Planning a Show-Stopping Hen Do – The Dos and Don’ts
Planning a hen do is an exciting task. To think that your loved one has chosen you to plan such an important event in their life is a huge honour, but with that can come a lot of stress.
It’s a chance for the bride to celebrate the upcoming wedding, spending some time with her nearest and dearest on a fun night or weekend to remember. As such, it’s crucial that the hen do is carefully planned.
To ensure a show-stopping occasion that the bride is bound to cherish forever, keep these essential do’s and don’ts in mind.
DO Ask the Bride What Kind of Hen Do She Wants
The most important step of planning any hen do party is to consult with the bride. It’s her special day, so the celebration should cater to her personality and preferences. Even if you think you know what the bride will want, it’s always best to confirm the general bachelorette party idea with her before you begin planning to ensure you’re on the same page.
For example, would she prefer a relaxing spa day or a wild night out on the town? These two themes are vastly different and may not be everyone’s idea of fun. Before you dive into the planning process, sit down with the bride and have a chat about what kind of celebration she’d enjoy the most. Then once you understand her preferences, you can put your own spin on it and create a night to remember.
DON’T Give Away Every Detail
While it’s important to consider the bride’s preferences in the planning process, it’s traditional for a hen do to feature an element of surprise. In order to ensure that it remains a secret, make sure to avoid giving away every detail of the night.
The bride might ask for some key information to ensure that she’s prepared for what the night holds, but try to keep any specific details under wraps where possible. For example, if you’re planning a night away, let the bride know what kind of outfits she should pack instead of telling her the exact destination.
DO Make Sure It’s All About Her
A hen do is, by definition, a celebration of the bride-to-be. The celebration should be all about her, so make sure to keep your focus on the bride as you work through the planning process. From the invitations to the activities, they should all reflect her interests and preferences.
You could also plan some games all about the bride, quizzing the bridesmaids on who knows her the best or each telling stories from the past!
Would She Rather
Two Truths and a Lie
How Well Do You Know the Bride
To go one step further, you could even incorporate sentimental elements into the hen do, such as taking her to a memorable spot or playing childhood games.
DON’T Invite Anyone She Hasn’t Consented To
It’s crucial to respect the bride’s wishes when it comes to the hen do guest list. While you may think ‘the more the merrier’, you might end up creating an uncomfortable atmosphere if you invite someone the bride doesn’t want there.
This is an aspect you’ll want to leave up to the bride and stick to. Even if you think a surprise guest could be fun, it’s not worth the risk of tainting the bride’s special night. By respecting her wishes, you’re bound to have a more enjoyable experience.
DO Be Her Personal Paparazzi
You’ll want to ensure that this memorable night is captured on camera as much as possible, creating a fun memento for the bride to treasure. As a bridesmaid or maid of honour, it’s your responsibility to take on the role of her personal photographer for the night. Take plenty of photos and videos throughout the hen do, documenting every fun moment.
If you don’t feel like you’re up to the task of being the bride’s personal paparazzi, consider renting out a photo booth or even hiring a photographer to ensure that there are still plenty of photos to look back on.
DON’T Bombard the Bride With Questions
The bride will be busy planning her wedding, so try not to bother her too much with questions about every minor detail of the bachelorette party. After all, she has tasked you with planning this aspect of her celebration. It is still important to get her general opinion on certain things, but it’s a good idea to try to limit these discussions to designated times.
For example, you could arrange to meet for a coffee to discuss some of your questions rather than bombarding her with messages and calls during an already very busy time. It’s all about making her wedding more enjoyable, so take as much weight off of the bride’s shoulders as you can.
DO Put Together a Hen Do Playlist
There are bound to be moments throughout the hen do when you need a bit of music to keep everyone upbeat. Whether it’s on the way to a venue or as a soundtrack for the night, it can be useful to create a playlist beforehand.
You can easily set up a collaborative playlist on most platforms, allowing the other bridesmaids or even family members to add some of the bride’s favourite songs that are sure to get everyone dancing.
DON’T Overdo It
Often the bridesmaids are expected to cover the costs of the hen do, with one person paying many of the costs upfront. It’s important to consider what would happen if some of them were unable to pay, which unfortunately is often the case.
If you’re concerned about ending up stuck with the majority of the costs yourself, it’s a good idea to keep the bookings and activities on the affordable side. Instead of booking to stay in a luxury hotel, consider renting a large house for you all to stay in. This will likely work out much more affordable per person.
The Bottom Line
Planning the perfect hen do requires a lot of careful thought and consideration. By following these essential dos and don’ts in the lead-up to the celebration, you can ensure that the hen do is an event that the bride will never forget (for all the right reasons)!
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