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One party or two? The pros and cons of combining the stag do and hen party into one event
Have you ever heard of a sten party? Or a hag do? They’re the same thing! Both terms refer to a joint pre-wedding celebration where the couple celebrates with their friends and families rather than hosting separate hen and stag parties for the bride and groom.
Are you thinking about doing the same? While this trend is becoming increasingly popular—offering a chance to blend traditions, share the experience, and unite both sides of the wedding party—there are a few things to consider before sending out your hag-do invitations.
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Make sure you take this into account (or don’t blame us if things go south!)
Sure, you want everyone to have a great time. But by combining two parties into one, you’ll need to please twice as many people. (Which may sound fine until you realize your fiancé’s sister hates bars, but your mates are all about a good Prague pub crawl). So, don’t underestimate the preparation:
- Put together a guest list and balance friends and family from both sides.
- Choose the right venue, ensuring it fits everyone’s budget so they feel comfortable.
- Decide on a theme or style that matches the mixed vibe of the group as best as you can.
- Set some ground rules that everyone will follow, like no over-the-top pranks, to ensure everyone’s comfort. For example, a fake dog attack could be a little too much.
- Time it right by asking everyone about their schedules well in advance.
- Decide who’ll be in charge to avoid confusion. Typically, it’s the best man and maid of honor who take the lead.
Let’s get the negatives out of the way
Before we tell you about all the good a joint party can bring, let us scare you a little. What are the risks of combining a hen and stag do?
Too much compromise may be needed to accommodate everyone’s needs, leading to some feeling bored, overwhelmed, or just a bit “meh.” Plus, managing a bigger group can be a real challenge (I know, we’ve already mentioned it, but you won’t believe us until you’re frantically calling everyone because half the group didn’t show up on time for the dinner cruise on Vltava, the Prague river!). Some people might also miss the traditional aspects of separate parties, which can get a little too obvious (and annoying!). And last but not least—fear the drama! Mixed personalities and energy levels can lead to unpredictable scenarios.
Sten party positives
But not to be too dramatic (pun intended), a joint hen do can actually work! It’s a great opportunity for a shared experience and creating lasting memories during the weekend in Prague, Budapest or any other stag do capital. It can also save your soon-to-be-married friend—or yourself, if you’re the stag reading this—a lot of money.
Combining two events into one saves on venues and activities. Organizing a hen do is a modern twist on pre-wedding celebrations, and it can feel fresh and fun! It’s also a great team-building opportunity, as people can mingle before the wedding (and avoid that awkward handshake moment when no one knows who’s who).
And the grand finale? It’s a matchmaking event in the making! Weddings are full of singles hoping to meet someone—so what about all those single friends of the fiancés? Think of the potential!
How to keep the fun going?
When booking activities in Prague (or anywhere else!) for a hen do, aim to choose ones that encourage bonding and bring everyone together. Also, make sure to reflect the couple’s personalities, so it feels like a personalized party, not just a hotel animation program. (A bit much, but you get what we mean, right?)
Everyone will love these activities—trust us on this one!
- Prague Pub Crawl. Need we say more? Our pub crawl is so laid-back, even the bride’s sister will feel right at home!
- Car Smash. There’s nothing better for bonding than smashing a car together!
- Paintball, rafting or a friendly match in human table football—because who doesn’t love a little sport?
- Beer or Party Bus. A wild ride, literally!
- Stag do Pranks and Challenges. Unless your hen do rules say otherwise.
- Prague Beer Spa day or gourmet dining. Perfect for bringing things down a notch!
So, how do you feel? Two parties, or taking the leap and making it one? We hope this article gave you some insight into what to consider when making the big decision. But if there are still a few blanks left, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can help you organize the perfect and unforgettable stag do, Prague hen party, or sten party in one of the most beautiful European cities!
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