02 June 2021

6 Cheap Hen Do Ideas To Wow The Bride

Hen parties are arguably one of the best parts of the whole wedding planning process: as the bride,  you get to let your hair down, relax before the big day, and party like there’s no tomorrow with your nearest and dearest ladies. However, if you’re the maid of honour, you might be pulling your hair out frantically trying to Google “cheap hen do ideas” without getting caught by the lovely bride-to-be!

If that’s the case, don’t panic! Here’s our ultimate list of cheap hen party activity ideas that won’t break the bank or your spirit. If you break a high heel from dancing too much, however, that might be on us..!

The Best Cheap Hen Party Ideas The Bride Will Love

1) ‘Hunt The Ring’ Scavenger Hunt

Let’s kick things off with a bit of a silly one! Although this scavenger hunt idea might seem a little bit quirky, your bride and hens alike are bound to have a lot of fun! Start by hiding large plastic engagement rings: if you’re wanting to keep things simple, be sure to hide them around the party house complete with a series of clues, riddles and questions relating to the bride. 

These clues will connect the rings together, sending your bride and bridal party on a truly wild goose chase! If your bride is a little more adventurous, consider taking this scavenger hunt and hitting the road! Planning this hen party might be a little tricky, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Hide the rings in some of the bride’s favourite places in the local area, ending up at the bride’s favourite restaurant for dinner and a few glasses of wine. Check to see if any spots of your adventure offer specific hen packages to save a little bit of money along the way. Cheers, ladies!

2) Cocktail Party Cheap Hen Do Idea

No two cocktails are the same. Each one has its individual notes, flavours, and intensities. Much like your hen party crowd! A cocktail party can be anything you want it to be: it can be elegant, sophisticated and the perfect opportunity to get dressed up to the nines, or a chance to wind down in your pyjamas and enjoy a bit of a boozy night in. 

Or, for a bit of a twist, try adding a theme! Take your party to the beach with Pina Colada (where getting caught in the rain may or may not be encouraged!) or really hit the town with the tasty but somewhat lethal Long Island Iced Tea. There are lots of unique ways to really make your cocktail party tailored to your bride, just think big and outside of the box! This really is a fantastic cheap and perfect hen do idea!

3) Plan A Murder Mystery Night

If you’re feeling incredibly creative, and you have a reasonable amount of spare time on your hands to really throw yourself into it, consider organising a murder mystery night for your bride! This cheap hen do idea can be as big (or as small!) as you want it to be. This might sound like a daunting task, but if your bride considers herself to be the next Miss Marple, we can guarantee she will not be disappointed!

Planning a murder mystery night from scratch might not be everyone’s style, which is why there are plenty of games that have been already prepared available to buy online. Murder Mystery Games has a wide array of Whodunit-style games to buy, and most of them are suitable for groups of between 7 and 200 people! One of their newest games, “The Chocolate Bar Mystery” is perfect for a bride with a bit of a sweet tooth, and can even be played virtually. 

4) The Dream Hen Party Retreat

It’s the dream, isn’t it? Packing your bags, hopping on a plane and jetting off to a sunny holiday destination with your best friends. However, for a variety of reasons, you might be looking to stay a little bit closer to home. If that’s the case, then we recommend staying and celebrating at Alexandra House for an incredibly fun hen party weekend! 

There are plenty of things to do in the local area and beautiful relaxation facilities which are perfect for a spa day after a long and exciting night before. For more information regarding our accommodation, our venue facilities, or planning your hen weekend, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team today!

5) Camp Under The Stars, Naturally

Picture this: a night out camping in the wilderness. Camping beneath the stars, soaking up the beauty and serenity of nature, and doing so with your closest friends. There’s a campfire roaring, where you’ve toasted marshmallows and made the best s’mores ever only hours before. Sounds perfect, right?

So, why not make your perfect night camping a reality? Whether you’re a DIY master and fancy taking on the challenge of setting up your own campsite in the comfort of your own home, or you’d like to book a night away on an actual campsite, there are plenty of opportunities to make this night spectacular. 

Having a hen party at home is bound to save you money in the long run. Where you may have had to splash out on things like club entry before, you can now put your money towards more elaborate hen activities, party activities and party games. 

If glamping is more your bride’s cup of tea, there are also lots of companies, like Tinker’s Bells, that specialise in providing the most luxurious of experiences. It’s best to get in touch with a variety of glamping holiday providers to see who might be able to get you the best deals for cheap hen weekend packages. 

6) Spice It Up With A Burlesque Class

Whether your bride is a complete novice, a confident professional, or is just a big fan of the Christina Aguilera and Cher box office smash: a little bit of Burlesque never hurt anybody. So channel your inner Dita Von Teese and book a Burlesque class! 

Yes, some of these dance classes can be a little on the expensive side, but if you know where to look (and split the cost evenly between all of you!), it can work out a lot cheaper than you’d expect. For example, check out this Burlesque Class from the team at GoHen! From saucy professionally choreographed routines to learning about the art of the striptease, we recommend taking your cameras to capture every minute. You’re bound to be in for a night you won’t forget!

3 Top Tips For A Low-Cost Hen Night

1) Book In Advance

It really is true what they say: the early bird (or hen, for that matter!) usually does get the worm! So, make sure you book the dates well in advance, or you might miss out on getting the best deals for the best prices. So book now, or forever hold your peace!

2) Ask Don’t Guess

Planning an incredible hen night for your best friend is a really fun experience, even if it is a little daunting. And as her best friend, it’ll be no surprise if you feel an element of pressure when it comes to planning a party as perfect as she is. 

There’s a simple solution to your problem, however: ASK. HER. WHAT. SHE. WANTS!

If you’re struggling to get inside of her head, this is a sure-fire way to avoid any potential confusion and disappointment later on down the line. 

3) Buy A Group Gift For The Bride

A group present from all hen party attendees is a great idea and the perfect way to show the bride how much she means to you, as well as being a great way to split the cost and save everyone a little bit of money along the way. 

Whether it’s something more expensive that she’s been pining after for a while, or something more sweet and sentimental, the bride will love it simply because it came from her closest friends. Don’t be afraid to get creative with it, however, and really make it something the bride will cherish forever and ever. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate almost any occasion with your closest friends and family, then we have the perfect place for you to do so. Alexandra House, based in Swindon, is as picturesque as it is stylish. 

Set in acres and acres of lush countryside, this venue is perfect for hosting your dream wedding, birthday get-together, or lively hen party. If you want to keep the party going, check out the availability of our accommodation and be sure to get your booking in early to avoid missing out.