For a fun party, a cheeky name.
Although we may be able to speak the same language, there are some differences between British and American cultures. It’s called a bachelor, bachelorette, but in the U.K., it’s a stag do.
What is a Stag Party or Hen Party
Brits refer to a stag party as a bachelor party. It is a celebration of the man who is about to marry. The groom’s brother or friend usually plans a stag party. A bachelorette party is also known as a hen night.
British people have a great sense of names. Carts are called trolleys, cookies and biscuits are called biscuits, and a bachelor party is now called stag party. This makes sense, a stag is a male deer, and they are throwing a party. What about a hen do? What does the “do?” mean for hens? Isn’t it strange that they don’t change the name of a doe party or a rooster?
We only blame everyone if you are clear. We consulted Holly Poulter, a London-based wedding planner, to explain how these names came about.
MEET THE EXPERT
Holly Poulter, the co-founder of Revelry Events, is a London-based wedding planner that believes in letting go of all rules. Poulter co-authors Unruly: The Honest and Rulebook Free Guide to Modern Wedding Planning: or How to Plan a Wedding That Doesn’t kill anyone.
Poulter says that stag and hen parties can be considered American bachelorette and bachelorette parties. They are rites of passage celebrations for grooms and brides in the months before their wedding. Poulter says that hen parties are a last chance to have a wild night with your friends before you walk down the aisle.
Poulter explores the historical significance of these pre-wedding rituals and whether there are differences between bachelorette and bachelorette parties.
Stag Party History and Meaning
Poulter explains that stag parties can be traced back to Ancient Greece. There, grooms-tobe enjoyed a night of revelry and feasting the night before the big event–a last night of freedom before they settled down.”
The stag is a powerful symbol of mythology, religion, folklore, and folklore. They are symbols of strength, masculinity, and agility in many Pagan traditions. Antlers look like tree branches and are worn by stags as a crown. The antlers of stags are shed every year. This may be a symbol of rejuvenation or rebirth. The stag antlers are seen on the heads of early Paleolithic cave artists, suggesting that they have been part of worship ceremonies for some time.
The fifth century saw the first stag party. This was in Sparta. On the eve of a friend’s wedding, soldiers held feasts and gave toasts. Today’s stag and bachelor parties look very similar to the Spartan celebrations. The groom gathers his closest friends in one place for a weekend filled with drinking and bonding.
The Meaning and History of the Hen Do
“Historically, women would have a much more peaceful night before their wedding–pray to the gods for fertility and weather!” Poulter says that ancient beauty rituals are also included.
The symbolism associated with the hen is motherhood. Hens are responsible for the care of their young chicks. The hen has been a symbol of motherhood from ancient times to the 19th century. Although there is no evidence of the first hen parties being held, it is possible to assume that they began around the same time as the stag parties. A hen party is an event for women to celebrate and gather before the bride-to-be gets married.
Stag Party vs. Bachelor Party
Bachelor parties are very similar. Men wearing matching costumes at stag parties in the U.K is not unusual. They will sing and chant their way to various pubs. They will attempt to humiliate the groom by dressing him in silly costumes or pulling pranks. The stag party includes the groom’s brothers, father, and cousins.
Hen Do vs. Bachelorette Party
Women at hens dress up before the shenanigans. This resembles the American tradition of matching outfits or brand bachelorette gear. Male strippers and shots may be part of hen nights. Some hen nights also include dancing on tabletops. If this is too much for the bride, she might have a more relaxed weekend getaway with delicious meals, cooking, cocktail classes, and outdoor activities.
Poulter said there are a few differences between the celebrations. She says both have the same goal: to give the bride and groom a wonderful send-off into married living, distract them from the stress and worry of wedding planning, make unforgettable memories, and have fun. Both sides will accomplish this by going on a weekend or day trip, engaging in group activities, and drinking lots of alcohol.
She says, “The best stag or hen dos are customized to the bride and groom. It’s when there has been a lot of thought and effort put into making it unique and meaningful for them.