Alternative Events: 3 ideas for Unique Hen Parties

Once upon a time, hen nights were dominated by tiaras, bride-to-be sashes and feather boas, stereotypical signifiers of women enjoying one last night of freedom before tying the knot. But these boozy nights are quickly going out of style. Instead, brides are looking for more unique hen parties. From going abroad with your friends to having a relaxing, stress free weekend, here are three ideas to make your hen party unique.

Include your wedding theme in your hen party

Almost 80% of couples choose to have a theme at their wedding, according to a recent survey by Confetti. Rustic, woodland and vintage weddings are among the most popular themes, but rarely are these concepts extended beyond the big day. For the ultimate themed experience, you could tie your genre in with every aspect of your wedding, giving your parties a seamless feel as suggested by luxury party planners Snapdragon.

Choose a hen party location that fits in with your theme. For example, a classic romance style wedding could be celebrated with a luxurious getaway to a French chateau. Using the same party planner throughout your wedding can help ensure that your chosen theme is included in every event rather than just the wedding day itself, which gives a strong thematic cohesion.

More unique wedding themes are also on the rise, from pop-culture references to childhood memories. It can be difficult to pull off a specific wedding theme—like these amazing Harry Potter weddings—without your wedding looking like a child’s birthday party. However, with the right coordination and help from wedding planners, you can have your theme running smoothly through every event.

Find your inner zen with a hen wellness weekend

For the ‘BrideChillas’ who aren’t interested in endless shots and pole dancing, yoga and cooking classes could make up a perfect weekend of pre-wedding wellness. Unearth Yoga offer ‘healthy hen’ parties, weekend-long retreats of yoga and lunch that can come directly to your choice of venue. Spa breaks are another great idea for pamper hen weekends, and there are often attractive packages and deals available.

Many brides adopt healthier habits before their weddings, and want to keep them up for their hen parties. Healthy hen parties can help you relax and unwind, without giving you the dreaded hangover. If you’re looking for the best of both—a party, and a healthy, relaxing weekend—you can break up your ‘zen’ time with a prosecco brunch. Some hens may even try their hand at a cocktail masterclass with their friends, which was voted as the most popular hen party activity last year in a poll by Go Hen.

Spend time bonding with your hen party

For some brides, a few hours of hair and makeup on the big day feels like more than enough pre-wedding pampering. Brides like these would be better off spending a weekend taking on a new adventure with their nearest and dearest. Adventure-filled breaks can be organised specifically for your hen party, and cover a range of activities, including whitewater rafting, clay pigeon shooting, and even a zombie boot camp.

Brides that aren’t looking to go too adventurous, but who still want to have something to look forward to, can take part in other activities. Chocolate-making courses, bespoke dance classes, and even pole dancing are all popular choices for hens looking for their own unique party. According to a study by Go Hen, life drawing was one of the most popular hen party activities in 2016, even beating the stereotypical male strip show in popularity.

Meanwhile, a massive 71% of attendees admitted in the same study that ‘meeting up with friends’ was the best thing about attending a hen party. This shows that people are more interested in spending time with the bride and friends, regardless of the activity. The most important part of throwing a hen party is having fun with your friends, and building up the excitement to your big day.