bachelorette party Archives

In Bachelorette Party

The Hen Commandments: Dos and don’ts for planning the bachelorette party

March 16, 2026 No Comments

Have you been tasked with arranging the all-important bachelorette party? Before you break out in hives because of the sheer immensity of the situation, read our Hen Commandments. This dos and don’ts list will ensure you throw a party that will leave the bride glowing with happiness – not fuming with anger.

#1 Thou shalt be organised

Set a day way in advance and give everyone enough time to arrange their lives, plan and be there (with bells on) for the bride.

#2 Thou shalt organise a night the bride wants

And not what you want… If the bride is a Champagne and strawberries kind of lady, don’t arrange a craft-beer tasting and hot-dog day. Or if she loves to chug back the brew, don’t get everyone together for a high tea. Be creative about your theme and activities, and make sure they reflect the bride’s personality.

#3 Thou shalt never make the bride feel awkward

It might be a lot of fun to dress the bride up like Borat and make her dance at a traffic light, but the whole reason for the hen party is for her to stop fretting about the wedding for a second and have a blast. You don’t want her dying of embarrassment and wishing she was folding 700 paper frogs with Aunt Margaret instead.

#4 Thou shalt not assume the bride wants a stripper

It’s not a bachelorette bash without some strippers! Ever heard that gem? It’s rubbish, ladies. It can leave some conservative brides in tears. Find other ways to spend the money, unless your bride has specifically requested one (or three).

#5 Thou shalt take others’ budgets into account

Nobody wants to feel pressured to spend more than they can afford on a night out or a weekend away. Before you make the plans, get an idea of what everyone is willing to spend on the party, and then set a budget.

#6 Thou shalt discuss the list with the bride

You can keep everything else a surprise, but not the guest list. If you leave out someone important, the bride will have to deal with the consequences.

#7 Thou shalt involve others

Yes, you might be the maid of honour and the bride’s BFF, but that’s not to say no one else can get involved in the planning. Be open to ideas and offers of help, and delegate where possible.

#8 Thou shalt relax and enjoy thyself

Being the person in charge can be stressful, but if you’re not enjoying yourself, neither will anyone else. Relax and let the party come together.

#9 Thou shalt get everyone home safe

If you’re hitting the town and painting it red, organise Ubers or a shuttle for everyone. You don’t need any drama close to the wedding.

#10 Thou shalt not post ugly photos on Facebook

Ban phones and any posting to Facebook or Instagram on the night, and keep any dodgy photos to yourself. Waking up with a hangover is one thing. Waking up with a hangover and your night blasted all over the ’Gram is another…

ALSO SEE: Relaxing bachelorette party ideas for the chilled bride

Relaxing bachelorette party ideas for the chilled bride

Written by Claire Davies for Wedding Etc Summer 2019.

Feature image: Pexels

In Bachelorette Party

Your complete bachelorette party planning checklist

February 12, 2026 No Comments

It’s the bride’s all-important big send-off into married life. Been tasked with throwing the party? We have you covered…

Like any event, a bachelorette party requires proper planning, and while it is a big responsibility (this is the bride’s last hurrah as a single woman), it doesn’t have to be a chore. Schedule fun planning evenings with the bridesmaids where you can thrash out ideas over a few glasses of wine or dinner.

THE BASICS

Avoid any unnecessary stress and start planning at least three months ahead of time. A good place to start is determining what kind of event your bride would love. Is she a party animal? Does she prefer smaller, more intimate dinner parties over crowded bars? Once you’ve come to a decision about what kind of bachelorette your bride is, turn your attention to the budget. A memorable hen party really doesn’t have to break the bank. The goal is for the bride to celebrate with her good friends, so make sure you don’t choose an experience that excludes those on a tighter budget.

For a hen night on a shoestring, consider hosting the party at a friend’s house so that there’s no need to worry about venue hire fees. Once you have the location, ask guests to each bring a platter of food and a bottle of wine or bubbly. As for entertainment, there are plenty of fun, free games you can play at the house before venturing out to a club or bar – and consider an after-party venue that offers special deals like half-price cocktail evenings.

If your friends have a little more to spend, you can still celebrate at home, but instead of guests bringing food, hire a caterer. To add some interest, book entertainment, whether it’s a karaoke machine or a pole-dancing class. For those who want to go all out, a weekend away is a great bonding experience – but remember, you’ll have to pay for the bride!

THE CHECKLIST

Whatever event and budget you decide on, you need to plan the hen night like a military operation – so delegate tasks among the bridesmaids to make sure everything on the list gets done. Here are a few things to remember:

Invitations
Give guests enough notice and hold the bachelorette party at least two weeks before the big day. Choose just one person to whom RSVPs should be sent.

Venue hire
If you do decide to host the party at a hired venue or take a trip out of town, book well in advance and make sure you do your research – a safe bet is to choose places that have come recommended by friends.

Transport
Drinking and driving is a no-no, so book taxis for the night in advance and be sure to confirm the booking the day before the party.

Buy the goodies
What would a bachelorette party be without silly props and crazy games? And of course, let’s not forget the bride’s outfit. Purchase everything at least a month before the event to avoid last-minute hassles.

THE GUEST LIST

Once you have a game plan, create a guest list. Depending on what you have planned, you need to decide whether you are extending invitations to family (yes, parents and grandparents) or just friends. A popular route to go so as not to exclude anyone is to host pre-party drinks where people of all ages can attend and then the youngsters can hit the town afterwards. Alternatively, consider throwing a hen night for just the friends and a more ‘civilised’ kitchen tea another day for all the women in the bride’s life.

ALSO SEE: Should you have a joint bachelor and bachelorette party?

Should you have a joint bachelor and bachelorette party?

Feature image: Pexels

Words: Clare Syfret

In Advice

5 Unique bachelorette party ideas that don’t include a stripper

April 19, 2022 No Comments

I recently found myself planning my cousin’s bachelorette party. Let me tell you something, there’s a lot of pressure to make sure that the bride and her guests are happy. It’s definitely not as stressful as planning a whole wedding, but I found myself obsessively scrolling through social media in search of the biggest and best bachelorette ideas out there.

Anything that would live up to all those Hollywood bachelorette tropes. Stripper – check. Dildos – check. You know the list. This got me thinking, are there any bachelorette party ideas that will have tongues wagging while stepping outside of the box?

There sure are! If you’re looking to throw an unforgettable bachelorette that doesn’t include a stripper bumping and grinding on the bride-to-be, here are a few ideas that may get the inspiration flowing.

Bubbles and Brushes

If you’re searching for something that screams: This is a sophisticated bachelorette, then look no further than a day filled with painting and bubbles. There are a ton of spots across South Africa, including Paint and Sip which offers online classes too. This is a great way to unleash everyone’s inner creative!

Sail off into the sunset

You don’t have to put on your clubbing shoes to have a good time, the open sea is all you need! If you live close to the ocean, you’ll find countless sunset cruises that are perfect for an early evening spent sipping on champagne and enjoying good food and music. Take it a step further and rent a yacht for a few hours. This will allow you to soak up the sun and get down in your swimsuits like nobody’s watching!

A pampering weekend

It’s always about getting tipsy and downing as many shots as you can. If you’re looking to avoid a booze-filled weekend, opt for something a little more relaxing like a wellness weekend away to your favourite spot. There are some incredible wellness hotels around the country, including the Mount Grace Hotel and Spa in Magaliesberg which offers gorgeous views and wonderful spa treatments.

Tea Party anyone?

Fancy dresses and fine china, if the bride-to-be can’t seem to get enough of either of these things, then opt for a sophisticated tea party. Grab the bride squad, adorable teacups, and delectable scones, and get the party started! There are plenty of hotels that offer a tea party experience, including the Mount Nelson in Cape Town. However, you can opt to re-create something of your own.

Splurge on a luxurious Airbnb

Head to the mountains or the sea, but just make sure that you make it fancy! There’s nothing like enjoying the company of friends while sipping champagne and enjoying the views from your mansion. The best part is that you’ll be able to split the costs, ensuring that the bride has a relaxing and cost-free time! Don’t forget the games!

Feature Image: Pinterest