Hen do financial set-up - how to split this?

Currently organising a hen do - quite far in advance but want to get ahead of the curve as everyone is busy and calendars get filled up quickly.

One bridesmaid won't be able to confirm her attendance until a few weeks before the hen do, as opposed to others who are booking now. This is 100% legitimate and out of her control due to the nature of her job. We are getting an airbnb to share, so accommodating her last-minute shouldn't be an issue - haven't booked yet but presumably there will be an extra bed or a sofa somewhere...

However, I'm wondering how we split the costs. She's a work friend so is not close to any of the other girls (and hasn't even met two of them) so I don't want people to feel like the cost of their accommodation is dependent on a stranger's job.

I was thinking, calculate the cost as if she's not attending and then it's a "bonus" if the price goes down if she does come? But how to best communicate this in the WhatsApp chat etc.? Has anyone else had this issue?

 

I was thinking, calculate the cost as if she's not attending and then it's a "bonus" if the price goes down if she does come?

Yes, I would do this.
Also, don't pay anything until everyone has paid.

 

Just give the price. If a bonus reduction comes deal with it then.

 

I think if someone is coming along last minute and sleeping on a put up bed or sofa, I wouldn't expect them to share in the accommodation price significantly.

 

Just pick an appropriate place for the group without her and say that hopefully there might be one extra and ‘Sally’ might make it but if so she’ll sleep in the sofa bed / airbed / she’ll share with you etc.

 

Split between the definites then if the extra can attend maybe she buys some booze?

 

Split between the definites then if the extra can attend maybe she buys some booze?

As we haven't gone firm on the accommodation quite yet, we're not sure if it'll be a sofa/camp bed or a proper bed/room left over for her...

So I'm thinking: if it's an actual room, just give the price without her, and it's a bonus reduction if she comes. If it's a camp bed/sofa bed, she can buy some extra booze instead as it would be unfair to contribute significantly

 

In a similar situation we split the cost between the people who confirmed attendance, then when the other person did manage to come they contributed the same amount and it was used to buy shared food / drinks.

 

In a similar situation we split the cost between the people who confirmed attendance, then when the other person did manage to come they contributed the same amount and it was used to buy shared food / drinks.

nice idea, thank you.

 

In a similar situation we split the cost between the people who confirmed attendance, then when the other person did manage to come they contributed the same amount and it was used to buy shared food / drinks.

This is what we’re done before too, if you’re staying at a self catering place you’ll need food/snacks/drinks etc so the extra person’s money covered that and the first round of drinks when we went out.