride-to-be an experience of a lifetime.
So how do you do all of these? I’m glad you asked - Here are ten steps to planning the perfect hens party. I’ve also included some fantastic hens party ideas that you can incorporate for a good time.
• Step One: Talk to The Bride
She could have some great ideas, or she might decide that whatever you come up with is fine. Whichever it is, talking to the bride-to-be is the right first step in your hens party planning.
If you can’t catch her for a face-to-face meeting, you could schedule a video or phone call. You could even plan a special hangout for you both to discuss it. This way, you can give her a little break from the stress of wedding planning.
When the meeting is on, one of the things to ask is about who to invite. This will dictate the kind of party you plan, so it’s an important question. You can also ask her if she has any hens party must haves so you can make sure those are available.
Another thing you should find out is if she’d prefer a day, night or weekend getaway type of hens party. She may also have some great ideas on destinations or experiences she’d love.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait for the bride to come to you - Take the bride out to chat all things wedding. The perfect excuse for a pre-wedding celebratory vino. Brides love to feel you’re just invested into their day as they are!
• Step Two: Choose A Date
It could be a day, a weekend but this date should be at least a month before the wedding. A hens party the night before the wedding as movies suggest is not a great idea as it won’t be as much fun. So, choose a date earlier and then plan properly in advance so you can have the best time. Try to get the brides favourite friends around so she can have a great time.
Pro Tip: Send out Save the dates well in advance to ensure everyone can make it.
• Step Three: Handle the Money Talk
Talking about money is hard for everyone, but it’s important to get it sorted out for a successful hen’s party plan. Set a realistic budget that everyone can pitch in on that will still ensure that everyone has a great time. You should also be the one who collects the money to make things move smoothly.
Pro Tip: When dividing costs be sure to include the brides cost into the budget so she doesn’t have to pay for a thing.
• Step Four: Choose A Location
Depending on what you decide with the bride and your budget, there are many options. It could be a fun night at someone’s house or a trip to a local bar after a day’s out. Picture this as quality girl bonding time and think of where you can best achieve that. Do lots of research and make sure this location works for everyone before you make your final decision.
Pro Tip: Be sure the location or venue is accessible to all guests. There will be all ages and coming from all over.
• Step Five: Décor, Styling and Favours
Décor, like flowers, balloons and a photo backdrop, are great ideas for a hens party. You can also order sashes and other fun hens party essentials to ensure that you have a great time. Items for games are also a great idea if you’ll be having that type of party. You could also order party favours for the guests to take home.
Pro Tip: By booking a Flower Crown Workshop it doubles as a hens party activity as well as styling.
• Step Six: Liaise with Other Guests
Communicating with other guests for the party could be a minefield but can be handled effectively. It is also necessary if you have everyone to have a great time. For example, asking a vague question like ‘What should we do?’ will most likely end with lots of conflicting hens party ideas and arguments; we are not here for that.
A better solution is to let them know your plans and ask if they can add anything. Also, keep in mind that you’ll never be able to please everyone. In cases like these, everyone should settle for what the bride would want above all.
Pro Tip: Create a Facebook Group Event to keep all the information and communication in one place.
• Step Seven: Plan Your Activities
What kind of hens party should you plan? A party and a bit of naughty drinking generally make the hens party checklist. So, some popular activities include going to comedy clubs, strip shows and nightclubs. Some daytime activities are also not out of the question, making it a weekend event is definitely on trend right now.
Art workshops, a spa day and even boozy bottomless brunches, are great examples of these. For example, here at The Flower Creative, we offer fun flower crown workshops. It’s a great time to bond while gaining some practical skills.
In the end, everyone gets to go away with a lovely flower crown for the rest of the hens day out. Whatever you do decide on, remember to pace yourselves. You want everyone to be still able to have fun when the evening comes around and not too tired.
Pro Tip: Schedule your creative hens party activities at the beginning of the celebrations before Aunt Shirley has had too many wines.
• Step Eight: Don’t Go Overboard
Time is never enough when you’re having fun, so keep that in mind while you plan. Be flexible and remember that they’ll be lots of catching up and gossiping as the day goes on. There’s no need to get everyone rushing for the next activity if they’re still having fun at the current one. Those happy moments are what’s important.
Pro Tip: It can sometimes be beneficial to host a hens party in stages with some stage cross over. You can have family including Grandma at a brunch or high tea earlier in the day followed by an activity (flower crown making). The more rowdier crowd can come from the workshop onwards ready to party into the night with matching flower crown accessories.
• Step Nine: Communicate
Send an itinerary out before the day starts and ask that everyone exchanges numbers. You can also establish a meeting point. While it may seem too nerdy, this is important. If everyone gets separated, it’ll be easy to find yourselves this way. Make sure everyone knows where you will all meet a day before too.
Pro Tip: Send everyone a reminder a week before the event and start hyping it up!
• Step Ten: Relax and Have Fun
Don’t forget that the goal for this day is to have fun. It’s the second biggest day your friend will have after her wedding day, so make sure it’s worth it. Enjoy the lovely activities you have planned, and most of all, make sure the bride-to-be has a great time. Best of luck!!!
Pro Tip: Create a hashtag for the event so the Bride can find all snaps from her hens party!
