Tips for planning a hen or stag party
Planning a hen or stag? Here’s all you need to know!
While being asked to be best man or the maid of honour can be….well…an honour, planning the stag or hen can sometimes feel like a poisoned chalice. Coming up with hen or stag party ideas can be stressful before you even think about keeping everything in budget – and the attendees in line.
With the wedding season truly in full swing, we asked stag and hen party package expert, Fergal Quinn, the owner of henandstagsligo.ie, for his TOP EIGHT TIPS to make this the best night of the bride or groom’s life.
Turns out it was perfect timing as Fergal has just taken the plunge himself and is just back from his own honeymoon!
1. Get active. Plan an activity. Make sure you have at least one activity planned for the weekend and that it is suitable for everyone – even better if it doesn’t include alcohol.
2. Chow down. Include one big meal over the weekend. Finger food is not going to cut it for a bunch of guys or girls on the lash for the weekend.
3. Get mobile. Make sure transfers are arranged to bring you from activity to pub to club. And leave enough time to drag the slow coaches out.
4. Be on time. I’ve seen loads of horror stories when stags or hens turn up really late for an activity and they have lost their time slot. It can put a real dampener on the weekend.
5. Pay online. Consider using a group payment system provided by most packaging companies. It takes the hassle out of chasing people who have not paid with automated follow-up emails. Particularly useful for larger groups.
6. Know your territory. A lot of stags like to go in costume but some pubs, clubs or restaurants won’t let in groups who are wearing fancy dress or runners. So ring ahead to avoid being turned away on the door. Towns like Sligo are very hen and stag party friendly but not all places are.
7. Don’t be a rock star. Trashing a room might seem like fun at the time but most places take security deposits – usually paid by you, the organiser - so warn the lads and lassies ahead of time so you’re not left holding the bill.
8. Remember your audience. If the stag’s future father-in-law or the bride’s MIL is on the hen or stag party package, it might not be a great idea to put a strip club or a Chippendale show on the itinerary. What happens on tour might not always stay on tour!