Looking for hen do ideas? If you're planning a hen party in 2024, keep reading: this is Stylist's ultimate manifesto for activities, guest lists and more.

Planning a hen do? 50 hen party ideas you need to know

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1. A hen do is nobody’s last night of freedom

2. The hen party is not the bride’s concern until it’s happening

3. Relatedly: the bride should be spared WhatsApp hell

4. Reply to WhatsApp messages with emojis only

5. Bring enthusiasm no matter where on the timeline of hen dos you are

6. Everyone should be allowed to wear their own pyjamas

7. If you’re the bride, let your friends give you a good time

9. Allow attendees the anonymity of an online form for budget questions

10. If you’re making cocktails, get creative and rename the classics

11. Looking for bridal accessories? Rent, don’t buy

12. When it comes to making the playlist, the more input the merrier

14. Never admit you’re not having a good time

15. No one is allowed to be more drunk than the bride

16. Caught an embarrassing photo of the bride? No, you didn’t

17. Always take snacks (even if there’s a meal)

18. Want a hometown hen? Do it. Everyone will thank you

19. Avoid debriefing during the hen (but you can say anything you want the next day)

20. No one should be wearing school uniform

21. Photos belong in a Google Drive, not the WhatsApp group

22. The WhatsApp group should die the day after the hen

23. But if the group isn’t deleted, you’re in it for life

24. Don’t be exclusive with your cliques 

25. There should be as many gushing speeches as possible

26. If the hen party is eating into people’s rent money, it’s gone too far

27. The bride should never be babysitting

28. If family members are present, censor appropriately

29. Being a social butterfly is actively encouraged

30. Cancelling last-minute (without a good reason) is the ultimate sin

31. But if the entire hen sounds like your idea of a nightmare, be brave and say no upfront

32. Find people to hang out with at the wedding

33. If in doubt, ask the bride’s partner

34. Worried about everyone getting on? Plan different hens for different groups (yes, really)

35. Intergenerational hen dos can be heartwarming

36. But nobody’s mum/grandma/aunt is owed an invite

37. No Mr/Mrs and Mrs quiz should make someone doubt their future marriage

38. If you don’t want to be given a job, don’t look the maid of honour in the eye

39. Activities are fun, but don’t organise them back-to-back

41. Similarly, a karaoke machine is the ultimate crowdpleaser

42. If the opportunity for a buffet presents itself, take it

43. Post-hen, send individual thank you messages rather than a public outpouring

44. Book a stripper or don’t, but know that it’s not a big deal

45. Treat yourself to long bouts of WhatsApp muting

46. Think twice about those photo-specific accessories

47. But if you do buy them, don’t throw them away

React with emojis, set the budget anonymously and don’t get more drunk than the bride.

50 new rules of hen dos: the definitive Stylist guide to planning, attending and surviving