Creating that perfect Hen’s Day
Establish the guest list
This is one of those tasks you’re not expected to keep secret from the bride. Before you even start thinking about planning the festivities, ask the bride to give you a list of who she wants to attend the party. Knowing numbers and the type of audience will have a big influence on your plans, as there’s a big difference between planning a day for 10 close friends of the same age versus a guest list of 30 that includes colleagues and grandparents.
Know your audience
Once you’ve established the guest list, start thinking about a plan that will include the entire group. Make sure it doesn’t exclude anyone or is inappropriate for the age or physical abilities of anyone in your audience. The day should also be a reflection of the bride and her tastes, as this celebration is all about her. If she’s not a big drinker and doesn’t like clubs, think of something more laid back and refined that she will love, but if she’s a party girl, think of something rowdy or outrageous that will appeal to her wild side. Keep activities G-rated if parents are in attendance and avoid any activities that will make people uncomfortable.
Set the date
Work with the bride to set a date for the party. Make sure to give guests plenty of notice – a bare minimum of a month is ideal, but the more time the better. You want to make sure everyone who is invited has the chance to attend and schedule their finances accordingly. You should also consider having the hen’s party at least a couple of weeks before the wedding if possible so everyone has the chance to recover.
Establish a realistic and respectful budget
It’s heart-breaking when you hear horror stories about friends who fall out over money at weddings, which is why you should be super mindful about costs when planning a hen’s celebration. Weddings can be financially demanding for guests, especially when you have several to attend within a matter of months. Be respectful of the fact that not everyone has a lot of money to spend and keep costs in mind when coming up with your plan.
Be flexible with options and alternative
Most hens celebrations bring together a mixed bag of guests and it’s important to remember that not everyone who is invited will be young, single and child-free. Adding some flexibility to your plan will give everyone a chance to be involved regardless of their personal situation. For example, if you’re spending a weekend away, offer the option of just attending the dinner, or if you’re planning a full day and night out, offer the option of just coming to the day or night portion of the festivities. This will also give those with less money to spend the option of attending the activities that suit their budget.
Location, location, location!
If you’re having your hen’s party on the South Coast, you have so many options when it comes to picking the perfect location to suit your celebrations. We’re privileged to stunning coastlines, gorgeous national parks and fantastic towns offering all kinds of options to suit all tastes. Here in Gerringong we are blessed with beautiful beaches, rolling farmlands, vibrant vineyards and some excellent wineries, breweries, cafes and restaurants. Seacliff House is an incredible, private sanctuary ideal for customising your own celebration, while Soul of Gerringong and Ocean Farm are also great for specialty accommodation.
Organising and planning activities
The DIY ethic has spread into all facets of wedding planning, with many bridesmaids now choosing to take a more DIY approach to planning hen’s parties. A whole range of vendors now exist to help create the perfect bespoke event, with so many great options available to design a hen’s day the bride and guests will never forget. Check out our Friends page for some inspiration – we’ve got some incredible vendors here on the South Coast, including drink vans, caterers, musicians, florists and suppliers who can help pull of an extra special hen’s celebration.
Think about transport
If you’re heading away for the weekend or moving between different venues, make sure you’ve got the transportation sorted. Work this into the budget so that guests don’t have to fork out any unexpected costs on the day. Hire a mini bus, pre-book taxi’s or identify some willing designated drivers before everyone hits the prosecco.
Be prepared but most importantly, have fun!
If you’re responsible for making sure the day goes off without a hitch, you’ll need to be switched on to make sure things stick to a schedule and be available to answer any questions guests may have. However, it’s also important to let your hair down and get into the spirit of the celebration along with everyone else. This is an important day for your friend and you want to be by her side to share this special day you helped organise.
