Thankfully, gone are the days when hen and stag partygoers had to celebrate over video chat with lockdown wedding quizzes! A few years on, the world is quite literally the oyster of every maid of honour or best man looking to give their bride or groom a great send-off, or wedding party wanting to host a joint sten complete with gender-neutral fun and games.
With so many fantastic destinations up for grabs, choosing the perfect spot for your pre-wedding celebration isn’t easy. Narrowing things down by deciding on a hen, stag or sten at home or abroad however, is a great place to start…
Celebrating at home
Celebrating at home has its plus points. In terms of budget, hosting a day celebration in the UK is certainly more affordable than jetting off and staying for a few nights. Bigger budget requirements mean fewer guests may be there to celebrate with you if you take your bride overseas to mark this very special occasion. By hosting at home, it’s likely that a greater range of people will attend, including your wedding party, friends, family members and work colleagues.
Bridesmaids looking to organise a chic garden hen party this summer may have to have a plan B. The British weather isn’t after all the most predictable. Those wanting to enjoy their hen, stag or sten alfresco may find better guarantees for great weather overseas.
The lack of commitment needed from guests when hosting a hen at home can cause more problems. Without committing to paying for hotels and flights, guests can easily drop out leaving your list of attendees a little thin on the ground.
Hosting an overseas sten
For hens and stags looking for great weather, heading off to celebrate overseas may be the better option. Even if sun, sea and sand isn’t your main motivation, the variety of experiences on offer across destinations abroad will take some beating.
Whether your bride or groom likes a leisurely lounge at the side of a pool, an active adventure high up in the mountains, or the glitz and glamour of a cosmopolitan city, you’re certain to find a destination that delivers.
While celebrating overseas can cost an arm and a leg depending on your final destination, it can cost just as much to stay a few nights and celebrate in the UK.
Home or away?
Deciding to celebrate at home or overseas really comes down to personal preference. You should consult with your bride or groom to get to the crux of what they want from their pre-wedding hurrah. Here Hitched shares their advice for doing just that:
“Whoever you’re throwing this pre-wedding celebration for – be it the bride or someone else – make sure you speak to them first. Find out if they’re happy for the celebrations to be a surprise. Traditionally the hen do is a surprise, but if they suffer from anxiety, or just plain hate surprises, they might want to know what’s going on. If they are happy with a surprise, it’s always a good idea to get a list of anything that’s a ‘hard no’ – things they definitely do not want.”
Whether celebrating at home or away, tailoring the occasion to your bride or groom’s preferences is certain to create an event that has great, lasting memories for everyone involved.
