1. Use a software to create surveys and polls is key for planning a hen party

We recommend Typeform or SurveyMonkey, but there are plenty of other free survey tools. You need something that allows you to create a few questions which can be answered by each participant anonymously. Are you a spreadsheet person? If yes, then this free Google sheets template can be customised to your needs and the next step is evaluating key factors like budget, destination and dates.

2. Agree on a budget

Budget is usually the toughest one. Especially if friends from different stages of the brides life are coming together. Each person might have different circumstances impacting their willingness to spend. Ultimately this trip is about creating memories with the bride so you need to prevent prejudice and politics.

3. Decide how to plan a hen party based on the group’s budget

To maximise the experience, staying in the UK will help each person save on flights. Instead of spending at least £100 on flights to a destination abroad, rent a car and go on a road trip instead. Even a 4 hour drive will get you to the destination sooner and more cheaply than the time required door to door when taking a flight.

4. Dates which everyone can make work

How to plan a hen party if it’s impossible to find one weekend that works?! Make sure everyone provides at least three different weekends that they can make work, even if that’s not their preferred weekend.

5. Book accommodation

Rent a house instead of a hotel room so you have shared living space which allows everyone to hang out together as a group instead of a handful who know each other chilling in someone’s hotel room and others feeling left out. Apart from Airbnb there are also other platforms such as GuestReady, Sonder which offer a more curated selection of high quality private accommodation.

6. Book restaurants or a private chef

You don’t want the group to go hangry so make sure you have meals planned out! Breakfast, lunch and dinner and stock up on some snacks for those who might get peckish in between meals. A few pieces of fruit or some nuts will go a long way to ensure everyone’s happiness. If you have a large group, then booking a table at a restaurant might be difficult so the earlier you look into this, the higher the chances you get a table or a private dining room. Alternatively, if you opted for renting a house instead of staying in a hotel, booking a private chef is a great option for a fabulous hen party dinner.

Take a look at our post on food ideas for hen parties ➡️ here.

7. Book activities

When you create your survey, in addition to multiple choice options to vote on, you’ll make your life easier by offering a freeform text comments box where everyone can share some other ideas. You may not know every aspect of what the bride enjoys and her friend from a different walk of life might have some nostalgic suggestions. There are indoor and outdoor activities and will depend on your destination. But some popular options would be:

• Spa day
• Horse riding class or group hack
• Hike through a national park
• Cocktail making class with a bartender
• Dumpling or pizza making class with a private chef
• Painting class
• Make up masterclass
• Jewellery making class

8. Bride merchandise

Depending on how much budget you have left, bride merch is more than a nice to have. It’s key to some amazing group photos which the group will treasure forever and it doesn’t have to be pricey. There are many budget friendly options for banners, tiaras if you aren’t looking to go all out to print customised t-shirts or bathing suits.