Say 'I do' to stress-free hen party planning

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Perhaps you’re the Maid of Honour, a bridesmaid in charge of planning thehen partyof dreams, or a member of thebride squadcontributing suggestions to the group chat… regardless of your role, it’s no secret that organising (and attending) such a monumental event comes with a mixture of feelings that can be tricky to navigate, especially if it’s your first time.

From finalising the guestlist to keeping the itinerary a surprise from the bride-to-be, we asked those who have either planned or attended a hen party to spill the tea. They told us how they really feel about the event and whether they draw the line at planning another one, or if they’d say yes again and again.

With the aim of making the planning process that bit easier, we also uncovered what decorations are a must, and have created our very own ultimate hen party packages. The silver hen party package includes everything you might need for one last rodeo including a disco ball drinks cooler, cowboy hat and balloon arch. The floral hen party package, perfect for a garden party celebration includes a beautiful floral veil, photobooth props and an album ready to save special memories. Last but by no means least, the pink hen party package has all the essential elements for a classic hen do with sashes, paper straws and garlands ready to go.

For the majority of respondents (62%), attending a hen’s celebration is an enjoyable experience, but for over a third (34%), planning the event can unfortunately be challenging.

Whilst the majority are up for joining the party, only a quarter (24%) revealed they would say yes to planning someone else’s hen party in the future.

So how do hens feel about the party planning process?

Respondents were asked to rank 12 different elements of the hen party planning process to uncover which parts of organising they enjoy the most as well as which cause a little more stress.

Choosing a date and location, as well as deciding on a budget to suit everyone, came out on top as more challenging than enjoyable, with 40% agreeing that the task caused them grief.

Trying to make sure that everyone’s suggestions were accounted for also brought similar levels of pressure to those planning (39%). And contributing to or finalising the guestlist and activities (37%) were equal parts stressful for those involved.

But, although it can feel overwhelming to get the event right, with the right support and guidance, there are ways that stressful situations can be turned into success.

Jess Martin – hen party expert at Ginger Ray – shares her top tips:

“We all have different preferences when it comes to hen party tasks, so ask everyone who’s helping what they love to do and assign roles this way, that way, it’ll be less likely to cause chaos. A friend in the group loves crafts? Assign them the decorations. One of the bridesmaids is great with money? Put them in charge of budgets. You’ll be ticking off tasks with ease before you know it.”

What the bride squad enjoy most about attending a hen party

As we know, girls (and guys too) just want to have fun, and hen parties are no exception to that rule, especially when it comes to decorations.

More than a third of attendees (34%)told us they love setting up the space ready for the bride’s arrival!

Perhaps due to the excitement of the event drawing closer, sending out invitations and sharing RSVPs(34%)is one of the only other parts of the planning process that isn’t overshadowed with stress. Followed closely by finalising the games that’ll be played over the weekend(31%).

Regional opinions on hen parties

If you have a hen party on the horizon but haven’t yet set a location, our research has revealedthe top cities where residents are most likely to enjoy hen celebrations,making them a great choice if you’re looking for added energy and party vibes when hitting the town.

Norwich takes the top spot (83%)and is closely followed byEdinburgh (75%)andBristol (73%)– all of which would make for great destinations. This is especially if you’re planning a weekend getaway with countryside nearby.

Liverpool (70%) and London (65%) make up the top five,providing many options if a one-day city break is more what the bride is looking for.

Classy hen supplies are always invited to the party

So, we know that hen party decorations are one of the most favoured parts of the planning process, but what is it that makes up the ultimate hen do package? Well, look no further as according to our research, thetop 10 items no bride-to-be should be without at their hen party are:

The top 10 items no bride-to-be should be without at their hen party are:

Introducing our Silver Hen Party Package

What's Included in the Silver Hen Party Package

Introducing our Floral Hen Party Package

What's Included in the Floral Hen Party Package

Introducing our Pink Hen Party Package

What's Included in the Pink Hen Party Package

No matter what the theme of the event is,balloons, banners, and photo props are a must-have,as they help to transform the space into a bride’s paradise. And no hen do is complete without matching sashes and even t-shirts or jumpers, depending on the weather.

Tableware, drinks pouches or party cups, straws and toppers are a great addition to the dinner table too. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the more risqué decorations, they didn’t quite make the cut. But thankfully, we’ve got you covered with classy hen party supplies that’ll add the perfect touch of sophistication to your celebration.

Don’t forget to tag us in your hen party pictures on Instagram and use #gingerray for your chance to be featured on our socials and website!

Methodology

The research was conducted by TLF on behalf of Ginger Ray with a sample of 504 respondents who have either planned or attended a hen party. The survey was gathered between 10.04.2024 - 11.04.2024 and the results were split by total responses, generation, gender, and city.