They may (sometimes) have better (and funnier) TV, but our British hen dos beat the “bachelorette parties” of our American counterparts hands down. That’s the view of New York Times writer Sarah Maslin Nir, who has experienced such parties both sides of the Atlantic. She is full of praise for our celebrations which, she says, offer “the perfect mix of fun and revelry.”
While these parties may have gained something of a reputation for rowdy behavior, Maslin Nir insists she wishes more Stateside brides would incorporate more of our concepts, and that there’s more to these bashes than strippers and getting drunk as quickly as possible.“In some circles in England, the hen party is a weekend-long expression of affection for the bride, from her friends. An American bachelorette party is a cringe-inducing mix of flash and trash.”In the US, the bachelorette party is modelled on the ancient tradition of the bachelor party, historically a dinner given by the groom to his friends before he ties the knot.
As an alternative, the bridesmaids’ luncheon, is something the bride, and maybe her mother, may host a few days before the marriage. So – now you know! We may never have come up with Friends or Frasier but we sure know how to put on a hen party. There is plenty of hen do ideas these days, from sedate spa weekends with the full-on night out complete with L-plates and veils. Whatever you choose, remember to get kitted out with all the necessary hen night supplies. The Internet makes a good starting point.
