If you've just been made chief hen organiser, first of all, congratulations. Second, take a breath. We've been printing hen tees here in Chester for over 14 years, and we've seen every kind of hen do going, from glamorous weekends away to a few friends in a pub garden. The ones that go best are rarely the most expensive. They're the ones where someone did a bit of planning early on. So here's our honest advice on planning a hen do without the stress, for you and for the bride.
Ask the bride what she actually wants
Before you book a single thing, have a proper chat with her. Is she a dancing-till-3am girl or a spa-and-prosecco girl? Is there anything she'd hate? (Inflatable props, a particular ex's favourite bar, a stripper... it's best to know!) If it's meant to be a surprise, quietly ask her sister or best friend. It's her day, and it's amazing how much easier everything gets once you know what she'd love.
Sort the money out first
Honestly, this is where most hen dos come unstuck. Pick a rough budget per person and tell everyone early, before anything's booked. Something like "we're thinking about £150 each, does that work for you?" Some people will be relieved you asked. Don't forget the hidden bits: trains or taxis, food, the bride's share, and that round of shots nobody planned for.
Pick a date and get deposits in
Give the group two or three dates and a deadline to reply. You'll never get everyone, so go with what works for the bride and her closest people. Then ask for a deposit. It's amazing how quickly "maybe" turns into "definitely" once money's gone in.
Fancy a day at the races?
If you're anywhere near us, Chester Races is a brilliant hen day out. The racecourse sits right on the edge of the city, so you can walk straight from the station or your hotel, and there's something about a group of hens dressed up for the races that just works. Book tickets early for the big summer meetings, plan somewhere for dinner afterwards, and you've got a day the bride will be talking about for years. It's also a good shout for groups travelling in, because Chester has plenty of places to stay all within walking distance.
Don't overfill the itinerary
One or two highlights are plenty, like a cocktail class, a boozy brunch, a dance lesson or the races. Leave time in between for chatting and wandering, because that's usually where the best laughs happen. Nobody needs an itinerary that's planned down to the minute.
Make everyone feel part of the team
This is where matching tops come in, and yes, we're a bit biased! But seeing a group walk into a bar in tees with everyone's names or roles on them (Bride, Maid of Honour, Mother of the Bride) really does make it feel like an occasion. The photos look great too. One tip from experience: give yourself a few weeks to collect names and sizes. Chasing the last bridesmaid for her size is always the bit that takes longest! And because our tees are a unisex fit, we'd recommend buying one t-shirt in advance. The rest of the group can then try it on or measure it against their own tops, so everyone gets the right size.
The little things matter
A memory jar, a playlist of her favourite songs, a voice note from the friend who couldn't make it, or a small personalised gift just for her. None of it costs much, but it's often what she remembers most.
Share the jobs out
You don't have to do it all yourself. Ask one friend to book the restaurant, another to collect money, another to sort decorations. And on the day, put the clipboard down and enjoy yourself. You've earned that drink.
Here's to 2027
A great hen do really comes down to three things: knowing what the bride wants, being upfront about money, and not trying to cram everything in. Get those right and the rest takes care of itself. Wherever you're celebrating, we hope it's full of laughter, a bit of mischief and plenty of photos. Cheers to the bride-to-be!