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The Complete Hen Party Handbook

The Hen Party Handbook

So you are the maid of honour, or the chief bridesmaid, and the hen do has landed on your to-do list. This is your handbook, written for the person doing the organising.

The Funktion Events Hen Party Handbook is packed with games, dares, themes, fancy dress and downloads to add the fun little extras to the bride’s celebration. We are ABTA-bonded (Member No. Y6501) and have planned 55,000+ hen parties since 2007, so we know what makes a hen weekend work.

For the booking side, our main hen party page covers activities, locations, payments and full weekend support. Games and themes sorted? The other big decision is the city, so see our hen do destinations, ranked by real hen party numbers.

Hen Party Tips, Themes & Inspiration

Hen Party Games

Hen Party Themes

Classy Hen Party Ideas

Festival Themed Hen Party

Mr & Mrs Questions Quiz

Harry Potter Hen Party

Hen Do Survival Kit

Hen Party Accessories

Hangover Cures

Mr & Mrs Paddle Questions

Hen Party T-Shirt Names

Hen Do Table Decorations

Barbie Themed Hen Party Ideas

Disney Themed Hen Party

Even more useful advice...

Staying Safe on the Hen Do

Hen Party Memes

Hen Party Playlist

Time Between the Hen Party and the Wedding

How Well Do You Know the Bride

Maid of honour and chief bridesmaid duties

If you are the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid, the hen do is your headline job, but it is not the only one. Here is what the role usually involves, in the run-up and on the day.

In the run-up to the wedding

  • Be the bride’s main support and sounding board.
  • Help choose the bridesmaids’ dresses and go along to fittings.
  • Sort the hen do: agree the budget, gather the guest list, pick the destination and book it.
  • Keep the other bridesmaids organised and in the loop.
  • Help with invitations, favours and any DIY bits the bride wants a hand with.

On the wedding day

  • Help the bride get ready and keep her calm.
  • Look after the bouquet during the ceremony.
  • Sort the bride’s dress and veil before she walks down the aisle, and bustle the dress for the reception.
  • Be a witness if she asks, and sign the register.
  • Hold things together behind the scenes so the bride can enjoy her day.
  • Give a short speech or toast, if your bride would like one.

Ready to sort the hen do?

Once you know what the bride wants, let us take the rest off your plate. Tell us your dates, group size and city, and Funktion Events sorts the activities, nightlife and accommodation. You book the whole group for a £20 deposit, not a deposit per person, and everyone pays their own share online, so you are not chasing friends for cash.

Start on our hen party page, browse the hen do destinations, or jump straight to our all-in hen party packages. For the games and a theme, see the ideas above.

Browse hen party packages »   or call the team on 0161 341 0052.

New to it all? Grab our free hen party guide, sent straight to your inbox.

Hen Party FAQs

What does a maid of honour do?

The maid of honour is the bride’s right-hand woman. The main jobs are sorting the hen do, helping choose the bridesmaids’ dresses, keeping the other bridesmaids organised, supporting the bride in the run-up, and helping her on the wedding day with her dress, the bouquet and staying calm. Some maids of honour also give a short speech.

They are essentially the same lead role. “Maid of honour” is the more common term and “chief bridesmaid” is used interchangeably in the UK. Both mean the bridesmaid who leads the rest and is the bride’s main support. If a bride has two, they usually share the duties.

Start a few months ahead. Two to three months is plenty for a UK hen do, and more like four to six if you are going abroad or it is peak season, so you can lock in dates, numbers and the best places before they book up.

It depends on the destination and what you do, and each person usually pays their own way. The bride is typically treated, with the group splitting her share. With Funktion Events you book the whole group for a £20 deposit, not a deposit per person, and everyone pays their own share online, so you are not fronting the cash or chasing friends.

Only if you are sure the bride would love one. Many brides prefer a say in the destination, the guest list and the style, even if the details stay secret. When in doubt, ask her what she would like and keep the specifics as the surprise.

The bride’s closest friends and family, usually the bridesmaids plus other close friends, and often her mum and the groom’s mum. Always check the guest list with the bride first, as she may have strong feelings about who is there, or not.

Classics that get everyone involved: Mr & Mrs, how well do you know the bride, never have I ever and a few dares. See our hen party games for ready-to-play ideas and free printables.

A few weeks to a month before the wedding works best. Close enough to build excitement, but with enough breathing room that no one is recovering the night before the big day. See time between the hen party and the wedding for more.

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80 Hen Party Themes
  1. Hen Party Accessories

80 Hen Party Themes

Inspirational ideas on hen party themes ranging including non-tacky classy hen do themes to traditional tried and tested fancy dress ideas. 80+ ideas to browse.
Bra Pong
  1. Hen Party Games

Bra Pong

Add the hilarious bra pong game to your celebrations! This silly DIY is the perfect game for making memories during a hen party at home or weekend downtime.
Drink If Game
  1. Hen Party Games

Drink If Game

Shake up your pre-drinks before the big night out by breaking the ice with all the girls with a few side-splitting rounds of the drink if hen party game!
Would You Rather?
  1. Hen Party Games

Would You Rather?

An iconic game that is perfect for any occasion, would you rather is a game that will make you all laugh out loud and get to know everyone a little bit more!
Pass the Parcel
  1. Hen Party Games

Pass the Parcel

Feel like big kids with a cheeky twist and play hen party pass the parcel! A great game to add to the hen weekend and make your bride to be feel special.
Drunk Pictionary
  1. Hen Party Games

Drunk Pictionary

Make it a hen party to remember with the help of our drunk Pictionary hen party game. It’s the perfect addition for you and the girls to have a laugh with.