hen partyhen party planning
As Head bridesmaid or Maid of Honour, planning a hen party can seem like a daunting task to have on your shoulders. It’s no surprise that there are lots of bridesmaids looking for ways to plan an unforgettable hen party that doesn’t break the bank.
If you’re looking for quick, easy ways to plan a night to remember for the special bride to be and want to keep the RSVP’s high and the costs low, here are our top tips on how to plan a hen party on a budget.
If this is the first hen party you’ve had to arrange and you’re feeling the pressure, then why not consider hiring a professional hen party planner who can carry out all the research for you and remove all the unnecessary stress? You may pay a little more for the services, but it’ll make the whole experience a little more enjoyable if party planning really isn’t your thing. Just make sure to communicate your budget with the hen party planner beforehand so they can find activities that will suit everyone’s needs.
Alternatively, there are plenty of hen party planner books available online or free checklists offering a list of everything you need to make sure everything goes to plan.
One of the biggest reasons for planning a hen party can get a little out of control is normally down to costs. Our first tip to avoid any stress is to have a rough idea of your budget. By having a number in your head, you’ll be able to quickly get an idea of how much you’ll want to spend on your games and activities.
Bear in mind what is affordable to one person may not necessarily be affordable for your guests. One thing you wouldn’t want is people dropping out last minute. To make sure there are no dramas, share a few options including the cost of each activity so you can get a sense of everyone’s interest.
For example, are you planning a whole day event that includes an activity, followed by cocktails and dinner? Perhaps you just want a night out? Where does transport fall into this plan? Can people opt for just dinner and cocktails or are do they need to attend all parts of the event? Try to include these details within your rough plan so your guests are clear.
Planning a hen party can end up being a lot more expensive if you leave it till the last minute. Last minute deals on hen parties isn’t really a thing like it is with 2-week holiday packages, so you’ll want to start planning with as much time as possible to ensure you get everything you need to make it one to remember. Whether you’re looking to go out of the country for a long weekend, on the search for a glitzy venue or booking a spa day, try to get the main bookings out of the way early so you can make the most of the early-bird bargains. This will give you the chance to spread the cost over several months making it much more manageable for everyone. Not only that, leaving plenty of time for planning will give you the opportunity to search for the best deals and keep your options open.
Something to really consider when you’re trying to keep the costs down is how many people you invite? You’ll be surprised how much money can be saved from just cutting the guest list down to your nearest and dearest.
You may want to put in some time to sit down with the bride and ask her who she wants to be at her hen party. Some brides only want close friends, whereas others don’t want to leave anyone out so just make sure your communication is clear.
If you feel the guestlist is blowing your budget, be ruthless! You should never invite anyone you feel an obligation to do so – it’s your hen party after all!
To put it simply, the longer your hen party lasts, the more expensive it’ll be! You can still organise an unforgettable hen party that is just for one night. The reason hen parties are so expensive nowadays is because everyone feels an obligation to go away for a long weekend and once you factor in flights, accommodation, food and spending costs, you’re looking at a pricey affair!
For budget-friendly options, keep it simple and plan a fun night out with lots of free activities and personal touches without half the cost! If you feel that one night is too short and doesn’t give you enough time for all you have planned, then why not start early and make a day of it.
Here are a few ways you can keep it to one day:
- Spa Days / Packages
- Host a Girly Night In
- Plan a boozy Brunch or an Afternoon Tea
- Keep it local
- Research and find free or low-cost activities
It’s about who you’re with, not what you do! So why not research some fun free activities you can plan in for the day to act as an ice breaker and get everyone laughing! There are endless free games or activities you can get involved with to keep costs low but spirits high.
Here are a few of our favourites hen party games:
- Pass the Parcel (Hen party edition)
- The Ice Breaker Game
- Truth or Dare Scratch Cards with Hen Party
- Shot Glasses
- Bride to Be Advice Cards
- Mr & Mrs Quiz
- Photobooth Props
Before you start spending a fortune on the decorations, it’s important to know your audience. Would your bride want you to spend a lot on the decorations so she can be kitted out from head to toe or would she prefer a few subtle accessories leaving more money for other activities?
Either way, with a budget-friendly hen party in mind, less is more and we’ve got plenty of tips on how you can keep the costs down but still give the wow factor! Instead of a fancy dress where costume prices can add up, why not consider accessorising with our gorgeous Bride to Be Sash in a classy rose gold a few floral decorations for the venue?
Our Hen Party Balloon Bunting would look gorgeous hung from the wall or perhaps our ‘From Miss to Mrs’ Bunting paired with a few Team Bride confetti balloons could be the classy, yet simple look you were after? If budget allows, you can look into surprising the rest of the hens with either #TeamBride sashes, badges or even temporary tattoos.
If you’ve taken the role as a hen party planner, why not opt for buying a group gift instead of asking your guests to give individual gifts. All you need to do is factor in a little more to the budget or ask your guests for a small contribution towards the gift and you can easily find some lovely bride-to-be gifts that will mean a lot to them!
Don’t forget to share your hen party moments on Instagram by tagging us on #gingerray. You can follow us on Pinterest for endless party inspiration!
How to Plan a Hen Party on a Budget
Words byGinger RaySeptember 09, 2021
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If you’re looking for quick, easy ways to plan a night to remember for the special bride to be and want to keep the RSVP’s high and the costs low, here are our top tips on how to plan a hen party on a budget.
Get yourself a Hen Party Planner
If this is the first hen party you’ve had to arrange and you’re feeling the pressure, then why not consider hiring a professional hen party planner who can carry out all the research for you and remove all the unnecessary stress? You may pay a little more for the services, but it’ll make the whole experience a little more enjoyable if party planning really isn’t your thing. Just make sure to communicate your budget with the hen party planner beforehand so they can find activities that will suit everyone’s needs.
Alternatively, there are plenty of hen party planner books available online or free checklists offering a list of everything you need to make sure everything goes to plan.
Prioritise your budget over plans
One of the biggest reasons for planning a hen party can get a little out of control is normally down to costs. Our first tip to avoid any stress is to have a rough idea of your budget. By having a number in your head, you’ll be able to quickly get an idea of how much you’ll want to spend on your games and activities.
Bear in mind what is affordable to one person may not necessarily be affordable for your guests. One thing you wouldn’t want is people dropping out last minute. To make sure there are no dramas, share a few options including the cost of each activity so you can get a sense of everyone’s interest.
For example, are you planning a whole day event that includes an activity, followed by cocktails and dinner? Perhaps you just want a night out? Where does transport fall into this plan? Can people opt for just dinner and cocktails or are do they need to attend all parts of the event? Try to include these details within your rough plan so your guests are clear.
Plan in advance
Planning a hen party can end up being a lot more expensive if you leave it till the last minute. Last minute deals on hen parties isn’t really a thing like it is with 2-week holiday packages, so you’ll want to start planning with as much time as possible to ensure you get everything you need to make it one to remember. Whether you’re looking to go out of the country for a long weekend, on the search for a glitzy venue or booking a spa day, try to get the main bookings out of the way early so you can make the most of the early-bird bargains. This will give you the chance to spread the cost over several months making it much more manageable for everyone. Not only that, leaving plenty of time for planning will give you the opportunity to search for the best deals and keep your options open.
Take the time to plan your guest list
Something to really consider when you’re trying to keep the costs down is how many people you invite? You’ll be surprised how much money can be saved from just cutting the guest list down to your nearest and dearest.
You may want to put in some time to sit down with the bride and ask her who she wants to be at her hen party. Some brides only want close friends, whereas others don’t want to leave anyone out so just make sure your communication is clear.
If you feel the guestlist is blowing your budget, be ruthless! You should never invite anyone you feel an obligation to do so – it’s your hen party after all!
Keep it simple
To put it simply, the longer your hen party lasts, the more expensive it’ll be! You can still organise an unforgettable hen party that is just for one night. The reason hen parties are so expensive nowadays is because everyone feels an obligation to go away for a long weekend and once you factor in flights, accommodation, food and spending costs, you’re looking at a pricey affair!
For budget-friendly options, keep it simple and plan a fun night out with lots of free activities and personal touches without half the cost! If you feel that one night is too short and doesn’t give you enough time for all you have planned, then why not start early and make a day of it.
Here are a few ways you can keep it to one day:
- Spa Days / Packages
- Host a Girly Night In
- Plan a boozy Brunch or an Afternoon Tea
- Keep it local
- Research and find free or low-cost activities
It’s about who you’re with, not what you do! So why not research some fun free activities you can plan in for the day to act as an ice breaker and get everyone laughing! There are endless free games or activities you can get involved with to keep costs low but spirits high.
Here are a few of our favourites hen party games:
- Pass the Parcel (Hen party edition)
- The Ice Breaker Game
- Truth or Dare Scratch Cards with Hen Party
- Shot Glasses
- Bride to Be Advice Cards
- Mr & Mrs Quiz
- Photobooth Props
Take a ‘Less is More’ Approach with Decorations
Before you start spending a fortune on the decorations, it’s important to know your audience. Would your bride want you to spend a lot on the decorations so she can be kitted out from head to toe or would she prefer a few subtle accessories leaving more money for other activities?
Either way, with a budget-friendly hen party in mind, less is more and we’ve got plenty of tips on how you can keep the costs down but still give the wow factor! Instead of a fancy dress where costume prices can add up, why not consider accessorising with our gorgeous Bride to Be Sash in a classy rose gold a few floral decorations for the venue?
Our Hen Party Balloon Bunting would look gorgeous hung from the wall or perhaps our ‘From Miss to Mrs’ Bunting paired with a few Team Bride confetti balloons could be the classy, yet simple look you were after? If budget allows, you can look into surprising the rest of the hens with either #TeamBride sashes, badges or even temporary tattoos.
Organise a Group Gift
If you’ve taken the role as a hen party planner, why not opt for buying a group gift instead of asking your guests to give individual gifts. All you need to do is factor in a little more to the budget or ask your guests for a small contribution towards the gift and you can easily find some lovely bride-to-be gifts that will mean a lot to them!
Don’t forget to share your hen party moments on Instagram by tagging us on #gingerray. You can follow us on Pinterest for endless party inspiration!