5 Reasons

You Need a Hen Do Planning Tool (Like, Yesterday)

So you’ve been crowned the Maid of Honour. Congrats! You’re now head of spreadsheets, chief WhatsApp chaser, and the human glue trying to hold 14 women with wildly different budgets and opinions together. Sound familiar?

Planning a hen do isn’t for the faint-hearted — but that’s where a hen do planning tool swoops in to save your sanity. Here’s why you absolutely need one. Spoiler: we made a good one. It’s called Tally.

1. Group Chats Were Not Made for Planning

Yes, WhatsApp is great for memes and chaos, but not for managing deposits, dress codes, and who still owes £32.87.

With Tally, you can:

• Create polls to actually make decisions

• Share the itinerary in a click

• Track payments without needing a maths degree

2. No One Wants to Be the Debt Collector

You know that awkward moment when you have to chase your best friend’s cousin’s uni mate for £60 and they ghost you? Yeah. Tally helps you keep track of who owes what and when — without turning you into a full-time accountant.

3. Because 24 Messages About Dinner Is 23 Too Many

“Where should we eat?” quickly turns into a 78-message saga featuring three passive-aggressive GIFs. Tally lets you:

• Create polls

• Set tentative plans

• Lock in costs once they’re confirmed

It’s democracy — but with less screaming.

4. Every Bride Deserves an Iconic Itinerary

Even if she’s chaotic. Especially if she’s chaotic. You can:

• Add to-do lists and activities

• Share a gorgeous itinerary via WhatsApp

• Add photo uploads after the fact (hello, memories)

5. You Deserve Better Than a Spreadsheet

Planning should feel like part of the party. Tally looks good, works like a charm, and speaks fluent “organised Type A with a sense of humour.”

Also, who wants to explain formulas to the bride’s nan?

Let’s Get This Hen Do Sorted

Ready to go from chaotic to calm? Start planning with Tally — the hen do planner app that does everything except pour the prosecco.

Does the hen pay?

The Ultimate Guide to Splitting Costs

Meta Description: Confused about hen do costs and who pays what? Our complete guide covers hen party etiquette, how to split expenses fairly, and avoid money drama. Perfect for bridesmaids and brides-to-be.

Planning a hen do and suddenly realising you're drowning in a sea of costs, payment requests, and awkward money conversations? You're not alone. The question "who pays for the hen on her hen do?" is probably the most googled hen party query after "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" (spoiler: it doesn't, and neither do the photos).

Let's sort this out once and for all, shall we?

The Golden Rule: Does the Bride Pay for Her Own Hen Do?

Here's the short answer: traditionally, no. According to Debrett's guide to hen party etiquette, the established protocol says the bridesmaids and attendees cover the bride's costs. Think of it as a gift – you're treating her to one last wild weekend before she becomes someone's wife.

But (and there's always a but), times have changed. Modern hen dos often involve expensive weekends away, spa treatments, and activities that can cost hundreds per person. The old rules don't always fit today's reality.

How Hen Do Costs Are Typically Split

The Traditional Split

In the classic approach, bridesmaids and attendees pay for:

• The bride's accommodation

• Her meals and drinks

• Activities and experiences

• Transport costs

• Any special treats or surprises

The Modern Reality Check

Many hen parties today use a more flexible approach:

• Shared accommodation costs: Everyone pays their own way, including the bride

• Activities: The group covers the bride's share

• Meals and drinks: Varies by venue and occasion

• Special extras: Surprises and treats are still typically covered by the group

When the Bride Should Contribute

Sometimes it makes perfect sense for the bride to chip in, especially when:

Budget-Conscious Friends

If your hen party crew includes students, new mums, or anyone going through a tight financial patch, expecting them to cover your costs on top of their own can be seriously unfair. A good bride recognises this and offers to pay her share.

Expensive Destinations

Planning a hen weekend in Ibiza or a spa retreat in the Cotswolds? Recent surveys show that the average hen party cost in the UK is now over £200 per person. When costs spiral beyond this average, it's reasonable for everyone (including the bride) to contribute equally.

Large Groups

With bigger hen parties (10+ people), splitting the bride's costs becomes more manageable per person. But it also means more complex money management – hello, spreadsheet nightmares.

How to Handle Hen Party Expenses Without the Drama

Have "The Money Chat" Early

Before anyone books anything, sit down (or jump on a group call) and discuss:

• Total budget per person

• Whether the bride will contribute

• Payment deadlines

• Who's handling the money

Set Clear Expectations

Nothing kills the hen do vibe faster than surprise costs. Be upfront about:

• Accommodation splits

• Activity prices

• Meal budgets

• Drinks allowances

• Any extras or surprises

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Gone are the days of chasing people via WhatsApp for money transfers. Modern hen party planning means using tools that actually work:

• Track who's paid what

• Set up payment plans for bigger expenses

• Keep everyone in the loop automatically

• Avoid awkward money conversations

Regional Differences and Cultural Expectations

UK Hen Do Traditions

British hen parties traditionally follow the "treat the bride" mentality, especially for:

• Final meal (usually Sunday lunch)

• First round of drinks

• Any bride-specific activities or treatments

This aligns with broader UK wedding traditions where different parties traditionally cover specific costs, though modern couples are increasingly flexible about these conventions.

International Variations

If you're planning with friends from different backgrounds, be aware that expectations vary. Some cultures expect everyone to pay equally, while others have different gift-giving traditions. The Wikipedia guide to bachelorette parties shows how these celebrations have evolved differently across various countries and cultures.

What About the Maid of Honour?

The maid of honour often takes on extra financial responsibility, covering:

• Planning costs and deposits

• Decorations and surprises

• Emergency fund for unexpected expenses

• Sometimes a larger portion of the bride's costs

But this shouldn't be assumed – it needs to be discussed and agreed upon.

Red Flags: When Hen Do Costs Go Too Far

Watch out for these warning signs that your hen party budget is getting out of hand:

• Individual costs exceeding £300+ per person

• Hidden or surprise expenses appearing last minute

• People dropping out due to cost concerns

• The bride demanding premium options without contributing

Making It Work for Everyone

The Democratic Approach

Let the group vote on:

• Budget limits per person

• Whether the bride contributes

• Activity preferences based on cost

• Accommodation standards

The Graduated System

Consider different contribution levels based on:

• Financial situations

• Relationship to the bride

• Role in the wedding party

The Transparent Method

Share all costs openly:

• Create a shared document with all expenses

• Update payment status regularly

• Discuss any changes as a group

Your Hen Do Money Management Checklist

Before You Start:

• [ ] Discuss budget limits with the group

• [ ] Decide if the bride contributes

• [ ] Choose someone to manage payments

• [ ] Set payment deadlines

During Planning:

• [ ] Get quotes for all activities

• [ ] Book accommodation with clear cost splits

• [ ] Track deposits and payments

• [ ] Communicate any cost changes immediately

Final Steps:

• [ ] Settle all outstanding payments

• [ ] Share final cost breakdown

• [ ] Plan thank you gestures

• [ ] Document lessons learned for next time

The Bottom Line

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to who pays for the hen on her hen do. The key is honest communication from the start. Whether you follow traditional etiquette or create your own rules, everyone should know what they're signing up for financially.

Remember, the goal is celebrating your bride-to-be, not creating money drama that lasts longer than the hangover. A successful hen party is one where everyone has fun without breaking the bank or harboring resentment about costs.

Take the Stress Out of Hen Do Planning

Tired of juggling spreadsheets, chasing payments, and explaining costs to three different WhatsApp groups? There's an easier way to handle hen party expenses without the headache.

Ready to plan your next hen do without the faff? Discover how The Tally App streamlines group planning, handles cost splits automatically, and keeps everyone in the loop – so you can focus on the fun stuff instead of the finances.

Start Planning Your Stress-Free Hen Do →

Still have questions about hen do costs? Drop us a line – we've seen it all when it comes to group planning drama, and we're here to help sort it out.

Blog Post Title Three

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Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.