HOW TO PLAN A HEN PARTY FROM SCRATCH (WITHOUT ANY STRESS!)

AUTHOR: SOPHIE ANDERSEN
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Organising a party can be tough; especially if you’re throwing one for your best friend who is getting married soon, or if you’re the one who is getting married and would like to keep everything under control. From ordering food and drinks and picking out the perfect party outfits, to decorating the house and planning out the activities – hen parties take a lot of time and effort to put together; and you’ll probably need some help if you’re going to plan the whole thing on your own.

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WHAT IS A HEN PARTY & HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A BRIDAL SHOWER?

First, let’s start by explaining the notion of hen parties and when/why they have become so popular.

The beginning of hen parties can be traced back to the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the phrase started to gain more prominence and began to have a context (many experts put this down to the fact that the 1960s was a period of sexual revolution). So it’s safe to say that hen parties are a pretty recent phenomenon.

Similar to bridal showers, hen parties are all about the bride-to-be and her friends having fun and celebrating the fact that she’s getting married. However, bridal showers tend to be more classy, PG-rated and based upon gifting the guest of honour items to help set up her marital home. Hen parties, on the other hand, are more on the wild side; including all kinds of fun activities for the most memorable night with the girls.

While bridal showers are usually cheaper to organise, with the bride’s family often paying for the event; hen parties are all about joining forces with the girls in order to organise the party and have a blast. Also, when it comes to a hen party, there’s no need to bring any presents for the bride. Rather, hens are often gifted goodie bags to remind them of this fun-filled night.

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ORGANISING YOUR HEN PARTY

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There are a number of ways you can organise a hen party.

You could pick a destination you’ll all go to, you can throw a party out in the open, you can organise an experience you'll all participate in, or you can throw it at your own home to keep costs down (and then spend that extra money elsewhere, say, accessories!). Sashes, tees, and veils are all accessories that usually accompany a hen party, alongside reusable plates and cups. You can also provide photo booth props and take some of the most hilarious photographs of you and your friends.

If you’ve decided to throw your hen party at home, there are a wide range of activities you can go for to ensure everyone has a great time. A pamper party could be just what you need after weeks of planning it out, while a makeover night will make you feel glamorous. You can also play some popular hen party games, such as 'Never Have I Ever', and learn the naughtiest, most hilarious facts about your friends that they probably wouldn’t admit to when sober!

If you do decide to celebrate at home, you’ll need to consider all the major and minor details, including food and drinks. You can make your own hors d’oeuvre by using easy canapés and cocktail recipes (many of which can be found online).

But if you would prefer to avoid unnecessary stress, you could also hire an event catering company. This second option will not only deliver great-tasting food and make sure it is presented in an appealing way, but will also take a significant amount of work off your chest; saving you time (and nerves!) and allowing you to focus on other aspects of the party.

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HEN PARTY TRENDS

Hen parties are becoming more and more popular, and different brides-to-be want different things for their celebrations; so we thought we’d throw in a couple of hen party trends that we can anticipate in the coming year.

​Themed hen parties are gaining a significant amount of attention – from Bollywood and burlesque nights to roller disco, these hen parties are sure to be remembered.

We’re also seeing a rise in getaways, with Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Magaluf being some of the top hen party destinations in the world.

​Hiring a buff butler for a hen party is a sure way to spice up the girls’ night, while a gin masterclass or a day of wine tasting is sure to teach you how to appreciate your drinks and widen your drinking horizon (getting tipsy is an added bonus!).

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MAKE IT COUNT

Now, all you’ve got to do is roll up your sleeves and start writing down all you want and need for your hen party. After all, you’ve only got one shot, so make it fun, make it memorable, and definitely make it count!

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AUTHOR BIO - ​SOPHIE ANDERSEN

BLOGGER, ENVIRONMENTALIST & PASSIONATE GOURMAND
Sophie is a blogger from Australia. She spends a lot of time in the kitchen, exploring new recipes. She also enjoys decorating food and home. At the end of the day, she loves to sit down, write and share her everyday experience.

Website: www.clippings.me/missophie

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Now that you've wrapped your head around hen parties and have some AH-Mazing ideas for the celebration, it's time to think about the small (but still important) details. From budgets to favours, this article will help you with the finishing touches - enjoy!