Step out onto the town on any given Saturday night and you’ll likely see hordes of groups of women together, with professional bodybuilder one wearing a novelty veil, a badge that proclaims her soon-to-be-wed status, or something equally conspicuous.
If your best friend, sister or close cousin is getting married shortly, you’ll no doubt have planned a celebration for her last days of freedom. Known as the “hens party,” it’s a time-honoured tradition with history dating back to the 1800s. Here, we teach
The history of hens parties…
Bachelorette parties, or hens parties as we Australians call it, are recorded as existing since the late 1800’s. A common tradition in the US, they were initially modelled off a dinner that the groom’s father would hold for his son prior to his wedding. These parties were gender-segregated, much like the habit of high society’s men and women separating after dinner to enjoy tea and gossip.
Fast forward to the sexual revolution of the 1960’s, where women wanted to enjoy an evening of debauchery too in the lead-up to their special day (well, it’s only fair.) A hens party was generally an uncommon, under the radar event, until the first book on planning a hens party was published in 1998. Now, women everywhere had a guide on how to humiliate and celebrate the bride-to-be.
Putting the fun in dysfunctional
Much like bucks nights, hens parties have also elicited the need for a no-holds barred approach to entertainment. When once upon a time a hens party was held in a private residence and gave a chance for the hostess to talk amongst her guests while enjoying a meal, the 21st century introduced drinking games, themed dress-ups, and even a male stripper into the works.
With the advent of social media, there is more pressure to be bigger and better. Some hens parties involve a week-long getaway to a party city (think Vegas) or a weekend trip to a private spa, complete with full-body massages and sparkling wine on tap.
Nowadays, hens parties have certainly evolved and become sophisticated soirees that don’t necessarily call for topless waiters or unflattering tequila-ravaged selfies. In fact, the most important aspect is the opportunity to bond with the bride and one another.
Don’t let the boys have all the fun…
Plan the perfect day or night that all guests will look back on fondly with Hens.com.au. Our functions and events team can create a personalised event for the bride-to-be… with no salacious straws in sight (unless it’s what she wants, of course)!
From dancing up a storm in your own private room at exclusive Melbourne CBD clubs to a high tea brunch and much more, speak to us about our day and night party packages that are tailored to the host’s needs. Call us on (03) 9981 9000 now!