Hens Night Ideas

How Do You Make a Hens Night Special?

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    It's not always necessary to indulge in drunken revelry and tell racy tales in order to have a great Hens night. The majority of brides prefer low-key parties with only the closest of friends in a private residence. Having a hens party at home has a tonne of advantages. Your attendants can save both time and money, and they won't have to worry about the reliability of budget airlines.

    Also, at home, you have complete freedom to express yourself creatively without interference. You can keep things low-key with crafts and games, or you can throw a full-on party with cocktails, dancing, and party food in your living room.

    The best hen evenings begin in the comfort of someone's own house; if some of the guests still want to go out, that's OK too. Therefore, we have compiled an excellent list of special and exciting hens' party supplies to have to lie around the house. Cosmopolitan events have proven itself to be an iconic wedding venue and function centre in Melbourne. Book today so you don’t miss out.

    FAQs About Weddings

    Traditionally the hen do is a surprise, but if they suffer from anxiety, or just plain hate surprises, they might want to know what's going on. If they are happy with a surprise, it's always a good idea to get a list of anything that's a 'hard no' - things they definitely do not want.

    A hen party (also referred to a hen do, hen weekend or bachelorette party by our American sisters) is a pre-wedding celebration where the bride and her closest friends go away for a long weekend to celebrate her upcoming marriage.

    The reason behind most hen parties is to give the bride a final night of freedom with her friends. To let her hair down without a care, before wedding nerves and stresses kick in.

    How to play. Give each lady a bingo card with the squares filled in (make sure each card is a bit different). Give the group 10 minutes (or even less) to go around the room and find someone who matches each of the traits on the card. The first one to cross off all of their squares wins!

    Feel free to play with different catchy phrases to make your hen's party invitation more fun and exciting. You can try lines like “Let's put the party in bridal party,” “It's almost time to kiss the miss goodbye,” “A hen weekend in honour of the bride” or “Let's have one last fling before the ring.”

    Start Planning Early

    A hen party takes a lot of time and effort to organise. Any hasty planning will be immediately apparent to those attending. Instead than putting undue stress on oneself to pull off a spectacular surprise for your stunning best friend in the span of a few weeks, it's better to begin the ball rolling on the planning process right away.

    If you haven't already, it's time to start a brainstorming session with the other bridesmaids via a group chat or email thread. This will make for a memorable occasion that was carefully planned.

    Hens Night Ideas

    Talk to the Bride

    When it comes to planning a hen party, today's brides have a plethora of options. Even though you're close with the bride and can make decisions without consulting her, it's still a good idea to have a conversation to make sure you're on the same page. You don't want to throw a party for her thinking it's what she wants just to find out she had something else in mind.

    When Does She Want to Have a Party?

    You should let the bride choose the wedding date. Plan the party for a few weeks before the actual event if at all possible. In the event that she needs to make any last-minute decisions, receive any urgent orders, or attend any urgent wedding dress fittings, she will be grateful for this cushion of time. It also allows her time to rest and recharge after an amazing girls' night out.

    Who Does She Want to Invite?

    To put it simply, this is crucial. Instead of guessing who the bride would like to have there, you can make sure that everyone who matters to her is there by having her develop a guest list.

    What Type of Celebration Is She After?

    Find out what sort of celebration the bride is hoping for so you can get the ball rolling on the preparations. It is up to her discretion whether or not she provides you with detailed directions. In any case, you'll have a fantastic foundation from which to work, which will make your life much simpler.

    Save the Date

    The next step is to send out a "Save the Date" card with a note saying additional details will be forthcoming once you have all the information listed above. You can use Facebook (by making an event) or email/regular mail to achieve this.

    Adults are notoriously tough to round up all at once. The hustle and bustle of daily life can be avoided with some forward planning. The more people who know about the wedding in advance, the better the chance that the bride will have a great experience.

    Set a Budget

    Costs for a hen party can rapidly mount up, so careful budgeting is essential. Keep in mind that some guests may not be able to afford to spend a lot of money on a single night's stay. Consequently, make a sensible spending plan and try to stick to it.

    Set a Theme

    Having a party with a specific theme and encouraging everyone to wear the part will help bring everyone together and make the event more memorable just think of all the excellent photo opportunities).

    Can you tell if the bride enjoys dressing up? Include a costume, whether it's just a simple headpiece everyone wears a matching flower crown or an elaborate ensemble (everyone wears devil horns and black/red, and the bride wears white and is transformed into a "angel" complete with a halo and wings). You'll be able to quickly adapt these whimsical and lavish wedding concepts for your own hen party.

    Those who don't like dressing up can prefer to use a limited colour scheme. For instance, you may have a black-and-gold-themed party with elegant decorations, tasty champagne, mouthwatering desserts, and so on. If you want the bride to stand out without any extra accessories, you can invite attendees to wear black and have her come in gold.

    Select Some Activities

    There were hypnotists, caricature artists, and even some topless waiters, as well as wine tastings, spa days, and dance lessons that were guaranteed to make you laugh. When planning a hen party, you can pick from a wide variety of options. The trick is picking ones that suit your bride's preferences.

    The adage "less is more" should be kept in mind as well. Instead of trying to cram as many fun events into one day as possible, which would be both costly and draining, it's best to focus on two or three that everyone can truly enjoy.

    Make a Schedule and Send Invites

    Set your daily goals!

    We are curious as to how much it will set me back. Is everyone going to meet at the bridesmaid's house, a downtown hotel, or a restaurant? Where do you start your day and what do you do? I need the second task, please. What happens when the pre-planned events are over i.e. are you going out dancing, dining, heading home? Are we going to be provided with some sort of sustenance and/or transportation? Etc.

    Make a detailed plan for the whole thing, remembering to include everything. Guests will be better prepared for the evening if they know what to expect and if they need to make any preparations ahead of time, such as arranging a ride home or bringing money for food, before they accept your invitation.

    We have created the ultimate list of Hens Party Ideas for you and the girls to create a day and night she’ll never forget.

    Have Some Games up Your Sleeve

    Hen party games, whether they're elegant, thoughtful, amusing, or even a little bit naughty, are ideal for breaking the ice and filling any downtime throughout the celebration, such as when waiting for dinner or travelling between sites. Be careful not to overdo it, though; aim for two or three and keep some backups handy.

    Create an Avenue for Adventure

    Just the thought of sipping champagne and cocktails in a plush lounge makes me feel opulent. And if your bride prefers that sort of party, then that's the one you should throw. However, by encouraging healthy competition amongst attendees, you can take the party from good to great while still satisfying their thirst.

    One popular trend among today's brides is to organise a hen's party treasure hunt, in which guests are split up into teams and given a list of objects to locate and/or gather. Standard procedure dictates victory to the first team to fulfil all requirements.

    What then might you incorporate? One piece of advise is to try to come up with something a little offbeat. The snapshot of a person walking their dog, a signature from a man sporting a '60s-era'stache, or a freshly baked brioche all qualify. In a nutshell, make it difficult but not unachievable; we're meant to be having fun here.

    Put a New Spin on Games

    The typical games at a stag or hen party are well-known. Games like "pin the veil on the bride" and "bridal bingo" are just the beginning. The fact that these traditions have been carried on for so many years at weddings is evidence of how fitting, inclusive, and enjoyable they are. But surely you'd like to boost the stakes a little bit?

    The premade greeting cards included in these do-it-yourself packages provide the perfect blank for your personal message. Guests can then uncover the phrases by scratching off the matching gold sticker.

    You can use the cards in a number of different ways, such as awarding one to the victor of each game, with the hope that one of them will turn out to be the "golden ticket" for a magnificent prise. It can even be a slightly cheeky remark.

    Help Her Look the Part

    A bride who appreciates being the centre of attention is far different from one who wants to be the centre of attention. It can be due to factors such as age, character, or the setting of the event. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options for satisfying either group.

    Girls who are more reserved can still be recognised as special guests without shouting it from the rooftops by donning the customary veil. By having the bridal party all wear the same design, you'll have instant props for your photos.

    In contrast, a bride-to-be sash is always well received by the public and can earn you a few complimentary drinks at a bar if you're an outgoing engaged woman. The trick is to consider sophisticated hues and designs, such as the golden starburst or sophisticated floral pattern offered by Whimsy Chuffed. In other words, the kind that will make the lady of the hour shine rather than steal the show.

    Live Past the Moment

    There is a time and a place for sentiment during a hen party, among all the games and laughter. One way to do this is to tell anecdotes about the bride or, even better, to reflect on the bride's future.

    Make a ritual out of it by having everyone find a seat, then handing out glasses of champagne and asking them to spend ten minutes carefully filling it out. Depending on the number of attendees, you could even have everyone fill out two cards: one serious and one lighthearted. Two different solutions exist when using this method to answer a question like. You could go the conventional route and say something like, "I hope you always... remember how excited you were to discover he loved all the same classic movies as you," or you could be cheekier and say, "I hope you always... let him get the last words in an argument. as long as those words are 'Yes, dear.'"

    To learn more, check out our post on Hen’s Party Ideas

    DO:

    • Get the Hen's opinion on what she wants to do.
    • Make sure you have everything planned out in advance. Remember that, just like any other event, entertainment venues will likely get the book up early if you have a large group (and telling the bouncer that it's your best friend's Hen's isn't likely to dissuade him).
    • Don't forget about the rest of the staff. Think about having a G-Rated section of the party for the younger, older, or more reserved guests. This portion of the evening is dedicated to the bride-to-be, both in honour of her individuality and her future marriage. Even if you already have plans to get together later for things like dinner, a movie, bowling, etc., the point here is to keep things casual and friendly. As soon as this portion of the evening concludes and these visitors leave, the night's naughtier iteration can begin!
    • Think about people's financial constraints. Avoid uncertainty, embarrassment, and resentment by laying the groundwork for this throughout the planning stages of the night. Set the lowest amount that everyone is prepared to spend; those who choose to spend more on things like additional games, drinks, etc. can still do so without affecting the rest of the group's experience.
    • Set up a method whereby payments are made in advance. You don't want to have to keep track of who's turn it is to buy a drink or who's going to pay for the next cab, do you? To circumvent this issue, start a community kitty in the weeks before the event, where everyone contributes the same amount to be used that night.
    • It is the bride's day, after all. No joke or prank should ever make her feel ashamed of how she looks. She will surely look back on this night as a memorable part of her wedding preparations.
    • Consider a suitable location for the party's headquarters. Is this a hotel or someone's home? Think about how the comfort of the hosts and guests will be affected if you don't know all the girls that are coming. A hotel meeting room is an excellent leveller because no one will be responsible for the cleanup afterwards. Depending on where you are and how you anticipate feeling, you may want to reevaluate whether you want to sleep at home or in a hotel.
    • Get ready for the morning following the night before. Bring plenty of water and drugs to treat headaches, stomachaches, and heartburn.

    DON'T:

    • Organize everything in the week leading up to the wedding. The bride will need time to rest and get ready for the big day so that she can feel and look her best.
    • Embarrass the bride by asking her to do or seeing something she would rather not. In addition to the invited guests (ex-girlfriends of the groom are a no-no).
    • Confront the bride with your financial woes and get them out of the way. All of the guests at the hens night should pay for themselves; the bride should not be expected to chip in.
    • Get out and see more than two or three places if at all possible. Somebody could easily get left behind, and it would be inconvenient to have to leave what you're doing to go somewhere else.
    • Give everyone permission to leave with whoever they choose. There's a good chance they'll be really drunk and feeling particularly daring, both of which could lead to trouble. If you want everyone in your wedding party to arrive safely, it's up to you to keep an eye out for one another.
    • Put any embarrassing images online! Photographs taken during the more sedate periods of the evening are fine, but nobody like seeing themselves in the more embarrassing poses that are inevitable.
    • Don't be shy about picking up a small keepsake for each of your guests. You can make this as lighthearted or ridiculous as you like, as long as it brings up good memories of a fantastic evening spent in honour of your friend.

    Plan the day around her interests and preferences. As this is her special day, you shouldn't expect any gratitude from her if you force her to spend it camping in a puddled field when she'd rather get her nails done. If anyone knows her, it's you. Just what does she enjoy doing the most? If she enjoys dancing, throwing her a spectacular dance party can be just the thing.

    Do Something to Make the Bride Feel Like a Goddess

    If you really want to show your BFF how much you care on this particular day, you should treat her like royalty.

    You may do this in a number of ways, such as providing her with the foods and drinks she enjoys, playing her favourite music, and making thoughtful mementoes (such as placing polaroid images from the party into an album along with memories, quotations, and messages written throughout the day). Get creative and plan the day around the things you know will mean the most to her.

    Wishing You the Most Wonderful Time.

    The work involved may be substantial, but the look of delight on the bride's face when she discovers the thoughtfulness and planning that went into this party will be well worth it.

    For Every Hen is a fantastic free tool to use when getting ready to organise the event's specifics. All the knowledge and inspiration you need to throw a fantastic party for YOUR Hen, including activity ideas, game instructions, party hacks, and more!

    Conclusion

    The vast majority of brides would to have an intimate party with just a few close friends. There are several pluses to hosting the hens party in your own house. You can be yourself and exhibit your artistic side without judgement when you're at home. If at all possible, schedule the celebration a few weeks in advance of the occasion. Though it's not easy to gather a flock of hens at once, you can escape the usual hassles of life with a little bit of planning in advance.

    If more people are aware about the wedding in advance, the better. This will make the bride's day much more memorable. It's possible to do almost anything you want for a hen party. The challenge is in determining which ones she will like best. It's advisable to pick two or three exciting activities to participate in rather than trying to cram as many as possible into a single day. Popular bridal shower games include "bride bingo" and "put the veil on the bride."

    But you must want to make things more interesting. Greeting cards included in these do-it-yourself kits are blank inside, making them ideal for writing a heartfelt note. Don't forget to include the rest of the team in your early planning. The bride might be feeling extra bold and inebriated on her hen night, which could spell trouble if you're organising the event. One solution is to organise a community kitty a few weeks before the event, into which everyone puts the same amount of money.

    Content Summary

    • Having a hens party at home has a tonne of advantages.
    • Talk to the BrideWhen it comes to planning a hen party, today's brides have a plethora of options.
    • Plan the party for a few weeks before the actual event if at all possible.
    • Instead of guessing who the bride would like to have there, you can make sure that everyone who matters to her is there by having her develop a guest list.
    • The more people who know about the wedding in advance, the better the chance that the bride will have a great experience.
    • You'll be able to quickly adapt these whimsical and lavish wedding concepts for your own hen party.
    • When planning a hen party, you can pick from a wide variety of options.
    • Make a detailed plan for the whole thing, remembering to include everything.
    • The typical games at a stag or hen party are well-known.
    • Games like "pin the veil on the bride" and "bridal bingo" are just the beginning.
    • A bride who appreciates being the centre of attention is far different from one who wants to be the centre of attention.
    • By having the bridal party all wear the same design, you'll have instant props for your photos.
    • There is a time and a place for sentiment during a hen party, among all the games and laughter.
    • One way to do this is to tell anecdotes about the bride or, even better, to reflect on the bride's future.
    • DO: Get the Hen's opinion on what she wants to do.
    • This portion of the evening is dedicated to the bride-to-be, both in honour of her individuality and her future marriage.
    • To circumvent this issue, start a community kitty in the weeks before the event, where everyone contributes the same amount to be used that night.
    • It is the bride's day, after all.
    • Consider a suitable location for the party's headquarters.
    • Get ready for the morning following the night before.
    • DON'T: Organize everything in the week leading up to the wedding.
    • All of the guests at the hens night should pay for themselves; the bride should not be expected to chip in.
    • Plan the day around her interests and preferences.
    • If she enjoys dancing, throwing her a spectacular dance party can be just the thing.
    • Get creative and plan the day around the things you know will mean the most to her.
    Scroll to Top