I’m now at that age where all my friends are getting married, and I’m fielding several WhatsApp groups about hen parties. I’ve never actually arranged a hen party myself (even my own!), but if I was ever tasked with the job, I know exactly how it’d go!
I can’t handle clubbing so much these days, and a lot of my friends feel the same as me, so a chilled- out gathering would be perfect. I’ve read about hen party houses in the UK and abroad, surrounded by nature – the perfect setting for a few days away with the girls.
These are my top tips for planning a chilled-out hen party
Once you’ve got your guest list sorted and numbers finalised, all you have to plan is the itinerary.
Pick your chilled-out hen party location
Consider how far you’d like to travel, or if there is somewhere in particular the hen and her group would like to visit. Once you’ve selected a location, you just need to arrange somewhere to stay! Sites like partyhouses.co.uk let you choose the location and can host up to 40 guests at some of their houses, which tends to take the stress out of booking. My advice would be to car share and have a few designated drivers, that way it’s cheaper and easier than going on a train, and the road trip vibes can be part of the fun.
Pack a Huge Pamper Kit
A chilled-out hen party needs a pampering session. It’s a true non-negotiable! Face masks are essential, as are manicures, pedicures, and relaxation in the hot tub (if your house has one). If you’re not so great at DIY nail painting, consider booking a couple of beauticians to come out and give your pamper party a helping hand.
Don’t Forget the Wine
Nothing makes a group of friends feel warm and fuzzy like a glass of wine to accompany your catch up. This is one area where you can’t really skimp on quality. I’m not saying it has to break the bank, but £3 supermarket saver will just won’t cut it for a hen party – you’re not eighteen any more! If any members of your party aren’t so keen on the boozy aspects of the evening, you can get low alcohol wine that’s really tasty, so pack a few bottles of that.
Girly Films are a Must
Check if you’ll be able to access any streaming services before you arrive, and if you can’t, go oldschool with a bag full of DVDs. It’s not a girls’ night without some girly films. My personal fave is Mean Girls, but you’ll be there for a few days so why not throw in Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You and Bridget Jones’ Diary – all the classics! You should probably add a few more rom-coms to that list – after all, love is what has brought you together!
Lots of Selfies
How often are all the girls together, really? Any hen do celebrations need to be documented so you can keep tagging your friends in them for years to come. Photos of the hen party are almost as important as the wedding photos, for memory’s sake. It doesn’t hurt to document happy times in your life, so why not invest in a few selfie sticks to make sure everyone gets a chance at taking group photos?
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