1. Plan, plan, plan and book everything (including the butler)

As far ahead as possible to allow for unexpected hiccups to be rectified well in advance. (Make sure all suppliers have correct party address and contact details. Don’t give out security codes for rental properties until the last minute! Send directions as an attachment to guests and suppliers. It’s no fun if they can’t find the party!)

2. No matter what your budget - Research costs for everything and get everyone to commit to chipping in.

Food – ensure that the catering exceeds expectations and makes the event an occasion to remember. (If catering yourself or from the local supermarket freezer consider fridge space availability for safe food storage.)

Drink – keep it simple and always have an excess of the right types of glasses. Remember to buy ready made bagged ice cubes from the supermarket – it’s only £1, but saves hours of time!

Venue – a flashy, expensive venue isn’t necessary for a good time, nice surroundings are often free - among your guest friends there are 20-30 homes & gardens – some with pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, on the beach etc – just ask around and have the party at the nicest one!

Entertainment – you’ve already worked that one out! Now how hunky do you like your butlers? Ask for a photo of the guy you’re most likely to get. Any reputable company with nothing to hide will be happy to oblige!

3. List the guests who are invited.

Get the invites out as early as possible. Use social media sites, texts etc – all much quicker than snail mail and you tend to get an instant response. Think about the guests likely preferences for a good night. How many are there, what age groups are they spanning, what are their tastes in music, foods, drinks, games/ entertainment? If they’re all 20 something then yes a pole dancing lesson would probably go down well. If they’re all in their 40s, they might prefer a pamper party, a group of 30’s might like a hot tub party. It’s more likely though that your group is probably mixed ages and you’ll need to gel the whole group. A butler and some games or a theme is ideal for this and doesn’t cost too much.

4. Order the butler to come 15 mins before the guests.

Have everything laid out in advance eg glasses, with drinks in groups, cocktail recipes for the cocktails you are having, (There are literally hundreds, no butler can know them all!) ice in bucket, food on trays in fridge, games resources at the ready. If you want games – there are lots of really great fun hen night games ideas available on the net!

5. If it’s a surprise arrange to have the butler ring you on his approach.

So you can smuggle him in past the hen to change and emerge as a nice surprise for the hen. (Some of the best photos taken are actually of the hens face as he appears!) Take lots of photos to put on Facebook or the Butlers2go gallery so that the friends who would have loved to have made the party but couldn’t, can share some of the fun too!