Hen Night Planner » Hen Night Dos and Don'ts

Hen Night Dos and Don'ts

DON'T forget the biggest rule of all: what happens on the hen night, stays on the hen night

DO consult the bride about what kind of do she has in mind. If you are the bride, remember it's your day - obey your wildest whims and no-one else's. Even if it means getting your mates round for a Scrabble tournament.

DON'T spend any money until you know exactly who's coming. There's nothing worse than spending a fortune on 10 day passes to The Sanctuary or 12 plane tickets to Barcelona if only three people can definitely make it.

DON'T book anything until you know everyone can get the time off work.

DO always be contactable to answer questions about stuff like directions. Set up a special email address and check it every day.

DON'T, if you're the bride's organiser, splash loads of cash on tickets and props, then charge it to the bride thinking she'll be dead grateful. You may find your wedding invitation withdrawn.

DO make invitations if you're the creative type. They're great souvenirs. We favour the phone booth calling-card approach, but that may just be us.

DO, if you're having the bash close to home, make sure all the hens can get to the venue easily.

DON'T turn up at a pub, club or restaurant out of the blue. They may not have room for you unless you've booked - and they may prefer some warning of an intoxicated gaggle of females all wearing flashing plastic devil horns.

DO let the hens know well in advance if there's anything extra they should bring. For example props, stories about the bride, old photos, a change of clothes, booze.

DON'T forget the L-plate, the veil with some sort of plastic Alice band arrangement, the silly string, the fake tattoos (penis shapes ideal), the helium-filled balloons and the disposable cameras. Especially the disposable cameras.

DO have a Plan B meeting place for late arrivals or those hens who are pissed already and can't find their way.

DON'T ignore your neighbours, fellow drinkers or fellow diners. And if you're having a pampering day at a spa, don't get too lairy in the faces of those poor ladies who lunch. They're delicate creatures.

DO tell the neighbours if you're having the bash at home, and keep it quiet after 11pm or so. You needn't shriek all night about the bride's embarrassing sexual exploits - just talking about them is fine.

DON'T let your mobile battery run out!

DO think ahead about how you'll all get home. Sad as it may seem, you all have to go back to real life when the night's over.