So, one of your besties is getting married and you don’t know where to start on the hen do. Don’t worry, love – I’ve been there. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Talk to the bride
I firmly believe that most of the hen do details should be a surprise, even if you’re not planning anything dramatic. But you firstly need to have a chat to your bride-to-be and get an idea of what she wants. Hen dos can be so different. Does she want a tacky hen? Pink cowboy hats and willy-shaped everything? Or does she want something low key? Does she want to go out? Does she want a stripper? Does she want a weekend away or just a night? You don’t have to tell her everything, but get an idea.
2. Run the guestlist past the bride
Most brides will actually give you a list of people to invite, but if not, just make sure you haven’t missed anyone off. Most people have a big group of friends and then a few extras – work buddies, people from uni or school – the last thing you want is to forget someone crucial! Or, worse - invite someone that you really shouldn't have.
3. Decide on a date
Ask the bride for some possibilities, then email all your other hens to find out what everyone can do. Book them in EARLY, before you commit to anything else. The last thing you want is to have to cover someone else’s costs if they can’t make it. Doodle is a great website for getting everyone's dates together.
4. Communicate with the bridesmaids
Assuming that the bridesmaids are doing the planning (although it’s not always the case), you need to make sure you communicate regularly. Make sure you’re all doing your bit, make sure one person isn’t paying for everything, make sure you’re all in this together.
5. Don’t turn down help
If one of the hens attending wants to help, but isn't part of the bridal party – let them help. You’ll be glad of it! And you might get some good insight, especially if you’re going away to somewhere one of them has been before.
6. Work out a budget
It’s incredibly easy to get carried away when planning a hen do, especially if you’re going away. £100 accommodation for a weekend may not sound too bad, but when you add activities and food and drink onto that, you’re looking at a lot more. Plus transport. Try and keep everything, minus spending money, under £150. Obviously it depends what you do, but use that as a guide and make sure all your hens are happy with it. If you let them all know early, you can also get their money in instalments – much friendlier on everyone’s wallet. You may even be able to take their spending money that way too, meaning no one incurs any extra costs when they’re there.
7. Don’t change your plans for one person
Sometimes one person can’t make the hen do, and that’s gutting. But if ten other people can make it, unfortunately you have to go with the majority. If you let one person change your plans, then you’ll keep changing your plans and won’t get anywhere. Unless that one person is the bride, obviously.
8. Don’t overplan
I know, this kind of contradicts point 1-7. But what I mean is, don’t schedule in something to do for every minute of the day. Allow time just to chat, or chill. Or sleep! Nobody wants a weekend that’s go-go-go all the time – people want to rest, too. My favourite part of all the hen dos I’ve been to is when all the hens have just sat together and gossiped and cackled. (If I ever get married, I’m pretty sure that’s all I want to do. Big house + wine = awesome.)
Also, if you’re organising a night out then allow a good two or three hours to get ready, too. It sounds like a lot, but you’ll need them!
No comments:
Post a Comment