‘I would never say that girls and their bachelorette parties are tame’ – Thomas Middleditch
*this is a paid partnership with Last Night of Freedom
Whether you’re a key member of the bridal party or the lucky Bride-to-Be herself, planning a hen party can be super stressful. But, with the help of stag and hen party planning experts, Last Night of Freedom, you’ll be ready to take on the world (or a group of women that have had far too many cocktails).
Communicate
First things first, get the girls together. However, in this modern day with our busy lives, and sometimes hens scattered all over the country this is easier said than done – so why not start a group chat? Not only will this break the ice and allow everyone to get to know a little bit about each other, it’s a great way to pool ideas as well as discussing important information whilst you’re away. If you get separated from the group while away, you can contact all members of the group and get back to safety and, of course, you can use the group chat for sharing those hilarious pictures once you’re back. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or a closed group on Facebook are ideal platforms to get everyone together.
Money
Ah, money – the source of all evil, plenty of arguments and most hen party related stresses. It’s certainly the trickiest part of arranging a hen weekend; you don’t necessarily know what the rest of the party can afford, so you must be open and discuss it to save any awkwardness. Remember that whilst little extras like gift bags, matching t-shirts and L-Plates seem cheap in isolation, everything adds up so bear that all in mind when talking cost. As for collecting money, Last Night of Freedom have an online ‘kitty’, so that group members can pay deposits and chip away at their balance as they wish, meaning you don’t need to be chasing up people for their share.
Plan for the Hen Herself
This might sound obvious, but an amazing hen party delivers exactly what the hen herself is after, and it’s different for absolutely everyone. For some hens, vodka shots, Willy straws and a naked stripper gyrating in their face would be their idea of heaven, but for others, it would be hell. Throw out your misconceptions about stereotypical hen parties and think about your hen – you know her best, after all.
Accessories, Games and Getting Personal
It’s best to surprise the hen with drinking games, costumes and accessories on her weekend. Whether she wants an inflatable phallus and some bling diamante tiaras, or is after some classier accessories like the I Do Crew or Team Bride range, it’s so important to accessories right. Personalised T-shirts with questionable nicknames are also a must – they’ll unite the girls and also help you spot your group in a crowd. They’re a win-win. LNoF have the biggest range of hen party accessories in the UK, so why not take a look and see what would suit your group?
Get Organised
Knowing where to be and at what time is crucial, especially when you’re a larger group. It sounds so simple, but the logistics of shepherding a group of high-spirited (and probably definitely drunk…) girls around an unknown city is no easy task. With every little detail of your weekend flying around your head, the most organised of people would be forgiven for letting something slip their minds. When booking with Last Night of Freedom, they send out a Travel Pack to all of our groups, making sure that they know exactly what time they need to be in certain locations – from times of airport transfers, to their activity time slots and when they’re booked into restaurants for meals. It’s a foolproof way of making sure nobody misses out.
Essentials
I’ve left this bit until last because it’s boring and basic, but totally essential. I can’t recommend enough the importance of preparing a simple tick list, including everything you could possibly need to pack in your suitcase and hand luggage. If you’re going abroad, your tick list should include passports, boarding details, visas if necessary, currency, insurance details, sun cream and EHIC cards. The good thing about making a list like this is that you can use it as a checklist when you’re packing up to come home, making sure you don’t leave anything in the hotel room (I’m the ultimate leaver of things in hotel rooms – usually phone chargers). Also always pack your clothing appropriately. It sounds silly, but if you’ve got mud buggies or quad biking on the agenda, for example, most organisers won’t let you take part if you’re not wearing appropriate footwear or clothing, and no one should have to miss out.
For more advice, tips or hen do inspiration, head to https://www.lastnightoffreedom.co.uk/ and let us take all of the hassle out of arranging your bespoke weekend.
