The unspoken rules of planning a hen’s do

Landing yourself a spot on the #TeamBride entourage comes with some special responsibilities…from helping the bride make key decisions (like which cake icing looks best) to planning a hen’s do for her. The latter might sound fun and simple, but it gets a little tricky when it comes down to the details.

To make sure the bride gets an unforgettable time with her besties before the big day, some hard questions need to be asked. Can we invite (insert name)? Is an out of town party taking it too far? Who pays for this and that?

We know how you feel, girlfriend. That’s why we’ve put down these unspoken rules every bridesmaid or Maid of Honour should know when planning for a hen’s do!

Rule #1 Surprises are optional

The first thing to consider when planning a hen’s do is the personality of the bride. Is she a grab-and-go kind of girl or does she need time to prepare before heading out? Does she have a year-long calendar or does she use post-its for her daily schedule? The spontaneous bride will love surprises, while the plan-loving bride might freak out. The former can be left wondering what’s going to happen and the latter should be involved throughout the planning.

Rule #2 It doesn’t have to be X-rated…all the time

Let’s face it, a little naughtiness here and there can stir up some laughs at a party – Yeah, those cookies in G-strings are fine! But if you want the night to be really special, do something that the bride would love. Is she a music lover? Arrange a karaoke night. Is she an outdoorsy type? Go for an evening of Glamping under the stars. Here are some hens do ideas if you’re stuck.

Rule #3 You can split the bill

Being the head honcho doesn’t mean you have to be the main financer, too. It’s, of course, okay to ask everyone invited to chip in and treat it as a shared gift for the bride-to-be. You can email the hens a budget list so you get everyone on board before booking anything ahead.

Rule #4 Ask the bride who she wants to invite

Even if the party is going to be a surprise, you should ask the bride first hand who she wants to be there. She doesn’t have to know any other detail apart from that (Or ask her fiancé if you’re  THAT serious in keeping it a secret). Knowing the number of people going and whether or not her mum and aunts are coming along will affect the kind of party you’d be hosting.

Rule #5 What happens at the hen’s party stays at the hen’s party

Need we say more? If the stags have their bro code, the hens have their chick code—pun intended. Of course, you can post bride-approved photos on social media to share your fun night. But don’t think twice about keeping any kind of the embarrassing photos away from the public eyes!

Rule #6 Take care of what the bride should wear

If the bride doesn’t know yet where the party is going to be, make sure you prepare something for her to wear. You can even get her a hair and makeup artist to make her feel and look extra special for the evening. Or better yet, spend more girl time together before heading out by inviting over a mobile glam team!

Rule #7 Get the bride to her groom safe and sound the following day (or whenever the hen’s event ends)

Look out for your friend up to the last minutes of the night. The last thing you’d like is to have a missing bride! Ultimately, the squad’s goal is to support the bride all the way to her big day.

Browse hens and stag party ideas here!