If you've been delegated the task of planning the bachelorette party - or Hen Night - then look no further; we've got you covered!
Typically, the Hen Night is the bride's last big bash with her besties as an unmarried woman. However, depending on her preferences, this may take a different form.
Let's explore some simple steps to help plan an unforgettable event.
Ask the bride-to-be to put together a list of people to invite. This should include her closest girlfriends, sisters, and cousins. Check with her if she would like an intimate or more extensive event since this would dictate how many people should be invited.
Many brides-to-be would rather opt for a more intimate event. Since all her female friends would be in the same room, very likely with one too many glasses of champagne, it limits the amount of drama that might take place. You’ll have a much tighter handle on how things progress and she would also get to spend more one-on-one time with her closest friends.
This is a crucial element of the process. Discuss with the bride about what she would like, and truly listen to her. For example, if she says no male strippers, seriously, don't book any!
Some brides love the idea of a night out clubbing; others, not so much. Some may prefer a relaxed weekend away with their closest friends or even a sophisticated dinner with good food and wine, or even a night in pajamas with too much sangria and board games. Whatever you choose, consider everyone's budget.
Also, make sure you have a plan for the way the party will flow. For example, set an arrival time, and what will happen first, second, third, etc. The plan doesn’t have to be set in stone because nothing ever works out exactly according to plan, but some loose structure will just help move things along in a way that makes sense. Get a sense of what people will respond to best and go from there. A weekend away may involve a more extensive itinerary.
There are some parts of the event the bride and her inner circle will need to cover. You can let everyone know ahead of time if you'll all be splitting the bill for the most part. However, some party favours, snacks, and bits and pieces will need to be covered privately.
Work out what you feel is doable to spend on the Hen Night and who will pay for what.
While on this note, ensure that everyone involved can afford the venues, food, and drink you have settled on, especially if it’s a fancy dining night out or clubbing.
Decide if you're going to set a Hen Party theme early on so all your invites, bookings, and activities will follow suit. Do some research about fun Hen Night themes. You can also pick something the bride enjoys.
Some popular themes include everyone dressing up like pirates, burlesque, playboy bunnies, Disney princesses, and Black n Bling.
It's up to you – have fun with it!
Discuss the ideal Hen Party date with the bride. It's best to hold it at least two to three weeks before the wedding, not the night before! Then chat about where to go for the event. If you decide on a weekend away, you'll need more time to plan, book accommodation and activities.
Once you have these first five steps sorted, you can send out invites. Informal e-vites are fine, or even just a chat group on Whatsapp that includes everyone involved.
If you're heading out of town or further than it is easy to get back to after a night out, it's best to book a place to stay. Look for hotels, Airbnb spots, or even a nearby friend's home ahead of time.
If you're planning on an all-out bash, it's better no one gets behind the wheel at the end of the night. Deciding to all sleep at the same place helps with logistics and to keep everyone safe.
You can then hire Uber to take everyone back to where they'll stay. It's best to book your driver a little in advance, so you don't have to worry about finding one on the night when you're trying to have fun. You can then simply call the driver you've already booked when you're all ready to head home.
There are some age-old Hen Party activities that you may want to embrace. One of the top ones is quizzing the bride about her husband-to-be. To do this, you'll have to work out questions and get answers from the groom first.
There are loads of other activities, including dressing up and asking strangers for donations to the wedding fund! Do some research and pick activities that will be appropriate. Push the bride a little out of her comfort zone, but never make her do things that will embarrass her and leave her with bad memories of her last evening out as an unmarried lady.
Whether it's a night in town or a weekend away, don't forget to plan the food. Going out for dinner before hitting the clubs is an excellent idea. If going away, research places to go for brunches, lunches, and dinners, or plan delish and easy stay-in meals.
Silly little extras like Hen Party-themed sashes, princess crowns, stick-on tattoos, balloons, bunting, badges, goodie bags, etc., are so much fun. Don't forget to factor these into the budget and your event preparation.
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