6 mins read
Planning a hen party is a big job and one that often falls to the maid of honour or a very organised friend. Between picking dates, budgets, outfits, decorations and activities, it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. The good news? With a simple timeline and a clear to-do list, organising a brilliant hen party can be stress-free and even enjoyable.
Whether you’re planning a one-night blowout in town or a full weekend away, this guide breaks down exactly when to start planning a hen party and what you should be doing at each stage.
So, When Should You Start Planning a Hen Party?
Ideally, hen party planning should begin 4–6 months before the wedding. This gives you enough time to coordinate schedules, book accommodation or activities, and spread the cost for everyone involved.
If the hen involves travel, whether that’s a weekend away in Ireland or abroad, aim closer to the 6-month mark. For local or one-day hens, 3–4 months can still work, but earlier is always better. Starting early also means more choice, less panic, and better prices on accommodation, activities and party supplies.
6 Months Before: Set the Foundations
This is the planning stage where the big decisions happen. Start by quietly chatting with the bride about what she wants, and what she definitely doesn’t want. Some brides love a wild night out, others prefer something more relaxed, so it’s important to get this right from the start.
Next, gather the core group (maids, sisters, close friends) and agree on a rough budget, possible dates, and whether it’ll be a day event, overnight stay, or full weekend. Once you’ve narrowed this down, send out a save-the-date message to the wider group so everyone can keep the weekend free.
4–5 Months Before: Book the Big Things
Once the date and location are agreed, it’s time to lock things in. This usually includes accommodation, travel, and any main activities like spa days, cocktail classes, boat trips or shows.
At this stage, it’s also a good idea to confirm the final guest list and collect deposits if needed. This avoids awkward drop-outs later and keeps costs fair for everyone. If your hen party has a theme, now is the time to decide it. Choosing a theme early makes everything else, outfits, decorations and accessories much easier to organise.
3 Months Before: Start Thinking About Hen Party Extras
With the logistics sorted, you can move on to the fun bits. Start planning your hen party decorations, accessories, and any personalised items you’ll need.
Think about:
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Sashes, badges or headbands for the group
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Decor for the accommodation or party venue
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Games or activities for the evening
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Gift bags or surprise extras for the bride tribe
Browsing early gives you more choice and avoids last-minute stress. You’ll find everything from décor to cheeky accessories in the hen party collection at Joke Shop.
6–8 Weeks Before: Finalise Outfits & Accessories
This is when you should confirm what everyone is wearing. Whether it’s matching t-shirts, colour-coordinated outfits or themed costumes, it’s important everyone knows what’s expected.
Order your hen party accessories now, especially if you’re getting anything personalised. Items like custom sashes, badges or t-shirts always need a little extra lead time. It’s also a good moment to organise party games, decorations and any novelty items you’ll need for photos or nights out.
2–3 Weeks Before: Double-Check Everything
As the hen approaches, go through a final checklist. Confirm bookings, check arrival times, and make sure everyone knows where they’re going and when. Share the itinerary (even a loose one) so no one is left guessing. This is also the ideal time to assemble hen party gift bags, organise decorations, and make sure all outfits and accessories have arrived. If anything is missing, you still have time to sort it.
The Week Of: Relax You’re Sorted
At this stage, most of the work should be done. Do a final count of guests, pack decorations and accessories together, and make sure you’ve got contact details for everyone attending. Bring a few backup items like extra sashes, safety pins, plasters and snacks, they always come in handy. Most importantly, take a breath and enjoy it. A well-planned hen party should feel fun, not frantic.
Quick Hen Party Planning To-Do List
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4–6 months before: Set date, budget and guest list
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4–5 months before: Book accommodation and activities
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3 months before: Choose theme and start shopping
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6–8 weeks before: Order outfits and accessories
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2–3 weeks before: Confirm plans and prep extras
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Week of: Pack, relax and enjoy
Key Takeaways
- Start planning a hen party 4–6 months before the wedding for the smoothest experience.
- Lock in dates, budgets and accommodation early to avoid stress.
- Order decorations and personalised accessories at least 6–8 weeks in advance.
- A simple timeline and checklist make hen party planning far more enjoyable.
Make Hen Party Planning Easy with Joke Shop
From themed decorations and accessories to personalised items and cheeky extras, Joke Shop makes hen party planning simple. With a huge range of products, fast delivery across Ireland and everything in one place, you can tick off your list without the hassle.
Browse the full hen party collection or contact us if you need help choosing items for your group, we’re always happy to help you plan a hen party the bride will never forget.