– By Rob Knight
Going on a hen or stag do could set you back almost £1,000, according to a study.
Researchers who polled 2,000 UK adults found the typical do abroad costs a total of £998 – including around £125 for accommodation, £119 for drinks and £101 for food.
It’ll also set you back an average of £136 for flights, £78 for taxis and £64 for trains – while those planning to wear fancy dress should expect to splash out £67.
Amid this, around one third have had to make financial sacrifices to attend a bash – including not going on holiday, not buying clothes and not socialising with pals.
And for the 60 per cent who’ve been tasked with organising a pre-wedding send off, it’s not just a financial sacrifice – the typical hen or stag do takes 10 hours to arrange.
Commissioned by Hotels.com, the research also found almost half say stag and hen itineraries are becoming ‘too samey’.
And eight in 10 think the rising cost of attending the festivities is ‘staggering’.
Johan Svanstrom, president of Hotels.com, said “Stag and hen dos are a great way to celebrate with friends and maybe some family – either at home or abroad.
“But we’d encourage everyone to do a bit of research to avoid the ‘been there done that’ feeling and the rising cost.
“There are so many affordable options in interesting locations that can prevent the ‘stag lag’.”
Around two thirds of those polled think stag and hen dos have become increasingly pricey over the past two years.
And not keen on splashing out vast sums of money, 29 per cent have simply said no to attending a friend or relative’s pre-wedding bash.
The survey also identified what the perfect stag and hen do would involve.
Stag do ‘musts’ include go-karting, a trip to a casino, along with fancy dress, paintballing – and inevitably, hangovers.
In contrast, the ideal hen do includes a pamper session or spa treatment, a champagne reception and a cocktail masterclass.
Hen celebrations would also feature afternoon tea and karaoke – in addition to wine tasting and a boat party.
It also emerged, around half would prefer to attend a do which took place somewhere ‘off the beaten track’ – away from traditional tourist hotspots.
And six in 10 said they’d be happier forking out for expensive stag or hen do if the itinerary is something they haven’t experienced before.
London was named the most popular UK destination for the big send-off followed by Manchester and Edinburgh.
While Amsterdam, Prague and Barcelona are the most favoured international destinations.
Researchers also found the average UK stag or hen do costs £464 in total – with £56.81 spent on accommodation, £69.55 on drinks and £53.87 on food.
Outfits typically tally up to £51.38, while £50.81 goes on activities and £28.40 is spent on fancy dress.
Johan Svanstrom added: “If you have multiple stags or hens in the pipeline, consider signing up to our Hotels.com Rewards programme.
“After booking 10 nights, you receive a reward night for free, which you can either use to treat yourself to a night away or reduce the cost of your next stag or hen.
“You can even accrue the nights in one go if you are the best man or maid of honour and in charge of the group booking.”
TOP TIPS FOR A PERFECT HEN OR STAG DO – BY LOVE ISLAND’S ALEX AND OLIVIA :
Hotels.com have teamed up with Love Island alumnae Alex Bowen and Olivia Buckland to share their top tips for planning the ultimate stag or hen:
1. Five days is too long for a stag do
2. Pack a steamer so your outfits look on point
3. Check your hotel has great ‘Loved by Guests’ reviews
4. Don’t tie the stag naked to a lamppost
5. Always do a fancy dress night
6. Print off your itinerary – and laminate it
7. Shop around and look for deals – don’t just book the first thing you find
8. Rope your friends in to help you plan the hen and stag do
BREAKDOWN OF COSTS FOR A STAG OR HEN DO ABROAD:
Accommodation – £125.78
Drinks – £118.75
Outfits/Clothing – £88.80
Food – £101.06
Activities – £93.84
Decorations – £64.13
Flights – £135.54
Taxis/petrol – £77.53
Trains – £64.22
Spa treatments – £61.37
Fancy dress – £66.99
BREAKDOWN OF COSTS FOR A STAG OR HEN DO IN THE UK:
Accommodation – £56.81
Drinks – £69.55
Outfits/Clothing – £51.38
Food – £53.87
Activities – £50.81
Decorations – £28.12
Flights – £30.58
Taxis/petrol – £37.94
Trains – £29.97
Spa treatments – £26.73
Fancy dress – £28.40
TOP 10 – MOST POPULAR HEN AND STAG DESTINATIONS ABROAD :
1. Amsterdam
2. Prague
3. Dublin
4. Barcelona
5. Ibiza
6. Benidorm
7. Las Vegas
8. Magaluf
9. Budapest
10. Madrid
TOP 10 – MOST POPULAR UK HEN AND STAG DESTINATIONS:
1. London
2. Manchester
3. Edinburgh
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle
6. Brighton
7. Bristol
8. Birmingham
9. Nottingham
10. Cardiff
ENDS
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