In ancient times, it was customary for young women to hold a hen night before their wedding. This party was thrown by the future bride’s friends to give her time to rest and think of what she should do for her upcoming wedding. The purpose of the hen night was to give the bride some happiness and pleasure before the start of her married life. The guests would spend a nice time together, playing board games, enjoying dancing, and even going out to watch a movie. Before the party, the bridegroom would offer thanks to his future bride for all her kindness and support throughout the years, and she reciprocated with gifts to her friends.
Today, the hen night has evolved to include more elaborate celebrations. Instead of just gathering together for a fun time, these parties are now planned and organised by the bride’s closest friends and relatives. They usually involve a theme, and the activities that are planned depend on this theme. For example, in the past, a hen night might have included going out to a fancy dinner, dancing, and other fun activities.
The night before the wedding can be very exciting for the bride, as her friends would be with her, and she would get to spend a few days relaxing and pampering at a spa or doing other forms of self care. These days, hen nights now include a variety of activities that will help the bride unwind. Her maid of honor might lead girls only pamper session where the girls give each other makeovers and get manicures and pedicures. This is a special treat for the bride to feel the effects of pampering and the end of her pre-wedding jitters.
Other activities that are planned for the hen night include theme parties. If the bride likes to have a “night out” with her girlfriends before her big day, she can plan a cocktail party, dinner party, or a costume party where all the guests dress up in matching outfits. The bride may choose to host the dinner party or cocktail party at her home, while the other’s party at local restaurants or bars.
One of the most common hen night activities is to play games such as “bridezilla”. In this game, the girls all try to ruin the groom and his friends’ plans by making their own bad decisions. These games are a lot of fun and they can be played throughout the night without anyone getting bored.
Other popular hen nights include theme parties where everyone dresses up for a specific occasion. A common theme for this type of party is a beach theme. The bride can wear skimpy bikinis and the guys could wear Hawaiian shirts. Some couples even team up and create teams, with one team being the bride and the other being the groom. Whoever doesn’t get the best score at the end of the night wins a prize.
Many girls find it easier to plan their own hen night events, than go to all the trouble of having a bridal shower. Many girls choose to invite just a few close friends and relatives, so that they do not have to waste time planning a party for everyone. Hen night parties are also better organised if the bride and her friends spend some time alone, drinking and getting to know each other. This allows them to build strong relationships and bonds, which will be useful during the marriage. Sometimes the best hen night ideas are the simplest.
Planning a successful hen night requires that the bride respect her friends’ privacy and confidences, especially if she is drinking or inviting someone else to the party. The bride should also remember that a hen night is not only about drinking, but also about stripping down to the lowest layer and having loads of fun. If the bride has chosen not to hold a traditional bridal shower, then she should consider organising a slumber party for her friends and family before the big day. The bridal showers can sometimes be a huge mess and the bride and her friends can enjoy each other’s company more if they do not have to worry about whose house is next to hers, who is going to clean up after them and so on.