Who to invite at your hen party?

Hens Night Ideas

Celebrations of the future bride, known as "hen parties," have been going on for generations. Every maid of honour has the same two questions running through her head: who should I invite, and how can I be sure that they are still friends?

Now, you should probably work with the bride on this, but if you're trying to keep it a secret, you should probably get a sneak peek at the wedding guest-list from a not-so-clueless groom or groomsmen.

If you've already begun organising your hen party, you're probably wondering who you should invite. This is a crucial step that can either make or break the success of your hen party. The people you invite to your hen party have the power to either create or break the fun and excitement you have planned.

Not every bride will want her mother or grandmother there at her wedding. In order to suit the age range of the guests at the hen party, you will need to make some adjustments to the original arrangements.

It's possible that the "younger" members of the group may participate in an activity during the day, while the "older" members will meet for dinner and beverages in the evening. Or, why not do both?

Spend a weekend away with the gals, and then throw a second party closer to home, perhaps at a restaurant, so everyone's family can participate.

Consider the size of the expected crowd before sending out invitations to the hen party. When the group size is too small, it can be hard to reserve the most popular excursions. If there are too many people, it can be difficult to keep everyone on the same page.

If there are folks you simply cannot include, a simple letter explaining the situation should suffice. It will make seeing them during the wedding less unpleasant.

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Table of Contents

Your Family 

As obvious as this may appear, it is not. There may be relatives you feel obligated to invite, even if you don't actually want them there. Your mother always insists that you invite some distant relative, be it a cousin or aunt.

If there's one thing we can tell you, it's to ignore the opinions of those around you. You need to make a decision about the type of hen party you want to throw. Is it really worth it to bring folks you don't want to Marbella with you on a group trip?

In addition, you should choose early on if your mum and aunts will be attending the hen party. In fact, many of our chickens make the conscious decision to not do this. If they are close enough to you to call up for a chat on the phone, they should be invited to your hen do.

Friends 

In most cases, close female friends are the primary invitees to a hen party. It might be tough for women with extensive social circles to narrow down their guest list. Do you plan on throwing the most epic stag do ever? In that case, more people are welcome and even encouraged.

However, we have a really easy method for when people need to reduce large numbers. Feel free to call up your close friends on the weekend and get a cup of coffee together.

To invite a friend because you were best buddies in kindergarten is a misunderstanding that will lead to disaster. Inviting a single friend who will essentially "know nobody" at the event can be problematic.

Our response is, "Have no fear!" Don't feel obligated to bring someone along with this individual; a couple glasses of bubbles and some icebreaker activities always seem to smooth things out.

Your Partners Family

There is no such thing as an easy relationship with your partner's family. Do you want to invite the obnoxious cousins because you want to make everyone happy, or because you actually like them?

In-laws can be a political minefield. Even though they are all attending the wedding, you may be wondering how to include them in your hen party plans. You should always include your partner's sisters in the invitation list.

Because of how close they are, we strongly advise against starting a fight here. We think your mother-in-law should join the hen weekend festivities if she gets along with your mother.

There are a tons of alternatives to inviting your mother or mother-in-law to your hen party. You and your mum or mom-in-law can have a delightful day together with the wonderful choice of pre-hen afternoon tea. This is a popular option among moms and in-laws.

Work Colleagues 

This topic is rarely discussed among chickens and hen planners. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of hen party invitations extended to coworkers. You do spend each day of the week with these individuals.

So if you get on well, why not bring them to your hen do? However, the question of where to draw the line when asking coworkers can be a difficult one. Do you need to ask the whole block if you ask the woman you share a desk with?

This is a major drawback of inviting coworkers. It is a decision that you will have to live with every day afterwards! Our recommendation is that if you're going to be hanging out with a coworker outside of business hours, you should invite them to your hen.

If you just get along well and you have no connection outside of work, then we urge that you refrain from granting them an invite!

Mothers’ Issue 

When planning the hen party, the bride or the chief bridesmaid should keep the mothers in mind. You have to decide whether or not to invite the various mothers involved in the wedding. This includes the bride's mother, the groom's mother, any stepmothers, and any partners of the father.

What are they like, and what are your plans for dealing with them? Is it true that most moms are very conservative and rarely partake in adult beverages? Then perhaps a weekend trip to Ibiza isn't their idea of a good time. Do they only pretend to be party animals when they're on vacation, or are they the first ones to hit the bar? Then there won't be any issues.

The subject of how to treat one's mother-in-law often requires some thought as well. Is the mother-in-law likely to be offended if, say, Buff Butlers are in charge of the hen party's night out? Or maybe she's going to meet the guys as they walk in.

Remembering to take into account their individual interests, preferences, and emotions. Why not throw two separate parties if you want a hip hen party and they want something more traditional? Get away to Ibiza with the gals, and then treat the elders to a nice dinner out. That way, nobody is sad.

Please do invite your mother to the hen party if_she isn't easily offended by drinking, naughty jokes, dressing up, etc., she gets along well with your friends, she is loads of fun to have on a night out and gets into the spirit of things, you are having day and night elements, and she is willing to participate in the morning and then nip off after supper as you and your friends head off grooving.

Learn more to our post on What actually happens at bachelorette parties?

Do not invite your mother to your hen party if_she causes scenes or doesn't approve of your friends, she's extremely shy or socially anxious, she needs a large group of friends or your aunt to bring with her - a plus one is fair, you're anxious your friends won't keep things light, and you're staying in cheap, shared accommodations like a hostel or bunk beds. PG

It's wonderful to do something special with your mum before the wedding, even if she can't make it to the hen party. Your mother will appreciate the opportunity to spend some quiet time with you before the big day by attending a spa weekend with you, attending a cooking party, or attending a bridal shower.

If you decide to invite mum to your hen party, it's a good idea to have a conversation with her beforehand to explain what will happen, what she should bring, and that it's totally fine if she chooses to bring a friend or skip some parts.

She'll probably be content to split up the work with the other girls, but it's still a good idea to give her the option of skipping out.

Hens Night Ideas

Must Bring

The Best Friend. We doubt we need to remind you to invite your BFF, but we figured we'd get to the good stuff first. It's crucial to invite your best friend, and to do so first.

Inviting your best friend is practically a surefire way to ensure a good time because she knows you so well. She is privy to your tastes in discos, cocktails, and pastimes, and she understands just how to keep your secrets safe.

College Roommate. Inviting your college friend is great for your hen party. There's no better time than now to reconnect with your old dorm buddy. Maybe you came to her hen party, and now she can attend to yours! Having your college roommate join the hen party can bring back memories of good times and ensure that everyone has a great time.

Maybe Bring

His Sister. Unfortunately, we can't say for sure because we don't know your future husband's sister very well. We advise invite her if you and she get along like a house on fire.

But if she's a genuine stick in the mud, then its preferable not to. If you don't invite her to your hen party, take our advise and attempt to organise some sort of fun girls' activity for just the two of you. She may be hurt if she finds out about your hen party and isn't invited, so you can want to invite her to get spa treatments at your favourite spa.

Coworker "Buddy". This is a Maybe invite because it depends on your proximity to the coworker friend and the atmosphere of your workplace. When planning a hen party, the hardest aspect is inviting only one friend from work, especially if you collaborate in a very sociable, friendly business.

The next day at work, there may be a lot of resentment and anger. Because you'd feel obligated to invite at least four more people after inviting your workplace friend to your hen party, it's sometimes easier not to invite your coworker friend at all.

If you invite a friend from work, that person will suddenly know everything that went on at your hen party, which could be problematic if you'd rather keep some details of the event under wraps. The two of us agree that you do.

Not Bring

Your Boss.We regret that even if you and your boss get along swimmingly, he or she cannot attend your hen party. If you and your boss were close enough for him to be invited to your hen celebration, you might work for a small, family-run business.

Your boss may anticipate an invitation to the wedding, but they generally won't for the hen party, so you don't have anything to worry about there.

Anyone who makes you feel uneasy. While this isn't a specific individual, we know you'll know them by the "ew" reaction they cause in your gut. It could be the mother-recommended cousin.

It could be a once-close friend with whom you've grown apart. Maybe it's the sister of your future husband. Regardless of who it is, do not invite them to the bridal shower!

Concerning Money

When planning a hen party, it helps to look outside the box when considering who to invite. You want your friends to come and have a great time, but can their newly pregnant friend really afford to go to Ibiza for the weekend? I mean, why would she want to abandon the baby?

The monetary implications of your actions should be taken into account. Traveling to a new country or a city like London is a fantastic choice for a hen party, but you don't have to go too far.

If you'd rather be near home so that your pals may join you, then consider staying put. Check out some travel books and pick a city that is closer to home; there are many that are popular hen party destinations around the country.

Check out our extensive list of Hens Party Ideas for your bestie.

Guests who are skipping the wedding

It's not uncommon to invite guests to the hen do who weren't included on the guest list for the wedding itself. Most guests will understand if they are left out of a small wedding. The hen party is a great opportunity to share in their joy.

If you fear they'll be a downer at the hen party since they weren't invited to the wedding, it's best to cut ties with them altogether. The use of negativity is strictly forbidden.

Should it be  a Surprise?

Last but not least, the main bridesmaid should decide if the hen party will be a surprise for the bride. Creating the guest list may be a lot of fun, especially if you know the bride well enough to do it on your own and not leave anyone off. You may, however, find it interesting to discuss the guest list, even if you choose to keep your plans secret.

Conclusion

The quality of your invitations will determine how well your hen party goes. When deciding who to invite to the hen party and how many people to invite, it's important to think about the anticipated turnout.

Traditionally, the guests at a hen party are limited to the bride-to-closest be's female acquaintances. It can be awkward to invite a single acquaintance who will virtually "know nobody" at the gathering. When the weekend rolls around, don't hesitate to give your best pals a ring for a casual coffee date.

Your relationship with your partner's family will never be simple. You'll need to determine if you want to include all of the mothers in the wedding invitations. The mother or mother-in-law of the bride can be excluded from the hen party in favour of any number of other options.

Concerning how to handle one's mother-in-law, much thought is usually required. Recognize that each person has unique needs, wants, and feelings. If you want a modern stag do and they prefer something more classic, why not organise two different parties?

Take a trip to Ibiza with the girls, and then buy the parents dinner. If you want to have a good time, you must invite your best friend first. You should definitely invite your college roommate to the hen party.

Your boss might hope to be invited to the wedding, but they probably won't be invited to the hen party, so that's not something we need to worry about.

Inviting people who might not initially come to mind is a good idea when organising a hen party. You Should Not Bring Anyone Who Makes You Uncomfortable. Whoever it is, don't invite them to the bridal shower. There may be a lot of bitterness and fury the next day at work. Think about what your actions might cost you in terms of money.

Hen parties can have a great time by visiting a new place or going to a popular destination like London. Consider sticking put if you'd rather have easy access to your home so that your friends may easily join you.

Content Summary 

  • If you've already begun organising your hen party, you're probably wondering who you should invite.
  • The people you invite to your hen party have the power to either create or break the fun and excitement you have planned.
  • In order to suit the age range of the guests at the hen party, you will need to make some adjustments to the original arrangements.
  • Consider the size of the expected crowd before sending out invitations to the hen party.
  • There may be relatives you feel obligated to invite, even if you don't actually want them there.
  • You need to make a decision about the type of hen party you want to throw.
  • Is it really worth it to bring folks you don't want to Marbella with you on a group trip?In addition, you should choose early on if your mum and aunts will be attending the hen party.
  • Friends In most cases, close female friends are the primary invitees to a hen party.
  • Feel free to call up your close friends on the weekend and get a cup of coffee together.
  • You should always include your partner's sisters in the invitation list.
  • There are a tonne of alternatives to inviting your mother or mother-in-law to your hen party.
  • This is a popular option among moms and in-laws.
  • You have to decide whether or not to invite the various mothers involved in the wedding.
  • It's wonderful to do something special with your mum before the wedding, even if she can't make it to the hen party.
  • It's crucial to invite your best friend, and to do so first.
  • Inviting your college friend is great for your hen party.
  • When planning a hen party, the hardest aspect is inviting only one friend from work, especially if you collaborate in a very sociable, friendly business.
  • Because you'd feel obligated to invite at least four more people after inviting your workplace friend to your hen party, it's sometimes easier not to invite your coworker friend at all.
  • When planning a hen party, it helps to look outside the box when considering who to invite.
  • Traveling to a new country or a city like London is a fantastic choice for a hen party, but you don't have to go too far.
  • It's not uncommon to invite guests to the hen do who weren't included on the guest list for the wedding itself.
  • Last but not least, the main bridesmaid should decide if the hen party will be a surprise for the bride.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A common misconception is that the terms 'hen' and 'stag' both originate from simple social stereotypes. In fact, it's more likely that the word hen hasn't always meant female chicken, in middle English, hen could mean the female of any bird and so a hen party was a party exclusively for ladies.
A hen party (also referred to a hen do, hen weekend or bachelorette party by our American sisters) is a pre-wedding celebration where the bride and her closest friends go away for a long weekend to celebrate her upcoming marriage.
Since bachelorette party gifts aren't necessary, don't feel like you have to spend loads of cash on goodies. Many women opt for traditional "gag gifts," which all guests can use during their night on the town.
Whilst there's no hard and fast rule, tradition dictates that the bridesmaids and the other attendees cover the cost of the bride's place on her hen weekend.
Basically, anyone who is attending a hen party is referred to as a hen, and the entire group is known as 'the hens' or 'the hen party. ' The bride is essentially also a hen, but for clarity is often just referred to as 'The Bride' at the actual event.

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