Gone are the days of flashing L-plates and feather boas; today hen parties come in all different shapes and sizes and can last anything from one night to a whole week with your favourite ladies! Which sounds great, but someone will be named the official hen party planner, and you’ll know if you’ve ever been away on a group holiday, that’s no mean feat.
We are experts in planning parties and group holidays, so we’ve put together this useful hen party panner, full of resources to help you make informed decisions about the big day. Whether you’re the bride-to-be, bridesmaid, or you’ve just drawn the short straw, let the hen party planning commence.
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Hen party ideas
Today’s hen parties demand much more than ever before, and why not? With many couples now choosing to get married when they’re financially independent, hen parties are often much bigger (albeit quieter), more attainable affairs! It’s time to think outside the box with some fabulous hen party ideas from our hen party planning guide.
3 hen party ideas we think you will love…
The active hen party - a fun choice for the adventurous hen; think stand up paddleboarding, white water rafting or coasteering to really get the heart racing!
The foodie hen party – book a cookery class or hire a private chef to cook up a storm and plan a night themed around the bride’s favourite cuisine.
The creative hen party – put your craft skills to the test and enjoy some laughs along the way. You could book all kinds of workshops from jewellery making to life drawing!
Has this got your imagination pumping? Head over to our complete guide to hen party ideas for the classy bride-to-be for more inspiration…
Ideas for a sten party
Stick with us: combined hen and stag parties have increased in popularity over the recent years, and while it might not sound like the norm, there are plenty of reasons why it’s a great idea. From saving money, to bringing different groups of friends together, why not consider a sten party with a mix of stags and hens for the ultimate pre-wedding celebration?
3 sten party ideas we think you’ll love…
The pamper and relax sten party – everyone loves the chance to kick back and relax poolside, or in the jacuzzi, and no doubt it would be a welcomed break from the wedding planning madness.
The ‘fun and games’ sten party – a great way to break the ice is to plan some light-hearted competitive fun like escape rooms or murder mystery parties!
The explorers' sten party – if the happy couple is a well-travelled pair, this could be a great way to venture somewhere that’s new to them both, and the rest of their stag and hen party.
Are you considering combining the two? Tap the button below to head over to our sten party ideas guide…
Hen party destinations
So where will you go? That’s quite an important one for the hen party planner to decide because it will shape what hen do activities you can do. The beauty of remaining within the UK is that you not only have a plethora of options, but it’s easier to plan, you can cut travel times, and it’ll work out much cheaper.
3 hen do destinations we think you’ll love…
Snowdonia National Park – the number one destination for thrill-seeking groups. Snowdonia offers a plethora of outdoor pursuits and adrenaline-pumping activities.
Cornwall – a hen do destination that offers the perfect combination of fun on the beach, world-famous restaurants, and fine vineyards.
York – combine culture, cocktails, and relaxation in the beautiful city where you can end a day of exploring at happy hour in a classy wine or cocktail bar.
This is just a taste of hen do destinations we think are perfect for the special occasion. Tap the button below to gather even more inspiration…
Hen party houses
Arguably one of the most important elements of hen party planning: where will you stay? Now, this is where we can really help you pin down exactly what you want your hen party house to look like, and we have some fabulous ideas. Our growing collection of hen party houses feature big houses with big features, that help to make a special occasion even more memorable.
...with hot tubs
For the ultimate relaxation, you can’t beat a hen party house with a hot tub, and we’re pretty sure you’ll fall head over heels for this stunning handpicked selection.
...with spa facilities
Take a break from the wedding planning stress and treat yourselves with a hen party spa break in one of these luxury hen party houses with spa facilities.
Our top 10 hen party houses
When only the very best will do, we’ve handpicked 10 of our ultimate hen party houses in the UK. Step this way…
The hen party planning checklist
Has our hen party planning guide inspired you to kick-start the arrangements? Keep it simple and use this hen party planning checklist to keep you on track…
- Destination – pick a destination that works for your entire group
- Accommodation – choose somewhere to call home for the weekend, or the whole week
- Activities – choose one or two main activities to keep your hens occupied
- Food – think about whether you’ll be eating out, hiring catering or need to do a food shop
- Decoration – add a little glitz and glamour and make the bride-to-be feel extra special
- Games – in between the main activities, why not organise a few light-hearted games to break the ice?
- Invitations – not essential, but it could be a nice way to set the tone of the event
Ready to go? We hope this guide on how to plan a hen party has helped you narrow down what you need to do in order to plan a hen party you’ll never forget. Now without further ado, get your hen party house booked and start planning the finer details.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.