Hen Do Planner
Plan the perfect hen party with a full itinerary, budget split and packing list. Choose budget tier, location type and duration for a stress-free celebration.
Hen Do Planning
Plan a Hen Do Without the Group Chat Chaos
Most hen dos cost £150 to £300 per person according to Hitched, and getting eight friends to agree on activities, accommodation, and a budget can take weeks. The Hen Do Planner gives you a full itinerary, a per-head cost split, and a packing list in seconds, so you can send one tidy plan to the group chat instead of fielding fifty messages about brunch.
Pick the budget tier (budget-friendly, mid-range, or luxury), the location type (city break, countryside, beach, or at-home), the duration, and the number of attendees. The planner pulls activities that fit, splits the maid-of-honour-style organiser tasks into a checklist, and suggests what each guest should pack so nobody turns up to a spa weekend in trainers.
Typical Hen Do Costs by Tier
| Tier | Per Head | Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £50 - £100 | House party, garden games, cocktail night | Smaller groups, mixed budgets |
| Mid-range | £150 - £200 | City break, restaurant, one big activity | Most UK hen dos |
| Luxury | £300+ | Spa, weekend away, private chef | Close-knit group with budget |
Setting a Budget Everyone Can Live With
Always check the budget with attendees before booking anything. The bride's closest friends often want to splurge while distant cousins or work colleagues might not be able to stretch beyond £100. A common compromise is splitting the weekend into a 'core' day everyone joins (afternoon tea, a meal) and an optional add-on (overnight stay, second activity) for those who can.
If you're organising and want to lock in a fair split, pair this with the [Wedding Budget Calculator](/wedding-budget-calculator) to track all of the bride's pre-wedding spending in one place. The hen do is usually the second-biggest pre-wedding cost after the dress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I plan a hen do?
Three to four months out is the sweet spot. Earlier than that and people forget; closer than that and flights, restaurants, and Airbnbs are picked over. Send a save-the-date as soon as you've agreed a weekend, even if the activities aren't locked in yet.
Who pays for the bride on a hen do?
Tradition in the UK is that the hens cover the bride's costs and split it between themselves. The maid of honour usually collects the money upfront so the bride never sees a bill. Some groups exclude flights or accommodation from this if the totals get unmanageable.
What if some guests can't afford the full weekend?
Build in opt-outs. Saturday day plus dinner is the 'core' that everyone joins, and the spa, overnight stay, or Sunday brunch are optional add-ons with separate pricing. This is fairer than asking people to drop out entirely or quietly subsidise others.
Is a hen do tax-deductible if it's for a colleague?
No. Hen dos are personal events even if you only know the bride through work, so they're never an allowable expense. Companies sometimes contribute towards leaving gifts, but the celebration itself is personal spending.
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