Hen do’s & don’ts- organising 1st Hen do!

[BrambleJamandCustard]

Any tips / suggestions?

16 women of all different ages & stages.

Location booked ( + hot tub), activities almost booked, decorations & some of the food ordered!

Got one of those bride to be game packs & some instant cameras… :)

[maxelly]

Seems like you're pretty on it! What's your itinerary for the day, I always think one of the hardest things to get right with a hen is pacing, if it's an all day/multi day affair many people will need some kind of quieter time/downtime at some point if you want them to have the energy to party on into the evening but you don't want things to fall flat or the group to fragment halfway through. If drinking is involved pacing becomes even more important as nothing worse than everyone being absolutely trollied by 11am, while the maid of honour increasing desperately tries to marshal the group through a full itinerary of organised fun. god knows I need a little daytime drinking to make it through a hen as much as the next person but do make sure that lightweights/non accustomed drinkers aren't peer pressured to drink too much and there's at least food available to soak it up if you don't want tears/headaches/rows/vom on your hands!

Have you got some kind of icebreaker activity if people are coming that don't know one another, particularly if anyone knows noone else other than the bride as those people can feel like outsiders and on the edge of the group. I don't mean a literal icebreaker like at a work meeting but some kind of activity which encourages mingling/chatting? If you know you've got any particularly shy or nervous people coming to ask one of the bridesmaids to discreetly make sure they aren't left on their own looking/feeling like a gooseberry.

Otherwise enjoy is the main advice!

[WallaceinAnderland]

Get the money up front as people will drop out.