A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Hen Do
Most women only have one hen do to celebrate their last days as a single woman. I really enjoyed my own hen do which included a spa day, dinner and night out with my gal pals in London. I actually planned my own hen do (I’m a bit of a control freak) and made sure that everything was planned just so.
It’s important that the whole event is planned well with consideration, thought and good intentions. We’re not all natural born planners and all too often we overlook certain factors until they present themselves at the last minute. If you’re a bridesmaid planning one of the most unforgettable nights of her best friend’s life, don’t let yourself get caught out!
Everything from the activities to the choice of outfit to the transport needs to be decided upon beforehand. If this all seems a bit intimidating, then I have had a think on your behalf and put together some key points below for you to keep in mind. Before you know it, you’ll have planned an incredible night to remember forever.
Take charge of every single element
If you’re throwing a hen do for your best friend take the responsibility of every single aspect of the big night. Don’t feel the need to be solely responsible; you can have a group of friends organising the event, but don’t get the bride-to-be involved!
Refrain from asking the bride her opinion on where you should go or what you should do. This is her special night and your opportunity to show her how much she means to you with well thought-out surprises. Daunting though it may be, welcome the challenge of having the final authority on everything, including where you are going, how you are getting there, what you are doing and how long the event will last. Above all, the best present you can give your friend is the luxury of not having to concern herself with the pressures of event organising.
Customise activities to the bride-to-be
Just as every woman is unique, so too should every hen do. If the bride-to-be is a party animal, she might like nothing more than a night filled with visits to the hottest nightclubs on offer. However, if she is more of an outdoorsy type, she might prefer to go hiking, followed by a round of laser tag or paintball. If she likes to be pampered, schedule in a manicure, massage or a facial – just as I had on my day.
There may be a lot of people in attendance but the only one whose preferences should be taken into account is the bride’s. If she is a curry lover, then her best friends can deal with a delicious Indian meal for one night; don’t worry about satisfying the whole party, as it is usually impossible!
Invite the right people
Perhaps the trickiest question relating to hen do organisation is the issue of who to invite. You might be a good friend, but do you know all of her closest friends? Are you able to get in touch with them? Thankfully, social media has revolutionised the way we communicate and facilitated events such as this (think Facebook event) but remember to make a comprehensive list of people to invite and do this well before the day in question.
A difficult decision to make will relate to whether or not you are inviting the bride’s family. Some would be mortified if you invited her mother (or worse, her mother-in-law), while others would feel disappointed if they were left out. The same can apply to sisters or cousins. Each bride is different, so you will have to make a judgement call based on your knowledge of the bride-to-be. I had my sister with me for my hen do but no other family! AIt might be running these questions by your friend beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Carefully select your hen do destination
If your friend is a mum who can’t feasibly take a few days away from home to celebrate, this will limit your choices to local attractions. The same will be true if the bride has other commitments, such as work. However, if possible, whisk your friend away for a fun few days somewhere far away from home.
Some decide to hop on a plane to Europe, while others opt for a special UK adventure. Popular choices include Blackpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool or Manchester. Each place has something unique and exciting to offer, so remember to do your research beforehand. Decide how long you want to travel for, how compelling the local destination is and whether or not the bride has ever expressed an interest to visit the place in question.
Hire a minibus hire with driver to facilitate travel
Getting a minibus hire with driver is just plain easier than doing all the driving yourself. You don’t have to worry about getting lost on unfamiliar roads; you will be completely comfortable and at ease; it is the more environmentally-friendly option and you will be looked after by experienced professionals. In fact, they might even be able to offer you the advantage of their own local experience. On top of all this, if a party divides up the cost of a coach hire, it’ll doubtlessly result in a financial saving.
The important thing to remember about hen do organising is that if you put effort into the big night, it will be clear to your friend and she will have the time of her life knowing that her friends have gone to such lengths to make her happy. So don’t get frustrated or upset if every single thing doesn’t go to plan. In fact, chances are some things will go wrong. Just remember to enjoy an amazing, eventful night with one of your best friends.
