Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weddings

Chat to other Mumsnetters on our Wedding forum.

Original poster

Tell me about your low key hen do

51 replies

Phalangee · 23/04/2023 10:22

I’m having two bridesmaids. Wasn’t going to have a hen do but one of my bridesmaids said it’s a nice way for bridesmaids to get to know each other before the big day and I see her point (they don’t know each other yet).

I am thinking of a spa day for us three. I’ve been part of hen parties before where the costs of paying for oneself and the bride have got ridiculous and caused annoyance so I’m thinking of bucking the trend and paying for all of us? It’ll be about 300 for us all. Let me know your thoughts on that please!

Also, please tell me about your lovely low key hen dos. :)

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 23/04/2023 10:27

That sounds lovely! We just went out for a meal and a few drinks and then came home again for mine.

Ellemeg82 · 23/04/2023 10:30

I also had a spa day, me with 2 friends (bridesmaids) and then in the evening we went for a meal and had a lovely time having food and wine with lots of laughter.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 23/04/2023 10:37

I went for lunch with a couple of friends and MIL and SIL and her two young daughters.

Then we went into London to a party boat with a cheesy disco. Didn't have to pay entrance before 10pm. We had bar food so if people didn't want to pay for food, they didn't have to and DH gave my best friend some money to get drinks. Having been recently stung for a weekend abroad (and then only an evening invitation 🤨), I didn't want anyone to have to fork out a fortune. About 20 people came, it was lovely.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 23/04/2023 10:38

And I think your idea is lovely 🙂

Wilburisagirl · 23/04/2023 10:42

My hen was one of my best nights. We started with drinks at MOH house including a few games then went on to a burlesque lesson followed by dinner and dancing. My requests were

  1. No strippers
  2. No penis decorations/headbands
  3. Not too expensive
It was perfect. Loads of fun due to good company and everyone was in good spirits because they weren't being bled dry.
Wilburisagirl · 23/04/2023 10:43

Oh and your idea of the spa day sounds fabulous.

Wewereonabreak88 · 23/04/2023 10:44

I went for a spa day and afternoon tea.

Slimjimtobe · 23/04/2023 10:44

You are very kind op
I think that’s lovely

FettleOfKish · 23/04/2023 10:46

I didn't want one, but was told in no uncertain terms by friends who like an excuse to go out that it wasn't about me GrinGrin

We settled on a late lunch in a local restaurant I love, and then some of us stayed out for more drinks. All done and home by 10pm.

I placed a total ban on plastic tat, veils, penis paraphernalia and so on.

2chocolateoranges · 23/04/2023 10:46

We went to the two local pubs in our village. My mum, 3 aunts, , 1 cousin, 4 friends, mil and sil. Had a few drinks and laughs, home for 1am.

no huge expense, no hassle and easy to organise

WTFJanice · 23/04/2023 10:48

My best mate organised a wreath-making session for my bridal party and a few friends/family, with tea and cake afterwards. It was a really nice way for everyone to meet and chat, and worked well across the different age groups.

bigbluebus · 23/04/2023 10:50

Went out for an Italian meal (pizza/pasta) so relatively cheap. Then on to a couple of pubs then a night club. This was 1980's.
Had 2 bridesmaids who didn't know each other - one schoolfriend, one work friend. Quite a few work colleagues came on hen do as it was local.
Bride to be tat wasn't a think back in the day but there was a stripogram who read out some cheesey verse.

cantkeepawayforever · 23/04/2023 10:51

I went for a curry and back to my flat for chat with a mixed group of friends who for one reason or other weren’t coming to the wedding. DH to be came too. I’ve never been one for ‘close female friends’ and had no bridesmaids so it was a perfect low-key way to celebrate with people like close work friends before our (small, at my parents’ so far away from where I was living) wedding

DelurkingAJ · 23/04/2023 10:51

We took DM, DMIL and bridesmaids punting (DM paid) with a picnic. Then had guests to DParent’s house for drinks, eats and games. Managed to find a bed for everyone with someone local. So all people had to do was get the train. And people with small babies came with babies (and DM was in heaven). I had a lovely time and I think everyone else did too.

MathsNervous · 23/04/2023 10:52

Meal out. That was it.

Usernamesarenoteasy · 23/04/2023 10:53

I didn't really want one, and didn't have any bridesmaids.
I ended up just having a night out in the pub with a group of friends, both male and female. Had a fab night!

SpringOn · 23/04/2023 10:54

We did it night before the wedding.

10 women and girls aged 5-88

We made the wedding cake, did the flowers and drank some wine.

it was amazing, one of my favourite parts of my very small wedding.

Justathrowawaycomment · 23/04/2023 10:56

We also went out for a meal. Six of us (I didn't have bridesmaids, but I have six close friends, not all of whom knew each other).

It was exactly what I wanted, lo fi, no fuss, easy to schedule, fun.

Justathrowawaycomment · 23/04/2023 10:57

Haha SEVEN of us, I didn't count myself.

Ariela · 23/04/2023 11:20

Did not have one. Did not see the point. BBQ for close friends the night before.

TragicMuse · 23/04/2023 11:23

I invited my friends to my house, cooked food for them and booked a beautician to come and do mini-facials and hand treatments.

We played the music we wanted, at the volume we wanted, and didn't have to drink to a timetable.

I also made little gift bags for everyone with lots of blagged beauty samples!

It was lovely!

nowtherearethree · 23/04/2023 11:35

My daughter had a meal out with myself my other daughter and other close friends it was lovely. The following day my two daughters myself my daughters future mother in law and sister in law went for a spa day and afternoon tea it was perfect

nowtherearethree · 23/04/2023 11:36

We all paid for ourselves buy there was no pressure to fiend a lot of money

Mumdiva99 · 23/04/2023 11:40

Me and my close friends went into London, went to lunch then a fashion exhibition. Went out for dinner and a cocktail and back to bed. (This is what we enjoy.)

Your idea sounds lovely. Spa day with close friends.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 23/04/2023 11:42

I wanted mine to be low key and affordable. We went to a local restaurant with friends and some family then the older ones went home and sons of us went to the pub.

Swipe left for the next trending thread