A hen party, also known as a bachelorette party or hen night, is a pre-wedding celebration held for a woman who will soon be married. The term "hen party" is primarily used in the United Kingdom, while "bachelorette party" is more common in the United States and Canada. The main purpose of a hen party is for the bride-to-be to gather with her closest female friends and family members to celebrate her upcoming marriage.
Historically, the term "hen party" was used in the United States to refer to all-female gatherings, often held at a hostesss residence, where tea, chitchats, and gossip were the main activities. In 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt was described as hosting a Christmas-time hen party for cabinet wives and "ladies of the press". The modern concept of a hen party, however, is often associated with more extravagant and sometimes controversial activities, such as hiring male strippers or going on weekend getaways.
The average cost of a hen party in the UK is £357, with over £1 billion being spent on such events in the country each year. In recent years, there has been a rise in de-gendered pre-wedding parties, known as "sten" or "hag" dos, which include both male and female guests and aim to be more inclusive.
