Planning guide
Hen & stag party entertainment: ideas and costs
Planning a hen do or a stag night? Here's what works, what it costs, and when to book, whether you're taking over a city or staying in.
Hen do ideas
The best hen dos have one big activity and one thing back at the house or hotel, not a packed schedule nobody can keep to.
Cocktail masterclass
An hour of shaking and sampling with a professional mixologist. Usually priced per person and easy to arrange at your venue or home.
Browse cocktail masterclasssLife drawing class
A hosted session with a model and all materials, a classic for a reason, and it works in a hired room or a living room.
Browse life drawing classsPrivate comedy set
A comedian doing a 20 to 30 minute set tailored to the bride is the centrepiece of a great hen night.
Browse private comedy setsKaraoke or party DJ
For the evening part of the night. A host who takes requests keeps even the shy ones involved.
Browse karaoke or party djsPhoto booth with props
Sashes, tiaras and prints for everyone. The photos double as favours.
Browse photo booth with propssStag do ideas
Whether it's a big city weekend or a night in the local, one anchor activity plus good music beats a running order.
Private comedy set
Comedians do brilliant bespoke stag sets, roasting the groom with material you've approved in advance.
Browse private comedy setsKaraoke host with a proper set-up
A private room, a screen and a host who gets things going. The easiest way to keep a mixed group entertained all night.
Browse karaoke host with a proper set-upsDJ for the house party or venue
A DJ who reads a stag crowd keeps the night moving, brief them on the groom's favourite anthems.
Browse dj for the house party or venuesParty bus or boat hire
Turns the transport itself into the activity. Book with a sound system licence for music on board.
Browse party bus or boat hiresFire performer
A jaw-dropping 15-minute show before the night kicks off, outdoors only, and check the venue is happy.
Browse fire performersAt home or at the hotel
Plenty of hen and stag parties now stay in, a hired room, a good sound system and one booked act is often all it takes.
Close-up magician
Works a living room perfectly and gives everyone something to talk about between drinks.
Browse close-up magiciansBurlesque or dance performance
A short, classy performance piece for the bride or groom, always a moment.
Browse burlesque or dance performancesDJ with a compact set-up
House parties work with a smaller rig. Check volume expectations with the neighbours in advance.
Browse dj with a compact set-upsRough guide prices
Ballpark UK estimates only, group activities are usually priced per person, while performers charge a fee for the booking. Every act on Veya sets their own fee, so treat these as a starting point for your budget, not a quote.
| Entertainment | Rough estimate | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Life drawing class | £25 to £40 per person | 1 to 2 hours |
| Cocktail masterclass | £30 to £50 per person | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Butler service or house entertainment | £150 to £300 | 2 to 3 hours |
| Karaoke or party DJ | £250 to £500 | 3 to 4 hours |
| Burlesque or dance performance | £250 to £600 | 1 to 2 performances |
| Photo booth | £300 to £600 | 3 hours |
| Private comedy set | £300 to £800 | 20 to 30 min set |
| Fire performer | £300 to £700 | 1 to 2 shows |
| Party bus or boat hire | £400 to £1,500 | 2 to 4 hours |
When to book
2 to 3 months before
Hen and stag groups book the same weekends, spring and summer Saturdays go first. Lock the big activity before anything else.
6 to 8 weeks before
Confirm final numbers and split costs. Most per-person activities need a minimum group size, so get headcounts early.
2 weeks before
Send acts the address, timing and any briefing material (like roast jokes for the comedian). Confirm parking and access.
On the day
Have one person as the point of contact for every booked act, and plan the entertainment around the meal, not during it.
Planning the big night?
Browse comedians, DJs, magicians and more, vetted acts are badged and shown first, message them directly and confirm everything with a simple contract, deposits and balances handled securely through Veya.
