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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:
Barleysugar86 · 23/04/2023 11:43

I was pregnant so no drinking. Me and four bridesmaids had an Italian meal then went to a comedy club then home.

Cookiecrush · 23/04/2023 11:44

I had an afternoon tea party at my house for the henny. Weather was nice, no one had to pay twice (for travel to hen and then later to wedding) and told guests to bring just themselves. We had sandwiches and cake and didn't cost guests anything. I am not a high earner and have regularly to tell friends I can't come to their henny because I can't afford it. I don't get why they have to be so expensive.

Cookiecrush · 23/04/2023 11:44
  • it was the day before the wedding so guests were already there.
Phoebo · 23/04/2023 11:52

Spa date sounds great 😌

longtompot · 23/04/2023 16:29

Sounds perfect. My hen do was a dinner at a friends house as she had a broken leg. She did cook the food though, and we all got quite drunk.

CassTheFox · 23/04/2023 16:32

Sounds absolutely lovely. Mine was an escape room, followed by cocktail making, a nice dinner and a few drinks and a dance. Wasn’t expensive at all compared to some I’ve been on, and it was such a good day.

Binfairy · 23/04/2023 18:56

Mine was a calligraphy workshop , a buffet and cake in a pub and a local burlesque evening. About half of the attendees were non drinkers which was lovely.

NoEffingWay · 23/04/2023 19:09

We went for bottomless brunch which was £30 each and was such a good experience. Everyone was in a great mood and then we went to a few bars. We were all home by midnight. It was really chilled and low stress because the brunch covered about 90% of the drinks for the night.

TheSaturdayAfternoonnessOfIt · 23/04/2023 19:19

Mine was a meal out - about 20 people - everyone paid for themselves on the night and kindly covered my bill too, though I had no expectation of it.

PhantomErik · 23/04/2023 19:31

Favourite low key hen do's I've been to:

Boat ride followed by afternoon tea in a hotel with a beautiful view.

Indian meal out then coffees in lounge area of the restaurant.

Cinema trip followed by Italian meal.

Dracuuule · 23/04/2023 19:33

Mine was a comedy club and meal. Fun and low key.

Rockschooldropout · 23/04/2023 19:34

I got married two weeks ago , my friend organised a spa day and lunch for three is us, it was lovely , relaxed and very chilled

HeddaGarbled · 23/04/2023 19:35

Cocktails, then pizza, with my two best friends.

UsingChangeofName · 23/04/2023 20:12

If all 3 like spa days, then that sounds lovely. You know them best - not everyone likes the idea of a spa day.

We just went out for a meal. It was lovely.
If I were getting married now, I'd probably choose afternoon tea.

Ethelswith · 23/04/2023 20:13

I just went out on the lash with two besties

marmaladegranny · 23/04/2023 21:14

My DD organised a low key hen day for her friend - we cooked pizza at home for lunch. In the afternoon she had booked a mobile Pottery Painting lady so we all sat round painting our mugs, plates etc and finished off with tea and cake! I love the rather scruffy mug that I painted that day - every time I use it and see “**’s Hen Do’ on the bottom it reminds me of a lovely day.

Username24680 · 23/04/2023 22:31

@Phalangee Sounds like a lovely idea OP 😊 (provided they both like spa days! Definitely check that first 😊)

The best hen dos I’ve been to have been low key 😊

  • bride 1 - super cheesy night out. All met in a central city. Set price dinner (about £30ph including a cocktail if I remember correctly), a couple of pubs then went to an 80s & 90s themed nightclub to dance. Those that wanted to stay over got a cheap hotel. Some joined for dinner and then left. Others skipped dinner and just came for drinks 😊
  • bride 2 - 😊 6 of us. Had all lived together in various configurations over the uni years where our favourite days consisted of piling all the duvets and pillows we had on the livingroom floor and all lying there hungover watching movies all day instead of going to class 🤣 We’d finished uni 10 years before her hen and she was forever saying she wished we could go back to those days So we had a girls night in for her. Takeaway, sweets, pjs, movies, face masks etc, faaaaar too much wine 😬😬, lots of laughs and all slept on the livingroom floor 😂 Everyone chipped in for takeaway and brought a bottle of wine and we spent a few £ each on sweets/face masks and breakfast bits etc. It was perfect!
wrinkleintime · 26/04/2023 10:25

Depending what you mean by 'low key' - I went to Paris with 3 close friends. We went to art galleries, ate good food, had a few cocktails but always in bed by midnight 😂 There was none of the usual hen do nonsense and I didn't invite anyone I didn't want there. It was bloody wonderful!

FraterculaArctica · 26/04/2023 10:28

Afternoon spent in a pottery painting cafe where we all decorated stuff and ate cake. Then we went to a pizza restaurant. No alcohol involved (all but one of the party were pregnant, breastfeeding or teetotal!) Cost about £30 per head and it was great.

FiddleLeaf · 03/05/2023 18:23

Sounds perfect!

I’ve decided not to have one & to skip bridesmaids too but will have a bridal party on the day. I’m sure we’ll all go out for dinner the night before.

Moversnotshakers · 26/05/2023 12:55

I did not want a hen do, but Im at work on my last day before my wedding on Tues 30th. I came in this morning to find a sash/tiara/veil dress kit that work colleagues insist I wear all day, they have arranged food/nibbles & fizz for later followed by drinks in the local pub straightafter work, everyone is in dress down Friday clothes jeans/trainers/tshirts Inc me with the tiara & veil- low key/fun/relaxed and Im loving it!!

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 31/05/2023 16:21

I'm having a champagne afternoon tea in my sisters back garden with my closest family and then having a day in London with my sister for cocktails and shopping.

We're just having a very small second wedding so don't want anything big or expensive.

PimpMyFridge · 31/05/2023 16:22

I went kayaking then had a BBQ it was ace. 👌

DemonicCaveMaggot · 31/05/2023 16:26

For my hen do the three bridesmaids and I went to Oxford. We walked around the market, rented a punt, and went around the botanical gardens. We went to a vegetarian restaurant for dinner.

If you are in the Reading area I highly recommend the Nirvana spa. They let you wear swimsuits under your dressing gowns and there is a lot to do in the spa in between treatments such as a steam room, plunge pool, hot tubs, swimming pool, massage pool, oxygenated water pool, relaxation areas. There is also a nice restaurant that serves cake and fizzy wine.

Coxspurplepippin · 31/05/2023 16:33

Picnic in a botanical garden, about 12 - 14 people, everyone brought a dish. It was really lovely.

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