The Ultimate Guide to Hen Parties

A hen party is pure fun with laughter, mischief and a generous helping of girl power. It’s the moment your favourite people in the world come together to celebrate the bride-to-be in style with activities, food, drink and so much more. Whether you want to dance all night, chow down on bottomless brunch, watch male strippers, try cocktail making, enjoy being pampered at a spa or a bit of everything, there is a hen do for every vibe in the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond. The goal is simple. Give the bride a send-off she will rave about long after the big day.

Why Hen Parties Matter

A hen party is so much more than just a night out. It’s a milestone and a rare occasion when all the bride’s favourite people come together to celebrate her. It’s the weekend where inside jokes are born, the group chat becomes a little spicier and everyone feels a bit closer. It’s a lovely chance to bring together friends from different chapters of her life. They might start as separate groups but by the end of the hen weekend, they’ll be dancing, laughing and telling stories as if they have always known each other. That’s the essence of an amazing hen do and why planning one properly is worth every single minute, penny and ounce of effort.

Planning the Perfect Hen Weekend

Planning a hen weekend can feel overwhelming but with a bit of clever thinking and organisation, you’ll pull it off. Start with the basics. What does the bride love? What makes her smile and love? Does she want something wild, relaxed or a bit of both? The best hen parties reflect the bride’s personality rather than the organiser’s stress level!

Once you know the vibe, you can narrow down your hen party ideas. Choose a location that suits the group. Whether it’s a busy city with loads going on, a peaceful countryside retreat or a coastal destination where you can enjoy the beach, the destination shapes a lot of the weekend, so choose one that fits the bride’s style. Then comes the fun bit. Selecting the hen party activities!

Hen Party Activities for Every Bride

There are so many brilliant hen party ideas so you’ll easily find something to suit any taste. If your bride loves a good laugh, then comedy clubs, dance classes or cocktail workshops are great choices. If she prefers luxury, then treat her to a spa afternoon, afternoon tea or a boat cruise. If she is the adventurous type, think of outdoor games, water sports or experience days that get everyone’s adrenaline pumping. 

Some brides want something cheeky like male strippers or nude life drawing. Others want a calmer weekend with good food, relaxed chats and quality time with besties. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate. The best hen do is the one that makes the bride feel loved and like she can completely be herself, surrounded by those who care about her the most. 

Hen party activities keep the weekend fun and exciting, offering a break from everyday life. It’s time to try something special. Hen party experiences and activities break the ice, lift the energy and give everyone a reason to get involved. They can turn total strangers into teammates and help everyone to make memories. 

Why Should I Have a Hen Party?

A hen party is your chance to hit pause on all the wedding planning and enjoy a fun celebration of you. Planning a wedding is a wonderful time but it can be stressful so the bride deserves a break where the people she loves the most get together to have fun, be silly and spoil her. A hen do is a rite of passage and a great excuse to let your hair down before the big day arrives.

A hen party brings together friends from every part of your life including best friends, family, workmates, childhood friends, university pals and future in-laws. It’s the perfect warm up before the wedding and it creates a sense of togetherness that carries beautifully into the celebrations. By the time the wedding day arrives, your guests already know each other, which means even more fun and far fewer awkward introductions.

It’s the perfect cure for pre-wedding stress. Let your group take you away for a weekend of pampering, dancing, drinking and laughing, depending on your style. A hen weekend gives you time to relax, get playful and soak up the love around you. There will be no spreadsheets or seating plans, just great company and good vibes.

Most importantly, a hen night or hen weekend puts the spotlight firmly on you. You deserve that. You are about to enter a brand new chapter of your life and your hen do celebrates this. So should you have a hen party? Absolutely. It’s fun, it’s uplifting and it’s one of the best parts of the whole wedding journey.

The History of Hen Parties

Hen parties might feel like a modern excuse for cocktails and mischief but the idea has been around way longer than the glitter and sashes suggest. Women have gathered to celebrate brides for centuries. These early gatherings were chilled out moments where female friends and relatives shared advice, offered support and wished the bride well before her new life as a married woman began. They focused on passing on wisdom rather than wild nights out, but the spirit of coming together for the bride was already there.

The modern hen party began taking shape in the mid 20th century. Before then, it was the groom who had the wild pre-wedding celebration, while women usually enjoyed a quiet evening at home with friends. They’d chat, give gifts and offer traditional words of guidance. It was sweet and thoughtful but hardly the kind of send-off most brides would expect today.

By the 1960s and 1970s, women had more independence and more freedom in social life and brides wanted celebrations of their own that matched the energy of the infamous stag night. This is when the term hen party became widely used in the UK and when the celebrations moved into pubs and bars. 

By the 1980s and 1990s, hen parties had become full-on events with outfits, games, themes and loads of personality. As travel became easier, the celebrations grew into full hen weekends with trips across the UK and abroad. Today, hen parties come in every style imaginable. What has never changed is the heart of the tradition. Women coming together to celebrate the bride with warmth, support and fun.

Hen Party FAQs

What is a hen party or hen do?
A hen party is a celebration for the bride-to-be, a weekend, day or evening where her friends, family and loved ones gather to celebrate her last days of single life. It can be anything you want it to such as a cheeky night out with cocktails and dancing, a pampering day of spa treatments and indulgent food or a full weekend of adrenaline-pumping activities. The point is to have fun together, make the bride feel special and make memories.

How soon should I start planning a hen weekend?
It’s best to start planning around six to 12 months before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organise accommodation, book activities and coordinate schedules with the hens without feeling rushed or stressed. Some groups plan even earlier, especially if they’re going abroad or want to book popular activities or venues that could otherwise sell out. Early planning means less stress, more choice and more time to build excitement with the group.

Who should I invite to the hen party?
You should invite the people who matter most to the bride. That can include close friends, family members, school pals, work colleagues she is close to and anyone she would love to have around for a fun celebration. You don’t have to include everyone from the wedding guest list. The most important thing is that the people invited genuinely want to celebrate her and will contribute to a fun atmosphere.

Do hen parties always have to be wild nights out?
Absolutely not. Not every bride wants to spend the evening drinking or dancing until dawn. Some prefer relaxing spa days, creative workshops or fun weekends indoors at a hen house. The best hen parties reflect the bride’s personality and interests, so it’s always about what makes her happy rather than what feels traditional or expected.

How much should a hen weekend cost?
That depends on the location, activities and number of guests. Hen weekends can range from budget-friendly days out in your hometown to luxurious city breaks or trips abroad. A rough estimate is usually a few hundred pounds per person, but you can make it cheaper by being selection with you activities, choosing self catering accommodation so you can cook or choosing to have the hen do on off-peak travel dates. The key is to be transparent and upfront about costs before people commit and to plan a weekend everyone can afford without feeling stressed.

How do I set a budget people are comfortable with?
The easiest way is to have an honest conversation with all the hens. Decide on a realistic amount of money for accommodation, activities, travel, food and drinks. Using shared apps or spreadsheets to track things can help. You can also offer flexible options for those who need them. Clear communication and planning ahead will make the whole weekend feel stress-free and fun.

What kind of accommodation should we book?
This is up to you. Hotels, hostels and self-catering apartments all work really well for hen parties. Hotels are convenient with comfy rooms and often bars or restaurants on site. A holiday home or hen house gives you privacy, space for games, late-night chats and space to cook your own food. It depends on your group size, style and what will make the weekend more enjoyable.

Should we do a themed hen party?
Themes can be brilliant fun, from retro and glamour to festival or slumber party vibes. Dressing up makes photos hilarious and gets everyone in the party mood. They’re fun but not essential. Some brides prefer casual fun without fancy dress. The main goal is to make the bride feel special and relaxed, so let her personality guide the theme or decide to skip it if you think she’d like that more.

What hen party activities are popular?
There are so many amazing activities for hen parties. Cocktail making, dance classes, spa days, arts and crafts workshops, nude life drawing, bottomless brunch and male strip shows are all really popular options. You can plan one activity or combine more for a hen party package. It’s best to choose things the bride will love and that give the group chances to bond, laugh and let their hair down together.

How long should a hen party last?
It depends on what the bride wants. A traditional hen night is one evening with dinner, drinks and dancing. Many groups now opt for a full hen weekend with several activities, meals and chill time. A weekend allows everyone to relax and really enjoy each other’s company without rushing from one thing to another.

Where should we have the hen weekend?
Anywhere that suits the bride and the group. UK cities like London, Brighton, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Edinburgh are all really popular for nightlife and activities. Some groups even travel abroad for a city break or beach getaway with places like Marbella, Benidorm and Tenerife being very well suited to hen parties. The location sets the tone so choose one that matches the bride’s style and likes.

Should we use a hen party organiser?
You can plan the weekend yourself if you love organising and enjoy details. For bigger groups, longer trips or more complicated itineraries, a professional organiser or a pre-booked hen party package can save a lot of stress. The Foxy Hen can handle the logistics, activities, bookings and even a few surprise touches, leaving you free to enjoy the fun with the bride.

Should we combine the hen party and the stag do?
It can work, but it all depends on the bride and the vibe you want. Some groups love a mixed gathering for some activities or meals, but the magic of a hen party is the space for the bride and her friends. If you do mix the two groups, consider separating key activities so she still has her special time with her closest mates.

What do we do about hen party transport?
Transport is important to plan early. You’ll need to consider how guests will get to the location, how you will travel between activities and if taxis or group transport is needed for nights out. Coordinating cars or minibuses and figuring out train and bus times ahead of time avoids stress and keeps everyone safe and relaxed. We offer a range of transfers if you’re coming from or to an airport.

What should people wear to a hen party?
It depends on the activity. Daytime could be casual and comfortable while evenings might be dress to impress in glamorous outfits or even fancy dress if you’re feeling fun. If there’s a theme, you have to let everyone know in advance so no one feels awkward or left out.

Do we need decorations and hen party supplies?
Some small touches can make the weekend feel extra special. Bunting, balloons, sashes and props create a celebratory atmosphere without going overboard. Thoughtful details like personalised wine glasses or badges or a group playlist are often more memorable than loads of decorations.

What if someone can’t afford the full hen weekend?
That’s ok. Just remember to be flexible. Offer options like skipping pricier activities or suggesting a day trip instead of the full weekend. The aim is to make the bride feel celebrated without excluding anyone. Open conversations about costs early on help to prevent awkwardness and keep the mood positive.

How do we make the bride feel special without embarrassing her?
Focus on what the bride-to-be likes. Include activities she loves, give thoughtful gifts, organise some cute moments and maybe a few cheeky games if she enjoys them. Avoid overly embarrassing situations, such as dares, if she wouldn’t like them and make the weekend all about celebrating her personality and friendships. This is her special time.

Should the bride pay for the hen do?
It depends on the group. Some brides contribute towards activities or a special meal while others don’t. It’s quite common for the group to pay a small amount each towards the bride’s side of things. But the important thing is to be clear and discuss costs openly so no one feels awkward or surprised during the weekend.

Is there any etiquette we should follow for a hen party?
Yes, be inclusive, respectful and considerate. Respect budgets, personal boundaries and the bride’s preferences. Make sure everyone feels welcome, takes part in activities if they want and communicates openly to avoid misunderstandings. Etiquette is really just about kindness and thoughtfulness. You’re all here for the same reason.

Do we need to plan food and drink for the hen weekend?
Yes. Plan breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks along with celebratory drinks. Check dietary requirements to make sure everyone’s included. Whether you cook, order in or eat out, having a plan keeps the weekend flowing smoothly and keeps everyone happy and their bellies full. The last thing you want is hangry hens!

What happens if someone cancels last minute?
It happens and is sometimes completely unavoidable. Don’t make the person feel guilty. Flexible bookings, contingency plans and a small backup budget help deal with unexpected cancellations. If a guest cancels, adjust accommodation and activity numbers early to avoid extra costs or stress.

How do we capture the memories?
Photos and videos are the obvious way, but you can also create a scrapbook, Polaroid album or memory jar. Designating someone to capture moments ensures no memories are missed and makes sure that these are shared with the other hens so you can all reminisce.

Can you have a hen party with guests spread across the country?
Yes. Use group chats, polls and shared spreadsheets to coordinate travel and activities. Pick a central location if possible or a spot easy for most people to reach. Sharing costs, itineraries and updates keeps everyone included and organised. Don’t forget, if the activity allows, you can also try a virtual activity where you all gather online via video chat. It’s a nice way to keep connected.

Do we need insurance for a hen weekend?
It’s a good idea to think about insurance, especially for larger groups and trips abroad. It protects against cancellations, accidents or unexpected issues. Some providers also cover luggage and travel delays, which can save a lot of stress.

What is a good way to build excitement before the hen weekend?
Start a group chat, share outfit ideas, run fun polls, tease activities and count down the days until the big hen do. Make sure to build hype and keep in touch in the run up to the big weekend.

Can we have a low key hen party?
Absolutely. Not every bride wants a wild night or a full weekend of activities. A relaxed arts and crafts workshop, spa day or meal out can be just as memorable and fun. A low key weekend lets everyone chat, laugh and celebrate the bride without pressure. money or exhaustion.

How do we make the hen party feel personal?
Include things the bride loves, include shared memories, inside jokes and her favourite activities. Personalised gifts, a curated playlist or a custom quiz about the bride make the weekend uniquely hers. It’s a great opportunity to show the bride how much you love her.

Who pays for what on a hen do?
There are no set rules. The important thing is to talk about costs and expectations openly and honestly. Decide in advance who’s paying for what to avoid any surprises. Clarity is kindness and it keeps the weekend friendly and stress free.

What if the bride does not want a hen party?
Then respect her wishes. Some brides prefer quiet celebrations or a simple get together with friends and family instead of a traditional hen do. The weekend can be adapted to what she enjoys most. Remember, it’s all about her.