Your Essential Guide to Sten Dos: Joint Stag & Hen Parties
Together is always best
Stag and Hen weekends have traditionally been separate affairs. But what if you share the same friendship group? What if you want to save money? Or what if you just actually really fancy going on the same trip as your partner?
Enter the Sten Do (Stag + Hen). It is the latest evolution in pre-wedding celebrations, allowing couples to combine budgets, invite everyone, and have a massive "battle of the sexes" holiday.
Why Choose a Sten Do?
1. It's Inclusive: If you have mutual friends (or male friends of the bride/female friends of the groom), nobody gets left out or forced to choose which of the stag or hen do they are going on.
2. It's Cheaper: You can book large villas or group accommodation, take advantage of large group discounts for many activities and you only have to arrange childcare once instead of for two separate trips.
3. No "Gary" Issues: You can share a room (and even a bed) with your partner instead of the groom's cousin Gary who snores like a tractor and has to leave his phone playing the most obnoxious videos cos otherwise he “can’t get to sleep!”
Top 5 Sten Do Destinations
If you are planning a joint party, you need a destination that offers something for everyone. Here are our top picks.
1. Budapest, Hungary
The All-Rounder.
Budapest is perfect for anyone planning a sten do. There are so many things to do, that you can split into two groups during the day if you fancy trying different things, and then meet back up to party at night. During the day the ladies could head to one of the famous Thermal Spas to be properly pampered, while the guys could lock and load their weapons and visit a shooting range. Once you’ve met back up for the evening out, why not head to one of the world famous “Sparties” (Spa Parties) or relax with a private boat cruise on the Danube before heading out to find some of the best bars that Budapest has to offer!
2. Ibiza, Spain
The Party Capital.
You’ve all got an image of Ibiza in your head the moment you see the word, don’t you? And trust me when I say that every part of that image is true. If you want sun, sea, and hedonism, Ibiza is the place to find it! With a big sten group, you can rent massive villas that are filled with space for you and the entire group to rest and relax in whatever combinations you desire. You could spend the day on a private catamaran cruise with an open bar, or just relax in a cocktail bar, before hitting the superclubs of San Antonio at night and dancing the night away.
3. Riga, Latvia
The Budget Friendly Option.
Riga offers incredible value for any group no matter what your size, interests or budget. If you want to split up and do separate things during the day, why don’t the stags head on down to the hipster strip to sample some local beers, while the hens can learn to make cocktails at the Skyline Bar, before all coming together for a great night out? If you fancy a whole group activity (rather than splitting the group), why not try Bobsleighing? It’s something everyone can do together and offers an element of competition as well!
4. Tenerife, Canary Islands
Year-Round Sun.
Planning a Sten do around a winter wedding? Then Tenerife is perfect for you, as it’s warm throughout the winter! You can party at elegant beach clubs or visit Siam Park (the best waterpark in the world), perfect entertainment for any sized group. Tenerife has a relaxed vibe, is great fun, and offers outstanding group accommodation options.
5. Krakow, Poland
The Nightlife Hub.
Krakow has the highest density of bars in the world. It’s easy to navigate, cheap, and beautiful, which makes it a perfect option for any Sten group. If you fancy getting competitive, you can easily organize a "Battle of the Sexes" activity day with Quad Biking or Escape Rooms to test your physical and mental skills before hitting the Main Square for vodka tasting and a guided bar crawl.
A Sten Do may not be for everyone, but if you’ve been reading this and think that it could be a great idea, why not give it some thought? Just because you hadn’t considered a Sten before, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider it now!