10 hen party ideas
By Photobox on 2 June 2025
Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a big celebration, the most successful hen party keeps the bride-to-be at the heart of it all.
If you’ve found your way here, chances are there’s a wedding on the horizon, and you’re on a mission to throw an unforgettable hens do. Discover our top 10 party ideas to kick off the celebration in style.
What to think about when planning a hen do
Before we share our top 10 ideas, sit down and start thinking about the following:
1. Guest list
First things first, who’s coming to the hen party? Will it be just the girls or a mixed group? Once that’s clear, you can put together the guest list. To keep everyone in the loop, set up a WhatsApp group. Or, if it’s a small group, you could even meet up in person to plan things together.
2. Budget
It’s a good idea to chat about everyone’s budget early on. That way, you’ll know what kind of activities are realistic and can start looking for fun ideas that suit what everyone’s happy to spend.
3. Timing
How long will the hen party last? Is it just an afternoon, a full day, or a whole weekend? Knowing this will help you plan the right kind of activities.
4. Tasks
Will one person take the lead on organising everything, or will you split the tasks between a few of you? Decide early to avoid any stress later on.
5. Location
Where’s the party happening? At someone’s home, a restaurant, a spa, or maybe even in another city? Once you know the location, you can think about things like decorations and any extras you might need to make the place feel special.
Top tip 🔮: Avoid headaches and put all the budget money into a pot before you start organising the party. Ask guests to pay their share before a certain date.
10 hen party ideas
Now that you’ve got everything a bit more organised, it’s time for the fun bit – ideas for the party. Take a look at our top 10 below:
1. Breakfast and spa day
If the bride is feeling the pressure, this is the ultimate calming plan. Start the day with a peaceful breakfast and a few hours of pure relaxation at the spa. You can pick her up from home, or go all out and surprise her with a limo (for a more glamorous touch).
Many spas even offer packages that include a gourmet breakfast or brunch, so it’s a great chance to treat her. During the meal, make the moment extra special by giving her a thoughtful group gift – like a photo book filled with your best memories together.
2. Weekend getaway
Looking to celebrate the bride-to-be over a few days? Plan a weekend getaway. From soaking up the sun in Ibiza or relaxing in a cosy countryside cottage, the goal is the same, spend a few unforgettable days exploring new places and making memories together.
Wherever you go, make sure there’s a plan with some fun activities tailored to the bride-to-be. If you want to keep it a surprise, just double-check that she’s free that weekend and drop a few hints about what to pack. She’ll love the excitement (and the escape).
3. Cooking workshop
If the bride-to-be is a foodie, a cooking workshop is a deliciously fun way to celebrate. Whether she’s into baking, sushi, pasta, or desserts, there’s a class out there that’ll suit her taste perfectly.
Idea💡: Don’t forget to bring a camera. You’ll definitely want to capture the funniest (and messiest) moments. Afterward, you can create a big photo album with the best snapshots to share with her.
4. Fitness day
Looking for a chic and feel-good way to celebrate? A reformer pilates class is a perfect pick, especially if the bride-to-be loves wellness and staying active. This low-impact, full-body workout is great for all fitness levels and adds a touch of luxury to the day with its sleek machines and studio vibes.
Book a private session at a boutique studio, and after the workout, head out for a healthy brunch or a sauna session to keep the relaxation going.
5. Dance workshop
If the bride-to-be loves to boogie, then a dance workshop is a must. It’s a fun, feel-good way to let loose and celebrate together. Most cities have studios that offer private group sessions and can help with the whole setup to make it extra special.
All you need to do is pick the vibe: flamenco, Bollywood, hip-hop, salsa… whatever gets the group moving.
6. A picnic with a photo shoot
Want a hen party that’s both beautiful, and fun? Plan a dreamy picnic paired with a photo shoot. Choose a scenic park or countryside spot, pack some delicious snacks and a few blankets – and let a photographer capture all the candid moments. To make it extra special, pick a theme or colour palette and coordinate your outfits.
Pro tip 💡: After the shoot, surprise the bride-to-be with a personalised canvas print of the best group photo. It’ll be something she can hang up and smile at for years to come.
7. Karaoke Queens
Ready to unleash your inner divas? Karaoke is always a winner for a hen party. Sing your heart out and belt out your favourite tunes together. Plenty of karaoke spots now cater specifically to hen dos, with private rooms, themed packages, and food and drink service to keep the party going all night.
Idea💡: Want to turn it up a notch? Set some fun challenges like only singing 80s hits, or dressing up as your favourite music icons. It’s the perfect excuse to go all-in on costumes and make the night even more unforgettable.
8. Mocktail workshop
Go a little vogue (without the hangover) and do a mocktail workshop. It’s a classy way to celebrate while keeping things alcohol-free, and guaranteed to get the palate dancing. Learn how to mix, shake, and garnish your own mocktails with fresh ingredients and creative combos. Because it’s hands-on and interactive, it’s the perfect team building activity and way to bond as a group.
9. Craft workshop
If the bride-to-be loves anything creative, an artsy hen party could be the perfect fit. Plan a private workshop, from pottery to painting, or even candle making. It’s a relaxed and hands-on way to spend time together while making something beautiful (while getting your hands messy). You can book a local workshop in your city, or organise it as part of a weekend getaway.
10. Countryside retreat
We keep coming back to weekend getaways (we’re obsessed). If you’re looking for something elegant and unforgettable, a countryside retreat could be just the thing. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and sophistication, and a great excuse to gather your favourite people for a weekend of amazing food and quality time. Look for a rural house with it’s own vineyard and spend your time grazing gourmet bites and soaking in the scenery.
Games and ideas for a hen party at home
Planning a hen party at home? Whether you’re keeping it budget friendly, or love the idea of celebrating in a more comfortable setting, staying in can be just as fun. From creative themes to fun games, here are some of our favourite at home hen party ideas.
1. Beauty for all
Want to get glammed up? Hire a professional make-up artist to show you all the beauty tips and tricks. Think glowing skin, flawless eyeliner, and the perfect lip. Once you’ve all had some practice, put your new skills to the test.
2. Domestic escape room
Add some mystery and excitement to the hen party with a themed escape room. Create a riddle-filled challeneged for the bride-to-be to solve with your help. If you’re feeling creative, build your own escape room from scratch, or keep it simple with a ready-to-use kit to guide you through it. Either way, it’s an interactive and memorable way to bond together.
3. Flower crown workshop
Is the bride-to-be a flower lover? This is a must-do activity. Invite a florist to host a workshop at your home and take you through the steps of making your own flower crowns using preserved flowers – perfect to wear during the hen party (or even the wedding).
4. Home karaoke night
It’s a classic for a reason. A home karaoke session is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and easy to host. You’ll need:
• microphones
• speakers
• a list of your favourite songs.
We recommend creating a collaborative spotify playlist, so everyone can add their top picks. To keep it simple, just use your smart TV and go to YouTube, there’s tonnes of karaoke versions of songs ready to go.
5. Home photo booth fun
It’s technically not a game, but a DIY home photo booth can transform your living room into a full-on studio. Create a makeshift backdrop with materials like fabric, wrapping paper, and glitter. Then gather a bunch of fun props like wigs, giant sunglasses and silly hats. Voilà – now pose for the camera.
Bonus idea💡 Hire a party entertainer to keep the energy up with games, pranks, and non-stop fun.
Decoration ideas for a hen party
Party idea? Check. Now it’s time for the more thoughtful touches. Start thinking about how you’re going to decorate and personalise the event.
Balloons with a twist
These aren’t just party decorations, they’re part of the game. Fill 20 balloons with cheeky or embarrassing questions written on little slips of paper. During the party, the bride-to-be has to pop each one and answer what’s inside. It’s a great way to get everyone laughing and spark new conversations.
Photo mural
Turn a wall into a walk down memory lane. Ask each guest to bring a photo of the bride-to-be (from funny to wholesome), stick them onto colourful cards in an Instagram style layout, and add a sweet message under each one.
Hen party piñata
For those with a sweet tooth, a piñata is the perfect hens decoration. Get one in a fun shape, fill it with the bride-to-be’s favourite sweets, and hang it up as a colorful centrepiece.
Costume ideas for a hen party
Dress up the bride
Make sure all eyes are on her. Pick a theme and centre the stand-out character around the bride-to-be. From Disney Princesses to the Spice Girls, there’s infinite dress ups to play with.
Who can make the best wedding dress?
Split into teams and challenge each other to create the ultimate DIY wedding gown and bridesmaid dress, using only toilet paper. It’s silly, creative, and one of the funniest hen party games out there. Award a prize to the best (or most disastrous) design.
Accessories for all
Embrace dress-ups with personalised sashes, quirky hats, giant sunglasses and more. Double down on the fun by doing a photo shoot when you’re all frocked up. Pro tip: have a costume basket ready for when guests arrive.
Themed party looks
Going for a themed party? Here are some classics to get you inspired:
• Las Vegas glitz
• Roaring 20s
• Hollywood red carpet
• Wild West cowgirls
• Pirates
• Boho chic
