How far in advance should you plan a hen party in the UK?

For a small local hen party, 4–6 weeks is usually enough. For a larger group or a weekend away in the UK, allow 8–12 weeks. For a hen party abroad, plan 4–6 months in advance to secure accommodation and flights.

Who pays for the bride at a hen party?

The bride traditionally does not pay for herself. Her share of the costs is split equally between all guests. Agree on this before setting the per-person budget so everyone knows what to expect.

How do you collect RSVPs for a hen party?

The easiest approach is a single RSVP link that all guests use to confirm attendance and provide dietary requirements. Tools like GuestlistOnline let you create a free RSVP page, collect responses in one place, and send automated reminders to guests who have not yet replied.

What is the average cost of a hen party in the UK?

A single-day hen party typically costs £80–£200 per person, depending on activities and location. A weekend hen party with accommodation usually costs £250–£600 per person. A hen party abroad can range from £400 to £1,000+ per person.

How many guests should be at a hen party?

There is no set number. Intimate hen parties with 4–8 guests allow for more personal experiences and easier logistics. Larger groups of 15–25 guests work well for activity-based events but require more planning. Always confirm the size with the bride first.

How do you manage a hen party guest list efficiently?

Use a dedicated guest list or event management tool rather than spreadsheets and WhatsApp messages. Track RSVPs, dietary requirements, and payments in one place. GuestlistOnline's free plan covers up to 50 guests and includes RSVP tracking and automated email reminders.

Hen Party Planning: The Complete UK Guide (2026)

Hen party planning sits at the intersection of excitement and genuine organisational pressure. As the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid, you are responsible for giving the bride one of her most memorable pre-wedding experiences — while co-ordinating a group of people who may have never met, tracking down RSVPs, chasing dietary requirements, and somehow keeping the budget under control. This guide walks through every step, from the first conversation with the bride to the moment everyone arrives on the day.

What Is a Hen Party?

A hen party (also called a hen do or bachelorette party in some regions) is a celebration for the bride-to-be, typically organised by her bridesmaids or close friends in the weeks before the wedding. Hen parties range from a relaxed spa day with a handful of close friends to a weekend abroad with 20 guests. The format is entirely up to the bride — which is why the first planning step is always asking her what she actually wants.

How Early Should You Start Planning?

The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the hen party:

Small, local hen party (4–8 guests): 4–6 weeks ahead is usually enough.
Larger domestic hen do (10–20 guests): 8–12 weeks ahead. You will need to book activities and accommodation.
Hen party abroad: 4–6 months ahead minimum, especially for popular destinations like Lisbon, Ibiza, or Prague where good apartments book up quickly.

The earlier you lock in the date, the easier it is to get everyone to commit. Send a date-picker poll to shortlist 2–3 options before committing to one.

Setting the Budget

Budget is the source of most hen party tension. Set it upfront and be direct. A few principles:

Split costs without the bride paying. Divide equally among all guests. The bride's share is covered by everyone else.
Account for the whole weekend, not just the headline activity. Factor in accommodation, transport, meals, drinks, props, and any surprises.
Set a firm per-person cost before you invite anyone. If guests cannot afford it, find out early so you can adjust.
Collect payments early. Chasing money after the event is awkward. Use a platform that lets guests pay at registration to avoid this entirely.

A mid-range UK hen party typically costs £80–£200 per person for a single day, or £250–£600 per person for a weekend away including accommodation.

Building Your Hen Party Guest List

Hen party planning starts with an honest conversation with the bride. Ask her who she wants there. Some brides want every bridesmaid and both sets of friends; others prefer a tight group of six close friends. Neither is wrong.

Once you have a list, organise it clearly before you send a single invitation. For larger groups, a guest list template or dedicated tool makes it much easier to track RSVPs, dietary requirements, plus-ones, and payments in one place rather than across a chain of WhatsApp messages.

With GuestlistOnline, you can create a free event, set a capacity, add registration fields for dietary requirements or t-shirt sizes, and let guests RSVP via a custom link. Every response is tracked in real time — so you always know who has confirmed, who has declined, and who has not responded yet. The free plan covers 1 event and up to 50 guests, which works for most hen parties.

Choosing a Venue

Venue choice shapes everything else — budget, activities, and how much co-ordination is required. The main options in the UK:

City break (London, Edinburgh, Bath, Brighton): Great for flexibility — mix spa, afternoon tea, cocktail bars, and shows. Works for groups of any size.
Countryside or coastal retreat: Hire a large cottage or Airbnb and plan activities around it. More relaxed, often cheaper per head than a city.
Hen party abroad: Lisbon, Seville, Prague, and Dubrovnik remain popular. Flights, time zones, and currency all add complexity.
Home party: A private house gives you full control and keeps costs down. Ideal for smaller, more intimate groups.

Once you have a shortlist, book early — especially for private event spaces and activity providers, which often have limited weekend slots.

Picking Activities and a Theme

The best hen party activities align with the bride's actual interests, not a default template. Common options in the UK:

Activity	Best for	Typical cost (per person)
Spa day	Relaxed groups	£60–£150
Cocktail masterclass	Most groups	£30–£60
Escape room	Competitive groups	£20–£35
Pottery or art workshop	Creative groups	£35–£60
Afternoon tea	Traditional groups	£30–£60
Dance class	Energetic groups	£20–£40
Axe throwing	Adventurous groups	£25–£45
Boat party or yacht hire	Larger budgets	£60–£120

For theme: keep it simple. A colour scheme, matching sashes, or a personalised tote bag is usually enough. Overly complicated dress codes create friction before the party has even started.

Managing RSVPs and Invitations

This is where most hen party planning falls apart. Chasing 15 people across WhatsApp, email, and Instagram for RSVPs and dietary requirements is exhausting. A structured approach saves significant time.

Three things make RSVP management smooth:

One single place for responses. Whether that is a Google Form, a group spreadsheet, or a dedicated tool like GuestlistOnline's RSVP management, everyone should respond through the same channel.
Automatic reminders. Send a reminder 1–2 weeks before the RSVP deadline, and again 2–3 days before. Most tools can automate this.
A clear deadline. State the RSVP deadline in the invitation and enforce it. Extensions just reward late responders and delay planning.

If collecting payments alongside RSVPs, platforms like GuestlistOnline support Stripe payments directly on the registration form — guests pay at sign-up, so you do not need to chase transfers afterwards.

Hen Party Itinerary Template

A rough itinerary keeps the day on track without over-scheduling. Here is a template for a typical UK hen do:

Time	Activity	Notes
12:00	Arrival / check-in	Share exact address and parking details in advance
12:30	Welcome drinks and games	Prosecco, personalised glasses, icebreaker games
14:00	Main activity	Spa, cocktail class, activity booked in advance
17:00	Get ready / freshen up	Build in extra time here — groups always run late
19:00	Dinner	Book a private dining room if possible for large groups
21:00	Evening activities	Bar, club, or venue hopping

Share the itinerary with all guests 48 hours before. Include venue addresses, timings, and any dress code reminders. A PDF or shared note works well.

On the Day: Check-in and Arrivals

For larger hen parties — especially if guests do not all know each other — a simple arrival process prevents chaos at the door. Assign one person to greet guests on arrival and cross names off the list. If you used GuestlistOnline for RSVPs, the free QR code check-in feature lets you scan guests in via their confirmation email QR code, so arrivals are tracked in real time.

A few day-of tips:

Share an emergency contact number (yours) with all guests in advance.
Carry a printed guest list as backup.
Confirm dietary requirements with the venue or caterer the day before.
Build buffer time into every transition — groups of 15+ always take longer to move than planned.

Common Hen Party Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Not asking the bride what she wants. The hen do is for her, not a template you found online.
Setting the budget after invitations go out. Always set the per-person cost first.
Leaving RSVPs to WhatsApp. Group chats become unmanageable quickly. Use a proper RSVP system.
Over-scheduling. Build in downtime, especially for a weekend away. People need time to relax and chat.
Forgetting transport logistics. If venues are spread across a city, plan how everyone moves between them.
Not confirming bookings 24 hours before. Activity providers occasionally have last-minute cancellations. Call and confirm.

Ready to manage your hen party guest list?

GuestlistOnline offers free hen party RSVP management for up to 50 guests — with dietary requirement tracking, automated reminders, and optional QR code check-in on the day. Start free and have your invitation page live in under five minutes.