Eastlife Spring 2020

Weddings
The
Hag-Do
A ‘hag-do’ is becoming a popular way to celebrate before a
wedding. Here, Debbie Ratcliffe, Marketing Manager at Ufford
Park Woodbridge, discusses this new trend and why it is such an
attractive alternative to the traditional stag and hen do.
Pre-wedding traditions are changing. Over the last few years we
have seen a rise in couples looking to celebrate the end of their
single lives together, ditching the traditional stag and hen parties.
A hag-do (also referred to as a sten-do) is the term for a joint stag
and hen do, meaning that the bride and the groom celebrate
together rather than apart. It is the ideal solution for couples who
share the same friendship group or people who want to enjoy
one big joint celebration.
Hag-do activities can vary depending on the couple and the
age ranges and interests of the guests, but with many activities
nowadays appealing to both men and women, there is lots to
choose from.
One of the main challenges for couples is finding activities suitable
for all ages. Wedding parties can feature several generations
so trying to find a way to celebrate with everyone can feel like an
impossible task, particularly if, for example, your bridesmaids are
under the age of 18. This is why it is becoming more common for
couples to have at least two celebrations to cater for everyone.
However, this comes at a cost.
Budget can also play a big part in the decisions. The wedding
market is growing significantly meaning that the average cost of
a wedding is increasing year on year. Another benefit of a hag-do
is that it’s cheaper.
Although hag-dos are becoming more popular, many brides
and grooms-to-be still like to have a hen and a stag do. That said,
the traditional perception of celebrations being ‘the last night of
freedom’ filled with alcohol and partying somewhere abroad, is
becoming less common and this could be because couples are
waiting longer to get married.
Parties which include activities seem to be popular. For example,
many stags and hens would prefer to enjoy a day of golf, a pamper
in a spa or a day or weekend filled with a range of different
activities including paint balling, footgolf or cocktail making.
For couples who like the idea of a separate celebration but
would also like to spend some time with their other halves and
their friends, it is also common to arrange separate activities
during the day and reconvene in the evening. This could be a
cost-effective way to enjoy two celebrations in one.
Ufford Park boasts a wide range of facilities to cater for different
types of celebration, including an 18-hole golf course, spa facilities
and treatment rooms and an adventure golf course. It also
includes a modern restaurant, a bar serving afternoon tea with
outdoor terrace space and private function rooms available for
hire. As a hotel with 90-ensuite bedrooms it can also be the ideal
location for overnight breaks.
Visit their website for more details and to book your pre-wedding
celebration at Ufford Park:
www.uffordpark.co.uk/events
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