Ditch the drink and still have fun: Planning a sober Hen Party
So, you’ve been tasked with organising a hen party. Exciting, right? But what if the bride-to-be isn’t a fan of the classic boozy bash? Here is how we organised a fun filled hen party, what we got up to and ideas we explored to create a fun and inclusive hen party.
Why Sober?
Before we get into the planning, let's talk about why a sober hen party might be the perfect choice. Maybe the bride is pregnant, trying to cut back, can’t drink due to health/medication or simply prefers a clear head.
Whatever the reason, it's important to respect their wishes and create a celebration that everyone can enjoy. Plus, sober hen parties offer a chance to focus on quality time, laughter, and creating lasting memories without the hangover.
“We found that it’s not the drink that makes the night, it’s the people.”
So where do you start?
The key to a successful sober hen party is to choose activities that are engaging, fun, and memorable. Think beyond the traditional bar crawl and explore a world of possibilities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Wellness Weekend: Pamper yourselves with spa treatments, yoga classes, and healthy meals.
Adventure Seekers: Go hiking, kayaking, a sports day themed day or rock climbing for an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Creative Outings: Unleash your inner artist with painting, pottery, or cooking classes.
City Breaks: Explore a new city with walking tours, museums, and delicious food.
Remember, the best activities are those that align with the bride's interests.
I have to say that for our bride it was pretty easy to plan for because we know exactly what she likes and dislikes. She likes a good time, to have a laugh and isn’t afraid to make a fool out of herself. She would not have been happy with an active Hen.
Who?
We wanted most of the planning to be a surprise from the bride so we asked her to create a list of who she wanted there and told her to leave the rest to us.
Where and When?
We chose to make a day of it, transforming into night, so the location needed to be accessible. After much deliberation, we decided to keep things local-ish and set our sights on the city of Liverpool. Not only does it offer a diverse range of venues to suit every taste, but it's also well-connected for those wanting to make a quick getaway after the festivities.
We decided to start the day at the maid-of-honours house with some nibbles and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, such as fancy mocktails and non-alcoholic fizz. We decorated with balloons, banners and lots of photos of the bride. This was a nice ice-breaker for people who were meeting for the first time. We dressed up in outfits mimicking the bride through her life giving the bride a chance to see us all individually and a chance to take pictures.
We gave the bride the date, dress code and starting location using a hamper which had a bride to be sash, non-alcoholic fizz and more goodies.
How (did it go)?
Honestly better than I thought it would! Our bride said:
“Thank you all so so much. I honestly has the BEST day ever. You’re all amazing I can’t believe how much effort you all put into it. I appreciate every single one of you and I feel so loved. You know me better than I know myself.”
Overall it worked out for the best as there were quite a few people who didn’t want to drink so everyone felt comfortable.