HENS PARTY IDEAS & INSPIRATION

​Finding an eco bag that is big enough, strong enough and pretty enough to hold favours and wow guests at the same time can be difficult. Lucky for us, they are out there! With the below being some of my favourite options:

ECOSILK REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
Available in a large range of fun, bright colours (making it easy to match them to your overall event theme and/or colour palette), these gorgeous Ecosilk Bags not only look great, but are also fantastic for holding bigger gifts or lots of little goodies.

And when the party’s over?
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They will easily slot into your guests’ everyday lives as they can be used for anything from grocery and clothes shopping to a stylish weekend travel bag!

​Ecosilk Bags – the details:

• Made from 100% nylon parachute silk, they not only feel great, but are also strong, compact, light weight and recyclable
• These bags can be used for shopping, laundry, holding books, as a beach bag and much more – thus eliminating the use of plastic bags
• Quick drying fabric allows for bags to be tossed in the washing machine and washed again and again
• Ordering 100 or more? You can have the bags screen printed with your hen’s name or a special quote as a memento of the celebration!
• Size: 55cm length x 32.5cm width

PERSONALISED COTTON CALICO & LINEN BAGS
With a neutral base colour and the ability to be custom made to match your party theme, the range of personalised cotton calico and linen bags that can be found at 'Bigoudi and Bigouda' are sure to be a massive hit!

From small favour and survival bags to large totes, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to surprising your bride-to-be and her friends on the big day. And after the celebration? These reusable bags will come in handy for storing and/or carrying products large and small (depending on the size you decide on).

REUSABLE SAKitToMe BAGS BY ENVIROTREND
If you prefer the patterned look, Envirotrend's 'SAKitToMe' range offer some great options. From herringbone to blooms, there are designs and colours to suit a variety of tastes! Being a large bag they also allow for gifting bigger products and/or a few smaller favours.
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Following the event, guests can continue to utilise these eco shopping bags in their everyday lives (being handy for groceries, the beach and more).

Envirotrend SAKitToMe Reusable Bags - the details:

• High quality bags designed to last (Envirotrend have had customers say they still have bags from the first batch they ever made, which was 10 years ago!)
• They are washable (important when you consider the amount of bacteria that can accumulate in bags that cannot be cleaned)
• They can be packed into small pouches (attached to the bag so they can't be lost) and placed in handbags - ready to use when needed.
• The provided pouch doubles as a mobile phone holder when the bag is in use
• Made from 100% polyester (guaranteeing longevity), they can carry up to 15kg

REUSABLE ECOSILK MINI DRAWSTRING BAGS
Planning on gifting a couple of smaller items such as chocolates, jewellery or little pamper products?

​They're soft to the touch, super cute, and come in the same fun, bright colours as their larger counterparts (mentioned earlier).

​​Following the event, guests can continue to enjoy the convenience of their little bags as they’re also great for securing everyday items such as keys, money, credit cards, makeup and more. In fact, mine has become a staple glove-box item – the struggle to find coins in the car is no longer real!

Ecosilk Mini Drawstring Bags - the details:

• Made from 100% nylon parachute silk
• Recyclable
• Size: 12cm length x 8cm width

BAMBOO SPORKS
A cute (and convenient) gift idea that can be used throughout the party and in your guests’ day-to-day lives! A 'spork' combines a spoon with a fork, making them the perfect utensil for eating at parties, work or even out and about. Washable, anti-bacterial and compostable (when you feel it’s at the end of its lifespan), these bamboo sporks are a plastic-free, zero waste gift that is extremely handy!

FLOWER, FRUIT & VEGETABLE SEEDS​
Seeds of any kind make such a beautiful gift! Not only because they continue to grow and can thus be enjoyed long after the celebration has ended, but because they’ll also bring back wonderful memories every time a guest looks at them.

What’s more, they can be gifted in unique ways.

Flower seeds, for example, could be given to your guests in little pots. You could even go one step further and actually plant the seeds, making them a cute little ‘Pot Luck’ favour (pun intended!). This means they won’t know the flower they’ve chosen until it has actually grown – oh the anticipation!
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Fruit and vegetable seeds can be gifted in much the same way; placing the packets in eco-friendly bags or adorable little trays (that guests can go on to grow them in). Once again, there’s also the option of ‘Pot Luck’ favours, whereby you gift guests seeds that have already been planted. Choosing a tray at random and finding out what their fruit or vegetable plant is only once it’s sprouted all being part of the fun!

HERBS
Like flower and vegetable seeds, herbs are the gift that just keeps on giving – growing and providing flavour to meals long after the party is over.

There are a few great ways to gift herbs. Adding packets to gift bags or pots (as mentioned above) is one option, as is planting herb seeds and allowing guests to pick their ‘surprise’ pot at random.

Herb Garden Kits – the details:

• You can add a personal message to the packaging (‘Bec’s Hen’s Party’, for example)
• They can be grown indoors or outdoors
• You can choose from a large range of organic seeds, such as Chive, Dill, Lavender, Peppermint, Basil and more.
• They are educational
• They look beautiful (no need to purchase additional goodies or gift bags, these alone will do the trick!)

HOME-BAKED GOODIES
Is there someone in the bridal party who is a bit of a pro in the kitchen? If the answer is yes, then whipping up some delicious home-baked goodies is a fantastic (and fairly cheap, depending on what you make) favour option. After all, nothing shows love quite like bread, muffins, cupcakes, cakes, cookies, slices or even salsa made from scratch!

And the best part?

Home-baked goodness can easily be matched to your overall event theme. Are you hosting a pink party, for example? Use different shades of pink icing on your cupcakes. What about an angel & devil theme? Gift your guests some delicious red salsa in cute, glass jars! Partying in boho style? Add some cute edible flowers to your treats.
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Easy yet effective party favours!

MAGIC BEANS
Who doesn't enjoy a bit of 'magic'?! These adorable beans have words or images engraved on the central pod (their seed), meaning they will display a message as they grow. And speaking of growing, once planted your magic bean plant will sprout for about a month in their tin, at which point you can transplant it to your garden (where it will probably flower!).  It’ll also produce its own seeds if you pop it in the ground.

A fun, unique and lasting eco-gift!

NATURAL BODY SCRUBS
Add a touch of luxury to your goodie bags with some stunning, natural body scrubs. Used to cleanse and exfoliate, such a gift will leave your guests with the most beautiful, baby-soft skin – and honestly, who can say no to that?!

Freya’s Nourishment Body Scrubs – the details:

• These scrubs are gentle, nourishing, cruelty free and natural – made with locally sourced, organic ingredients whenever possible.
• The 100g & 150g mini tubs are reasonably priced; meaning you can treat your guests without spending a small fortune.
• For Melbourne ladies looking for a bit of hen night pampering, luxury and beauty, Freya’s Nourishment offer packages (designed to suit you) where you can sit back and relax with the girls.
  
• Kristie of Freya’s Nourishment loves to give back, telling us that ‘with every product sold a donation goes to Gumtree Greys, a greyhound rescue not for profit charity that rescues, fosters and re-homes dozens of greyhounds every year’. She also donates to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund every Mother’s Day. 

REUSABLE STRAWS
It’s not unusual to see straws in hen party gift bags – they’re cute, a cheap filler option and handy for sipping on throughout the event. However, they are often plastic and only used for a couple of hours before going in the bin.  Avoid unnecessary landfill by incorporating eco-friendly options instead!
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But other than recyclable paper straws, what ARE your options?

SUCCULENTS
Succulents - they are beautiful, easy to look after (always a good trait in living gifts), can be kept indoors or outdoors, and will make the favour table at your event look absolutely stunning!

In other words, they are a gift to remember.

Mini Potted Succulents – the details:

• You can add a personal message to the card (‘Bec’s Hen’s Party’, for example)
• They can also be used for table decoration or place cards
• They are easy to look after
• They can be grown indoors or outdoors
• They look beautiful (no need to purchase additional goodies or gift bags, these alone will do the trick!)

​Whilst the above options would also make great gifts for your bride-to-be, I’ve always liked to give the guest of honour the same thing as her friends... plus a little something extra. It is her special day after all!
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If you’re looking to do just that, you’ll love the section below. Dedicated to stunning, eco-gifts that do cost a bit more than those mentioned above (and therefore aren’t recommended for each and every guest, unless you have a large budget!); these products are PERFECT for treating your beautiful best friend on a day dedicated to spoiling her!

BEESWAX WRAPS
Who knew wraps could be so much fun?!
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Available in a range of funky colours and patterns, Beeswax Food Wraps make a reasonably priced, environmentally friendly gift that will become a kitchen fave! Fantastic for covering leftover dinner, large salad bowls, sandwiches, cut vegetables and more, these reusable food wraps are the perfect alternative to plastic wrap (and make your fridge look like a colourful party at the same time)!

CONCERT OR THEATRE TICKETS
If there is a band, singer or even play touring that your bride-to-be would give anything to see, why not purchase 2x tickets as the ultimate surprise (it's then up to her whether or not she takes her new husband or a friend)?! If you are booking a particular date, make sure it's nowhere near the wedding or honeymoon. If it's too risky purchasing actual tickets, you can always grab a voucher and let your bride-to-be know what the money is intended for!

ECO GIFT PACKS
There is something special about receiving a gift pack that has been chosen especially for you. The anticipation, the layers, the thoughtful notes – unveiling the contents is a wonderful experience in itself. And because such a gift does bring so much joy, it’s a fantastic way to spoil your best friend at her hen party, bridal shower or kitchen tea.

​Sara’s Garden Gift Packs – the details:

• All products are a combination of recyclable, recycled and organic materials
• All products are sourced from Australian companies

GIFT VOUCHER
If there are any activities or experiences your bride-to-be has wanted to do FOREVER (anything from sky-diving to a pamper sesh at her local day spa) a special gift voucher could be the ideal option.

Alternatively, if your best friend's group of girls have some special talents (such as makeup artist, photographer, etc.) treat your hen to some meaningful vouchers instead. For example, have a hairdresser and photographer in the group? Why not organise a cut, colour and photoshoot for the bride and her husband/family?! 

GREEN THUMB GIFTS
Plants are a fantastic, sustainable gift option that can be enjoyed for many, many years to come! And because of this, they also make a lovely reminder of the day they were received (in this case, the pre-wedding celebrations). They also have many benefits when placed inside, such as purifying the air and improving your health (click here for more information).

When it comes to plants, there are plenty to choose from; however I have found in the past that edible (such as lemon trees, olive trees and potted strawberries), lucky (such as lucky bamboo) and/or indoor plants (such as succulents) are best for gifting.

Flowers Across Melbourne – the details:​

• Same day shipping for orders placed before 2pm
• For those of you in NSW, they also have a company based in Sydney – ‘Flowers Across Sydney’

HOMEMADE GIFT BASKET
Create a truly meaningful gift by asking each of your guests to bake/create something special for your bride-to-be. This could be anything from muffins, slices, scones, sauces and jams to fresh produce or a knitted rug. Alternatively, you could ask guests to purchase a small eco-gift (such as those on this list). Put them together with some home baked goodies, place them neatly in a stunning basket and present to your bride-to-be at her celebration!

NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS
When it comes to your closest friend, she deserves the best of the best; and what better way to spoil her than with a selection of luxe, all-natural beauty products? From relaxing bath/foot salts (that are great for your hair and bone health, among other things) to beautiful scrubs (like those mentioned earlier), there are so many ways to make the bride-to-be feel special.

Freya’s Nourishment – the details:

• The Hydrating Body Oil can be applied to damp skin in the shower or added to your bath - leaving you with skin that looks and feels amazing!
• The Rose Hand Scrub looks gorgeous, smells gorgeous, and with continued use, will improve the overall health of your hands.
• With some many luxe goodies available, you can always leave the choice of product up to your hen with a gift card!

REUSABLE COFFEE CUP
​For the girl who loves her coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even smoothies, there’s no better gift than a reusable coffee cup that can be taken EVERYWHERE with her! Available in a range of fun, bright colours and finishes (such as glass and stainless steel), these chic alternatives to takeaway cups will fast become a staple in your bestie’s day-to-day life. 

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Reusable water bottles are a great gift as they help reduce plastic waste and are something we can all use in our everyday lives. But what if I told you there was a bottle out there that is also perfectly geared towards hen parties?

These beauties will allow your hen to enjoy water, cocktails AND coffee; the three drinks of choice when it comes to partying with the girls (and the morning after)! And when they’re empty and you’re not using them? They can roll up to a fraction of their size and be stashed away in your handbag until the next cocktail on the go is required.
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Once the party is over, the Rolla Bottle will easily slot into your bride-to-be’s life as it is so easy to carry around. As Katy and Lizzy of 'Rolla Bottle' say, it's “ready whenever you need a drink, and out of the way when you don’t”. 

​Rolla Bottle – the details:

• Available in a range of colours
• Rolls to 1/6 of its size when empty and weighs only 140g
• These BPA free water bottles are certified to the highest International Food Safety Standards
• Bottles can turn inside out making them easy to clean (one of my pet hates is attempting to get into the grooves of normal water bottles – being able to clean this one properly has been incredibly satisfying)! They’re also Dishwasher safe
• Made from premium quality silicone
• Pop your bottle in the freezer if you wish – the silicone will expand as water turns to ice
• All Rolla Bottles are backed by a lifetime guarantee, ensuring nothing unnecessary goes to landfill
• Sisters Katy and Lizzy (the duo behind Rolla Bottle) created Jellyfish 10 – a giving program to whom they donate 10% of all profits to clean ocean initiatives

Wipe over all horizontal surfaces. Use a wet cloth in the kitchen and a dry polishing cloth for other rooms.

Make sure the whole house smells fresh. Use fragrant essential oils about an hour before guests are due.
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Move unnecessary items to a space they can be retrieved from later. Clutter can include personal items such as invoices, etc. Move anything that’s likely to cause embarrassment out of sight.

The first thing people see is the entry area, so mow the lawn and trim the edges; hose down or high pressure clean the driveway and paved areas.

Make sure you have a mat at the front door so people can wipe their feet before entering the house.
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Windows are always noticed. Clean them inside and out in all the areas guests will go. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference clean windows will make to the look of your home.

Give your bathroom a good scrub top to bottom. Pay special attention to the toilet seats, mirrors and glass since these are the areas which guests tend to notice the most.

You can save time on after-party cleaning if you use a pump-action hand-wash dispenser (they also look way better than a used bar of soap) while recycled single-use paper towels will avoid a lot of laundry.

Have extra toilet rolls in a prominent place. Remove anything personal from the medicine cabinet.
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Very important: check the bathroom at regular intervals during the evening (any mess made by your guests reflects badly on you as the host).

A table cloth is great for hiding any imperfections on an old table, and can also prevent further wear and tear.

On informal occasions, disposable biodegradable plates will reduce any after-party cleaning, but make sure there are well-identified places like a bin (making it easy to carry them to the compost for their disposal after use), as well as a separate bin for uneaten food. 
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For formal dining, you need to clean and polish the silverwear while making sure the dinnerw ear is spotless.

We love them both – but they are both capable of creating ‘disorder’ at a party. Depending on how rowdy you think the party will get, children can be part of proceedings, but sending them to a relative may be a good idea.

If they will be staying, have a designated play area with toys and games to keep them occupied and prevent them from going into areas they aren’t supposed to.

Dogs can add charm to informal dining (outdoor barbecues for example) but the safest approach would be to send Rover off to the kennel. Take a quick scan of the backyard and be sure to dispose of any poop in the backyard. You don’t want any of your guests stepping in anything they don’t want to, especially if they are going to be wearing their favourite pair of valentines.
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Cats leave fur everywhere – make sure you remove it. On the day, it’s best to send them to a room of their own with their favourite toys to keep them occupied.

​They happen – and you need to be prepared. Have a cleaning kit consisting of stain remover, cleaning cloths, bucket, mop, dust-pan and broom, readily at hand. This will keep you calm and gracious when someone breaks one of your favourite wine glasses (stemless wine glasses may – repeat ‘may’ – result in less breakages).

​What does this have to do with cleaning? Well, dim the lights and you may get away with doing less. It’s a cheap trick – but like most cheap tricks – it works! If you don’t have a light dimmer switch, turn off the main lights and use strategically placed lamps and/or candles to light the party area. It creates ambience and hides any imperfections on walls, carpets, floors, etc.

 Like the bathroom, it makes a good impression to have a clean – and tidy – fridge.
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Everything you need for the party should be to the front of the shelves and in the door racks where it’s easy to find and access. It’s just another way to take the stress out of being a good host.

You’ve earnt it! You’ve planned, you’ve prepared, you’ve reprovisioned – most of all, you’ve CLEANED. Now it’s time to get the party started!

Build excitement for the hen party by selecting a cheeky theme and requesting that guests arrive decked out in that particular attire! Think along the lines of a Burlesque party (stockings, feathers, corsets, etc.) sexy [anything] (e.g. sexy farmer, sexy superhero, sexy princess, sexy schoolgirl, etc.), and so on.

18+ TRIVIA NIGHT
Put together your own cheeky trivia night! Search the web for some naughty questions, hire a person to run the show (or, if you’re keen, run it yourself!), grab some hilarious prizes (such as chocolate willies), run funny games in-between and basically have a ridiculously fun time! To get you started, check out this ‘100 Questions About Sex’ game that includes questions such as: ‘What’s the average number of sex partners for women?’ (Answer: 7.5 partners).

DANCE CLASS
With belly dancing, burlesque classes, Latin workshops, Bollywood dance classes, pole dancing, and the cheekier than ever lap dance classes, your group won’t know where to begin when it comes to shaking their booties!

MALE REVUE SHOW
 Like the idea of strippers but not so keen on the whole lap dance/centre of the man’s attention thing? Hit up a male revue show instead where you can watch the boys strut their stuff (and show off their dance moves!) whilst enjoying drinks and busting out some moves of your own with the girls! If you’re more inclined to be in the spotlight after a few bevs, they usually grab some hens up on the stage; however if you’d rather stay in the crowd there’s no problems with that either!

​NUDE DRAWING CLASS
For those of you with an artistic side (or not, even funnier!), these drawing classes combine fun, laughter, drawing, and of course, nudity!

PLEASURE PARTY
I'm sure you've heard of Tupperware parties? Well, this is similar... except the products belong in the bedroom not the kitchen (and are strictly for adult's eyes ONLY)! Make sure you have champagne at the ready as you prepare to giggle your way through a celebration that focuses on toys of the grown-up variety!

RUDE ORIGAMI
If your hen loves a bit of craft, then rude origami is a must! As the name states... it’s origami, and it’s rude! Get to work creating your very own paper penis, passionate pigs and more! Check out this free PDF for instructions and inspiration!

SELL YOUR SH*T!
This activity will make for many laughs! Put together a pack of objects/products that your hen has to try and sell throughout the night. How embarrassing these items are is entirely up to you! Any money she manages to make should go towards buying something she really wants (let’s be honest... it will probably be that awesome looking cocktail or a souvlaki from that food truck down the road). 

Handy hint: Get guests involved by asking them to bring along ONE op shop item that your hen has to sell throughout the night. It will be hilarious seeing what everyone turns up with!

STRIPPERS AND/OR TOPLESS WAITERS
Whether you’re at a venue or your own lounge room, strippers and topless waiters will add some extra spice to your event! From playing games to taking everything off, it’s up to you just how naughty or nice your event is with these gentlemen! Looking for topless waiters and male strippers for hire in your area? Magic Men is a great place to start your search!

Handy hint: Click here for some fun games to play with your topless waiters!

TANTRIC HEN PARTY
If you’re after something 18+ and really unique, why not try out a tantric hens party? Sensual, exciting AND educational - you’ll be leaving this event with skills that can be practiced at home (if you know what I mean?!). Click here to learn more about this activity!

From ‘18+ charades’ and ‘penis carving’ to ‘truth or dare’ and ‘I never’, there are SO many fun games that can be played on your special day. For the ultimate list of hens night games (that can be made as naughty ... or nice... as you like!) and their instructions, click here.

BAKED GOODS
Consider yourself a bit of a chef? Why not bake some fun treats that will double as favours? Think along the lines of cupcakes topped with fondant penises, mini pecker cakes, slices of a large pecker cake, penis shaped lollies, penis shaped chocolate or even mini willy biscuits! If you don't fancy yourself as a baker, there's also the option of placing malteasers in a paper bag and labelling it as 'balls'. Want to up the 18+ factor? Include one chocolate willy in the bags as well and label them as 'dick and balls'.

CHEEKY DRESS-UPS
From naughty dress-up accessories (such as handcuffs), to raunchy clothing items (such as garters and fishnet stockings); gift each guest a unique product and use them as part of games, as photobooth props, etc.!

GAME CARDS
A really fun game card for a cheekier soiree is a twist on the old ‘Truth or Dare’. To make the cards, ask for the following information:

Name and Truth or Dare for [hen’s name].

Print as many off as there are guests, mount them onto coloured card (pick a colour that fits with your hen’s night theme for best results) and add them to your gift bags. When guests arrive at the party, ask that they write down their name along with a truth question or a dare to complete. Collect the cards and, in front of the whole group, gift them to your hen; explaining that each guest is actually to complete the truth/dare they wrote down for the hen, WITH the hen! Everyone will be beside themselves (either because they wrote something horrible down and they’re having massive regrets, or because they saw what a friend wrote down and cannot stop laughing!). Keep the giggles going by having your hen read out each of the cards, announcing who is performing each truth/dare with her as she goes!

For additional game card options, check out the ultimate list of games here and choose those that will fit with your celebration.

PLANT GIFTS
Pick your Prick! Set up a table with mini/baby cacti ready to gift to guests at the end of the celebration or to use as prizes throughout the event!

PLAY-DOUGH (HOME-MADE)
If you're planning on incorporating a game such as 'mould a man' (or body part!), consider placing balls of play-dough in your goodie bags. 

A great home-made recipe that has been tried and tested by yours truly can be found on the side of McKenzie's Cream of Tartar containers (no affiliation, just LOVE the result!). Add food colouring in your theme colours to tie everything together. Click here to view the recipe.
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​RAUNCHY JOKES
Get Googling and find yourself some extra naughty jokes (whether you decide to stick with the whole ‘wedding theme’ or go completely off topic is completely up to you). Not only a great ice-breaker (have each guest read their jokes out to the group for instant good times!), but also a cheap and fun goodie bag filler option.

RIDDLES THAT SOUND DIRTY
Like jokes, riddles are a fantastic ice-breaker (especially riddles such as these – forcing your friend’s minds into the gutter, even though the answer is VERY clean!). Here’s an example to get you started:

Question: I’m hard when you put me in your mouth; soft and wet when you take me out. What am I?

Answer: Chewing gum!

For more hilarious riddles that sound dirty, click here and make your way through the search results!

SHOTS AND/OR MINI ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHEERS to your beautiful friend! Get the celebration started with some delicious mini drinks or shots - the perfect addition to any goodie bag! ​

For additional gift bag filler ideas, click here!

GUEST BOOK
Purchase a white singlet and some permanent markers. On the day/night of the hen party, let the girls go to town on it with the following:
- Well wishes
- Their name
- Pictures
- Funny quotes said throughout the night
- Funny stories from the celebration

Make sure you get a photo of the hen in her 'guest book' at the end of the evening! It can then either be framed (if she's game enough to hang it on a wall!) or kept in a special box at home as a memento from an incredible event.

Mobile bars and drink vendors are available in every state in Australia, with an entire range of drinks to choose from. You can get sweet little vans which dispense prosecco or beer from taps on the side (meaning guests can self-serve), or caravans completely reborn as full-service bars with staff.
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There are even VW Combis which have come back to life as mobile kegs. Some smaller ones can be booked to serve just a couple of cocktail options (for example, espresso martinis) whilst others offer everything a full-service bar would.

If you are looking for some nibbles and finger food to please your guests, there are so many options here too. From fine street food to freshly shucked oysters (and everything in between!); if you can dream it up, there is a food cart or truck that will serve it directly to you.

Perfect for a hens party on the beach or in a park, hire a mobile food truck to provide afternoon tea to your guests. You could even hire one with a full high tea service, including vintage bone china and cupcake tiers.
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Pair this with lawn games like bocce and croquet for a relaxed vibe to a very special afternoon of fun.

For the hot days there are so many selections for your food truck hens party, just perfect to cool everyone down. From alcoholic popsicles and slushies to homemade ice-cream and proper Italian gelati; when the Aussie summer sun hits its peak, you will have all of your guests looked after.

Even the traditional coffee cart has had a sprucing up. There are some beautiful little vintage carts that you can hire to serve coffee and hot chocolate to your guests when the cool night air has set in. You could even get one to sell espresso martinis as well and cover all your bases at once!

Considering going out for dinner? Why not cater your whole main meal with a next level travelling restaurant?!

Incredible chefs are throwing off the shackles of fixed venues and embracing the life on the open road, so there is no need to have substandard fare wherever you are.
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Bring in spit-roast, Greek, Indian, Thai, pizza, modern Australian or a fusion of them all (maybe not all of them!). You don’t need to supply a kitchen, and the clean-up is all sorted.

When your guests need something sweet, call a food truck to roll up at your party as sweets is one of the things that food trucks do best. Do you want donuts, crème Brule, waffles, pancakes, more ice-cream, cupcakes, or ice-cream served in donut cones? Just click your fingers because you can get all of this and more!

When it’s getting later in the night and your guests may have had one too many, this is the ideal time to bring in some food truck help. How many hens parties have you been to where you got super hungry halfway through the night?
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Bring in burgers or sliders, tacos, wood-fired pizzas, hot dogs or gourmet sausages, or even the good old toasted jaffle! The girls will never appreciate a food truck quite so much as they will at this moment.

Hens parties are renown for creating sore heads, so the girls may wake up craving that hang-over breakfast. Why not host a brunch at home or in a lovely park nearby, and hire a coffee cart, pancake van, breakfast burgers, toasted sandwiches and more? There is no reason why the party has to end after all!

Wow, if this blog hasn’t made you hungry (or thirsty!) then I don’t know what would. I might just go and price a prosecco van to come by my house on the weekend... just because.

If you don't know what your hen wants, then ask her!

While you want her night to be unforgettable, you want it to be for the right reasons (not because you ordered a private stripper and she ran out of the hotel crying because she'd promised her fiancé there'd be no naked men!).

Different hens will have different expectations.

Some hens will tell you exactly what they want down to the letter, and you're expected to follow each and every instruction (hey, it's their party, why shouldn't they?!). Others will give you a vague idea of what they want, leaving it to you to organise (great, right?!). And then some will tell you to surprise them (the worst of the three, what if you don't choose the right party?!). 

There are so many different ideas; from strip shows, weekends away, dinner and dancing, high tea, treasure hunts and so on.

You can make a night out of it or an entire weekend – it’s all up to your hen.

Just make sure you get her guest list before anything else so you know approximately how many people are invited (sometimes venues have a minimum number rule, meaning if your group is too small or large you can’t book).
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Some businesses, such as Hens Parties Australia, offer amazing packages to make this (and a few other) steps easier for you!

Once you’ve found a selection of activities (or an activity package), it’s time to contact all of the guests and organise a date (unless your hen’s already chosen it!).

​It’s super hard to get so many people together on the same day, and even once agreed some people will change their mind (or something will come up); so try not to worry too much about exact numbers at this stage.

A great idea is to appoint another one of the bridesmaids as Treasurer. You will be having enough trouble trying to get everyone to tell you if they’re coming and dealing with the party organisation (and/or event coordinators); so trying to collect money on top of that can be frustrating. By sharing the load you are sharing the stress; if you do it alone it can feel very chaotic and nerve wracking.

Encourage your treasurer to start collecting the money at least 4 weeks before the event (you will find that sometimes people don’t have the money to spare, or are always busy and don’t have the time to transfer it).
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And speaking of money, don’t ever pay for someone who says they are coming but won’t pay you. The number of times a client has called me after an event saying she paid for someone who didn’t turn up and would like to see if she can get her money back is staggering. You cannot, in the majority of cases, get your money back after the event as everything will have been organised for a certain number of people (and the venue/business did their part).

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DON'T FORGET THE (EASY) DETAILS
This may seem like a no-brainer! But when you're under pressure the most simple of points can easily slip your mind. 

So, before doing anything else, make sure you include a heading that states what the event is and who it is for. E.g. 'Bec's Hen's Night!' or 'Let's Celebrate Bec's Upcoming Wedding with an Outdoor Bridal Shower'.

DATE AND TIME
Another simple point that definitely can't be missed! Make sure you tell guests when the event is and what time it starts.

​If your party includes a number of different locations (e.g. starting off at a house, heading to an activity, going out for dinner, etc.) make sure you include approximate start times for each section. Doing so will mean guests' who can't make it at the beginning know where and when you'll be later on in the party; giving them the chance to meet you there instead.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
When it comes to where the event is, don't just provide the initial meeting point. Rather, give guests' an overview of what will be happening at the party (e.g. 10.00am first Winery [insert address], 12.00pm walking to next Winery [insert address], etc.). 

As mentioned earlier, this gives guests the opportunity to meet you later on in the party if, for some reason, they can't attend the whole thing.

SHOW ME THE MONEY
Will guests be chipping in for the event? Or will it be cost effective enough that the bridesmaids can afford to shout? 

No matter the situation, let people know!

If you need money, make sure you include how much (along with an outline of what this investment includes, such as drinks, nibbles, dinner, activity, etc.). I've also found that providing different sections of a party (with varying costs) allows those who can't fork out a large chunk of cash the chance to attend.

The following scenario, for example:
SECTION 1: Drinks, nibbles and games at Sarah's house $30.00
SECTION 2: Drinks, nibbles and games at Sarah's house, followed by limo ride into the city and dinner at a restaurant $100.00
SECTION 3: Drinks, nibbles and games at Sarah's house, limo ride into the city, dinner at a restaurant and comedy show $150.00

EXTRA CASH TO SPLASH?
Will guests need to spend money on drinks, food, transport home? If there's ANYTHING at all that they will need to pay for on the day/night, let them know early so they have time to save (and don't get caught out at the actual event).

ANYTHING AT ALL?
Will your guests require sleeping gear (e.g. sleeping bags, pillows), presents (for a bridal shower/kitchen tea), special notes for the bride-to-be, photos of themselves with the bride-to-be (or some other game prop), etc.? If you need them to bring ANYTHING at all to the party, include it on their invitation (with clear instructions). 

DON'T LEAVE GUESTS STRANDED
Have you included transport home from the party in your overall costs? If yes, make sure this information is included in your overview. 

If no, make sure you highlight that guests will need to find their own way home from the final venue (whether this be by public transport, taxi or a partner picking them up). You don't want to have any girls (or guys!) stranded at the end of a fun night.

WHAT WILL YOUR DRESS CODE BE?!
Is this a formal occasion? Or a casual affair? Are you having a theme for the party (e.g. all guests' must come dressed in a particular colour, such as white; or all must suit up!)? Do guests need to wear a particular accessory (such as a feather boa)? Or wear closed-toe shoes to participate in one of your activities?

Make sure you include the dress-code on your invitations (and elaborate with more information if necessary).

AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT DETAIL!
This is a big one! You don't want to plan an incredible and thoughtful celebration for your beautiful best friend, only to have one of the attendees let slip exactly what is going on before the actual day! 

If you want to keep the finer details of the party a secret, definitely let people know! If the entire celebration is a secret (i.e. the bride-to-be has NO IDEA that a party has been planned just for her), this little detail is even more important.

FOR NUMBERS AND DOLLARS
And finally, make sure you include an RSVP date and time alongside your name and contact number/email. Setting a date at LEAST one month prior to the party is a good idea, as it allows you time to sort out the finer details (as you will have a final guest count).

If you are requesting payments, set the RSVP date as the payment date (you can even state that payment is confirmation of RSVP). This will hopefully reduce the number of guests you have to chase up in regards to money.

Handy hint: provide reminders every now and then that the RSVP date is approaching. People lead busy lives and may legitimately forget to reply with their attendance and/or pay without your prompt!

WHEN FACEBOOK IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
Physical invitations can be GORGEOUS! However, they can also be expensive. Save cash by creating a secret Facebook event instead. Not only is this a great (and free!) way to get R.S.V.P.'s, but it also provides an area (out of your bride-to-be's sight!) where all attendees can suggest ideas, offer help, ask questions, etc. 
​
Don't have a Facebook account? I was once invited to a hens party via email - in much the same way, we were able to speak with the host(s) via this platform without the bride finding out! 

THE FUN IS WHERE YOUR PARTY'S AT
Rather than hiring a venue or hitting the clubs (where drinks are at bar prices), have the party at home! There's SO many mobile entertainment options these days that you won't be missing out on any of that fun, you won't need to organise transport to/from venues (saving $$$), and you can serve your own food/alcohol (see next few points for cost-cutting measures when it comes to food and drink). 

For some great hens night at home ideas, click here!

THE BEST WAY TO OFFER MORE
For those of you who would like to offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages (or even cocktails), this could be the way to go! Ask each guest to bring along one bottle of spirits (working together to make sure you don't all bring the same thing). On the big day, set up a bar area where guests' can place their bottles and, throughout the party, grab a drink!
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*Remember to provide mixers such as cola, lemonade, orange juice, etc. so that guests can whip up some cocktails/mixed drinks during the party.

THE EASIEST WAY TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
Why purchase when it's ALL in your kitchen at home?! Unless you're worried about breakage or don't have enough to cater for all of your guests', grabbing the champagne glasses, cups, plates and cutlery from your cupboards is one of the easiest ways to save money. 

BECOME AN APPRENTICE CHEF FOR THE DAY
If you believe that a fancy feast won't be necessary for your particular party style, then catering the hens night yourself could be a great cost cutting measure. Think easy finger foods such as sandwiches, mini quiches, mini sausage rolls, fruit platters, fruit skewers, mini muffins, cupcakes, chocolates, etc. 
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Alternatively, a trend around our area at the moment involves asking guests to bring a plate of food each. These are then placed over a few tables where everyone can help themselves during the party. 

*I wouldn't recommend asking guests' to bring a plate of food as well as a bottle of spirits (as mentioned above). Select one or the other (or neither!) depending on the style of party you are throwing and go from there. As noted at the start of this post, knowing where to spend and where to save is important!

BECAUSE LESS CAN SOMETIMES BE MORE
Unless you're staying at your venue for the entire party and/or your theme requires a lot of detail; don't worry about too many decorations. For instance, a few balloons strategically hung or placed is all you need to bring the colour palette to your room (see this DIY project for a beautiful balloon hanging option that looks so good you won't require ANY additional decorations)!

SAVE $$$ BY DOING IT YOURSELF!
If you enjoy a bit of craft then this one's for you! There's so many ways in which your hobby can help with the overall party, such as:

BECAUSE REGULAR AIR CAN LOOK AMAZING TOO
Before spending your money on either a party shop inflating your balloons or hiring a cannister to do it yourself; think about the other balloon décor options available that look just as good!

There's bunching, balloon bunting, hanging them upside down, placing mini balloons on stems and placing them in vases, etc.

GAMES DON'T HAVE TO BREAK THE BUDGET
Rather than spending up big on games (which can get quite expensive!), stick to those that can be played with little to no props. To get you started, check out the 'Games' section by clicking here or take a look at the 'Ultimate List of Hen Party & Bridal Shower Games' blog by clicking the image below.

​YOU WOULD BE AMAZED WHAT PEOPLE HAVE IF YOU JUST ASK!
After tables? Chairs? Costumes? ​Before you consider buying or hiring such items, ask around! You'll be amazed what people have that's perfect (or can be altered slightly - e.g. table cloth over table) for your event! Just make sure you look after the item/s and clean them before they're returned.

​THERE'S NO NEED TO BREAK THE BANK
If you've asked around for items and friends/family don't have what you need, consider hitting up ops shops or hiring from a local business.

Full of beautiful, charming and unique treasures, op shops in your area are sure to have something perfect for your event (think anything from large mirrors to hilarious photo props!).

​Alternatively, there are so many beautiful products that can be hired. Tables and chairs, lolly bar accessories, stunning food carts and more can often be found with a quick internet search.

GUESTS' ARE OFTEN HAPPY TO PAY IF IT'S NOT RIDICULOUS
Each and every guest attending the hens party is there for a good reason; and that is because your bride-to-be considers them a close friend (or even family!). And because of this relationship, guests are often happy to chip in to ensure their beautiful friend has the time of her life (especially if the asking amount is reasonable). 

It may seem like a no-brainer, but things can start to go off track if you don’t have some serious party plans set in concrete early. So plan well in advance to avoid any last minute problems and allow smooth sailing on the actual day. Start by ensuring everything is booked in early and you give your guests enough notice by sending out an email outlining the day, so they all know what to expect.

​SAVE THE DATE
When it comes to choosing the date for the hen do, pick a day or weekend at least a week before the wedding and do not, under any circumstances, hold it the night before the big day. In fact, having the hen party at least a month to six weeks beforehand is best. This way, it won’t interfere with the bride-to-be’s pre-wedding routine or catch her during any intense pre-wedding jitters.


TWO HEADS THINK BETTER THAN ONE
Don’t be afraid to ask for help by collaborating with the other guests (or at least the other bridesmaids) as their input might ease the load off you. Don’t be so vague as to ask, “what are we doing?” because this can result in a barrage of conflicting ideas. Instead, let them know your plans and see if they can add anything to it.

And remember, there will always be someone who doesn’t agree, but you can never please everyone, so go with what you feel the bride will want above all

All too often forgotten is the need to involve the bride. After all, it’s her hen party and even if she wants it a total surprise she may have a list of things she definitely wouldn’t want.

Big boozed bash or quiet luncheon? Family friendly daytime activity or girl’s night out? Every bride-to-be is different, so ask her questions and find out what she wants.

​THE GUEST LIST
The most important question to ask your bride and one part of the party planning she definitely should be included in is who to invite. Don’t just blast her contacts - check in with her about her must-have guest list.

​Some may want to include family and others may prefer just the girls. Some may also like to split the day into two separate parts - the safe spa day for the mother-in-law and then the wild evening for the party girls. Either way, check in with her first.

It’s important to set a realistic budget and stick to it. As the maid of honour, it’s your job to collect the money, so keep in mind to be sensitive to people’s budgets, as you don’t want to be stuck footing the bill!

​Make sure you give your guests a heads up on the price and what’s included before you get the go ahead. Then set a schedule for them to lodge money to a designated account because if you can collect the money beforehand, it makes for a far more relaxed atmosphere on the day.

Before choosing the perfect location for the hen night and/or weekend, it’s important to do your research first. A hen party should feel different to a normal night out and is a great excuse for some quality girl bonding so location can be key. Whatever you decide, make sure to check out the best places to go (and to avoid) before setting off. And even if you’ll be in your hometown, consider staying at a fancy hotel and enjoying the facilities for something extra special.

PICK A THEME
When picking a theme, skip the generic and go for a theme she’s never heard of before and you know she’ll love. Try something completely outside the box and go glamping, paintball or a yoga retreat. Or if you know she’ll appreciate a good old girl’s night out, stick with that but get creative and make it a night she won’t forget with special group outfits and exciting activities.

PUT A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD ACTIVITY
Nothing starts an exciting night off like the laughter and fun that comes with hen party games. We all know about the kind of games you traditionally find at a hen party: Pin the veil on the bride, make a wedding dress from toilet paper, bridal bingo and the list goes on. These games have stood the test of time because they’re appropriate, inclusive and fun for all.

But why not up the ante? Sure, tradition is great, but switching things up is fun too. One idea many brides currently love is a hen party scavenger hunt, where you divide your guests into groups and send them off to find and/or collect a wide range of essential items on a checklist. Not only is this exciting and new, but allows the girls to bond.

GO EASY ON THE GAMES
On that note, while a few well timed games are essential as icebreakers and mood setters, too many can feel forced. So if the conversation is flowing and the group seems to be happy, don’t rush off to the next activity just for the sake of being on time. Instead, just go with the flow and consider dropping a game or two to allow the girls to have their own fun.

PACE YOURSELF
When the celebrations kick off, it’s easy to forget to pace yourself. This is especially important if you’re out all day or weekend. You don’t want to bride to be legless by lunchtime and not be able to enjoy the evening, so make sure you factor in some time for eating and hydrating. Even better, why not make up a survival kit for all your guests? This includes all the must-have items to survive the day and/or weekend such as painkillers, mints, heel pads and mini bottles of water.

LEAVE WITH SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
Every hen should have fun party favours, but it’s up to you as the maid of honour to make them fitting for your bride-to-be’s taste. Have your guests leave with a favour that makes them remember her unforgettable hen party. This could include anything from the bride’s favourite candy and chocolate to customised shot glasses and wine glass charms.

Show the bride-to-be how special she is with some thoughtful touches. This could include doing an activity she loves, having her favourite cocktail on hand, or even personalised keepsakes such as a photo book with messages from all the girls. It’s these little, inexpensive details that will make her feel loved on this once in a lifetime day.

Last but not least - the hen party is all about having fun, so do it! A hen without a little stress is as rare as a hen without feathers, but try to keep cool, calm and collected and remember why you’re doing this in the first place. If the drama emerges or plans hit a bump in the road, grin and bear it. The hen party is the kick off of the wedding celebrations for the bride, so keep it as stress-free as possible so she has a great time before heading down the aisle.

For the start to a memorable evening, or the landing pad from a night out, Joondalup Resort has you covered with luxury hotel rooms, elegant pool, a fun cocktail menu and fine dining. Contact Joondalup Resort to book your hen’s night plans or to find out more about our wedding venues and packages

To share this infographic on your site, please copy and paste the following code into your post:
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