Are stag and hen nights too expensive?

Stag and hen nights are now costing Britons £532m a year according to new research.

The survey by Morgan Stanley says that the average celebration costs friends £90 a time, rising to £365 for a weekend event.

Instead of a few drinks to celebrate their forthcoming nuptials, many would-be brides and grooms and their friends are enjoying weekends away in increasingly exotic destinations.

Popular venues for stag and hen nights include Prague, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Budapest.

Have stag and hen nights become too expensive? Send us your comments and stories.

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This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I'm a big fan of city-break weekends, having been to Prague, Amsterdam and Dublin this year so far. I don't mind seeing people having a good time, and it's up to the individual how much money they spend on their hen/stag nights, but I cringe when I see groups of "beer-boys" acting in an intimidating way to others, probably without realising it. When I'm overseas, I like to think of myself as an "ambassador" for my country, and I wish others would do the same, instead of reinforcing our already murky reputation abroad.
Andy Roberts, Southend-on-Sea, Essex UK

Who cares? If people are so stupid as to waste vast amounts of money on such events that is their choice and while it is my fervent wish that all these events should take place outside the UK I do sympathise with the countries that are subjected to the crass and uncouth behaviour of our 'drunks on tour' for which, sadly, this country has become infamous.
Trevor, Cambs, UK

The people who are against the idea of a big party sound like the ones most in need of one Steve, Bristol, England

Cripes, there are a lot of negative comments here. The people who are against the idea of a big party sound like the ones most in need of one. I've been to plenty of expensive stag nights and had a lot of fun, which is all it's about.
Steve, Bristol, England

Wake up, it's embarrassing to make a drunken fool of yourself in front of foreign strangers; it's easier to do at home anyway. There's nothing wrong with a bit of a party, but the amount of paralytic Brit-stags I've redirected to their respective hotels is alarming.
John, Brussels, ex-UK

This year I have had to go on three stag "nights". One to Madrid, one to Oxford and the other to Amsterdam. Last year I had three as well, London, Madrid and Nottingham. It is a very expensive business, each one costs in the region of £250 each and on top of that you have to buy them a wedding present. To make matters worse I reckon that half of these guys will be divorced in three years! That said - they are great fun!
James, London, UK

I'm in the middle of organising my own four-day stag trip to Riga. It dosen't have to be that expensive. I've organised it so that it is much cheaper than the alternative two day beark here in Blackpool or Newcastle. Its the last time you will go on a "lads" or "girly" holiday. Enjoy it I say
Richard Corless, Bridgend, Mid Glam

It's a shame that sometimes I have found myself having to decline an invitation to a hen weekend (or week) because I simply can't afford it. As much as I would like to go, I have to make do with a night out before or after the main event and must admit I feel a bit resentful as it makes me feel like somehow my non-appearance makes me less of a mate. It seems like the days (like when I got married) of going out for a night and having a riot round town (or town of your choice) are over.
Ellie, Birmingham, UK

My husband and I had our hen and stag parties in Amsterdam but that's because we live here! Amsterdam is really a horrible place on Friday and Saturday nights, the culprits being of course the Brits. The reason the council never does anything about it is the sheer amount of money these parties bring in. Poor quality hotel rooms charge far too much, watered down beer is overpriced and the legal places to smoke weed are able to sell the stuff locals don't want for a premium. The result is very few people want to visit the place to see the actual sights. Then again when it's cheaper to fly here than it is to take a train to anywhere in Britain it's no surprise.
Jennifer, Netherlands, ex UK

It's something you're only going to do once - hopefully. Giles Clinker, London, UK

Who cares if it costs a lot of money? It's something you're only going to do once - hopefully.
Giles Clinker, London, UK

They are just another excuse for alcohol obsessed Brits to get drunk and behave like children.
John Swift, UK

At least the foreign trips get these awful people out of our way. Unfortunately, they are wrecking lovely places like Prague. I say double or treble the price.
Chris Klein, Winchester UK

So what if they're expensive and can be trashy? At least they involve people having a laugh instead of employing that very sad, cynical and negative English attitude typified some of the comments here.
Paul , Manchester

Why not spend an extravagant weekend with one's closest friends and confidants? Jena, Vancouver, BC

What is all the fuss about? Weddings are, first and foremost, a celebration. Why not spend an extravagant weekend with one's closest friends and confidants? The stag /hen night is a brilliant way for your friends to gather round, congratulate you on your wedding and wish you the best of luck with the rest of your life. Why not make a big deal of it? It is a big decision after all.
Martin, London, UK

Just had my divorce party, now that is money well spent. Does that count, after all marriage does not last long these days?
Jena, Vancouver, BC

What a stupid question!! The weekend or night is as expensive as you make it. If you can't afford it, don't go. A recent stag night we had involved, Iceland, Paris and Nice...need I say more.
Steve, Bristol, UK

Your hen or stag night should be what you want to make it, regardless of cost (as long as you're prepared to pay for it, of course!). My own "hen party" was a week in Cyprus in a 4-star hotel ... on my own!! After doing the majority of the organising for my wedding, I just wanted a luxury week in the sun on my own, to relax and chill out before the big day (and eat healthily, detox and practise my make-up!!). I spoke to no-one all week and it was fabulous! My husband's choice of stag party was to take a group of friends on a golf weekend in Cornwall, and they had a fab time as well. Just do what you want to do - and enjoy!!
Lynne Chapman, Chudleigh, Devon

Expensive stag/hen nights are not a problem for those who want them...they can just put the bill on their plastic like they do for the rest of the year.
Ken, UK

How about celebrating wedding anniversaries in the same way? Derek Blyth, Bolton, UK

What a lot of cynics - why shouldn't we party to celebrate a forthcoming event. The UK is very lacking in festivals compared to other countries and some people see this as a virtue! How about celebrating wedding anniversaries in the same way?
Derek Blyth, Bolton, UK

Our neighbours have recently got married. The costs of trips abroad for their respective hen/stag nights simply meant that no neighbour could attend. They then arranged UK venues which still cost well over £100 a head. In the end the neighbours collectively dragged them to the local for a more traditional (and cost effective) celebration.
Sarah Gill, Bracknell, Berkshire

Is it really necessary to go jetting off to some foreign city when most stag do's are all about partying, drinking and hiring a stripper. Surely a night out in Blackpool(!) can be as exciting as Amsterdam, Prague, Barcelona... it's not as if there's any sightseeing being done.
Robin Massart, Oxford, UK

I guess they are expensive as you make them! If money is not an issue for you or you can account for it in your budget, go for it but people shouldn't feel like it's an essential part of getting married. Marriage is not a jail sentence, you can still go out with your friends without your spouse even after marriage!!
David Hilton, Huddersfield, UK

My Dad put the kettle on and the four of us had a pot of tea Mild Child, London

I'm amazed at the amount that gets spent, and the time taken - almost like a holiday before the honeymoon holiday. I had hopes of a hen night before my first wedding. I aspired to going out with a few friends, a meal and some drinks. By the weekend before the wedding two friends had emigrated (to separate continents) and several others couldn't make it. That left me and my oldest friend who was bridesmaid. She was pregnant, her husband brought her round to my house but she wasn't feeling very well. So my Dad put the kettle on and the four of us had a pot of tea. Not quite Ibiza.
Mild Child, London

Never mind the cost. Are they really necessary? If someone is getting married, then they are supposedly ready for a marriage commitment. If they are ready, why do they need a party to say farewell to singlehood?
Emma, Bedford, UK

As it happens my brother is getting married tomorrow...and is in a mood that my partner and I did not attend the stag/hen night(s) even after explaining to him that our bills and kids come first. They are expensive but we all have a choice as to whether to go or not!!!!
Sandy, Solihull

My daughter just got married in England and she and her groom had their hen and stag nights thrown by mutual friends. They are expensive but it's a once in a lifetime night for most and should be enjoyed no matter the cost.
Fayme Bullock, Kentucky, USA

I've only words of warning to offer to the gentle folk of the few remaining beautiful venues of Europe: Make sure you don't let your city go the way Amsterdam did and Prague may well soon. Sex should take place in beds, drinking should be done in pubs and throwing up should happen in the toilet. At the point when these concepts become confused then consider the fight lost to keep the advancing British riff raff off your doorstep.
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK

No, they aren't too expensive. The decision on what to do tends to be made amongst the group rather than by 1 person. If they chose something they can't afford then more fool them!
David Priddy, Slough, UK

It is just a sign of excessive wealth and a "spend the lot now" and borrow more, mentality in the country. If these 'friends' have so much money to waste perhaps they should give it to the new couple to help towards a house or mortgage! But such parties are only the start, look at the money spent on weddings and nothing to show for it all afterwards.
James St George, London, England

Who cares? Expectations are so high and they have plenty of money to spend.
Elaine, London

As most marriages end in divorce, I would have thought it would be better to save the money to pay for the costs of a lawyer when the inevitable happens.
Toby Coulson, Cobham, Surrey