Wondering how to plan a hen do the bride will remember for years – without going grey in the process? Start 6–8 weeks ahead: agree the date and guest list with the bride, collect the budget, choose the programme, then book the activities and prepare surprises. Late bookings and unclear kitty rules usually cause the most trouble, so focus on those two.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step checklist and a timeline to tick off. We’ve run bumper ball games in Krakow for years, hen dos included, and help plan the rest of the day – and we’ve learned that a great hen do depends more on a good plan than a big budget.
How to plan a hen do step by step
1. Talk to the bride
Even for a surprise, you need to know whether the bride prefers action or relaxation, whether she drinks and what she definitely doesn’t want. Some dream of a night in a club, others of a spa and a quiet dinner – better to ask than to guess. To keep it secret, ask her sister or best friend instead.
2. Pick a date
A hen do is usually held a few weeks before the wedding, not a day or two before – so the bride can recover and the party doesn’t clash with final preparations. Suggest 2–3 dates and run a quick poll in the group chat; go with the one that suits the bride and most guests. More on customs and timing in our article on who organises and who pays for the hen do.
3. Agree the guest list
Always agree the list with the bride – it’s her party, and a forgotten cousin or colleague can sour the mood for ages. Numbers affect your choice: escape rooms and workshops have capacity limits, and in bumper ball the pitch takes 10–12 players at once, so we split bigger groups into teams for a mini tournament. If you’re inviting the mums, plan a calmer first part of the day for them, such as lunch together.
4. Set the budget and organise a kitty
Before booking anything, set an amount per person and check everyone’s happy with it. Usually the hens chip in equally and cover the bride’s share between them. Example: bubble football with a hall costs €22 per person, so for 10 people the bill is €220 – with 9 of you paying, that’s just under €24.50 each.
Collect the money in advance, ideally in two instalments: a deposit once the plan is confirmed and the rest a week before the party. Keep a simple, shared spreadsheet of payments and expenses. Transparency saves awkward conversations.
How to plan a hen do on a budget
A small budget doesn’t mean a dull party, just more creativity. A few ways to save:
- dinner in a rented apartment or at one of the hens’ homes instead of a restaurant,
- one paid activity instead of three,
- a picnic by the Vistula to start the day instead of an expensive venue,
- homemade decorations and props,
- a day other than Saturday, when it’s easier to book,
- bubble football on the package without a hall (€17 per person) if you have access to an Orlik (one of the free public all-weather pitches built across Poland) or a large, flat lawn – we deliver the balls free within 15 km of Krakow city centre.
5. Choose a theme and dress code
A theme isn’t compulsory, but it makes decorations and photos easier. It could be a signature colour, the 80s, Hollywood or something the bride is passionate about. The simplest option is matching slogan T-shirts for the group and a standout accessory for the bride: a sash, a veil or a T-shirt in a different colour.
If there’s sport on the programme, the theme has to survive trainers. For bubble football, wear PE kit – shorts or a tracksuit, a T-shirt and trainers – and save the heels for the evening. Order T-shirts in two colours and you’ve got your teams.
6. Plan the programme
A good programme usually has three parts: a daytime activity, dinner and an evening party. Schedule active things – bubble football, trampolines, kayaking – before dinner, because bubble football is played sober. Leave an hour’s buffer between items for travel and changing. For ready-made suggestions, see our list of 15 hen party ideas in Krakow.
Bubble football on the programme
We’ll bring the balls, book a hall if needed and run the game – you just tick another item off your list. We reply within 24 hours.
Check availabilityPrefer to call? +48 509 196 229 – Sylwester. We reply within 24 hours.
7. Book the activities
Book what’s hardest to get first: the main activity, then the restaurant, club and transport. For every booking, confirm numbers, time, deposit and cancellation terms. Planning an evening party on the water or on rails? Check out Boat Party and Tram Party.
Book bubble football via the booking form or on +48 509 196 229; package details are on our page about bumper ball for a hen party in Krakow. No place to play? We’ll find and book a hall. Our venues include Com Com Zone at ul. Ptaszyckiego 6 in Nowa Huta and the hall at al. Jana Pawła II 37.
8. Prepare surprises for the bride
Surprises don’t have to be expensive – what counts is the idea and how many people get involved. A few that are touching and funny at once:
- a video message from loved ones who can’t make it,
- a letter from the groom – ask the best man to make sure it’s ready in time,
- a jar of advice and memories from every hen,
- a photo book with pictures from childhood and trips together,
- a guest the bride isn’t expecting, such as a friend from another city,
- games and challenges for the evening – ready-made ideas are in our article on hen party games.
9. Plan the day’s logistics
Send the group a schedule with times and addresses so nobody calls every half hour asking ‘where are you?’. Work out who’s driving and who needs transport – with bubble football, we can arrange transfers from the hotel to the hall and back (priced individually). Pack an emergency kit: water, plasters, a charger, tissues and hair ties.
Have a plan B for rain – a sports hall works in any weather. Before bubble football, ask everyone to take off their jewellery, including the bride’s engagement ring.
10. Settle up and say thank you
After the party, settle the kitty to the last cent and show the expenses in the spreadsheet. Upload the photos to a shared folder and send the best ones to the bride straight away. A short thank-you in the group chat to all your helpers rounds things off in style.
Hen do checklist: timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8–6 weeks before | Talk to the bride, date, guest list, budget per person |
| 6–4 weeks before | Book the main activity, restaurant and club; collect deposits |
| 3–2 weeks before | Theme, T-shirts and props, transport, videos and other surprises |
| A week before | Confirm bookings, second kitty instalment, schedule in the group chat |
| The day before | Emergency kit, charged phones, reminder of times and addresses |
| On the day | Keep to the plan, take photos, have fun |
| After the party | Settle up, photos for everyone, thank-yous |
How do you keep a hen do on track when something doesn’t go to plan? Stick to the list, but don’t be afraid of last-minute changes. The bride will remember the atmosphere and the people, not whether dinner started on time.
Let’s plan your hen do activity together
Tell us how many of you there are and when – we’ll suggest a bubble football plan and help arrange the boat, a restaurant table or a club booth.
Ask about datesPrefer to call? +48 509 196 229 – Sylwester. We reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to organise a hen do?
Work out the cost of the main activity, dinner and transport per person, then add the bride’s share. Bubble football costs from €17 to €28 per person depending on the package, and the rest depends on your choice of restaurant and club.
Should the bride know the hen do plans?
She doesn’t need to know the details, but she should approve the date and guest list. The programme can stay a surprise, as long as it avoids anything she doesn’t want.
How many people should you invite to a hen do?
There’s no rule – what matters is who the bride wants by her side. Just remember: the bigger the group, the harder it is to find a common date and a table at a popular venue.
What if someone drops out at the last minute?
Set the rules at the start: a paid deposit covers costs already booked and is non-refundable unless someone takes the free place. That way nobody pays extra for no-shows.
