Hen party decorations: what to buy, what to skip

Most hen party decorations get looked at once and photographed twice, so the trick is spending on the two or three things that show up in every picture and skipping the rest. A backdrop, a table centre and something for the bride to wear will carry an entire weekend.

This guide covers what to buy for a house hen, a hotel room and a hired venue, roughly what each costs in the UK, and the order to put it all up in so you're not still taping bunting when the taxi arrives.

Everything here works whether the hen is a spa weekend, a cocktail night at home or a full weekend away.

The five things worth buying

• A backdrop — a balloon garland or a foil fringe curtain, about £15 to £30. Every photo happens in front of it. Shop this card
• A sash or badge for the bride, so she's identifiable in every group shot. Shop this card
• Table confetti and a few tea lights: £5 does an entire table. Shop this card
• Personalised name banners or letter balloons spelling her name. Shop this card
• Reusable neon or LED letter lights, if you'll get a second party out of them. Shop this card

What to skip

• Themed plates and napkins nobody looks at once the food's gone. Shop this card
• Anything inflatable and rude for a hen where mums and aunties are coming. Shop this card
• Full room-wrap kits — they take an hour to put up and photograph badly. Shop this card
• Scatter sequins in a rented house; you'll pay for the cleaning. Shop this card
• Multiple competing colour schemes. Pick two shades and stop. Shop this card

Decorating by venue

• House hen: one backdrop wall, a dressed table, and fairy lights in the room you'll actually sit in. Shop this card
• Hotel room: door hanger, bed confetti, letter balloons, and a bottle waiting on ice. Nothing that needs tape on the walls. Shop this card
• Hired function room: balloon arch at the entrance, table centres, and a photo corner near the bar. Shop this card
• Restaurant table: confetti, place cards and a small centrepiece. Check with the venue first. Shop this card
• Cottage or Airbnb weekend: bring Command hooks, not tape, and take everything down before checkout. Shop this card
• Spa day: keep it to a sash, a bag of favours and a card. Anything else gets left behind. Shop this card

What it costs

• Balloon garland kit: £15 to £25 for a 2 metre arch you build yourself. Shop this card
• Foil fringe curtain backdrop: £5 to £8. Shop this card
• Sash and veil set: £6 to £12. Shop this card
• Letter balloons for a name: about £2 a letter. Shop this card
• Table confetti, tea lights and place cards: £10 to £15 for a table of twelve. Shop this card
• A full house hen setup lands around £50 to £80 if you build the balloons yourself. Shop this card

Setup order on the day

• Inflate balloons the night before — air-filled ones hold for days. Shop this card
• Hang the backdrop first, while the room is still empty. Shop this card
• Dress the table second, food last so nothing sits out. Shop this card
• Put the photo corner near the drinks, not in a spare room. Shop this card
• Leave the sash, veil and card out where the bride arrives. Shop this card
• Bag up a bin liner for the clear-up before anyone opens a bottle. Shop this card

Engagement and wedding cards

For the bride, and for the wedding that follows.

Funny cards for the hen

Leave a few out for the group to sign.

Pin badges for the group

A cheap favour that people actually wear.

Where to shop next

• How to make a balloon arch
• How much helium do you need for balloons?
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Party bag ideas for adults
• Engagement cards
• Wedding cards
• Birthday party ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

What decorations do you need for a hen party?

A backdrop, a dressed table and something for the bride to wear. A balloon garland or fringe curtain, confetti and tea lights, plus a sash or badge covers everything that shows up in photos.

How much do hen party decorations cost?

Around £50 to £80 for a house hen if you build the balloon garland yourself. A backdrop is £15 to £25, a sash set £6 to £12, and £15 dresses a full table.

How do you decorate a hotel room for a hen party?

Door hanger, letter balloons, bed confetti and a bottle on ice. Use Command hooks rather than tape, and check the hotel's policy on confetti before you scatter anything.

When should you put hen party decorations up?

Inflate balloons the night before, then hang the backdrop first thing on the day while the room is empty. Food and drinks go out last.

What hen party decorations should you avoid?

Themed tableware, full room-wrap kits and loose sequins in a rented house. Anything rude is also worth rethinking if mums and aunties are coming.