Keeping the budget in check is super important when planning any event, let alone when organising a hens party where it is common practice for guests to split the cost of the day and cover the bride’s day out. All of a sudden, you’re taking the budget restraints of others into consideration while also wanting to give your bestie the send-off of her dreams!
Here are a few ways you can cut costs and still organise a truly memorable event.
Location Location Location
Host the hens party somewhere that you don’t have to worry about a minimum spend or accumulating a huge tab at the bar. Hosting at someone’s home is the perfect option. This maybe your house, the mother of the bride’s home, or even the bride-to-be’s place, whoever has the most space. Double points for an outdoor entertaining area ideal for a summer-time soiree!
Platters & Sweet Treats
Simple is often better when it comes to catering. Plan a basic menu of finger food and then call in the help of the other bridesmaids and the hen’s family members. This not only cuts the cost but also shares the load. Provide mostly cold food such as a selection of cheeses, meats and other goodies from the deli, with a few warm canapé options and some sweet treats to finish. Professional cakes can be costly (and for good reason!) so instead you might like to opt for cute personalised cookies or a DIY donut wall.
Simple DIY Cocktails
Again, simple is the key here. For maximum impact set up a DIY mimosa bar with sweet signage directing the girls on how to make their own cocktails.
Start with a large ice bucket filled with chilled bottles of bubbly, a few carafes of orange juice, and a selection of cut up fruit. Fill your champagne flute three quarters from the top, add a splash of orange juice and some fruit, and there you have it! The bonus is that you have orange juice for non-drinkers and those who aren’t keen on mimosas can opt for a glass of bubbles instead.
Foraged Florals & Eco-Conscious Decor
If you’re able to, forage through the mother of the bride’s garden for beautiful blooms and foliage. Arrange these in an eclectic selection of small vases and style in clusters down the length of the table and on other prominent surfaces. If the mother of the bride’s garden is a no-go zone, pop down to the local market for a few bunches of seasonal flowers and greenery as another affordable option.
Choose earth-friendly décor such as homemade paper or fabric bunting which can be re-used, and a DIY photo backdrop of suspended paper streamers as an impactful focal point within the event space.
Fun Activities
If budget allows, bring in a professional to lead a workshop such as flower crown making, yoga or life drawing. If not, consider creating a few DIY activity stations throughout the space, such as a manicure station, polaroid photo booth and lawn games.
There are hens party games that as well as being free, are actually a lot of fun and not at all cringe-worthy as many often are! You could play ‘How Well Do You Know the Bride?’, where the guests try to correctly answer questions about the bride. There’s another where you ask the groom a series of questions prior to the hens, then ask the bride the same questions at the event to see if they match. Or, you could print out a bunch of photos from the hen’s life and play ‘How Old Was She?’
For more hens party planning ideas and inspiration visit Pretty Zen Hen, a website, blog and online directory where you can search group experiences, Australian event vendors and beautiful products to celebrate the bride-to-be.
