The friend I was meant to share a room with on a hen weekend has dropped out – and nobody can decide who should pay her bill

A woman has sparked a debate about hen party etiquette after a friend she was meant to share a room with dropped out – leaving others to figure out who should cover her costs. 

The woman took to the British parenting forum Mumsnet to explain that she was meant to share a room with her pal and two others. 

After one dropped out, the maid of honour suggested that the occupants of the room divide the cost between them, meaning they pay an extra £80 each. 

However, if the cost was split between the entire group of women going on the weekend away to a European city, it would only be an extra £12.63 each.

Many agreed the cost should be shared equally amongst the whole group, while others said the person who dropped out should still pay for her hotel room.

The post read: ‘Friend’s hen party in 48 hours in a European city. It’s the first of our group of friends to be married and we’re all really happy and excited for her.

‘There are 20 attendees, and so the maid of honour found a hotel where she can book 5 rooms of 4, the cost per room for the weekend is £960, meaning £240pp.

‘The maid of honour choose who goes in which room and did a perfect job, everyone is with their friend/family group and worked out really well.

‘We have to pay by the end of the month and have been given time to save, however one person in my room has now dropped out due to money issues. 

She continued: ‘The MOH has said the remaining three of us sharing this room now need to make up the £240 lost, so £80 each. This takes the cost from £240pp to £320pp for the three of us whilst the rest of the party pay the same.

‘If everybody in the party paid the difference it would only be an additional £12.63 each, Would I be unreasonable to suggest this? I get it’s our hotel room, but could we not look at it as the cost of the accommodation per head has gone up as whole?

‘Never been to one of these weekends so unsure how these things work.’

Many suggested that the woman who dropped out should pay for her room regardless. 

She took to the British parenting platform to explain the situation and ask if she should suggest that the cost be split between the full group

One person said: ‘Actually the one who dropped out should still pay because she’s left everyone else in the lurch.’ 

Another agreed saying: ‘while another said: ‘The original person should still pay, you can’t drop out after commuting and things being booked.’

However, others suggested that the extra cost should be split between the whole hen party. 

One person wrote: ‘I agree with you, the cost should be shared equally.’

Another said: ‘I’d 100% suggest this, no way would I expect three of the group to pick up the entire cost.’

Many suggested that the woman who dropped out should pay for her room regardless

While other suggested that the extra cost should be split between the whole hen party

Someone else wrote: ‘I would just say that you cannot afford/ justify the extra money. What if someone else in another room drops out – then those people will then have to pay an extra £80 each. 

‘£12 each is so much easier and will create more of a positive atmosphere on the weekend. Otherwise, I think you and a couple of others will be quietly seething that the whole weekend cost you a lot more. 

While a fourth wrote: ‘At this point, the organiser needs to get money off everyone. Non-refundable. Otherwise you leave yourselves open to this happening again.

‘Email out to say “the cost has gone up by £12 due to a drop out. We need the money now to avoid further increases”.’

The original poster added: ‘I definitely agree drop out should still pay, but this won’t happen due to outing financial reasons, which is still unfair and has caused a bit of a rift. 

‘But also as a best friend trying to be supportive about their situation because the financial issues weren’t expected and aren’t their fault.’