What is the point of a hen and stag?
These days are gone! Are ‘last night’ parties of single life also a thing of the past?
They may not be for everyone, but it is an excellent reason to raise a glass of wine to two people in love. You can do whatever you like, but don’t be bound by anyone’s expectations.
If you aren’t convinced, I urge you to consider a hen/stag party. We often avoid the wedding preparation – whether it’s trying on fancy dresses, planning a pamper session, or having a party – because we don’t think we deserve it. OK?!
Write your guest list
First, who are you inviting? The type of event you are planning will determine the type of invitees. Think about what a picture with Auntie Brenda in the center of it would look like if you had L plates, strippers, and body shots. If you’re hosting the party, make sure to invite them appropriately. Also, make sure to brief your groomsmen and bridesmaids if they are planning it for you.
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I would recommend that you limit the number of guests to your wedding party and closest friends. Weddings are already expensive so it can be difficult for guests to feel pressured to spend more. It’s difficult to manage large groups of people in small spaces.
Communication with the group and setting expectations
If you are planning on going big, such as a week-long vacation to the Caribbean, tell your guests upfront. This will make communication, budgeting, communication, and rapport easier for all involved. The more complicated the party, the more expensive it will be. Therefore, you might expect a smaller number of guests to be able to attend. You don’t want to be surprised by hidden costs when planning your wedding. Make sure you are clear about your expectations and plans to avoid unnecessary stress.
It is possible to create a WhatsApp group chat or a private Facebook event, or simply organize things using email. The WhatsApp group is my choice because it allows people to view each other’s profiles and get to know one another before the event.
When talking to brides about their Hen do, the most common concern I hear is that friends who are coming together might not get along. Although I will talk about ice-breaking later, I recommend that you consider it when planning your event, meal, and location. Stags are most concerned about their eyebrows being shaved when they go to sleep.
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Keep it simple. You only need a meal, some drinks, and an accessible activity such as bowling. It’s easy to be disappointed when things get too complicated!
Planning your budget
Consider how much you’d be willing to spend on a weekend out with your friend. It is easy to lose perspective when we get too excited about the wedding. But, imagine that you were invited to five hen or stag parties. What amount could you realistically put aside to pay for all of these events? Consider the financial situation of your friend and how much you can expect from them. You are less important than the people around you.
As I have seen it done, the party planner first asks guests how much they are willing to spend using a poll on Facebook. Based on the results, they begin to research potential locations and activities. This means that there is no awkwardness or cost-based drop-outs.
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In your budget, include a kitty. It can be used to pay for basic accommodation, or for travel and food expenses. You can give any leftovers back equally after the event.
Time and availability
Ask your guests how long you are available for a Hen or Stag party. You can have it on a Saturday afternoon or for a week. If the latter, guests will need to check their holiday allowance, book time off work, or arrange childcare. This makes organizing difficult. Planning ahead of time is better than waiting for weeks. This gives everyone a chance to be able to do it.
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Doodle is a cool tool that allows you to see the availability of all members. Simply enter all dates and share them with your guest list. People can then choose the dates that they are able to attend. You can simply choose the most popular day from the poll, and you’re done!
Selecting a destination, accommodation, and travel
Modern people are familiar with AirBnB as places to stay, and Skyscanner, and Trainline as cheap travel options. If multiple people are traveling from different places, but coming together to book train tickets, you may be missing something. Booking group train tickets can help you save a lot of money (you could save more than a third using GroupSave). You can also hire a minibus. If you’re anything like me, making a playlist and snack list for your road trip is part of the fun.
Keep in mind that guests will need to travel far to meet you at your chosen location. This means their pay-out will differ from the next guest. I recommend choosing a city or town that is easily accessible and costs less than PS70 to reach.
If you are traveling for a few days, self-catering will be cheaper than hotels. You can also make friends with other people to share the responsibility of cooking meals. As some companies have strict rules regarding this type of event, make sure to book somewhere that allows Hen or Stag parties.
It is great to have a place where you can all meet up, play games, and eat together. This is a great way to get people to bond before the big day. It’s amazing to have a place for silly challenges and games that bring people together so well.
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You can plan your meals ahead if you are staying in a cottage or house. Do not forget to bring toilet paper, toothpaste, tea bags, and olive oil.
Plan activities
For a memorable party, mix raucous entertainment with something sentimental.
Get your nails done as a group, or grab a pizza and all the movies you love for a cozy night in. You can make the group laugh by learning a Spice Girls routine, doing karaoke, swinging around a pole, or taking a cooking class. Keep it personal and memorable with cute keepsakes such as a Polaroid scrapbook and stories about how you met the couple.
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All activities don’t have to be expensive. A free, competitive scavenger hunting challenge could be planned in the morning. Luxury spa treatments can then follow.