A theme can transform a hen party from good to unforgettable. The right theme ties everything together from outfits to decorations to activities, making the whole celebration feel cohesive and special. Here are our favourite hen party themes for 2026, covering every type of bride and budget.
Glamorous and Sophisticated Themes
The Great Gatsby - Think 1920s glamour with feather boas, pearl necklaces, art deco decorations, and gold accents everywhere. Guests dress in flapper dresses and headbands while the bride gets an extra-special vintage outfit. This theme pairs beautifully with cocktail making classes where you can learn classic prohibition-era drinks, or jazz nights in atmospheric venues. Cities like London and Edinburgh have stunning Art Deco bars perfect for Gatsby vibes.
Hollywood Divas - Dress up as your favourite celebrities or movie stars for pure glamour. Add a red carpet photo moment complete with paparazzi (someone with a camera shouting "Over here!"), awards ceremony decorations, and gold Oscar statuettes. This works brilliantly for afternoon tea in London where you can live your A-lister fantasy.
Diamonds and Rosé - Sparkly everything meets blush pink tones. Think sequins, glitter, rose gold balloons, and of course endless rosé Prosecco. Sophisticated and Instagram-ready without being too over-the-top. Perfect for spa days where everyone wears matching pink robes with diamond-themed accessories.
Disco Fever - Bring back the 70s with mirror balls, platform shoes, bell bottoms, and all the sequins. This theme energises everyone and pairs brilliantly with dance classes where you can learn actual disco moves. The music playlist practically writes itself.
Relaxed and Natural Themes
Boho Garden Party - Flower crowns, dreamcatchers, macramé decorations, and natural textures. Ideal for outdoor celebrations, garden venues, or afternoon tea in the countryside. Guests wear flowing dresses and the bride gets an extra-special flower crown. This theme suits Brighton's laid-back vibe perfectly.
Spa and Serenity - Matching robes, face masks, and complete relaxation. Add "bride tribe" or personalised details to the robes, set up a mimosa bar, and create a calm atmosphere with candles and soft music. Obviously pairs with spa day activities, but you can recreate spa vibes at rental accommodation too.
Festival Vibes - Glitter face paint, temporary tattoos, flower headbands, denim shorts, and wellies. Great for summer hen parties with outdoor activities or camping experiences. Set up a flower crown making station, create festival-style photo backdrops, and blast crowd-pleasing music. Works brilliantly in Brighton for beach-side celebrations.
Vintage Tea Party - Delicate florals, mismatched china, bunting, and pastel colours create an elegant vintage aesthetic. Guests wear tea dresses and fascinators for a quintessentially British celebration. This theme obviously suits afternoon tea perfectly, especially in traditional venues across Edinburgh or London.
Fun and Quirky Themes
Decades Party - Pick a specific decade like the 80s, 90s, or 00s and embrace the fashion, music, and nostalgia fully. Eighties themes mean neon, leg warmers, and big hair. Nineties brings chokers, platform shoes, and denim everything. The music and decorations flow naturally from your chosen era.
Bride's Favourite Things - Theme everything around what the bride genuinely loves whether that's a TV show, colour, hobby, or destination. A Disney-obsessed bride gets princess decorations and character dress-up. A Harry Potter fan gets Hogwarts house sorting and Butterbeer. This shows real thought and makes the bride feel special.
Sports Day - Competitive fun with team challenges, matching team shirts or house colours, medals for winners, and playful rivalry throughout. Set up relay races, obstacle courses, or school sports classics. Works brilliantly combined with outdoor activities and creates fantastic photos. The winners get ridiculous trophies.
Around the World - Each activity or venue represents a different country. Start with Spanish tapas, move to French wine tasting, then Italian pizza, finishing with Mexican cocktails. Guests dress in international mash-ups and you create passport-style itineraries. Great for cocktail making where you can make drinks from different countries.
Destination-Inspired Themes
Paris Chic - Berets, horizontal stripes, red lipstick, and ooh la la sophistication. Decorate with Eiffel Tower imagery, serve French wine and cheese, play Edith Piaf, and generally embrace everything romantically French. Perfect pairing with wine tasting experiences or elegant afternoon tea.
Greek Goddess - Flowing white outfits with gold accessories, olive branch crowns, and toga-style draping. Channel your inner Aphrodite at a spa day where the bride gets treated like a deity. Set up Greek-inspired decorations with columns, urns, and mythology references.
Tropical Paradise - Hawaiian shirts, lei garlands, pineapple decorations, flamingo inflatables, and cocktails with umbrellas. Bring the sunshine wherever you are, even in rainy British weather. This theme works amazingly for cocktail making classes where you create tropical drinks, or beach destinations like Brighton.
Wild West Saloon - Cowboy hats, boots, checkered shirts, and denim. Transform venues into saloons with wanted posters (featuring the groom), hay bales, and country music. Serve BBQ food and whisky-based cocktails. Fun, different, and creates brilliant photos.
Seasonal and Timely Themes
Winter Wonderland - For cold-weather celebrations, embrace sparkly snowflakes, white and silver everything, faux fur accessories, and hot chocolate bars. Think ski lodge meets ice queen elegance. Works beautifully in Edinburgh when there's actual winter atmosphere.
Summer Garden Party - Floral prints, sun hats, fruit-infused drinks, and outdoor games. Set up lawn games like croquet or giant Jenga, serve Pimm's and strawberries, and make the most of British summer (fingers crossed for weather). Perfect for countryside venues or local parks.
Halloween Spooky - If the hen party falls near Halloween, embrace it with costumes, gothic decorations, and spooky cocktails. Guests dress as witches, vampires, or horror characters while maintaining hen party energy. This completely differentiates your celebration.
How to Execute Your Theme Successfully
Set Clear Expectations - Tell guests about the theme when you send invitations, including how formal or casual costume expectations are. Provide specific examples and mood boards if possible. Nobody wants to be the only one who didn't get the memo.
Focus on Key Elements - You don't need every single detail themed. Pick 3-4 core elements like outfits, decorations, drinks, and music. Nail those and the theme feels complete without becoming overwhelming or expensive.
Work With Your Activities - Choose activities that naturally complement your theme. A Gatsby theme pairs with cocktail making, boho themes suit afternoon tea, and sports themes work with competitive dance classes or escape rooms.
Don't Force It - If the bride isn't a theme person, a simple colour scheme or general vibe works just as well. Some brides prefer "elegant," "fun," or "relaxed" as a guide rather than a full costume theme.
Budget-Friendly Theming - Themes don't need to break the bank. Focus spending on a few key props and decorations that photograph well. DIY decorations from craft stores, charity shop costume pieces, and printable signs keep costs down while delivering visual impact.
Destination Matters - Some themes suit certain locations better. Beach and tropical themes obviously work in Brighton. Whisky and tartan themes enhance Edinburgh celebrations. Urban and glamorous themes come alive in London or Manchester.
Related Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to dress up for hen party themes?
It depends on the bride and group. Most themes work with simple accessories rather than full costumes. Communicate expectations clearly when sending invitations so everyone knows the dress code level.
How much should we spend on hen party theme decorations?
Budget £50-100 for key decorations that photograph well. Focus on a few statement pieces like balloons, banners, and table decorations rather than trying to theme every single detail.
What if some guests don't want to participate in the theme?
Never force theme participation. Suggest optional elements guests can join if comfortable, and ensure the core celebration works even if some people opt for normal outfits. The theme should enhance fun, not create stress.
Which hen party themes work best for mixed age groups?
Elegant themes like Gatsby, Hollywood, or vintage tea party work across generations. Avoid themes requiring revealing outfits or heavy drinking focus if older relatives are attending.
Can we do themed activities to match our hen party theme?
Absolutely! Match cocktail classes to Gatsby or tropical themes, spa days to goddess or serenity themes, and dance classes to decades or disco themes. Coordinating activities with your theme creates a cohesive experience.
