What is a Hen Party? Everything You Need to Know
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Planning your first hen party and wondering what it actually involves? You're not alone. Whether you've been to one before or this is completely new territory, we're here to help you understand what makes a brilliant hen do.
Every year, thousands of groups across the UK celebrate together before the big day, but not everyone knows where this tradition came from or how to plan the perfect weekend. We've been organising hen parties since 2007 – over 55,000 celebrations across the UK and Europe – so we know exactly what works. Here's everything you need to know about hen parties, from their history to practical planning tips that'll make your life easier.
What is a Hen Party?
A hen party is your chance to celebrate the bride before she gets married. It's usually organised by the maid of honour or a close friend, bringing together the bride's mates and family for a proper celebration. You can keep it simple with a night out, go for a full weekend away, or even stretch it to a week abroad if you're feeling ambitious.
Interestingly, we've seen more and more brides taking control and organising their own hen parties in recent years. It makes sense really – the bride knows exactly what she wants, who she wants there, and what budget works. If you're the bride reading this and wondering whether it's weird to plan your own celebration, it's absolutely not. You do you.
These days, hen parties look completely different to what they used to be. You've got daytime activities like spa sessions, cocktail classes, and adventure experiences, then evening plans with meals, bars, and clubs. The best bit? You can tailor everything to suit the bride's personality. Some groups want relaxed countryside retreats, others want high energy city weekends – there's no right or wrong way to do it.
Most UK hen parties happen about 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This gives everyone time to recover before the big day without leaving it too late. Group sizes vary massively – you might have an intimate group of 6-8 close friends, or a bigger celebration with 15-20 people, depending on the bride's circle and what everyone can afford.
Why is it Called a Hen Party?
The name "hen party" comes from old British slang where "hen" was an affectionate term for women – similar to how you'd say "chick" today. It's been used for centuries as a friendly way to refer to female friends.
There's also the symbolism angle. Hens are the nurturing ones in the group, looking after everyone – which fits perfectly when you're all fussing over the bride and making sure she has a brilliant time. The male version is the stag party (or stag do), named after stag deer, representing the groom's last hurrah.
In the US they call it a "bachelorette party," but across the UK, Ireland, and loads of other countries, "hen party" or "hen do" is what everyone uses.
When did Hen Parties Start?
Pre-wedding celebrations go way back to Ancient Greece and Rome. Back then, the men had feasts and toasted the groom's freedom, while women's gatherings were more about preparing for married life than actually celebrating.
The hen party as we know it really took off in the 1960s and 70s when women had more independence and could socialise on their own terms. What started as quiet afternoon teas gradually evolved into the lively, activity packed weekends we see today.
By the 90s and 2000s, hen parties were everywhere. Weekend trips away became the norm, and the whole industry exploded. Now it's worth millions annually, with companies like us organising thousands of celebrations every year.
Want to know more about how traditions have changed? Check out our article on Hen Party Traditions.
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What Happens at a Hen Party?
Most hen weekends follow a similar pattern that just works. You'll typically arrive Friday evening, have a meal together, and head out for drinks to kick things off. Saturday brings your main daytime activity – whatever the bride's chosen or what suits the group – followed by an evening meal and a proper night out. Sunday's usually a relaxed brunch before everyone heads home, nursing their hangovers and laughing about the weekend.
Daytime activities are all over the place these days. Active groups might fancy adventure experiences, while others prefer creative workshops or just pure relaxation. The trick is picking something that gets everyone bonding and creates those photo moments you'll look back on for years.
Evenings normally start with a group meal at a restaurant – lots of people book set menus in advance to keep things simple and avoid any awkward bill splitting. Then it's bars and clubs, maybe an organised bar crawl or pre-booked nightclub entry so you're not queuing forever on a busy Saturday night.
Here's what groups are loving at the moment:
- Life Drawing sessions with professional models (always gets everyone laughing)
- Cocktail Making classes where you actually learn something useful
- Dance classes – everything from line dancing to ABBA
- Spa days when you all need to relax and be pampered
- Adventure activities like clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing, or water sports
- Afternoon tea (perfect for a classier vibe)
- Craft workshops – flower crowns, candle making, pottery
- Browse our full range of activities to see what else is out there
From chilled spa days to adrenaline packed adventures, there are brilliant hen party options for every budget and personality. Whether you're staying local or heading to a different city, the key is choosing what genuinely suits the bride, not just what's trendy or what everyone else is doing.
Can the Hen Party be a Surprise?
Surprise hen parties can be absolutely brilliant, but you've got to know the bride really well to pull it off. The big question is: will she actually enjoy the surprise, or will she be stressed about not knowing what's happening?
Before you commit to keeping it secret, think about these things: Does she like surprises or prefer being in control? Will she have the right clothes for what you've planned? Can she definitely get the time off work without getting suspicious? Are all the key people she'd want there actually available?
Get the other close friends involved in the planning. They'll help you figure out if the bride would love or hate a surprise, and they can contribute ideas that match her personality. It's also handy to have someone who can casually check she's free on your chosen dates without giving the game away.
The best surprise hen parties reveal things gradually. Start with "pack a weekend bag" and drop more hints as you go. This builds excitement without anyone panicking about the unknown.
Who Should Organise a Hen Party?
Traditionally, the maid of honour takes the lead, but honestly, modern hen parties are much more of a team effort. The maid of honour usually coordinates everything, makes the big decisions, and handles bookings, but she definitely shouldn't be doing it all alone.
The smoothest hen parties happen when several bridesmaids or close friends chip in. Set up a WhatsApp group for planning, divide up tasks (someone researches accommodation, someone else looks at activities), and share the workload. It makes planning way less stressful and means the weekend reflects everyone's ideas, not just one person's.
If you're organising and feeling overwhelmed, just ask for help. The other guests are usually happy to contribute ideas, do some research, or take on specific jobs like sorting transport or collecting money.
Need professional help with your hen party? We've organised 55,000+ hen celebrations since 2007, so we know what we're doing. We can handle everything from activities and accommodation to transport and nightlife. Get in touch and we'll sort something brilliant without the stress.
Is the Bridal Shower the Same as the Hen Party?
No, they're completely different things, though both celebrate the bride before her wedding.
A hen party is your lively, activity filled celebration – usually a night out or full weekend away with close friends. It's all about fun, drinks, dancing, and making brilliant memories together. You'll often travel to a different city, do organised activities, and have a proper night out. The whole vibe is high energy and celebratory.
A bridal shower is much more low-key. It's a daytime thing, usually at someone's home, with close family and friends. The focus is on gift giving to help the bride set up her married life. You'll have light food, play some party games, and watch the bride open presents. It's relaxed and family friendly rather than party focused.
Lots of brides have both – a bridal shower with family and older relatives, plus a hen party with their friends. But with everyone's budgets and busy schedules, some brides just pick one that suits their style. There's no rule saying you need both, it's completely up to you.
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How Many Girls Attend a Hen Party?
Most UK hen parties have between 8-15 guests, though it varies loads depending on the bride's friendship group, budget, and where you're going. From our bookings, we're seeing an average of 13 people per hen party – which has actually increased over the last few years as groups get more comfortable with bigger celebrations.
Smaller groups of 6-10 are easier to coordinate and keep everyone happy, while bigger groups of 15-20+ create a proper party atmosphere but need more organisation.
Here's what to consider when deciding numbers:
Budget: More people usually means higher costs per person for accommodation (you'll need bigger properties or more rooms), transport (multiple taxis or hiring a minibus), and restaurant bookings. Some activities do get cheaper with bigger groups, though.
Finding somewhere to stay: Properties that sleep 15+ people comfortably are tricky to find and can be pricey. Groups of 8-12 have way more options at better prices.
Activities: Some things work better with smaller groups (8-12), while others like bar crawls or dance classes easily handle bigger numbers (15-20+).
Group dynamics: Bigger groups naturally split into smaller conversations throughout the weekend. Smaller groups stay together more easily, so everyone actually gets to bond with everyone.
After organising thousands of hen parties, we reckon 10-14 guests is the sweet spot. You get a proper party vibe whilst keeping things manageable, affordable, and making sure the group stays together all weekend.
What to Bring Along to a Hen Party?
Beyond your outfits, fancy dress, and makeup, there are a few essentials that'll make your weekend way more comfortable.
The basics: Comfy shoes for daytime (you'll walk more than you think), plasters for inevitable blisters, phone charger plus a portable battery pack, any medications you need, and basic toiletries if you're staying overnight.
Hangover survival kit: If you're drinking followed by an activity the next day, you'll want paracetamol, rehydration sachets, and energy drinks at minimum. Sunday morning you will be incredibly grateful. Check out our full hen party survival kit guide for the complete list of what to pack.
Entertainment: Got downtime at your accommodation? Pack a few hen party games to keep the fun going. Card games, drinking games, or even a Bluetooth speaker for impromptu dancing all work brilliantly.
Night out essentials: A small handbag or crossbody bag (don't bring anything valuable), cash for emergencies (not everywhere takes cards), and maybe a disposable camera for brilliant candid photos.
Weather stuff: Check the forecast and pack accordingly. Sunscreen and sunglasses for summer, or warm layers and a waterproof for typical British weather. Outdoor activities especially need proper clothing.
Loads of groups create a shared packing list on WhatsApp to coordinate fancy dress, share responsibility for communal items (speakers, games, decorations), and make sure nothing gets forgotten.
How to Invite the Hen to Her Hen Party?
If you're keeping the hen party a surprise, revealing your plans should be exciting and memorable. Forget boring text messages – try these creative ideas instead:
Posted invitation: Send a proper designed invitation by post with all the details. It feels special and she'll have something physical to keep.
Group video reveal: Get everyone to record short video clips about where you're going and what you're doing. Edit them together and present it at a gathering or send it digitally.
Funny poem: Write a personalised poem revealing the destination and activities. Adds humour and shows you've put proper thought into it.
Themed reveal party: Host a small get-together with food and cocktails inspired by your destination. Drop clues throughout the evening until she guesses where you're going.
Treasure hunt: Create clues leading to the final reveal. Each one could relate to an activity you've booked or a place you're visiting.
Match the invitation style to the bride's personality. A low key bride might prefer a simple video message, while someone who loves attention might enjoy an elaborate reveal with everyone there.
Ready to Plan Your Hen Party?
Now you know what a hen party actually is and what makes a brilliant celebration, it's time to start planning. We've been organising hen parties across the UK and Europe since 2007 – that's over 55,000 celebrations and counting.
From daytime activities and accommodation to nightlife packages and transport, we'll help you create something brilliant. Whether you're after chilled spa experiences, adrenaline-packed adventures, or classic nights out, we've got the experience and local knowledge to make it happen. Plus, with instant booking, transparent pricing, and individual payment options, planning's completely sorted while you focus on the fun stuff.
