Stag, Hen or Shower Party

When a couple decides to get married, the best man and maid of honor are now tasked with organizing the shower party. For the men, this is a stag party. For the women, it is either called a bridal shower or a hen party.

What’s the difference between a bridal shower and a hen party? Supposedly, there is no difference. In reality though, it is in the way the party is themed. The bridal shower is more wholesome. It is often a gathering of the bride’s closest female relatives and friends. It is intended to help prepare the bride for the transition from being single to becoming a wife. The gifts are all intended to make her feel like a bride to be. Depending on the theme, the gifts can be anything from things for the kitchen to bed and bath. The important thing to keep in mind is that all items are for the bride to use.

On the other hand, the hen party is often wilder. Where the bridal shower focuses on looking forward, the hen party focuses on the past. This kind of party is often done at a bar or in a private room. There are all sorts of adult games. Sometimes there may even be an entertainer specially hired for the bride - the kind that you don’t want to tell mother about. The whole point of the hen party is to make sure that the bride is sure that she won’t miss being single.

Yes there are gifts here as well. Often though, like the entertainment, the gifts are more kinky or risque. They will often be intended for use on the honeymoon. Most brides to be end up with great lingerie, edible unmentionables and lotions, and similar gifts that are sure to make the groom happy as well.

The stag party is often like the hen party. The men make it a point to give the groom a last night of freedom. Especially if most of his friends are still single, this party will often be a fun filled night of debauchery intended to make the groom regret he’s choosing to give up certain vices - particularly the women. It isn’t unheard of for the entertainment and the groom to wake up the next morning together (as part of the arrangements of the party courtesy of the best man).

There’s a saying that goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Often, though, this is not the case. Some aspect of the stag or hen party, often the most lewd and lascivious parts of it, will be discovered by the bride or groom. Whether they find out before or after the wedding, if it is something that they object to or goes against their values, it spells trouble for the marriage. In cases where any tinge of infidelity is discovered before the wedding, the union is often cancelled. Logical argument: if they can be unfaithful with the wedding so close, they will be even after.

This is why the current trend is for the bride and groom to have their “showers” on the same date and time, usually in the same venue just in separate rooms. When their organizers have finished the individual bonding moments, the parties usually merge for refreshments - meaning the men eat what the women thought of bringing.

[tags] wedding,bridal shower,stag pary,hen party,wedding planning,party planning,maid of honor,best man [/tags]