Planning a hen party can be an exciting experience, but can also feel overwhelming. The goal is to create a memorable celebration for the bride-to-be and her friends. However, many planners fall into common traps that can make the event stressful or underwhelming. Avoiding these mistakes will ensure a smooth, fun-filled hen do that everyone will enjoy!
1. Not Considering the Bride’s Preferences
One of the most crucial mistakes when planning a hen party is forgetting that it’s her celebration. While it’s tempting to focus on what’s trendy or what might be fun for the group, the bride’s preferences should always come first. If she’s more into cozy gatherings than wild nights out, tailor the weekend to her interests.
How to Avoid This:
Have a conversation with the bride early on about her ideal hen party vision.
Be mindful of her personality—does she love adventure or prefer relaxing activities?
Check how far she'd like to travel - she might not fancy a full trip abroad and may want to stay closer to home.
2. Overcomplicating the Theme or Activities
A themed hen party sounds fun, but sometimes the execution becomes more complex than expected. Trying to squeeze in too many activities, games, or themes can result in a chaotic weekend that lacks the right flow.
How to Avoid This:
Keep it simple! Choose one or two key activities and center the plan around them.
Avoid trying to include everything. Focus on quality over quantity.
Think about waste too - do you need all of the little themed knick knacks or will they just end up in the bin after one use?
3. Ignoring the Budget
Not establishing a clear budget is another common mistake in hen party planning. Without a budget in place, expenses can quickly spiral out of control, leaving guests with an unexpected financial burden.
How to Avoid This:
Set a realistic budget from the get-go.
Keep track of costs as you go to prevent any last-minute surprises.
Check out our blog on how to start planning a hen weekend for more top tips!
5. Neglecting the Hen Party Venue
Choosing the wrong venue can set the tone for the entire hen do. Whether you’re planning a night out, a weekend getaway, or a stay-at-home gathering, the venue should complement the vibe you’re aiming for. An overcrowded club or cramped hotel room can quickly turn fun into frustration.
How to Avoid This:
Think about whether the venue suits your group size, what facilities there are, if it's a package, location - is it easy to get to? And is it within budget!
Make the venue the main event - our hen party sites are beautiful, comfortable and include extras like silent disco - leaving you to just plan food and any other activities - check them out here.
6. Forgetting to Plan Logistics
Travel and timing can make or break the weekend. Failing to organize transportation to an activity or account for the time it takes can lead to logistical nightmares, like being late to activities or arriving at the wrong place altogether.
How to Avoid This:
Arrange group transport if necessary, such as a party bus or minibus.
Ensure that everyone knows the schedule and location of each event.
Double-check accommodation details if your hen party involves an overnight stay.
Overloading the Schedule
While it’s great to have fun activities planned, overloading the schedule with too much can leave people feeling exhausted instead of excited. It's important to leave room for relaxation and spontaneous moments.
How to Avoid This:
Strike a balance between planned activities and free time.
Allow for rest, especially if the party spans multiple days.
Keep the pace relaxed, and remember that part of the fun comes from letting things unfold naturally.
Check out our blog for the perfect hen weekend itinerary for more ideas.
8. Not Planning for Weather Conditions
If your hen party includes outdoor events, don't assume the weather will always be on your side. Rain, extreme heat, or cold could affect the experience if you don’t have a backup plan.
How to Avoid This:
Always have an indoor backup plan for outdoor activities.
Create an itinerary that can be switched around if needed.
Be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of time, and prepare accordingly.
Make sure your group know to pack for different weather.
9. Letting Everyone Have A Say On Everything
While it’s important to make sure everyone is happy with the plan, decision making as a group of 20 can be really hard work.
How to Avoid This:
Let the bride and her bridesmaids choose the location, venue & date then ask if the group can attend.
Offer two options - don't offer endless choices
Ask the group for suggestions on games/activities so that everyone still feels included.
10. Not Setting Deadlines
You can lose out on your favourite venue, caterer or activity provider if you don't confirm your booking in time.
How to Avoid This:
Set deadlines for the group to let you know if they're attending, for paying their deposit and for any other decisions that need to be made.
Give the group a reminder a week before a deadlines looming rather than waiting until the night before.
Conclusion
Planning a hen party doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does require careful thought and attention to detail. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll ensure that the bride-to-be has an unforgettable weekend that she and all her friends will cherish forever. Focus on what makes the event special for the bride, keep things simple, stick to the budget, and plan ahead—then you’re all set for an amazing hen party!
Our glamping hen weekends are popular for a reason - the package includes luxury bell tents, a large central tent for gathering, exclusive use toilets & showers, a food prep area, you're own outdoor space, BBQ, hot drinks and silent disco all weekend!
Packages from £160pp* and we're based on the outskirts of Leeds.
*Based on minimum guest numbers
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