Last week’s post, and the messages and questions I received as a result, have led me to believe that it might be helpful to share my experiences and tips from having organised, or been involved in the organisation of, a couple of hen weekends this year. So for the potential bridesmaids out there I thought I’d share my learnings:

Top tips for hen weekend organisation

1. Make it a team effort

Many hands make light work, and there’s safety in numbers (especially when making decisions about themes, venues, etc!)

2. Delegate well

Give clear responsibilities and deadlines and keep checking in. When there’s so much to think about, you don’t want any confusion over who was doing what.

3. Put the bride first

Everyone will have an opinion on what to do and where to do it, but if you’ve been entrusted to do the organising then have faith that this is because you know the bride well enough to be able to choose something that she will love, no matter what others think – go with your gut!

4. Give yourself plenty of time

You’ll be amazed at how much there is to do, and even with the most simple of weekends, the unexpected will always happen so try to get as much organised as early as possible.

5. Collect cash up front from all of the girls

It saves any awkwardness during the weekend and makes life so much easier (plus it saves you from being left footing the bill!)

6. Organise an ice breaker game to start

I would highly recommend a gift giving game at the beginning: Everyone brings something that reminds them of their relationship with the bride, who then has to guess who the gift is from. It’s a great icebreaker for a group who may not all know each other, and it reminds the bride of lots of lovely memories, and gives her something to take away!

7. Get the groom involved

The Mr and Mrs game always goes down well, where the couple’s knowledge of each other is tested by interviewing the groom and recording his answers in advance then asking the same questions to the bride to be at the hen party (I actually recorded the interview on video and played his answers and reactions back which worked really well)

8. Agree on the photo sharing policy at the outset!

Nowadays it’s pretty hard to restrict or prevent images being shared; if you’re going out in public then you are open to anyone’s viewing. However it is best to check with the bride how she feels – you can always ask the hens not to post on social media during the night and instead share and review the following day as part of the recovery session if the bride has concerns about this.

So there you have it, I am by no means an expert, but I did learn a few things from the engagement party and hen do’s I’ve organised in the last year (namely why I don’t work in events!!) Its great fun to do and a real honour to be asked, and I hope everyone else has as much fun as we did in Goa, Dubai and Windsor this year!