To think hen dos have started to become OTT

[IsChippyMintonExDirectory]

My friend is getting married and her sister is organising her hen do.

Get this.

They want to have a 2 night stay in London (we live oop North) in a 4 star hotel, 'pamper session' on day 1 and cocktail making on day 2 before heading on a night out. Before we even pay for travel and drink, this is going to cost...wait for it...£350pp.

THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS!

Her sister even used the word 'bargain' in her FB invite

Were in our thirties FFS, we all have families. Why the need to be away 2 nights and at this price! I don't mind going away for a night my god I do need a child-free day and night somewhere closer to home, but 2 nights with 2 'activities' - OTT. I bloody hate 'spa days' as well, massages are overrated bore-fests of sheer pain and a facial just means my face is spot city the next day. And cocktail making 'lessons' - really? How pointless.

AIBU to think this is excessive and silly or do I just need to get my head out my arse?

May be worth mentioning we've also just paid £350 to book a 2 night stay in the hotel they're getting hitched in. So that's £700 for them getting married before we even buy presents etc. when did weddings become so flippin grabby?

I think a hen night should be a nice meal near where the majority live. If not- see you at the wedding!

Frivolous dislike aside, aren't they a relic though? We don't go to our bridal beds innocent nor kiss goodbye to our work, independence and social lives outside of the marital ties that shouldn't bind do we anymore?

They are curiously old fashioned.

Exactly mignonette.

It used to be a kiss goodbye to freedom but now it seems like a popularity test: the amount spent=how much you like the B2B

Personally I hate being told what to do on mega expensive weekends so I'm never going on one again. I can't stand being ordered around by bossy people "in charge" unless I am getting paid.

(that sounded kinkier than it was meant to )

Hen dos have become completely out of hand and I cringe as soon as I start getting excited emails about them Oh for a nice dinner and a bit of a boogie, none of this 'drive cross country to be forced into a variety of pointless and expensive activities.'

I went on a cocktail making session for my cousins hen - it was actually very good fun. I also attended a spa day for my sister - also fun. However, the cocktail making session cost £34 inc nibbles and the spa day £40 inc 2 treatments. Can only assume that your mates sister is making some serious money off the guests! £350????! shocking.

I had to organise my friend's hen weekend last year. We chose London as it was the easiest city for everyone to get to. I didn't organise any activities beyond finding good places to eat, good bars and suggesting we split up and do some shopping.

We also found a great 5 bed flat on airbnb which costs us £50 each per night.

The best hen do I ever went on was a hay ride.
We rode around the countryside in a wagon full of hay, drinking and shouting obscene things at any men who were unlucky enough to cross our path. It was hilarious. Ah, simple pleasures.

(This wasn't America, btw. It was Northamptonshire.)

Love it Tunip, very Hardy-esque, although hopefully with a more cheerful ending!

Tunip. That sounds lovely. It reminds me of the Victoria Wood sketch about Lark Rise to Candleford.