Stag and hen parties cost guests an average of £242 as party-goers enjoy extravagant trips abroad
Stag and hen parties now cost each guest an average of £242 – 61 per cent more than a decade ago.
A survey of 1,200 adults who had – or are about to have – a bachelor or bachelorette party found that the average cost in 2012 was £150.
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Today that number stands at £242 – with 42 per cent regretting parting with that much cash.
Meanwhile, 47 percent believe pre-wedding parties have become more extravagant in recent years.
Of these, 48 percent believe this is due to people making up for lost time during the pandemic – while 46 percent believe it is due to more savings.
And 44 percent believe partygoers want to compare themselves to online influencers.
It also emerged that before the pandemic, UK cities were the most likely candidates for a bachelorette party, with London, Liverpool and Manchester being the most visited.
But the British capital falls to 12th on the list of places people will visit now – with exotic places like Amsterdam, Marbella and even Miami being more likely destinations.
Top 10 Hen and Hen Party Destinations
1. Las Vegas
2.Amsterdam
3. New York
4.Miami
5. Marbella
6.Manchester
7.Brighton
8.London
9.Paris
10.Newcastle
11. Tokyo
12.Barcelona
13. Bournemouth
14. Bristol
15. Bora Bora
16. Dubai
17. Ibiza
18.Liverpool
19. Bangkok
20. Lisbon
The survey was commissioned by Hotels.com, which coined “bachelorette party,” a mixed-gender (for stag and stag) celebration that kills two birds with one stone when celebrating before the big day.
Hotels.com spokeswoman Emma Tagg said: “It’s clear that hen and stag parties are on the rise and we even saw a 12 per cent increase in searches for group travel compared to 2019, with people clearly ready are to celebrate in style.
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“Before the pandemic, most people (24 percent) said they didn’t take a day off to attend a bachelor or bachelorette party.
“However, when asked how many days it would take people to complete their next task, the most popular answer was a whopping three days (21 percent).
“It’s clear that Brits are getting taller than ever as more vacation days are taken and more money is spent this year.”
Hotels.com booking data also revealed that the most-requested amenity for groups this year was a pool — as opposed to free breakfast in previous years.
The survey also found that 40 percent of those who regretted attending a bachelor or bachelorette party blamed it on overspending.
Just under a third (32 percent) admitted they behaved “regretfully”, while 32 percent claimed the entire trip was just a nightmare.
But 38 percent found the event too lengthy, requiring them to take more time off work than they would have liked.
Almost one in 10 people planning a pre-wedding trip expects to take a full working week of annual leave to accommodate everything.
As a result, 64 percent wish they didn’t have to take as much time to attend other people’s celebrations.
Saving tips for bachelor parties
1 – Be an early bird
Plan ahead – this way you can take advantage of any early booking discounts and have more time to save.
2 – Mate
When it comes to booking hotel rooms, speak to the main organizer to see if they can get you together instead of booking alone. This way, instead of paying the cost of an entire suite yourself, you can book a twin room and cut the price in half.
3 – Save on your themed outfit
The cost of dressing like a giant hen can be surprisingly high; Try looking for second-hand costumes on resale platforms, or check your local charity shops for budget-friendly options.
4 – divide and conquer
Rather than buying new outfits, toiletries, and extra luggage for a weekend getaway, work with other attendees to decide who’s bringing what and reduce overpacking. Discuss outfit swaps that you can coordinate over time and save space and money.
5 – WFH – ‘Work from Hotel’
Whether it’s a short vacation or a sunny vacation by the sea, make the most of remote work wherever possible. Arrive early in the morning or overnight and work from the hotel so you don’t have to travel long days off work. Your annual leave is as valuable as your money.
6 – Flexible with your flight options
If you live the big life and are traveling abroad for a bachelor or bachelorette party, being open about your departure airport and flight times can help expand the options available to you and offer low-cost airline options that can save you significant sums of money .
7 – Invite yourself to low-cost activities
There are endless possible activities for a bachelorette/bachelorette party and the costs can skyrocket. To keep the budget in check, opt for inexpensive entertainment like Mr & Mrs games, free tourist attractions or walking tours.
8th – Share the ride
Did someone say road trip? Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, if you’re heading to a location that’s less accessible by public transport or off the beaten path, share a car trip with a group of friends and split the gas and parking bills, um to cut costs down.
9 – Short and sweet
With the increasingly common week-long bachelorette and bachelorette parties, the days off and expenses can add up quickly. Instead of doing the full-length trip, see if you can do a long weekend instead and minimize annual leave and required expenses.
10 – Allow yourself to be rewarded
Take advantage of rewards programs when booking bachelor or bachelorette parties. On Hotels.com, you’ll earn a stamp for every night you stay, earn 10 stamps, and receive an award night equal to the average of the last 10 stamps. An easy way to make savings, especially when booking in bulk.
https://www.thesun.ie/travel/8738091/stag-hen-do-guests-overseas/ Stag and hen parties cost guests an average of £242 as party-goers enjoy extravagant trips abroad
