How to Plan a Hen Party

The Ultimate Checklist: How to Plan a Hen Party. 

So, your best friend just got engaged, and you've been tasked with planning the ultimate hen party. Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry - we've got everything you need to pull off an unforgettable celebration! Here’s your step-by-step guide to planning a hen party that everyone will love.

Hen Party: A heartwarming gathering of close friends celebrating the bride-to-be, filled with fantastic activities, memorable photos, and lots of room for indulgence—think sunset boat trips, hilarious creative workshops, amazing dinners, and plenty of laughs.

Follow these simple steps, we’ll help you through the process.

Step 1: Understand the bride’s vision

The plan needs to resonate with their style and preferences. Talk to them and find out their likes and dislikes. Ask them what their expectations of the weekend are, after all, it is for them…right? This will help spark some ideas. 

Here are some questions you might want to ask the bride:

• Do you want everything to be a surprise?

• Would you prefer to have it abroad or at home?

• If abroad, where? 

• What would a rough budget be?

• Do you want one or two hen parties?

• Do you want any themes?

• Would you prefer it to be? Classy - with a touch of luxury or Cheap and Cheerful?

• Do you want the weekend to be full of Relaxation, Culture, one night out but nothing crazy, Partying, Strippers, and fancy dress, or a mix of it all!

Step 2: Sort out the Guest list 

Ask the bride to write a list of who she wants to attend - that way you won’t be making any rookie errors like inviting an auntie they no longer talk to. We’d recommend you ask her to star* the attendees who absolutely must be there - no matter what! If you make sure they are there, the bride will be happy.

Step 3: Set a Date

Speak to the bride to get a list of potential weekends for the hen party. It’s great to have 3 options to send out to the attendees. With work, children, travel plans, and weddings you’ll need a few. Create a poll on a Whatsapp group, use Google forms, or the doodle date app to create polls to send out your dates and get some feedback. 

You have finalised the guest list, and got some options for a location, now it’s time to plan the party. Pick some themes, the activities, the outfits, the party favours, and get creative!

Step 4: Location

By now you’ll already know if the bride wants a hen abroad or not. If she is looking to hop on a plane and get some sunshine, our favourite Hen destination is Barcelona in Spain. You’ve got the mountains, the sea, stunning architecture, great beach clubs, club nights, and fantastic food. Booking tip: If you’re looking for luxury, the Villa’s tend to be a bit further out of the city, so research places like Sitges, Castelldefels, Gava or Girona. Or simply contact us and we will sort it all for you.

Step 5: Set a Budget 

Be realistic from the start - what can your guests afford? Come up with a ballpark figure as soon as you possibly can by quickly researching the main expenditures like:

• Flights (if abroad)

• Accommodation 

• Hen activities

• Eating out / drinking out

• Gifts for the bride/ Party favours

• Fancy dress costs

• Pop it all into an Excel sheet and calculate a rough budget per person.  

Step 6: Create a Facebook/ Whatsapp group 

…and get the ball rolling. Ask the bride-to-be to create the group with whoever she wants to go on the hen, then ask her to leave so you can get planning. Make sure to be clear from the start that you don’t want the group to be a constant back and forth of messaging - admin purposes only! Such as dates, payment information, and flights.  You don’t want guests hearing about every tiny detail, leave some of it as an element of surprise for them.

Step 7: Choosing your activities 

We have an endless list of activities to keep you entertained in Barcelona!  Here are some of our top picks in order to enjoy your weekend in Barcelona to the fullest.

• Private Boat trips

• Cava tasting day trips

• Jewellery workshops

• Cocktail making

• Private Food and Drink Tours

• Espadrille workshops, we could go on! 

Take a look at our events here! 

Step 8: Payments

Make sure guests are aware of how much the entire weekend will cost, no one enjoys being told about last minute changes.  Set a budget, and stick to it as closely as you possibly can. Decide if you’re going to have a kitty and don’t forget to factor that into the payments.

TIP: If you plan the hen party in advance you can ask the guests to send you monthly instalments - then you won’t have to chase people up to pay at the last minute.  

Step 9: Theme and Decorations

Browse some of our favourite themes for hen parties! We are not saying a theme is obligatory but it’ll make the evenings a lot more fun - especially to spice up day 2 when you’re tired and hungover!

• Margs and Matrimony - greens, yellows, and homemade margaritas!

• All in black - and the bride will look stunning in white!

• All aboard - sailors, very fitting for a boat trip!

• The Last Rodeo - yee haw!

• Disco Fever - glitter, and some disco vibes.

• Pretty in Pink - perfect from the spring summer months

Step 10: Favours and Gifts

Mementos for the guests and a thoughtful gift for the bride-to-be is a great touch.  Sign up for our espadrille or jewellery workshops. You’ll have something for everyone to take home, personalised and even something to be worn at the wedding! A unique  keepsake from your trip away.

Final Step: Personalised Itineraries 

Keep the party on track but allow for spontaneity! Have optional activities so that people don’t feel pressured when they need some down time. For example: Boat trip 10:30 -14:30h (everyone) 14:30-16:30h walk and cocktails on the beach (optional), that way some can head back to the accommodation to chill if they wish. We’ll sort your personalised itineraries in Barcelona. We have finely curated a fabulous list of events, parties, and restaurants to fill your hearts desires.

So, there you have it ladies, your step-by-step guide on How to plan a hen party. Take these simple steps on board and you’ll be sure to make the hen planning process a dream. 

Planning a hen do in Barcelona? Let us help you create an unforgettable experience! Contact us today through our Contact Form or follow us on Instagram for more tips and personalised assistance.