Planning a hen party sounds like pure fun until you are the one holding the group chat, the budget and the guest list. The good news: a brilliant send-off for the bride does not need a huge spend or a military schedule. It needs a clear plan, a few well chosen accessories and one or two games that get everyone laughing, including the aunt who swore she would only stay for one drink.
This guide walks you through hen party ideas step by step, with a simple checklist you can copy straight into your notes. Along the way we point to pieces from our Party & Bachelorette collection so you can see what the real thing looks like.
Start with the bride, not the theme
Before you buy a single balloon, work out what kind of celebration the bride actually wants. Some brides love being the centre of attention in a veil and a sash. Others would rather have a relaxed dinner with a few cheeky surprises on the table. A quick, honest chat with her closest friend or sister saves a lot of guesswork.
Three questions are worth answering early:
- How cheeky can it be? Decide whether the tone is sweet and bridal, properly naughty, or a mix of both.
- Who is coming? A group of old university friends is a different crowd from a mixed group with mums, colleagues and future in-laws.
- Night out, night in or weekend away? The location decides what you need to carry, hang up or pack in a suitcase.
Once you know the answers, the rest of the planning becomes much easier, and you avoid buying things that never leave the bag.
The hen party checklist
Use this as your master list. You do not need everything on it. Pick what fits your group and your plans.
- Something special for the bride to wear
- Matching accessories for the rest of the group
- Decorations for the room, table or hotel suite
- Two or three games or challenges
- Sweet treats and something for the cake
- Small favours or a goodie bag for the guests
- A plan for photos
- A kitty or shared budget, agreed in advance
1. Make the bride stand out
The classic hen party rule is simple: one glance at the group should tell you who is getting married. A veil or tiara does the job instantly and looks great in photos.
For a sweeter, more bridal look, the Bridal Mini Hat on Diadem With Veil is an easy choice, because a diadem sits on the head like a hairband and comes off just as quickly when the dancing starts. If your bride has a bolder sense of humour, our Bachelorette Party collection also has tiaras that are a lot less innocent.
A tip from experience: let the bride try her accessory before the big night if you can, or at least choose something she can remove without help. Comfortable brides have more fun.
2. Give the group a shared look
Matching the whole group does not have to mean printed T-shirts. Small accessories work just as well, cost less and suit everyone, whatever they decide to wear.
Buttons are the simplest option. The Bachelorette Party Buttons Pink - Set of 6 gives you a ready made set to hand out as guests arrive, which is a nice little ritual to kick off the day. Pin one on a jacket, a bag strap or a dress and the group instantly looks like a team.
If you like the idea of pins as keepsakes, have a look at our Pins & Badges too. They are small enough to post with an invitation and guests can keep wearing them long after the wedding.
3. Decorate without overdoing it
Decorations set the mood in seconds, which matters when you only have ten minutes between check-in and the first toast. Focus on one area rather than the whole room: the table, a doorway or the wall behind the sofa where the photos will be taken.
Easy decoration wins
- A garland or banner above the table or across a doorway.
- One or two statement balloons instead of dozens of small ones. They are quicker to set up and easier to take with you.
- Themed candles for the cake. The Penis Cake Candles, Set of 6 turn an ordinary supermarket cake into the moment everyone films.
- Table details such as skewers, straws and napkins in one colour, so everything looks planned even if it was thrown together an hour earlier.
Staying in a hotel or rented house? Check the house rules before you hang anything, and stick to decorations that leave no marks. Never leave lit candles unattended, and keep them well away from veils, garlands and balloons.
4. Plan games that include everyone
Games are what guests remember afterwards, but only if nobody feels forced. The best hen party games are short, easy to explain and optional. Aim for two or three and spread them across the evening rather than playing them back to back.
Ice breakers for the start
When half the group has never met, start gentle. A round of "how do you know the bride?" with one funny story each works every time. Follow it with a quiz about the bride and her partner, prepared in advance by asking the partner the same questions.
Active games for once things warm up
This is the moment for something silly. The Penis Tiara With Throwing Rings, 6 Pieces is a ring toss game you wear on your head: one person wears the tiara, the others try to land a ring. It needs no table, no setup and no explanation, which makes it ideal for a living room, a garden or a hotel suite.
Challenges for a night out
Dare cards and photo challenges keep the energy up between venues. Write your own list on paper ("get a stranger to give the bride marriage advice", "find someone with the same name as the groom") and tick them off as you go. Keep every challenge friendly and make sure the bride can skip any she does not fancy.
Want more ideas for later in the evening or for the honeymoon suitcase? Our Adult Games collection has card games, dice and more. Dice in particular make a lovely gift for the bride to take home, and our guide to love dice for couples explains how they work.
5. Sort the sweets and the toast
Cheeky sweets are one of the easiest ways to add humour to a hen party, because you can put them on the table and let people discover them. A bowl of Gummy Willies Fruit Flavour Sweets next to the crisps gets a reaction without anyone having to stand up and perform.
You will find lollipops, gummies, chocolates and even novelty pasta in our Naughty Candy & Food collection. Lollipops are popular as place settings or as a little extra tucked into each goodie bag.
Here is a detail worth knowing when you are buying for a whole group: sweets, pins and keychains are part of our 1+1 Free offer. Choose two items from the same category and the cheapest one is free, which helps a shared budget go further.
For the toast, the Shot Glass Necklace With Lips is a fun accessory that keeps a glass within reach all night. Fill it with whatever suits the guest. Not everyone drinks alcohol, so have a good alcohol free option ready and never pressure anyone to join a round. Always check the ingredient list on the packaging of sweets if guests have allergies or dietary wishes.
6. Goodie bags guests will actually keep
A goodie bag does not need to be big. Three or four small things in a paper bag feel generous and personal. A simple formula:
- one thing to wear on the day (a button or pin)
- one thing to eat (a lollipop or a small bag of sweets)
- one thing to keep (a keychain or pin)
- a handwritten note with the plan for the day
Add a name tag and hand the bags out at the very start. It breaks the ice and gives latecomers something to open while they catch up.
Timeline: when to arrange what
- Six to eight weeks before: agree the date, the guest list and the budget. Ask the bride about her limits.
- Four weeks before: book the venue or activity and decide on the tone and colours.
- Two to three weeks before: order accessories, decorations, games and sweets, so there is time to swap something if plans change.
- The week before: prepare the quiz, pack the goodie bags and share the schedule with the group.
- On the day: arrive early, decorate one corner, and hand someone else the job of taking photos.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need for a hen party?
At minimum: something that marks out the bride, such as a veil or tiara, a few matching accessories for the guests, two or three games and something sweet to share. Decorations and goodie bags are nice extras. Our checklist above covers all eight parts in order.
How far in advance should you plan a hen party?
Six to eight weeks gives most groups enough time to find a date that works, set a budget and order what they need without stress. Weekends away usually need more notice because travel and accommodation have to be booked.
What are good hen party games for a mixed group?
Choose games that are quick to explain and easy to opt out of. A quiz about the bride, a photo challenge and a ring toss game work across ages. Save the cheekier games for later in the evening, when guests who prefer a quieter night have had the chance to head home.
Is a hen party the same as a bachelorette party?
Yes. "Hen party" and "hen do" are the usual terms in the UK and Ireland, while "bachelorette party" is more common in North America. Both mean a celebration for the bride before her wedding, and the accessories and games are the same.
Will my order arrive in discreet packaging?
Yes. Every order is packed discreetly in a neutral box and shipped from the Netherlands, so it is safe to have it delivered to your home, your office or the maid of honour's address.
Can I return items if plans change?
Unopened products can be returned within 14 days. That is handy if the guest list shrinks or the theme changes at the last minute.
Ready to start planning?
Pick the tone, write your checklist and order the fun parts in good time. Browse the full Party & Bachelorette range for veils, tiaras, decorations and games, and add a few treats from Naughty Candy & Food to finish the table. The bride only gets one hen party, so make it one she will be talking about at the wedding.
