Hen Party vs. Bachelorette Party

Oct 04 2024
Mr. YummyCake

Are you a member of a wedding party? Are you getting married? Has the term “Hen party” caught your attention? If yes, then there are some inevitable questions in your head. What is a hen party? Is it the same as a bachelorette party? Let’s find the answers in this Hen Party vs Bachelorette Party blog.

What is a Hen Party?

A Hen Party is a celebration for a bride-to-be. A bride-to-be gets to enjoy with her friends and family members before her wedding. This is a party to bid farewell to her life spinster life before getting married. These parties involve fun activities, a bachelor party cake, food, and drinks. A Hen party is a celebration pinned to the bride’s lifelong memory lists.

Why Is It Called a Hen Party?

The Hen Party got its name in the UK. Long before, a lady would invite her female friends to her house to gossip and chitchat. It used to be a small gathering where they would serve tea and light refreshments. These parties were common among the elite-class ladies whose husbands were soldiers. Even the wives of wealthy and famous businessmen would arrange for these types of gatherings. They named this kind of party a Hen Party.

In 1970, these parties became a ritual for a working girl who was to get married soon. During this period, a wife had to be a homemaker and mother. So, the hen symbolizes the transition phase of a woman from a working woman to a domestic and child-bearing lady. However, in the 18^th century, the Hen Party gained popularity as the pre-wedding party for a bride-to-be.

Hen Party vs. Bachelorette Party

A Hen party and a bachelorette party mean the same. Both parties are the celebrations of a bride-to-be with her close mates. The term “Hen Party” is common in the UK, European countries, and Australia. The people in the US call it a bachelorette party.

What to Do for a Hen Party?

Hen parties are not as wild as bachelorette parties. Bachelorette parties in the US mean wild activities, drinking, and partying. The main purpose of hen parties is to spend quality time with the bride-to-be. Activities in these parties center around the bride’s interests. You can add games, drinks, and light food.

However, both the parties can display sexual freedom. So, many women like to invite male strippers and share intimate secrets at Hen party also.

Do Mothers Go to Hen Parties?

Generally, the bride’s close friends and family members attend Hen parties. It totally depends on the comfort and preferences of the bride and her friends. Some modern-age hen party celebrations include the mother of the bride as a guest. At some parties, people even invite the future mother-in-law to the party. This helps to strengthen the bond between her and the bride.

Hen Party vs. Bridal Shower

Hen parties are not as formal as bridal showers. Here are some of the differences between a Hen party and a bridal shower:

A hen party is a fun celebration that involves fun activities and dancing. A bridal shower is an event to shower the bride with gifts.
A hen party is a party where you have fun with close friends. Bridal shower guests include friends, family members, grandparents, and kids.
A bridal shower involves activities like gift opening, games, and light meals. A hen party means party outfits, party themes, fun activities, and drinks.

Do You Bring a Gift to a Hen Party Like a Bridal Shower?

Yes. But there’s a big difference between hen party gifts and bridal shower gifts. Unlike the formal gifts at the bridal shower, you can get hen party gifts that are funny or personal. The main focus at the hen party is to create some good memories by spending quality time. Nowadays, some guests at the hen party give the bride a group party gift.

No matter what term you choose – “Hen party” or “bachelorette party”- the goal is the same. That is to create life-long memories with the bride and close friends. So, you can choose a bachelorette party that has a wild and adventurous nature. Call it a hen party if you’re looking for a more relaxed and themed vibe. Let the bride dazzle with a smile and create lovely memories.