Pink Ladies
Love strutting around like Sandra Dee? Hen party fancy dress themes don’t get much more statement-making than all dressing up as the iconic Pink Ladies from Grease. Whether the bride’s more of a preppy or leather-clad Sandy, the vintage ‘50s pink ladies’ jackets will really set a precedent for the festivities.
Pirates
You can never go wrong with a swashbuckling pirate hen night theme. Relatively simple to throw together, think corseted dresses, bandanas and pirate hats. To really immerse in the pirate life, a fun hen party game is a pirate-themed escape room, where players work together to uncover a mysterious ship’s secrets.
Mamma Mia/ABBA
There’ll be flares and platform galore for ABBA fans when it comes to Mamma Mia hen party themes. Don Donna and the Dynamos costumes, down ouzo shots and spend the night channelling inner dancing queens. To take this theme up a notch, book seats at the smash-hit West End musical production to make it a night to remember.
Jailbreak
A great photo opportunity, split the group up into cops and robbers or go all out together as partners in crime in orange jumpsuits. Pair this theme with a trip to Alcotraz, a secret prison home to a speakeasy cocktail bar. A delicious range of personalised cocktails is served by the inmates, using their secret supply of liqueurs, bitters, fruit and syrups.
Harry Potter
For any Potterhead brides out there, there’s really only one choice when it comes to hen themes: Harry Potter. There are so many wizarding hen party activities to choose from but to really embrace the wizarding world, the studio tour in London is the place to go. Explore the props and sets from the franchise and walk in the footsteps of the characters.
Toga
Is there anything more-budget friendly than toga hen do theme ideas? Wrap in white sheets and a safety pin, add a belt and gold sandals and voila. It’s all about feasting on plenty of food, enjoying some fun party games and sipping on plenty of ancient-themed cocktails.
Spice Girls
Spice up your life with a Spice Girls hen party theme. Everyone knows if they’re more a Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger or Posh Spice so why not play into the stereotypes and dress up as each. This theme lends itself well to dancing the night away or singing your heart out at karaoke.
Pyjama Party
There’s nothing to say a dress code has to be dresses and heels. If it’s comfortable hen party fancy dress ideas you’re after, matching PJs are a great option. Order personalised ones with each of your initials or just stop by Primark and get matching ones.
Moulin Rouge
Bring the city of love to wherever you are by taking inspiration from Burlesque. Costumes must involve the works: tassels, corsets, feathers and fishnets. Entertainment can come in the form of a dance class to learn the moves from the musical or for those with a bigger budget, a trip to the world-famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris.
Safari
Animal print is not only extremely on trend right now but it’s also a winning idea for an animal-lover bride. Makeup skills at the ready, transform into an animal of your choice; anything from lions to snakes to tigers. To really elevate this idea, embark on a 60 minute truck safari at Port Lympne Reserve, home to over 900 animals.
Masquerade
One of the classiest hen party fancy dress themes is masquerade - there’s just something inherently extravagant about wearing a mask. Seek out the most glamorous dresses on the market, long gloves, Venetian masks and hit the town.
Festival
Flower crowns, summer dresses and pastel décor - it’s hardly surprising that the festival has been topping the ranks of hen party theme ideas for decades. Perfect for summer celebrations, book in for a festival like Glastonbury, a local day one or turn it into a mini-break and attend one abroad.
1950s Vintage
Vintage is one of those timeless hen party themes that will never go out of style. Everyone loves the excuse to go back in time and wear petticoats, red lips and retro up-dos. To incorporate the theme into activities, book a 1950s photoshoot to capture all your looks in photographs that can be cherished forever.
1920s
For group fancy dress ideas for the hen party, set your sights once again back in time to the 1920s. Channel the unrivalled fashion of the Roaring Twenties with flapper dresses, Art Deco headwear and pearls galore. Hen do ideas that suit it include the nineteen twen-tea afternoon tea at the Sheraton’s Palm Court, boasting original décor features from its completion back in 1927.
Rock ‘n’ Roll
There’s so much that can be done with a rock ‘n’ roll theme - anything along the lines of Elvis, biker jackets and American high school chic of this era would work. With a theme like this, there’s really only one place that’s right to go: Hard Rock Cafe.
Oktoberfest
Fascinated by Bavarian life? Then it’s high time hen do theme ideas got a German twist. Dress up in dirndl (or lederhosen), get some traditional Munich beer and make a beeline for a Bierkeller. Of course, to really level up this idea, you could go to the real Oktoberfest in Munich.
Swinging Sixties
When it comes to a hen night theme, sometimes the classic choices really are the best. If the bride’s a hardcore fan of Mad Men, then she’ll love the opportunity to embrace her inner Betty Draper with floral print dresses, sophisticated hairstyles and headbands. Don’t forget to bring out the time-honoured peace signs and cocktails.
Mad Hatters Tea Party
A firm favourite amongst brides-to-be, Mad Hatters Tea Party is the epitome of unusual hen party themes. Ask all the guests to come dressed as different characters to make sure no one overlaps. And to really push the boat out, Oxford is home to The Mad Hatter Bar where hen party activities can include a gin tasting or a cocktail masterclass.
Superheroes
Add a dose of action to the hen fancy dress ideas by all dressing up as superheroes. Costumes can range from the classic Superwoman and Cat woman through to Black Widow and Captain Marvel. Why not embrace your powers with a high-intensity adventure like an assault or high-ropes course?
Eurovision
If you’ve got a bride that’s Eurovision-mad, make it the theme of the night. All pick your favourite costumes or each pick a country, dress up in their flag and bring along their most traditional culinary delight. Naturally, you need to be prepared to belt out your favourite Eurovision tune.
Celebrities
This is a great hen night theme which everyone can make it their own. Turning to the world of celebrities, the dress code is simple: dress up as your favourite or one that suits the celebrations. Hen party activities can include a visit to Madame Tussauds to hopefully catch a selfie with the waxwork version of the celebrities the hens are dressed as.
Dress Up As The Bride
A hen party that’s very much tailored to the bride is everyone dressing up as her. Decide together in advance what version you’re all going to wear - think along the lines of to work, to the gym, on a night out etc. To really embrace this ideas, masks of the bride’s face can even be purchased.
Where’s Wally
Marriage might be for adults but some brides never want to grow up and that’s where nostalgic and unusual hen party themes like Where’s Wally come in. Easy to achieve, all the hens must dress in a head-to-toe red and white striped outfit and go out. One thing’s for sure - you’ll all be easy to spot.
Golfers
Remember back to those heady university pub golf days? Well, dust off those patterned tops and visors because golfers are still proving to be one of the most popular group fancy dress ideas for a hen party. This theme naturally works well with mini golf and London’s Swingers is the best place to host the fiesta with world-class cocktails, street food vendors and more.
Disney
Who doesn’t want to feel like a princess when it comes to anything wedding related? Everyone can either get assigned princesses or come as their favourite. Activity options are pretty endless with this one too - host a Disney sing-along movie night, play some Disney games or even head to Disneyland Paris.
Disco
One trend that’s a classic but it’s making such a resurgence right now is disco. That means funky flared trousers, feather boas and bell sleeves. The most important thing for the décor is of course plenty of disco balls but outside activities can include a roller disco or a disco brunch.
Floral
Green-fingered brides who love anything botanical or floral will adore this slightly stripped back hen party idea. Each member can come with a flower in their hair, floral print and then get hands-on with a floristry workshop - just make sure there’s plenty of fizz to “fuel the creativity”.
Nautical
A theme everyone can get on board with is nautical. Rent out a boat, a cabana at the beach or go to a pool party, get matching swimsuits and ensure the bride’s decked out with a captain’s hat to prove she’s at the helm of the festivities.
Monochrome
Monochrome is a classy hen party theme that brides just can’t seem to get enough of. All the hens must dress in all black and the bride can stand out in a stunning white dress. It’s the perfect balance of helping the bride to stand out without a garish theme if she’s not big on hen dos.
Detective
Looking for unusual hen party themes? The solution is simple: detectives. Whether she’s a die-hard fan of Sherlock Holmes or is fascinated by all things true crime, a detective theme is sure to be one for the books. To really get into character, murder mystery provides the perfect entertainment as she solves a whodunit.
Hawaiian
Get the leis and straw skirts at the ready for this one. A classic party theme, Hawaiian is tropical enough to make her feel like she’s abroad without all the hassle of trying to coordinate travelling.
Army
Perfect for brides after more active hen do theme ideas, army offers the ideal send-off. Relatively easy to throw together, all that’s required to execute this is combat boots and camouflage print. Since you’re kitted out, it’s only right to partake in an activity like paintballing or an assault course.
Circus
Circus themed weddings and hen parties have been a popular trend in the last few years and it’s one you can really make classy. Set the scene with beautiful invites, create a circus-themed spread of culinary treats and you’re there. If you’re planning an active filled day, why not arrange a visit to Blackpool’s Tower Circus, where high-flying, death-defying performances await.
Doctor Who: Worlds Collide - The Live Escape Game for Four with Escape Hunt
The Doctor needs you. A tear in space and time has been detected, and the Cybermen are about to break through! Step in the future with three fellow intrepid adventurers and enter the offices of ChronosCorp HQ, where you’ll investigate the incident. You’ll have just 60 adrenaline-fuelled minutes to decide the fate of the universe – take too long and the human race will be ‘upgraded’. Work as a team to solve mind-bending puzzles and clues and escape the room before your time’s up!
Find out more
Doctor Who
In case you hadn’t guessed, we’re big fans of unique hen party theme ideas and this next suggestion is no different. If the bride’s a Whovian, why not incorporate everyone’s favourite Time Lord into the proceedings? All members of the bridal party can get dressed up as a character - whether that’s a Doctor or an assistant - and take on a Doctor Who themed escape room.
Hollywood
Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot: brides who love old school films will relish any opportunity to emulate their silver screen icons. Pair this theme with a trip to TT Liquor’s boutique cinema room to watch a screening of a cult classic with a film-inspired cocktail in hand.
Sports
For the sport girls, why not indulge their passion and turn to the beautiful game for inspiration. Each person can come dressed as a club or a famous footballer and go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Wembley Stadium, home to English football and The Emirates FA Cup Final since 1923.
Bride’s first letter
Another fancy dress theme you might remember from those heady university days. This one’s hopefully relatively simple, each person is to come dressed as something beginning with the first letter of the bride’s name. Think professions, influential figures, animals etc.
Game of Thrones
Embrace any coming winter months with a Game of Thrones themed hen party, fit for a Khaleesi. Dress as the stealthy characters, deck the party space out with Dragon figurines and iron goblets and keep the theme alive with Fire and Ice cupcakes.
Race Car
Perfect for petrol heads. If the bride can never be teared away from the screen on Grand Prix Sunday, celebrate the upcoming nuptials with a race car hen party theme. For general decorations, you can use anything Formula One related: chequered flags, tyres, road signs etc. This theme naturally lends itself to a driving day at a world-famous race circuit.
Christmas Jumpers
The Christmas Jumper hen party theme couldn’t be easier to pull off. There’s plenty of Christmas jumpers for cheap and cheerful prices or you can even customise an old jumper with fairy lights. Why not get the merry bunch of hens together for a festive brunch or cocktail class?
Under the Sea
Unusual hen party themes are once again the name of the game with this next idea. Whether the bride’s a Little Mermaid fan or simply enraptured by what lies beneath, under the sea makes a fun theme. Transform the party venue with some shells and rocks and a bit of sand or head to a SEA LIFE centre, home to a dazzling array of aquatic animals.
St Patrick’s Day
If your celebration falls in March then involving St Patrick’s Day in the festivities will be a no-brainer. As well as the outfit, you can go all out with décor and drink Guinness like it’s going out of fashion. To really elevate this idea, there’s really only one place to go: Dublin.
Valentine’s Day
Another pre-existing holiday to take inspiration from is Valentine’s Day. Why not celebrate the upcoming nuptials with a theme all about love - deck the venue space out with lots of red, hearts and Cupids.
Lara Croft
Let your inner Lara Croft loose in this adrenaline-fuelled hen night theme. Dress yourselves in Lara’s signature ensemble, get the Egyptian themed décor out and play some games from the world-famous franchise. This theme pairs particularly well with Camden’s brand-new Tomb Raider attraction, filled with puzzles to solve and challenges to overcome.
Bridgerton
A hen party theme that’s guaranteed to have your bride feeling like a duchess is Bridgerton. Party like they did in the ton, organise a few classy activities like clay pigeon shooting, afternoon tea and “lawn games”. Alternatively, see a different side of Bath with a Bridgerton-inspired walking tour seeing some of the spots from the hugely popular series.
Jockey
One of the most novel hen do theme ideas, jockey is always well-received by party goers. The dress code can include patent boots and peak hats, games can involve faux betting and of course, make sure there’s plenty of fizz to go around. Naturally, it’s only right to take your jockeys to the races.
Gold
Make the most of the occasion by setting the theme as something super glamorous like gold. The perfect excuse for everyone to get dressed to the nines, incorporate golf into the dress code, balloons to sashes and party cups.
Musicals
What could be more appropriate for a musical-loving hen than a night at the theatre? The character options are pretty endless here so however big the party, there’s a costume for everyone. Think the likes of Annie, Cabaret, Matilda and so on.
Robin Hood
Whether the bride wants to reimagine herself as the legendary heroic outlaw or fancies herself as a Maid Marion, a Robin Hood themed hen do is certainly out-of-the-box. The party can take on the role of merry men and the bride herself can be the centre of the action. Naturally, this theme lends itself to high-octane adventures like archery or axe throwing.
Spa Day
Any hen do ideas that help take the stress away from the big day are always a good idea. Make the order of the day relaxation - we’re talking fluffy robes and slippers, DIY face masks or let the experts at Galgorm Spa do all the hard work.
Summary
If you still can’t find something that’s your speed, why not browse our full range of hen do ideas that might inspire your theme?
