Hen parties are groups of bachelorettes who help a bride-to-be say goodbye to being single and saying hello to married life. The purpose of hen parties is very similar to the purpose for celebrating stag parties. There are no two hen parties that are the same. They could involve a variety of outdoor and indoor daytime activities, and they can include an evening of fine dining, dancing, and being tempted by hot men. Hen parties are another name for a bachelorette party, popular in many countries of the West. The name hen party is popular in the United Kingdom and is believed to have been coined from the word "henna".

Henna leaves are an integral part of weddings in the Indian subcontinent. These leaves are ground to make a paste and used to make designs and motifs on the palms of the bride's hand and feet as decoration a day before the wedding ceremonies. The occasion is also marked with a lot of ladies songs, music, dance and gaiety. If you think that the ladies will be satisfied with merely planning a trip for them, you are mistaken. There are a whole lot of activities and leisure pursuits in store for them in each of their choicest destinations to enjoy over the weekend of a nonstop party.

Often hen parties involve the use of handing out memorabilia, such as a t-shirt or hat that party attendees can take with them. Usually people who attend these parties are wedding party attendants, single women that the bride knows, and female members of the bride's family. One idea for hen parties at home in England would include those such as pampering parties. A hen party is usually organized by a best friend or a sister of the bride and includes all her female friends only. The costs of such parties are usually borne by all except the bride who is a guest of honour on such occasions.

Similarly organized parties could take place for groups of ladies at health spas where massages can be given by pros. Furthermore, other facial and body treatments may be given at events such as these. Other activities that females may enjoy at hen parties would include outdoor ones, such as swimming, or lying on the beach to work up a healthy tan.