How To Organize An Awesome Hen Party / Bachelorette Party

Remember a few months back, when those clever folks at Chillisauce shared their top 10 chic and unique hen party/bachelorette activity ideas?

Well they're back with some top tips on the nitty gritty of organising the perfect hen do.

I suggest leaving this post open accidentally on purpose next time your maid of honour pops round…

Actually, scrap that, I'd recommend ALL brides be as upfront about what they want for their hen do as possible. It'll make their maid of honour's life a whole lot easier and ensure the bride has a night to remember for all the right reasons!

Top Do's & Don't for Organizing a Hen Party

You've landed yourself the maid of honor gig, and now you have lots of planning to do. One of your biggest responsibilities is to make sure your bride-to-be has the time of her life before her big day at her hen party. So let's get started with what to do, and then we'll move on with what not to do!

Do ask for help, don't do it alone

Ask other bridesmaids to chip in and help you out. Ask your bride-to-be specific questions about what she has in mind, and what she doesn't want. Look online for guidance.

(FYI Chillisauce has a huge variety of hen do activities and packages ~ they can even help with the planning too!)

photo via LIFE

Do set a budget, don't break the bank

Being in charge of throwing the hen party, doesn't mean it is your responsibility to pay for the entire event. Ask everyone invited, especially girls in the wedding party to chip in equally. Set your budget early on, and then set the number each person pays. The earlier you set your hen party budget, the better chance you have of getting money collected from all of the girls.

Do ask the bride questions, don't surprise her with something she hates

Every bride-to-be is different, and thus has different taste. Some brides want to go to the bar with their girlfriends and party the night away. While other brides want to hit up the local museum, and have a late lunch. It is your responsibility as the head honcho to figure out what your bride-to-be wants her hen party to be like. Big boozed filled bash or quiet luncheon?

Do think about traditional hen parties, don't be afraid to step outside the box

Sure, tradition is great but switching things up a bit is fun too. Ask your bride-to-be if she wants her hen party to be the traditional ladies night, or if she would like to coordinate a coed party with her fiance. These days it's not unheard of for the couple to want to celebrate together with their mutual friends.

Do buy fun party favors, don't embarrass your bride-to-be

You know your best friend or sister more than anyone else, so you know if passing out penis necklaces is going to make her uncomfortable or make her laugh. Every hen party should have fun party favors, but it is up to you to make them fitting for your bride-to-be's taste. Make your guests leave with a favor that makes them remember your unforgettable hen party!

Hope this better helps all you ladies in charge of party planning! Good luck!

Many thanks to Rebecca from Chillisauce for sharing these fab tips.

Having just helped to organise my gorgeous, soon to be wed, cousin's hen do (photos coming soon!) and after organizing my darling friend Kelly's hen do last year, I'd like to add a few more tips:

Do make it personal, don't just make it another night out

Show the bride to be how special she is to you with personal and thoughtful touches such as doing an activity she loves, incorporating photos of her when she was little / photos of the girls and her / messages from the rest of the girls ~ these can be printed onto cupcakes, bunting or in a keepsake book.

Put a playlist together of her favourite tunes or pop her favourite girly film on to play while you're getting ready. Have her favourite cocktail / mocktail on hand or even simply request her favourite song from the DJ.

Little, inexpensive details like these will make her feel special on this once in a lifetime kind of day (and hopefully, when it's your turn, she'll return the favour!)

Do make sure you get everyone's email addresses / contact details in good time

Send out an email outlining the day, so everyone knows what to expect and be prepared to send out quite a few reminder emails. Honestly getting a bunch of busy women to respond to emails / get stuff done can be a nightmare!

Do consider some kind of prop(s)

Lots of brides to be will enjoy being the center of attention for one night only (other than on their wedding day of course) so give them a prop or two to make it clear who the hen is in your party. If sashes or veils aren't her thing, why not raid a fancy dress shop for funny wigs, sunglasses, angel wings or princess crowns? Little props like these can be worn for a few fun photos then easily removed.

Or why not have the bride wear all white and tie a pretty coloured balloon around her waist?

Do take flats in your bag / a cute tote and encourage the bride to be to do the same

This is advisable on a standard night out but essential on a sure to be messy hen party / bachelorette party! (Blisters and plasters are not a good bridal/bridesmaid look.)

styled bachelorette party photos by Morgan Trinker via Style Me Pretty

Don't be nervous about meeting everyone

(This is one I struggled with, being rather shy at the best of times but I soon got over it.)

You and the other ladies may all come from different backgrounds but you're all there for one reason ~ to give your friend/sister, the hen, a fabulous celebration and to have fun! Trust me, all the hen wants is for everybody to get along and have a good time.

So embrace your differences, enjoy getting to know a new group of people ~ who knows you make new friends and you'll definitely have a few friendly faces to chat to on the wedding day.

What are you planning for your hen do?

Have you got any more dos or don'ts for organising a hen party / bachelorette party? Do share!