Hen Party Planning Handbook

Extensive Hen Do Planning Guide

Hen planning, tips, games, themes, fancy dress ideas... Please browse our free hen pages full of inspiration and advice to make it extra special for the bride-to-be. Enjoy!

How to Plan a Hen Weekend...

Dream Big, Plan it Right

Making a plan without the right tools is like making spaghetti without a pot

Hen Party Planning Ideas

From the get-go, we know first-hand that beginning your hen party planning journey can be daunting – but have no fear! Even if you don't really know what a hen party is, to help you get off to a flying start there are a few things to consider before you dive into all things pink sashes and Ibiza cocktails.

With the arrival of hen party organisers like ourselves, you have free roam to do as little or as much hen do planning as you like. If you’re in the mindset of “I dread hen do planning", pass us all the hard bits, but if you’re all up to plan a hen party for your best friend, then peruse some simple tips and tricks.

Planning a hen party is usually a lot more work than you think. From deciding what hen activities, you want to include to organising which hotel - we take our hats off to the organisers! Whether you are looking for low key hen party ideas or something completely crazy, we can help you plan everything.

Things to Remember When Planning a Hen Party for 2024:

1. When Are You Celebrating?

It is essential to know exactly when you are celebrating the hen party. For example, consider if some of the bride's friends are teachers. Is it a classy hen do, or let's just hit the town kind of night?

2. What’s Your Approx. Group Size?

You'll need to quickly get an approximate group size to know precisely what you can do during the weekend.

3. What’s Your Destination?

Do you want to stay in the UK or go Abroad? Once you've figured out who's going, you can decide your destination! We have a list of the best hen locations in the UK to inspire you.

4. What About Hen Activities?

Activities are the most crucial aspect of your hen planning. Finding the perfect hen party activity can make or break your weekend!

5. Don’t Forget Evening Entertainment

As well as activities, you must keep everyone busy into the evening. Whether with a meal or a show, the choice is yours.

6. Do You Need Accommodation?

Depending on whether you are planning a hen weekend or just a hen night, accommodation is always a good idea!

When is the Most Popular Month to organise a Hen Party

There is no definitive answer as to when the most popular month is to go to a hen party; it depends on personal preference and the amount of planning involved. However, those who want to enjoy the warmer months often opt for April or May (based on Funktion Events group bookings in 2022).

These months lead up ideally to the peak wedding season in June and July, making them an ideal time for hen do before saying 'I do'.

5 Travel Advice Tips on Staying Safe during a Hen Party

Whenever you’re travelling around the UK or jetting off for a hen weekend abroad, your national/international travel safety should always come first. We care as much as you do, and with years of experience, we’ve learned a few essentials to ensure you can enjoy the hen do without worry. Find out how to stay safe at the hen party here.

1. Emergency Numbers

Especially important if you’re going abroad, knowing or keeping note of the emergency numbers for your country is essential in case you find yourself in a pickle.

2. Financial Protection

If you’re already amid hen do planning, you already know that hen party packages can get pretty pricy.

With this in mind, could you protect your money in case anything goes wrong?

For example, all our UK and abroad packages are fully protected by ABTA – and we highly suggest you don’t book without the ABTA bonded guarantee!

3. Stick Together!

The old saying ‘safety in numbers’ rings especially true if you’re a group of girls just trying to enjoy yourself. The girls must stick together to ensure everyone gets to and from safely.

4. Passport Control

You’d be shocked by the number of people carrying their passports with them around their chosen hen do destination or using them as ID on the last night of freedom. Keep your passport locked away!

5. Keep Up to Date

Before you jet off abroad, please ensure you know the latest on your location from sites like travel aware. It’s nice to be clued up so you can focus on enjoying yourself.

Who Should Organise the Hen Do?

The maid of honour normally takes control of the hen party planning. This then allows her best friend to just focus on all the wedding planning details.

However, we have seen in recent years that many bride's like to organise their own hen party or at least be involved in all the planning decisions.

How Far In Advance Should You Plan A Hen Do?

To make sure that each guest has enough money to cover the cost of both the hen party and the wedding day itself, we recommend leaving at least 5 to 6 weeks before the wedding. This also allows everybody has time to recover before the big day and look their best.

Enjoy All Our Hen Do Planning Tips and more!

Our advice doesn't just stop with the hen do! Learn all about galentine's day, find dating advice, seek wedding wish list help and other helpful tips for the bride in our articles below.

Hen Party Handbook

The Ultimate List of Hen Party Ideas

The big list of hen party ideas to suit any bride to be, collected by us in one place for your hen party weekend. Relaxed ideas, adrenaline ideas and more.

7th June 2024

Hen Party Games

Who Is It?

Throw a unique addition into the hen weekend with the ‘Who is it’ hens night game! A cheap and cheerful hen do game that all the girls can get involved in.

4th March 2024

Hen Party Handbook

Half Price Deposit Special Offer

Save money and book with our half price deposit special offer! Secure your booking for just £20 for all bookings.

20th February 2024

Hen Party Handbook

Staying Safe on the Hen Party

Whether you’re staying in the country or jetting off abroad, here’s a list of tips and tricks that will help you and the girls stay safe on the hen party

6th February 2024

Hen Party Handbook

Greatest Hen Party Playlists

The greatest list of hen party playlists on one amazing blog. Keep the ladies on the dance floor during the hen night with amazing tune after tune being played.

30th January 2024

Hen Party Games

Hen Party Dares

Go crazy on the hen night with these brilliant hen dares. Jump straight into over 50 free hen party dares to play on the weekend. The best list ever!

30th January 2024

Hen Party Games

Hen Party Bingo

This is bingo, but not as you know it. This cheeky game is perfect for you hen doers wanting a slice of challenge!

30th January 2024

Hen Party Handbook

Organising a Hen Party

If you’re reading this you are probably getting ready to organise the hen party, our step by step planner for organising a hen party will be your best friend!

30th January 2024

Hen Party Accessories

Funny Hen Party Memes

Whether you think you have completed your hen party planning or not there is always room for more hen party extras to be thrown in…like hen party memes!

30th January 2024

Hen Party Handbook

Harry Potter Hen Party - Lots of Ideas!

Plan the perfect Harry Potter hen party with tonnes of wizarding games, cool accessories and more to make your hen celebrations a Potterhead’s paradise!

9th January 2024