Hen party planning
Hen Party Checklist: Everything You Need for the Perfect Hen Do
Everything the organiser needs in one place: a step-by-step timeline from three months out to the morning of the hen, a simple way to split the budget, a painless system for collecting T-shirt sizes and ready-made messages for the group. Print it, or keep it open on your phone.
In this guide
- What should you decide first when planning a hen do?
- How do you choose the venue, activities and transport?
- How do you sort hen party outfits and collect sizes?
- Hen party T-shirts and gifts for the group
- What decorations and accessories do you need for a hen party?
- The hen party checklist: a timeline to tick off
- How do you confirm the arrangements with guests?
- Hen party planning FAQs
Kitting out the hens?
Hen Do T-shirts for the bride and the whole group, printed to order in the UK. Shipping normally takes 3-5 days.
5% off your first order with code GO5
Every hen do starts the same way. Someone sets up a group chat, and twenty minutes later there are fourteen people in it, three competing date polls and a cousin asking whether it is fancy dress. The bride sends a thumbs up and goes quiet, because the bride is not supposed to organise her own hen. That job is yours.
A hen party is not complicated, just a lot of small decisions in the right order. Book the venue before agreeing the budget and somebody gets priced out. Order outfits before you have the sizes and you spend the weekend swapping T-shirts in a hotel corridor.
Quick answer
To plan a hen party, agree the date and guest list with the bride first, then set a per-person budget before booking anything. Next, choose the venue or destination, book the main activity and sort transport. Collect everyone’s sizes for outfits around six weeks out and order early, then send one clear confirmation message to guests the week before. The timeline checklist below covers every step.
What should you decide first when planning a hen do?
Three things come before everything else: the date, the guest list and the budget. They depend on each other, so settle them together and get the bride’s agreement on all three before anyone books a thing.
Choosing the date
Ask the bride for two or three weekends that suit her, then check them with the people she cannot do without, such as her sister, best friend or mum. Weigh up:
- Distance from the wedding. Many brides like a gap of a few weeks, so avoid the final week if you can.
- School and bank holidays. Handy for time off, but travel and accommodation are often busier.
- Big local events. A match or concert in the same town can fill every bar and taxi rank.
Poll the shortlisted dates only. An open “when suits everyone?” in a group of fifteen will never, ever get answered.
Deciding the guest list
The guest list belongs to the bride, so get names and contact details from her rather than guessing from her Instagram. Then decide early: one event for everyone, or a daytime part for mums, aunties and the future mother-in-law and a later part for the night owls? Does anyone pregnant or not drinking need a lighter option?
Setting a budget
Money is where most hen fallouts start. Agree a rough per-person figure with the bride before you look at venues, covering travel, accommodation, activities, food, the kitty, decorations and outfits. Many groups split the bride’s share, so say so up front, and ask people privately what they can afford.
| Cost | Common approach | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Split between the hens | Check deposits, cancellation terms and hen group rules |
| Travel | Each guest pays their own | Varies by where people live, so flag it early |
| Main activity | Split, including the bride’s share | Note the deposit and final numbers deadline |
| Food and drinks kitty | Split on the day | A kitty saves a long argument over the bill |
| Outfits | Each guest, or the organiser orders and collects | Collect the money before you order, not after |
| Decorations and props | Split, with a set limit | Easy to overspend without noticing |
Tip: one person holds the money. Choose one organiser to collect payments and keep a simple list of who has paid what. It prevents the most awkward conversation of the whole hen.
How do you choose the venue, activities and transport?
Pick the format first, then the venue: a night out close to home, a weekend away in the UK or Ireland, or a trip abroad. The further you go, the bigger the budget and the more people drop out, so be honest with the bride about the dream trip versus the full guest list.
Picking a venue or destination
A night out in Belfast, a weekend in Dublin and a big countryside cottage all need different planning. Before you book, check:
- Does the venue or accommodation accept hen groups, and what are its rules on noise and decorations?
- Can everyone get there, including anyone with mobility needs?
- Does it still fit the budget once travel is added?
- Is there somewhere the whole group can eat together?
Agreeing activities
One booked activity per day plus a meal is usually plenty. Cramming three activities into one day looks great in a spreadsheet and exhausting in real life. For inspiration, our list of 25 hilarious hen party ideas covers every kind of bride, from the full-on party girl to the one who would rather be at a pottery class.
Organising transport
Transport is the bit organisers forget until 1am. Plan how everyone gets to the venue, between activities and, above all, home. For a bigger group, a minibus can be simpler than a fleet of taxis. Put the plan in writing so nobody is stranded outside a club with a dead phone.
Planning a night in? Our hen party games for home are ready to print and play.
How do you sort hen party outfits and collect sizes?
Decide the outfit plan around six weeks before, collect every size in one go, then order early. Agree the level of cheek with the bride first. For slogans and bride versus hen styles, see our guide to the best hen party T-shirt ideas; this checklist sticks to the logistics.
One shirt the whole group agrees on
Team Bride is a simple pick when you want one design for everyone, with nothing awkward at afternoon tea.
Collecting sizes without the chaos
Ask for sizes in one message with a reply deadline, and link the size guide so people measure rather than guess. Our tees are unisex, XS to 4XL and true to size, so size up for a looser fit. Colour availability depends on the design and size, so check the product page before promising everyone a shade. Copy these into the group chat:
- Outfit time. Reply with your T-shirt size by Friday. They are unisex, so check the size guide and size up if you like a looser fit.
- Shirts are ordered. Please do not change your size now. I am begging you.
Ordering early
Everything is printed to order in the UK and shipping normally takes 3-5 days, so order a few weeks ahead, not in the final week. Hen Security suits the organisers and I Do Crew works for the whole group. Want something nobody else has? Send us your idea and ask about a custom design.
Tip: keep the surprise. If the hens are surprising the bride with her outfit, have it delivered to the organiser, not to the bride’s address.
Ready to order
Hen party T-shirts and gifts for the group
A mix of hen designs and clean, cheeky favourites for the organiser and the hens. Each one is printed to order, so collect the sizes first.
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Plan Ahead – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee
Price range: £21.98 through £31.03Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Buy me a drink I’m with the bride – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee
Price range: £17.02 through £26.07Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Caution I Have No Filter – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt
Price range: £17.02 through £26.07Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Requires Constant Supervision – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee
Price range: £21.98 through £31.03Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
If I’m drunk again it’s her fault – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt
Price range: £17.02 through £26.07Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
OH What’s Occurring – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt
Price range: £17.02 through £26.07Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
The Craic is 90 so it is – Organic Creator T-shirt – Unisex
Price range: £25.92 through £28.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
That sounds like a you problem – Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt
Price range: £17.02 through £26.07Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Got a funny idea of your own?
Every FunnyTshirt design is our own, dreamed up in Antrim. If you have a custom design idea, send it over and we usually reply within one working day.
Printed to order in the UK
What decorations and accessories do you need for a hen party?
Less than you think. A few well-chosen pieces make the photos, while a car boot full of inflatables mostly ends up in the bin.
- For the bride: a sash, a veil or tiara, and an outfit that stands out from the group.
- For the hens: matching T-shirts or a shared colour, plus badges or sashes if the group likes them.
- For the room: a banner, balloons in the wedding colours, photo props and anything your games need.
Check the venue rules before you buy: plenty of places are not keen on confetti, glitter or anything stuck to the walls. Split the shopping list so each hen brings one or two things.
The hen party checklist: a timeline to tick off
Here is the whole plan in order. Tick as you go, and print it or keep it open on your phone. Timings are a guide: a trip abroad needs more lead time than a night out at home.
Three months or more before
- Agree two or three possible dates with the bride
- Get the guest list and contact details from the bride
- Check the dates with the key people (sister, best friend, mum)
- Set up the group chat and poll the shortlisted dates
- Agree a per-person budget, including the bride’s share
- Decide the format: night out, weekend away or trip abroad
- Choose the venue or destination and check it accepts hen groups
- Book accommodation and the main activity, noting deposits and cancellation terms
- Choose one person to collect and track payments
Six weeks before
- Confirm final numbers with everyone
- Book transport: flights, trains, minibus or taxis
- Book a table for the group meal
- Agree the outfit plan and the level of cheek with the bride
- Send the size request with the size guide link and a reply deadline
- Collect money for outfits and shared costs
- Order T-shirts once every size is in
- Ask about dietary needs, allergies and access needs
- Plan any games, surprises or speeches
Two weeks before
- Check the outfits have arrived and every size is right
- Buy decorations, props and the bride’s sash and veil
- Reconfirm the accommodation, activities and transport
- Chase any outstanding payments
- Draft the itinerary with times and full addresses
- Arrange anything the bride must not see, such as gifts or surprise guests
The week before
- Send the final confirmation message to every guest
- Share the itinerary, addresses and an emergency contact number
- Confirm the dress code for each part of the day
- Pack outfits, decorations, chargers and a small first-aid kit
- Agree who looks after the bride if the night gets messy
- Check the forecast and have a backup for anything outdoors
On the day
- Arrive early to decorate before the bride gets there
- Hand out outfits, sashes and accessories
- Keep the kitty and the itinerary with one person
- Take the group photo early, while everyone still looks fresh
- Make sure everyone has a way home
- Check in on the bride, and on any hens who do not know many people
How do you confirm the arrangements with guests?
Send one clear message about a week before and pin it in the group chat, so people can find it at 11pm when they are packing. Include:
- The meeting time and place, with the full address
- The itinerary for each part of the day
- The dress code, including which outfit is for which part
- What to bring, and any money still owed
- The organiser’s number and a backup contact
- The plan for getting home, and what to do if someone leaves early
Ask everyone to react once they have read it. It sounds fussy, but it is the quickest way to spot who has not. A few lines that tend to get read:
- Final details are pinned. Read them, react with a thumbs up, and please do not ask me what time we are meeting.
- Leaving early? Tell me or the backup contact so we are not searching the toilets at midnight.
If the dress code is matching shirts, add the link to the message so latecomers can see exactly what to wear. For a weekend away, Caution Hens On Tour says it all, and Warning The Girls Are Drinking Again is a fair warning to any town you are visiting.
For outfits, browse our full Hen Do collection, and if the groom’s side is planning at the same time, send them our stag do planning checklist so both parties are on the same page.
Hen party planning FAQs
How far in advance should you plan a hen party?
There is no fixed rule, but starting around three months ahead gives you a good choice of dates and venues for a night out or a UK weekend. A trip abroad usually needs longer, because flights, accommodation and time off all have to line up. Either way, settle the date, guest list and budget first, then book the main pieces.
Who usually organises the hen do?
The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid usually takes the lead, often helped by a sister or close friend. The bride chooses the guests and approves the big decisions, such as the date, budget and level of cheek, but should not be stuck doing the admin. Splitting jobs between two or three people (bookings, money, outfits) keeps things moving.
How do you handle a hen who cannot afford the weekend?
Make it easy to say no without missing out. Agree the budget privately before booking, and offer a cheaper way to join, such as the night out without the accommodation or the daytime part only. Never chase money in the group chat; message people one to one. Keeping at least one part of the hen low-cost means everyone can come to something.
How long do hen party T-shirts take to arrive?
Every FunnyTshirt design is printed to order in the UK, and shipping normally takes 3-5 days depending on manufacturing time. We would still order a few weeks before the hen, so there is time to check every size. Use code GO5 at checkout for 5% off your first order.
Can we get custom hen party T-shirts with the bride’s name?
There is no online personalisation tool, but we design all our own shirts and you can send us your custom design idea through our contact page. Tell us the slogan, the names and what you have in mind, and we usually reply within one working day to let you know what is possible.
Keep reading
More ideas from the FunnyTshirt blog.
Hen Party IdeasBest Hen Party T-Shirt Ideas for the Bride and Her HensHen party T-shirt ideas for the bride and her hens: bride versus bridesmaid designs, matching without being identical,…Read the guide
Hen Party Ideas25 Hilarious Hen Party Ideas for an Unforgettable Hen NightPlanning a hen night? Here are 25 hilarious hen party ideas, from bride quizzes and photo challenges to…Read the guide
Funny Gift GuidesFunny Personalised T-Shirt Ideas for Birthdays, Parties and GroupsFunny personalised T-shirt ideas for birthdays, stag and hen dos, holidays and work events, with slogan examples and…Read the guideReady to sort the outfits?
Collect the sizes, check the size guide and order early, because every shirt is printed to order. Use code GO5 at checkout for 5% off your first order.
