Hen Party, have you ever heard this word? Do you know what is a Hen party? Is this party related to chickens? (Absolutely not). A hen party is a type of celebration for a girl who is going to be married soon and female friends of that girl are only invited to this party.
Hen Party is mostly famous in the cities of the United Kingdom, In the US this party is generally known as “Bachelorette Party” This party consists of some games, traditions, dances, and many more interesting activities. In this article, we are going to cover everything about the “Hen Party in the UK.”
Why Is This Party Called Hen Party?
This name is confusing, The first time when I heard of this name, I asked my friend “Are you talking about chickens’ party? But I got something new and interesting.
As the word hen is used to denote a female chicken or a bird, the party related to women and girls is called a hen party. It is also heard that the word “Hen” was used to indicate the female of any bird or species a long time ago. This is also the reason the party of girls and women is called a hen party.
When Did The Trend of A Hen Party Start?
It was a time when men only used to celebrate their pre-wedding celebration as “Bachelor Party or Stag Party. After sometime this idea was adopted by the girls and started to celebrate their pre-wedding celebration in different ways. It is estimated that the first hen party was recorded in 1887.
What Happens at A Hen Party?
A Hen Party refers to a celebration of the girls and women, this way, it is totally about their fun, enjoyment, and happiness. The bride-to-be gets ready in a new dress, wears jewelry, and invites her female friends. Different types of activities, games, dances, drinks, and foods are enjoyed there. The friends of the bride-to-be make her feel out of the world before getting married.
What Are the Best Hen Party Ideas for 2023 UK?
If you are planning or want to know the best hen party ideas in the UK for 2023, our informative and exclusive list will surely guide you. There are various ways and locations to host this party. You can arrange this party at your own home, you can also book a Hen Party House, or you can visit the different places to enjoy different activities. We have covered all the trending and popular party celebration ideas.
21 Best Hen Party Ideas in the UK
Spa Retreat:
You can head to some of the UK’s top spas, like the Bath Thermae Spa, for a day of relaxation and pampering.
Countryside Getaway:
Planning before a hen party, book a charming cottage in the Cotswolds or the Lake District. Enjoy hikes, fresh air, and the tranquil setting.
Cocktail Masterclass:
Without cocktails, there is no fun at the party, major cities offer cocktail-making workshops where you can mix, shake, and enjoy your creations.
Vintage Afternoon Tea:
It is also a better idea to organize a sophisticated tea party in cities like Bath or London, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
Beach Weekend in Brighton:
You can also spend a day sunbathing, exploring the lanes, and enjoying the nightlife on Brighton Pier.
Dance Workshop:
Without dancing, we can’t think of a party. From pole dancing to salsa, book a private dance class. It’s a fun way to get everyone moving and laughing.
Gin Tasting:
With gin being a popular spirit in the UK, consider a gin-tasting event at one of the many distilleries.
Karaoke Night:
You have a choice to rent a private karaoke room and sing the night away with classic tunes.
Murder Mystery Weekend:
It is the most popular activity among UK girls, you can book a themed weekend in a country house where you and your party can solve a thrilling murder mystery.
Pottery Class:
This is also a new and unique idea for a hen party, channel your inner artist with a pottery or ceramics class.
Wine Tasting in English Vineyards:
You should go to places like Kent or Sussex, known for their sparkling wines, and enjoy a day of wine tasting.
Glamping:
It is better to experience luxury camping in the picturesque countryside. Think glamorous tents, campfires, and stargazing.
Cooking Class:
Whether it’s British cuisine or something more exotic, a cooking class can be both educational and fun.
Boat Party on the Thames:
Rent a private boat and cruise the Thames, taking in London’s landmarks while sipping on cocktails.
Festival Weekend:
Depending on the timing, attend a UK music or arts festival like Glastonbury or Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Escape Rooms:
Test your group’s problem-solving skills with an escape room challenge in cities like Manchester or Liverpool.
Yoga Retreat:
Find a serene spot in places like Cornwall and immerse in a weekend of yoga and meditation.
Shopping Day in London:
Visit the boutiques of King’s Road, the stalls at Covent Garden, or the luxury shops on Bond Street.
Horse Riding in the Countryside:
Explore the scenic beauty of the UK on horseback, whether it’s in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Craft Workshop:
Book a class on crafting, be it jewelry-making, candle-making, or even flower arranging.
Comedy Club Night:
The UK has a vibrant comedy scene. Visit a comedy club in cities like London, Edinburgh, or Birmingham for a night of laughter.
11 Best Hen Party Games in the UK
Playing games during hen parties is common nowadays, so we are here with 11 amazing Hen Party Games for the friends of the host. You must keep some things in your mind including the comfort zone of the players and the bride.
Toilet Paper Wedding Dress:
Divide the guests into teams and give each team rolls of toilet paper. They have a set amount of time to design and create a wedding dress for one of their team members using only toilet paper.
Prosecco Pong:
A classy take on the classic ‘beer pong’. Set up a table with glasses of prosecco and take turns trying to throw ping pong balls into the glasses.
Charades – Wedding Edition:
Play the traditional game of charades but with a wedding twist. Think of wedding-themed movies, songs, and phrases for participants to act out.
Hen Party Dare Cards:
Each hen picks a card with a fun (and often embarrassing) dare on it that they must complete during the night.
Pass the Parcel – Hen Edition:
Wrap a small gift multiple times with different challenges or dares between each layer. Hens pass the parcel around in a circle while music plays, and when the music stops, the person holding the parcel unwraps a layer and completes the dare.
Advice for the Bride:
Provide each guest with a card to write down their best piece of advice for the bride. It’s both heartwarming and often hilarious.
Pin the Trunks on the Hunk:
A cheeky take on ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’. Have a large poster of a hunky man and cut-out paper trunks. Blindfold the hens, spin them around, and let them try to pin the trunks in the right spot.
Who Am I? Celebrity Couples Edition:
Write the names of celebrities or one-half of famous couples on sticky notes. Without seeing the name, stick one on the forehead of each guest. They then ask yes or no questions to figure out who they are.
Bridal Pictionary:
Like the traditional game, but with wedding-related words and phrases. Split into teams and take turns drawing while your team guesses.
Never Have I Ever – Wedding Edition:
Sit in a circle with a drink in hand. One by one, hens make a statement starting with “Never have I ever…” related to weddings or relationships. Anyone who has done the action takes a sip.
Wedding Ring Toss:
This is a playful twist on the traditional ring toss game. You’ll need inflatable rings or plastic rings and stakes/posts. Set up the stakes at varying distances and assign different point values to each. The goal is for participants to toss the rings, attempting to get them around the stakes.
A: Hen Do refers to a pre-wedding party of a girl who is going to marry in some time. Hen Do is to celebrate the last days of a unmarried girl. Hen Do is also known as Hen Party and mostly celebrated in the US, UK, and Australian Countries. In this party, only female friends of the girls are invited and they gather to take fun.
A: Hen Weekend is the extended version of a Hen Party or Hen Do where the party or celebration continues more than 1 night and it takes a whole weekend to enjoy the party.
A: When a Hen Party is scheduled for one night instead of a weekend then this one night party is called Hen Night.
A: There are different ways to enjoy a Hen Night, some girls arrange the party at the home of the girl and some girls book a house for party. They enjoy the meal, drink, dance, and play various Hen Party Games there.
A: It is mostly asked “Does the bride pay for Hen Party?” The answer is No, bride does not pay for the arrangements of the party. The female friends of the bride who are invited pay for the party.
A: This is also mostly asked by the people who don’t know much about these terms. But we can clear that bridal shower and hen party are two different phrases. Bridal Shower is a traditional, family and sophisticated whereas Hen Party include some alcohol, dirty jokes, and friendly activities.