The ultimate guide to planning a hen party afternoon tea
A hen party afternoon tea caters to a lot of different people, making it one of the best ways to celebrate the bride-to-be with all her family and friends. From non-drinkers to elderly family members, it’s a great way for everyone to take part in the celebrations.
But where do you start when planning a hen party afternoon tea?
Keep reading to find out! By the end of this article, you’ll know how to plan the perfect afternoon tea hen do for the upcoming bride.
Why afternoon tea is the perfect hen party activity
An afternoon tea hen party is inclusive, affordable, and sophisticated (if you want it to be!). The event gives everyone the chance to dress up and celebrate without the pressure and cost of a booze-fuelled party or lavish trip away.
It’s also one of the more inclusive hen party ideas. If you’re inviting pregnant friends, non-drinkers, or people who simply don’t enjoy an alcohol-heavy event, this type of hen party is ideal.
You can bring everyone together for the afternoon tea, and then split off later for a night on the town if the bride wants to celebrate some more!
How to plan your hen party afternoon tea
Planning a hen party afternoon tea involves checking group numbers, clarifying the budget, and finding the ideal venue based on what the bride wants from the day.
Use this checklist to start planning your hen party afternoon tea:
Confirm group numbers. Start by finding out how many people the bride wants to invite. We advise early booking for large groups, but intimate groups can often book last minute. For example, The Lawrence requires 24 hours’ notice and offers a private room for bigger parties.
Clarify your budget. Confirm how much people are willing to spend before you start looking for a venue. London prices are closer to £50 pp, while you’ll find more budget-friendly choices in Yorkshire or Lancashire.
Choose your ideal venue. Look for a venue that can seat all your guests, is within budget, and aligns with what the bride wants from the day. Some brides might prefer an elegant party at a boutique hotel, while others would like a wood-fired feast at a cosy pub.
Secure the date and time. Check availability at the venue itself. Saturday is the most popular day for afternoon tea, particularly the 1pm-3pm sitting. However, some venues have flexibility around weekdays too, which makes it easier to secure a last-minute booking.
Check dietary requirements. Make sure the venue caters to any dietary requirements in the group. If you have any vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free friends, you can ask the venue to customise the menu to suit your needs.
4 ways to customise your afternoon tea hen party
Some of the best ways to host a unique afternoon tea hen party involve choosing a theme, customising the food options, and having some fun games ready for everyone to play.
Let’s take a look at ways personalise your hen party in more detail:
Pick a theme. Bridgerton-themed elegance is a popular theme right now. Alternatively, you might prefer Parisian chic, countryside cosiness, or a garden tea party.
Customise the menu. Ask the venue to serve the bride's favourite sandwich or cake to make it extra special for them.
Add prosecco. If you want to add a touch of glamour to your afternoon tea hen party, many venues offer a glass of fizz at an extra cost.
Bring games. Why not spruce up the experience with icebreakers or fun wedding-themed games? For example, ‘Who Knows The Bride Best: The Maid of Honour vs The Groom?’
Unique hen party activities: What makes an afternoon tea different from other hen do ideas?
Unique hen party ideas are all the rage now, from life drawing classes to outdoor excursions.
Here are the reasons why a hen party afternoon tea could be the winning option:
Daytime plans can be easier for people to attend, especially parents and older guests.
It swerves high-energy activities that can be intimidating (and exclude people).
Alcohol is optional, appealing to non-drinkers and pregnant friends.
The weather won’t ruin your day, since there’s often indoor and outdoor seating options.
It’s a super affordable option, with research by Groopeze finding the average price for UK afternoon tea to be £25-£30pp.
Questions to ask your ideal hen party afternoon tea venue before booking
Before you book your hen do afternoon tea, it’s worth asking questions about the menu, decorations, and payment policy to make sure everything lines up with what you have in mind.
Here are some of the best questions to ask the venue:
Will we have a private or shared space?
How long do we have to spend there?
Can we decorate before the bride arrives?
If the weather’s nice, can we sit outside?
What are the payment and cancellation policies?
Can we play our own music or hen party games?
Choose The Lawrence as your hen party venue, Lancashire
If you’re looking for hen party ideas in Lancashire, afternoon tea is a classy, inclusive, budget-friendly way to send off the bride to be in style.
Looking to book your hen party in Lancashire? If you’re after a charming, elegant vibe, The Lawrence is ideal. We take our role very seriously as the host of special events and occasions like hen parties, baby showers, and weddings.
Book your hen party afternoon tea today and let our team help you plan the perfect event for the bride-to-be!
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