Was your hen party cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown in the UK?
While it may feel like things will never get back to normal, with vaccines being dished out right this minute, many brides are starting to think about how to rearrange their cancelled hen do.
When Will Hen Weekends Be Allowed?
The date when hen parties will be allowed to take place again is subject to many factors, but the UK government has issued some guidance which can be used to guess when different types of hen weekend can start:
Virtual Hen Party – Anytime.
If you want a risk-free option to celebrate then having your hen online is the safest option and can take place regardless of current restrictions.
Hen Party At Home – From 17th May*
The earliest possible date that you will be allowed to have a hen party in your own home is from 17th May 2021.
It is thought that by this date, up to 30 people will be allowed to meet outdoors, so you could potentially have a hen party in your garden or in a park.
Hen Dinner Out – From 17th May*
If you would like to have your hen night somewhere that is classed as “indoor hospitality” this is likely going to be possible for groups of up to 6 people from 17th May.
Hen Weekend Away – From 17th May* for small groups, from 21st June for larger groups
If you’re planning an overnight stay away for your hen weekend then this might be allowed from 17th May, if you adhere to the rule of 6.
If you’re a larger group, a hen weekend away is potentially possible from 21st June.
Hen Night Out Clubbing – From 21st June*
If you’re desperate for a hen night out at a club then the earliest this will be possible is the 21st June.
*Please keep in mind that the dates given here for these types of gatherings related to the earliest possible date given by the government. They are subject to change.
Should I Rearrange My Cancelled Hen Party?
Many brides are asking themselves whether it makes sense to reschedule their hen party at all.
Especially if you and your hens lost money from the original booking or even more so if you are still concerned about how safe a relatively large gathering is at this time.
These are two of many reasons that you might choose not to reschedule your hen party at all.
- If you feel like you’ve got enough going on with reorganising an entire wedding, then it’s totally ok to decide against a rescheduled hen party.
- If you think reorganising you hen will be too much hassle, then don’t be shy about asking for help, that’s what your bridesmaids are there for.
- If you’re worried about the health of any of your hens, you could also consider having a Virtual Hen Party or you could plan an amazing hen party at home.
There are loads of ways of enjoying celebrating your last night of freedom together even if you’re not in the same room! Think cocktail-making competitions and virtual games.
You could also consider even doing a post-wedding hen party if that makes you feel a bit more relaxed. It’s your wedding so it’s up to you!
When should I start rearranging my cancelled hen party?
It’s difficult to put a date on it, but there’s no harm in starting to think about how you might like your rescheduled hen party to look like even now.
Discuss with your pals and let them know what the current plan is.
Then, once the rules in different parts of the country have been lifted you’ll be in a good position to start rebooking and getting some exciting things in the calendar!
Tip: Prioritise sorting out rearranging your wedding before your hen party. There’s so much to think about so it’s best to get the big party organised before the smaller one!
How to reschedule your hen party
- Firstly, take into account anything that you booked before that can be repurposed.
For example, did your accommodation provider allow you to rebook for a later date than originally planned? Have you got any vouchers you can redeem to rebook activities?
- Check out our Hen Party Checklist to make sure you don’t miss any vital arrangements!
If your hen party got cancelled due to Coronavirus and you’re not sure where you stand, read our article linked here to know your rights.
If you are starting from scratch then take some time to think about whether you want to rebook exactly the same hen party or do it a little differently.
When Will It Be Safe To Book My Hen Party?
The best way to move forward with rebooking your hen party is to work backwards from your new wedding date.
Let’s say you have rescheduled your wedding for Autumn 2021.
Your best bet would be to look at potential dates that work for all your hens in from June 21st, when hopefully a large chunk of the population will have been vaccinated.
If you’ve pushed your wedding back to winter 2021/early 2022, you’ve got a bit more room for manoeuvre.
If you rebook your hen for around November 2021 then there’s a good chance even more things will have gone back to normal by then.
When booking, check whether your suppliers have got an extended Covid-19 policy. What are their cancellation terms? Many businesses are now offering more flexible terms to give you peace of mind when booking.
Should I rebook exactly the same hen party activities?
It can be hard it know whether to create an 1:1 clone of your cancelled hen party when you reorganise it, or whether to do things a little differently.
You might find that when you try to rebook, your original plans don’t work any more, either due to social distancing restrictions or the fact that there is no availability on your new date.
You might also have a different number of hens able to attend as you had previously planned for.
How to find new hen party accommodation
If your original hen party house booking was cancelled due to Covid-19, then you might need to look at finding new accommodation for your rescheduled hen do.
Have a think about the type of accommodation would suit your new hen party, especially taking into account location and any activities that may have changed.
If you want to find hen party accommodation that complies with any remaining social distancing recommendations then you might consider booking a hen party house in the countryside.
We’ve written a handy overview of different providers to help you decided who to book with.
Will Social Distancing Measures Affect My Hen Party?
This depends on when you new hen party will take place, and the current restrictions in place. activity. The best thing is to keep in touch to your activity providers and accommodation.
Reorganising a cancelled hen party was always going to be an added stress you didn’t need. If you haven’t already, try and enlist the help of your Maid-Of-Honour and bridesmaids to take some of the pressure off.
Focus on sorting out the rescheduled wedding plans first, that should be your priority as it affects more people and involves a lot more money.
Oh, and the wedding is the reason you’re having a hen do, right!
And finally, if you find that one of your hens now can’t make the rescheduled hen do, then don’t freak out.
Yes it’s a shame, but 2020 turned out to be one hell of a year and it will have affected people in different ways.
Some will be having money worries due to losing their job, others might still be suffering with mental health issues in the wake of the lockdown.
Hopefully you’ve now got a bit of an insight into how to rearrange your hen party cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Whether you’re a bride who just wants to finally sort out a real-life hen or a Maid-Of-Honour who needs to pin down new plans after months of uncertainty and postponing, we’ve answered all your burning questions.
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