Hen’s Night VS Bridal Shower

There is a lot of fun to be had at your Hen’s Night. In Australia, most brides will either have a Hen’s Night full of partying or a more subdued Bridal Shower. Let’s take a look at both options, throw around some ideas and by the end of this article, hopefully you will have a better idea as to whether you are more of a Hen’s Night, kick up your heels kind of gal or a relax with some iced tea and yummy treats Bridal Shower type.

THE LAST HURRAH – THE HEN’S NIGHT

Traditionally treated as the last hurrah before settling down into married life, the Hen’s Night is your night to go absolutely wild. It is often an overtly sexual affair, involving a bunch of girls getting together, having some drinks and a lot of crazy fun. Some things often seen at a Hen’s Night party:

• Penis-shaped straws are really big on the Hen’s Night scene (boom tish!)
• Sex-related games (eg. Pin the penis on the poster of the groom)
• Cocktails
• ‘Bride’ and ‘Bridesmaid’ sashes, tracksuits, t-shirts, badges or other tacky, but fun accessories
• A veil and tiara for the bride – this can be one you make yourself or purchased at a costume shop, department store or cheap shop
• Matching outfits – often the bride will wear white, while everyone else is required to dress in black or pink
• Dares and double dares – be careful with these!
• Male strippers. Unlike their female counterparts, male strippers are usually there for your guests to have a laugh as much as anything. They will often arrive in some kind of uniform and usually only strip down to their jocks.
• Limousines, stretch Hummers, mini bus or other fun forms of transport to take you and your gals from place to place
• A stay in a nice apartment or hotel

Where to go:

• Your local watering hole for relaxed fun with your girls
• On a winery tour
• On a party boat cruise
• To the hottest nightclub in town
• To a local race day event
• Out to a concert of your fave band
• To a casino
• For some pole dancing lessons!
• Stay in and have an adult toy party – free host gifts for the bride-to-be!

Venues, transport hire, accommodation and decorative/accessory suppliers for your Hen’s Night can be found in our Vendor Directory

A PLEASANT AFTERNOON – THE BRIDAL SHOWER

With the word “shower” comes the expectation of gifts, so there is this plus to having a Bridal Shower. However, many simply loosely use the term, so as to make the distinction that this is not the wild Hen’s Night type of occasion, but rather a much more civilised affair! The giving gifts part of having a shower is certainly optional. Some things you may include :

• A high tea with lots of scrummy teas and treats
• A crafternoon making all of the DIY items for your wedding day
• An afternoon at a day spa getting massages, facials, pedicures and other lovely treatments to relax before the big day
• Have an afternoon at someone’s home with pampering or professional makeup lessons

Where to go:

• Day spa
• Café or restaurant for high tea
• A picnic in the park
• A beach picnic
• Hire a nice apartment or house in a lovely location for the weekend
• Many hotels and resorts have both high tea catering and day spa facilities
• Mobile makeup artistry lessons can be booked to have in your home or a friend’s
• Stay in and have a skin care/makeup party, such as The Body Shop At Home or Nu Skin – free host gifts for the bride-to-be!

Allure Bridal Stylists’ High Tea, with pretty little cakes, ribbon sandwiches, vintage tea cups and everything that is good and right with the world.

Venues, makeup artists, beauty experts, caterers and other suppliers for your Bridal Shower can be found in our Vendor Directory

WHO ORGANISES? 

Traditionally your Maid of Honour and/or will organise your Hen’s Night or Bridal Shower. If you’re not having a Maid of Honour or Bridesmaids, a close friend or family member may take on the job. Of course you can also have a say in how and where it all happens. Certainly be sure to let your Maid of Honour know your preferences. If you’re thinking high tea and pampering and she has penis straws and strippers in mind, it might get awkward!

WHO PAYS?

Usually guests will pay for their own part in the proceedings, and everyone puts in for the bride.

WHO IS INVITED?

Weddings are such an expense, and as such, not all of your girlfriends will necessarily be invited. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ask them to come along and celebrate with you at your Hen’s Night or Bridal Shower. It is a really nice way to involve people who you may have, for one reason or another, had to leave off the wedding guest list.