Bridebook’s recent 2025 Wedding Report showed that nearly half (48%) of stag and hen parties cover the cost for the bride and groom, meaning guests themselves are often left footing a gigantic bill, spending hundreds of pounds on accommodation, activities, and travel.
With summer wedding season in full swing, stag and hen parties are jetting off across the UK and Europe. But which location is leaving the biggest dent in guests’ finances – from Mykonos to Edinburgh?
New research from Bridebook broke down the cost of accommodation, transport (planes and taxis), activities, and the cost of food and drink across a typical Friday to Monday weekend, to see which stag and hen destinations across the UK and Europe are the most expensive.
With flights alone costing almost £500 each and accommodation totalling an average of £893, it’s no surprise that Mykonos came out on top as the most expensive hen do destination. Add-ons such as spa days (£131) and alcohol (£207.84) push the total to an eye-watering £1,841. For friends of the bride, that’s nearly 5% of their yearly salary on a three-night trip to Mykonos. Marbella and Ibiza follow closely behind for European getaways, with sky-high accommodation costs (£1,116 and £1,047 respectively) driving up the overall price tag.
Closer to home, London ranks second in our study and is the most expensive UK destination on our list. This is in part due to expensive taxi costs (£425.92), accommodation (£743), and alcohol spend (£300). Oxford and Edinburgh also appear high on the list, with similar costs quickly adding up to sizeable guest spends.
The most expensive destinations for a hen do are as follows:
Marbella took the top spot as the priciest stag do destination, with accommodation (£1,116), taxis (£251), and go-karting (£59) pushing the costs up to a £1,740 total for a three-night stay. Friends of the groom could be dropping 4.65% of their yearly salary in order to celebrate their friend.
Mykonos, London, Ibiza, and Tenerife continue to rank highly as stag party destinations, while Dublin makes a new appearance, rounding out the top 10. A trip to the Irish capital could set guests back £218 on alcohol, £528 on accommodation, and £38 on flights.
The most expensive destinations for a stag do are as follows:
Hamish Shephard, Founder of Bridebook, comments:
“For guests, hen and stag dos are often as big a financial commitment as the wedding itself, with many facing substantial costs just to attend. With travel, accommodation and activities often falling on the wedding party, it’s no wonder that some are spending nearly as much as the couple themselves!
It’s important to remember that while weddings, including pre-wedding parties, are of course a celebration of love and friendship, couples should be mindful of the financial strain these events can place on their closest friends. Clear communication and advance planning can help ensure guests aren’t left feeling stretched by the cost of attending these celebrations, especially in overseas and urban locations.”
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