Ideas & advice 28 October 2026

How to plan a hen party afternoon without overfilling it

By Oliver · Hosting parties since 2018

Build a relaxed hen party afternoon around life drawing and cocktails, with time for food, photos and the next part of the celebration.

Two activities can make a lovely afternoon. The trick is leaving enough room between them for people to arrive, eat, talk and reset the space. Start with the parts of your weekend that are already fixed, then ask us to check availability for the times that remain.

Start with what is fixed

Write down check-in, dinner reservations and travel first. If several people are arriving from different places, leave a buffer before the first hosted activity. Check the property allows outside suppliers and has suitable space for the group.

One possible running order

This is an example to discuss, not a confirmed package or booking:

  • Before 2pm: everyone arrives and has something to eat.
  • 2–3.30pm: a 90-minute life-drawing class. Compare the sketches and take a few group photos.
  • 3.30–4pm: a breather for snacks, photos and any room reset the hosts need.
  • 4–6pm: a two-hour cocktail masterclass. Leave time afterwards to get ready or travel to dinner.

Tell Oliver about the venue layout, access and any other plans. He can discuss a workable order with the team. A deal for life drawing followed by cocktails may be available if the date and staffing allow; no combined discount is assumed until confirmed.

Leave some unplanned time

Friends who have not seen each other for ages will want a chance to catch up. That spare half-hour may be the best part of the afternoon. Send us your outline, group size and postcode, and we will check what can fit.