So, your bestie is getting married and she’s asked YOU to organise the ultimate hen party in York.
Instead of losing precious beauty sleep pondering the matter, read our guide and you’ll have plenty of ideas for how, when and where to host the best hen party York has ever seen!
How To Do A York Hen Party
As chief bridesmaid, maid of honour or official witness to the main event (the wedding ceremony - remember!) you need to do a little information gathering as part of your hen party organiser role. It can be tricky as you really want to keep it all a surprise for the bride - it’s far more fun that way.
Get a list of who should be included in the York hen party and float a couple of dates to see when’s the best time for everyone. Make it at least a week ahead of the wedding to allow for everyone to sober up, post bail or whatever….
Every proper hen party needs to have some costumes, either to act as disguises, to keep as souvenirs for that 10th hen party anniversary, and most importantly to attract maximum attention. Where’s the fun in a hen party if you don’t turn a few heads? Get a sash or veil for the bride, order saucy T-shirts for the brood and you’re good to go.
Now to the actual hen party activities...we have a few great ideas:
Start Your Hen Party at York’s The Hilt
Located in the heart of the city on Goodramgate, The Hilt is a great venue for meeting up to start your hen do on a high note. Book ahead and look forward to some competitive fun with all the girlfriends. A hunky Viking will provide initial training in how to throw an axe at the target. There’s time to practise, mock one another and generally set the tone for a fun-filled hen party in York’s most salubrious Viking haunt.
Keep a score (3 for a bullseye; lower points for the outer rings) and the person with the most points is the Vi-queen for the day. Bring a Viking crown for the winner - and best let the bride-to-be win. You don’t want tears so early in the day.
Axe throwing and laughing can be thirsty work so be sure to order some soft drinks from reception. Continue the girlie fun over tasty meatballs and sauces before heading out for some serious shopping and sightseeing together.
Sweet Treats at Betty’s
When you need to rest weary feet and peel off those killer heels, head over to Betty’s Tea Rooms. For over one hundred years it has been a popular meeting place for ladies to giggle and gossip over afternoon tea. Gather round the triple-tier cake stand and peck daintily at cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon savouries, clotted cream scones and other delicacies. It’s the perfect place to discuss the up-coming wedding and exchange ideas and opinions on the dress, makeup, hair decorations, wedding favours, best man’s dancing skills, or whatever. What happens in York stays in York - right?
Alternatively, pick the best bar in York for Happy Hour and order a selection of cocktails and nibbles. Conversation will naturally follow the above topics.
Disco Down the River
For an evening of fun, head down to the banks of the River Ouse and set sail on a party cruise for the evening. If your York hen party is a large group (20 or more) you can charter the boat for your own private party complete with captain and crew, onboard bar and disco DJ. For smaller groups, just buy individual tickets and join the scheduled party. The “Ouse Booze Cruise” welcomes fancy dress and lasts about three hours.
Tickets include a glass of prosecco to toast the bride-to-be and there’s a delicious buffet to tuck into. Just watch the calories ladies - you’ve a dress to squeeze into shortly!
Hands-on Activities for York Hen Parties
If you’re worried about how the weather might affect your hen party (York is known for its damp, cool climate!) we have a couple of suggestions for fun indoor activities. Book your hen party group on a Cheeky Chocolate Making Party that is sure to make the bride blush! You’ll be dipping and decorating some yummy chocolate truffles in a unique culinary experience led by two semi-naked chocolatiers. (Well, they don’t want to get chocolate down their nice white shirts do they?) After two hours of fun, eating all your failures of course, you get to take home a yummy box of handmade truffles.
If you are thinking of something rather more sedate that won’t turn the bride’s mother’s hair white, consider the more practical option of a Floral Crown Workshop. The instructor will bring everything you need (ribbon, silk flowers, greenery and all the bits) to make gorgeous floral crowns that can be worn as a lovely feature of the wedding. Match your floral crown to the wedding colour scheme and look forward to receiving a host of compliments on the big day.
End the ultimate hen party in York’s top nightlife spots - there are plenty to choose from in this lively student city!
Conclusion
Why not combine all the above fun activities to make it a wild and wacky hen party weekend? York is crammed with great activities for fun-loving ladies celebrating their last few days as a singleton, so go ahead and book it all.
If you need more inspiration for your ultimate hen party in York (surely not?) then check out what the guys will be doing on their stag do in York!