Hens Night Planning Checklist
Maids, bust out your calendars. Here’s a timeline to help you prepare for the bride’s naughty night on the town.
by Amy Elliott
Maid of honour, are you ready to rock? Whether you’re mellowing out or whooping it up, here’s a checklist to help you and the bridesmaids prepare for this infamous night. Feel free to adjust the timeframes according to your celebration style.
3+ Months Before
- Ask the bride what she wants (or doesn’t want) in terms of a hens party. Will it be a night of craziness on the town, complete with Tequilla shots and dancers? A quiet weekend getaway? Martinis at a fun cocktail bar? A living room lingerie exchange? Pizza and and drinks at her favourite bar? Karaoke? Casino?
- Establish her comfort levels. If she wants G-rated instead of G-string, review your options together. If she does want to walk on the wild side? Get her to define exactly what that means. Remember, while you want her to cut loose, you don’t want to mortally embarrass her, or worse, totally freak her out.
- Set the date — shoot for a weekend night at least two weeks before the wedding. (If members of the bridal party are from all over and can only convene a few days before, that timing works, too.)
- Create the guest list.
2 Months Before
- Send out a casual “save the date” email to see if there are any major conflicts among invitees. If you’re partying far away, include specific details.
- Brainstorm possible game plans and party stunts with the maids (make it a surprise for the bride).
- If the party will be at a hot spot or out of town (a popular tapas bar, a cabaret theatre, a comedy show, a rock concert, someone’s beach house with hunky waitstaff…), make reservations, order tickets, and deal with lodging and transportation details.
- No matter what the format, alcohol and hens revelry usually go hand in hand. Be responsible. Start thinking about transportation arrangements — many ladies opt for booking a chauffeured limo or bus for the evening. Call around to compare rates.
- Research and book any talent that might make an appearance at the soiree.
SEE: 10 New Hens Party Ideas
1 Month Before
- Send invitations. Emailing and calling is okay, too. Make sure your invitation politely informs guests that a contribution to the festivities will be expected and name the price.
- If you’re going with the standard pub crawl, devise the itinerary. Start out with dinner at a rowdy restaurant (you don’t want to drink on an empty stomach) and map out all the establishments you want to hit plus what time you’ll be popping in. Planning it out this way will help you book your transportation for the proper length of time, and it limits the carousing so that you don’t overdo it or spend too much cash. Make all necessary reservations, even at bars. Ask about drink specials and special hens party freebies.
- Make your transportation reservation(s). Do it earlier if you live in a metropolitan area, are partying during Year 12 or Year 10 formal season, or in the summer, when the number of pre-wedding parties tends to peak.
- If you’re partying at home, help the hostess plan snacks, refreshments and activities. Make a shopping list. Divide up to-dos among bridesmaids: games, decorations, booze-buying, stereo and/or karaoke set-up, iPod playlists duty, etc.
1 Week Before
- Buy any hens accessories such as the novelty veil or tiara, a bride-to-be sash, and other naughty props.
- Make a list of the games you want to play, with rules and how-tos, lest you forget after too many margaritas. Keep it handy.
- Confirm RSVPs
- Confirm transportation arrangements
- Confirm the at-home entertainment
SEE: 10 Hens Party Game Ideas
1 Day Before
- Debrief the bride (it’s okay to keep some of the details a surprise).
- Remind guests of the meeting place and time, reiterating the address. If there are several stops planned, name the second address, too, for latecomers.
- Re-confirm all reservations.
- Get plenty of sleep.
