Hens still havent paid me back?

I would get on to them straight away, say you're £400 out of pocket and that you need it immediately. It's only £20 to each of them but adds up to a lot for you. They probably don't even know no one has paid you back.

Just say you're having to cancel the trip as you've been left out of pocket for six months and you'll get round to refunding everyone eventually.

And has anyone got any thoughts what to do for the hen weekend cheaply as clearly everyone is struggling with money

Oh and add the bride to the group for that if she isn't already.

Hi everyone, as agreed, everyone still owes me £20 for their share of Jenny’s costs. I paid this upfront 6 months ago, so please can everyone do a bank transfer by this Friday 5pm latest. My bank details are: XXX. Thanks all!

I would be a lot more blunt if I were you. If it's only £20 pp, they probably think it can wait.
I assume they have incurred costs as well?

I'd make it clear that you are £400 down, and that it's now been 6 months waiting their share. That you want the amount transferred by the end of the week, or the trip will unfortunately have to be cancelled. Then share a spreadsheet with all their names, and tick as they pay.

I would say something like this and to each person individually.

Huge, huge mistake not getting the payment up front. You might get it from a few people but you are definitely not getting your £400 back.

I wouldn't say nobody has paid me back because they sly fuckers will be glad they're not being singled out and think safety in numbers.
Send a group message and saying you agreed X moths ago on this trip and costing but some people have not paid despite x requests previously. Lack of payment by X date will unfortunately mean the trip will have to be cancelled. Then whatsapp them individually asking for payment. This bit is key because some sly fucker is hoping X people have paid and youve lost track of who has and hasn't.

Have they paid for themselves and not the bride? Or not paid for any of it?

Just tell them they have till friday if it’s not paid then the bride will unfortunately need to pay for herself.

Tell them that unless you receive full payment by the end of the week you’ll have to start cancelling some of the aspects of the weekend ie move to cheaper accommodation, take away rather than restaurant meals.

Sounds like they didn't really want to pay for the bride as well. Maybe say you'll have to ask her to pay for herself now since nobody wants to pay for her anymore. Maybe that will chivvy up some payments.

Message each one separately not in a group chat. More difficult to ignore a direct message.

OP, it’s irrelevant whether the bride should have paid for herself or not - you’ve all agreed to pay for the bride, and now the others are not divvying up. I might try to guilt them into it, as clearly asking has not done any good - “I’ve asked nicely three times now, and unfortunately I can’t afford to be £400 out of pocket so if the matter isn’t resolved by Friday, I shall be put in the unfortunate position of having to ask the bride to pay for herself, and let her know why.”

And that sadly is why I would never do thiis. Have you got all the details?

Send individual messages. People feel much less obligated in a group message.

Post a list of shame of who hasn't paid yet! And keep updating regularly

This is probably the issue. They think it’s only 20 quid and they can just give it to you on the day. But they’re not appreciating how it adds up for you.

Did those people drop out before the others agreed to pay for the bride? Or after?

Was it - 10 people going so £40 each for the bride, now it’s dropped to 4 people going so £100 each for the bride, so they don’t want to pay because it’s more than they expected? Something like that?

Is there an option to cancel the trip receive any of the funds back if they don't pay?

"Hi Everyone. I paid for the hen do six months ago. We are a month out and nobody has paid me back yet despite agreeing to do so. It's not fair to leave all the costs on me, so please pay by next Monday or I'm cancelling the booking."

Because once someone suggests it (who first suggested paying for the bride?) people feel they can’t be the one to say as they’d look cheap and selfish. It should never have been suggested. The bride is an adult and wants a hen do abroad, which puts a lot of pressure on people. She should pay her own way, like an adult.

Did the bride suggest several local nights out and everyone said no to that? That’s really the only reason for others to pay her costs, if she didn’t want to go away for a holiday.

It’s a lot of money, and people should not have agreed to pay it and then fail to do so. That is out of order, and they’ve left you in a difficult situation. But I still have more sympathy for them because an adult woman for some weird reason isn’t paying for her own share of the holiday. All you can do is ask again, firmly and point out that this was agreed and you’ve asked a few times and it’s now becoming an issue so you need communication and payment by end of day.

Lesson for the future, never pay for a group trip til you have the money from the others

‘Hi, as the hen is approaching can I ask that the money for brides name is paid asap so it can be sorted in time for the hen and we can all enjoy ohrselves’
bank details here
wait 24 hours rhen send the same message again.