Amsterdam Light Festival

A bridal shower is usually a daytime, gift-focused celebration, often with family and older guests. A bachelorette party is the friends’ send-off, and it can be as relaxed or as lively as the bride wants. Plenty of brides have both.

Plenty work with no drinking: a cooking class, a creative workshop, an outdoor day, a spa day, or a games night. Run any games in an alcohol-free version so nobody is left out.

Good low-key options include a spa day, a creative workshop, a styled picnic, or a night in with good food. All suit a group that would rather catch up than plan a heavy night out.

Nothing, they are the same thing. Bachelorette party is the American term. Hen do, or hen party, is the British and Irish one. Every idea here works for both.

Yes, when the friendship groups overlap. Plan for the larger group, pick activities that suit everyone, and book early. See our bachelorette party ideas for the other side.

For a local event, two to three months. For a large group or a travel-based weekend, four to six months or more. The sooner you lock the date, the more people can make it.

Plenty work with no drinking at all: an escape room, karting, a cooking class, a spa day, or a games night. Run alcohol-free versions of any drinking games so nobody is left out.

A spa day, a cooking class, a hike and a cabin, or a games night with a good dinner. All suit a group that would rather catch up than have a heavy one.

The group usually splits the cost and often covers the groom’s share, so he goes free. Agree the per-person amount before anyone books, so nobody gets a surprise bill.

Usually one or two activities and a night out, or a full weekend away. A common shape is an afternoon activity, then dinner, then a night out, with a few dares for the groom along the way.