AGREEING A BUDGET Another early conversation to have is on the topic of budget. Money can make or break the vibe and is the chief reason of fallouts among family and friends when it comes to a hen or stag do. Your designated person might not know all your invitees as well as you do, so be up front with them about how much you and friends are likely to be able to afford or willing to spend. If you’re not sure either, set up a WhatApp poll or an anonymous online poll giving options so that no one feels left out in the cold because of money concerns. Remember, a weekend abroad might not be within everyone’s reach so, decide whether it’s more important to you to go extravagant or to celebrate with the people you really care about. THE GUEST LIST Oh no, not this again! Yep, it’s time to devise another guest list! We recommend starting with your inner circle. Just like your wedding invite list, think about who you couldn’t imagine celebrating without – your ride or dies. Do you want a mixed group of social circle, work friends and family? Or is it worth thinking about separate events for different groups? The goal here is to ensure minimal awkwardness, and definitely no forced fun so, your best strategy might be to divide and conquer. Think about whether your preferred activities will be appropriate for everyone. For example, how will your mum and mother-in-law feel about a boozy night on the town or scaling the high wires at Go Ape? Some couples opt for a joint familyfriendly day with a further friends-only night to remedy this dilemma. Likewise, sten dos are growing more popular where the bride and groom go for a joint event where nearest and dearest from both sides are welcome. With your perfect plans in mind consider the size of your group. A weekend trip or anything with activities generally works best logistically with smaller numbers. A more intimate, likeminded group often makes for the best memories with genuine connections and is less like herding cats. On the other hand, ‘the more the merrier’ is a good stance to take when it comes to a party night in one location. LOGISTICS Whether you’re a one-person planning machine, or you’re working collaboratively with a trusted third party, we have some logistical tips to ensure a flawless event: Plan a mix of activities Balance any high-energy plans with downtime such as gokarting with a cocktail masterclass or paintballing with wine tasting. Keep everyone in the loop Create a group chat or shared Google doc with travel details, itinerary, dress code and emergency contact information. Make sure everyone knows how they’re getting to their destination, and back, safely. Pre-book transport if needed. Add some personal touches Surprises don’t have to be extravagant. It’s the thoughtful touches that mean the most. How about a quiz about the soon-to-be-weds, a memory book, or surprise video messages from those unable to join you. Have a backup plan Don’t be derailed by bad weather. Be flexible and have an indoor alternative at the ready. Capture the memories You might be too busy having fun to take photos, so brief members of the group to take on the task or create a photo challenge to get everyone involved. Set up a shared folder on your return and invite those present to upload their snaps. unsplash.com/@armstrong99 unsplash.com/@anitaaustvika 50
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