Your Guide to Planning Unforgettable Hen Dos!

The air is buzzing with excitement. Your WhatsApp notifications are a bit livelier than usual. It can only mean one thing… a hen do is on the horizon!

This cherished tradition of hen dos, a final celebration before the big day, is all about showering the bride-to-be with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories with her closest friends and family.

But beyond the bubbly and the banter lies the crucial element that can make or break a truly incredible hen party: the activities!

Planning the perfect itinerary can feel like a daunting task. How do you cater to a group of people of different ages and with different interests, while ensuring the bride has the time of her life?

Fear not! We’ve put together this guide which is packed with a wide range of hen do activities to suit every group. From adrenaline-pumping adventures to serene escapes, there’s something here which will tick every box.

Keep reading on for some inspiration on how to plan a hen party that will be talked about for years to come!

How to plan the perfect hen party activities

Whether you’re the Maid of Honour or you’ve just stepped up due to your love of organising (also known as a strong dislike for letting other people organise and watching it go wrong!), it’s your job to cut through the group noise and the different recommendations from everyone, and instead put together a concise itinerary when it comes to hen party planning.

There’s so much to consider in these early stages of planning. Have a little think about the Bride's personality to begin with. What does she truly enjoy? Try your best to tailor the activities to her interests and incorporate a theme to the day/weekend/trip which is something she loves.

Then there’s the group dynamic which is arguably the most important factor here when it comes to making the hen party a roaring success. Friends and family will be coming from all different ages and backgrounds, they’ll have different interests and there’ll be different mobility levels across the attendees too. Make sure to keep this all in mind and ensure you keep things as inclusive as possible as your itinerary starts to come together.

Finally you’ve got the budget and the location. Finding out straight away what the budget across the group looks like is a wise decision, and also whether or not people have the capacity to travel. The bride will want as many special people there as possible, so make sure people are comfortable with the potential costs involved and any travelling involved.

Ultimately, the best hen dos are filled with laughter, new friendships and activities that create lasting memories for the bride and her nearest and dearest.

So gather your girls, check out our recommendations below, and get ready to celebrate the amazing woman who's about to say "I do" in a way that's uniquely her. Cheers to the bride!

Sightseeing and Cultural Delights

For the bride who appreciates soaking in new surroundings and experiencing different cultures, these activities offer a blend of exploration and enjoyment.

• City Break with Guided Tours: Ditch the awkward, aimless wandering around and let a local guide show you the city's best bits (and maybe the best spots for emergency Prosecco refills!). You'll soak up culture, take in iconic landmarks and get stuck into the best local cuisine, with recommendations from someone who knows the area like the back of their hand. Every box is ticked!‍
• Wine Tasting: For a hen party with a touch of sophisticated silliness, wine tasting is absolutely perfect! You'll get to swirl, sniff, and perhaps even slur a little as you sample delicious beverages. Plus, you'll pick up enough knowledge about how it's made to sound like a connoisseur later (until the next sample inevitably arrives!).‍
• Cooking Classes: Time to swap out Deliveroo in favour of your own kitchen skills! You'll get hands-on making local delicacies, probably make a few hilarious mistakes, and then devour your creations together. This is one of the tastiest ways to bond as a group and it’s perfect for the foodies amongst us!
• ‍Boat Trips: Prepare for wind-swept hair and potentially dramatic Titanic poses as you cruise along. You'll get some of the best views imaginable and might even spot some confused wildlife wondering where all the noise is coming from. You can even add in some drinks and questionable dance moves along the way to reminisce over at the Wedding!
  

Relaxing and Pampering

For the bride who deserves some serious pampering and a chance to unwind amidst the wedding planning stress, these activities offer a tranquil escape amongst the madness.

• ‍Spa Day/Weekend: Treat the bride to a day of pure indulgence at a spa. Enjoy massages, facials, and time in relaxation pools – the perfect antidote to pre-wedding jitters, promoting overall well-being and leaving everyone feeling pampered and rejuvenated before the big day.
• ‍Yoga/Meditation Retreat: Find your inner zen with a calming yoga or meditation retreat. Focusing on stress reduction, mindfulness, and overall physical and mental well-being in a tranquil environment, this thoughtful experience offers a slower-paced alternative to the usual hen party proceedings.
• ‍Afternoon Tea: Indulge in delicious sandwiches, scones, and pastries in a luxurious setting. Afternoon tea offers an elegant, sophisticated, and refined way to celebrate, providing a relaxed atmosphere for conversation (especially if the group don’t all know each other!) and a touch of traditional charm.
• Craft Workshops: Unleash your inner artist and create something beautiful together. Activities like pottery painting or flower crown making offer a relaxed and enjoyable way to bond, allowing for creative expression, the chance to learn a new skill, and a handmade souvenir to take home.
  

Themed Fun and Creative Celebrations

Hen dos are always more special when they bring different parts of the bride's personality into the trip, so why not consider incorporating a fun theme to one of the days/nights?

• Murder Mystery Evening: Put on your detective hats and solve a thrilling crime together! A murder mystery evening is an interactive and engaging way to get everyone involved and laughing, often tailored to different themes for an extra layer of fun.
  
• Cocktail Making Class: Shake, stir, and sip your way through a fun and interactive cocktail-making class. It's a guaranteed way to get the party started, offering the chance to learn new skills and enjoy delicious drinks!
  
• Dance Class: Let loose and learn some sassy new dance moves together! An energetic dance class is a fantastic way to break the ice, boost confidence, and create some memorable photos and videos.
  
• Karaoke Night: Belt out your favourite tunes and embrace the karaoke chaos. This classic hen-do activity is all about hilarious and uninhibited fun, where everyone can participate and enjoy a few classic songs through the night!
  
• Retro Games Night: Relive your childhood with a night of classic board games and video games. A retro games night is a relaxed and entertaining way to bond, offering a nostalgic and fun atmosphere with friendly competition that's accessible to all ages.

Thrill-Seeking Adventures

Finally, for the bride who loves an adrenaline rush and creating unforgettable, daring memories, these activities are sure to get the heart racing. Be warned though - these won’t be appropriate for all hen dos and it’s always good to gauge the group before booking these.

• White Water Rafting/Canyoning: For exhilarating fun, why not try white water rafting or canyoning amidst breathtaking natural landscapes. This will push your limits and bring the whole group together, forging new bonds and strengthening existing ones!‍
• Go-Karting/Quad Biking: Go-karting and quad biking provide a fantastic way to inject playful competition and high-energy fun into the hen do. It’s accessible to various fitness levels and promises plenty of laughs along the way (just try not to push each other off the track!).‍
• Escape Rooms/Outdoor Adventure Challenges: Whether you're cracking codes to escape a locked room or navigating an outdoor assault course, these activities encourage collaboration and communication in a fun and engaging way. They focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic thinking, offering an immersive experience and a great sense of accomplishment upon completion.‍
• Hot Air Balloon Rides: For a thrill with a touch of elegance, a hot air balloon ride offers breathtaking panoramic views and a sense of peaceful adventure as you drift above the landscape. It's a truly unique and memorable experience, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.‍
• High Ropes Course/Zip-Lining: Test your limits and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment as you navigate aerial obstacles and soar through the trees. A high ropes course or zip-lining is a fantastic way to overcome fears, build confidence, and enjoy a physical challenge with stunning views from above. It's a wonderful opportunity to encourage personal growth and celebrate bravery.

How to collect the money for hen dos?

Collctiv makes it easy to collect money from your hen party whilst also making it easy for them to pay in. Simply download the app for free here, create a ‘pot’ for your collection and this will generate you a payment link and a QR code.

Share the payment link anywhere – email, WhatsApp – however you’re chatting with the group, and with just a tap they can donate to your pot.

They don’t need to download the app, create an account or validate an email – they simply tap to pay, and it’s done. If they have Apple or Google Pay, it takes less than 5 seconds. I told you we had a solution!

There are no mandatory fees involved - your group can choose to make a donation to Collctiv when paying in, and you can make a voluntary contribution when you withdraw, but there is no obligation to do so.

Organisers bring people together

Since 2019 Collctiv has helped over 1.6 million people from 175 countries come together by making it simple for Organisers to collect money from groups. Whether it's gifts for teachers, group holidays or grassroots sports teams - download our free app today and start bringing people together!