Are Hen and Stag Dos On The Way Out?

Are hen and stag dos starting to look old fashioned?  Are bachelor and bachelorette parties a thing of the past? Should buck’s nights be phased out? Maybe they are not inclusive enough for the way we live now. Not everyone enjoys attending them and the costs can certainly rack up if you end up going away and doing lots of activities. Maybe you’d prefer a night out with your best friends regardless of whether they are male, female, non-binary, etc.  There’s always a worry that things will get out of hand and a prank will have lasting consequences.  You don’t want the bride or groom in plaster for the big day because of a hen or stag do joke.

Old fashioned, single-sex hen and stag dos could be consigned to the history books, according to new research.

A staggering 73 percent of Brits say these typical pre-wedding celebrations are dead, with nearly two-thirds (63 percent) admitting they’ve even made up an excuse to avoid attending one.

In fact, new research by leading travel provider First Choice finds that a resounding 85 percent of Gen Z would prefer to celebrate pre-wedding with all their friends together, rather than a traditional night out as a single-sex group.

Among the most outdated aspects of a pre-marriage weekend away were hiring a stripper or butler in the buff (51 percent). Dressing the bride in L-Plates (43 percent), penis-shaped straws (40 percent), and embarrassing pranks (34 percent) are also old fashioned, according to the 2,000 young Brits surveyed by First Choice.

But what’s taking the place of traditionally tacky, gendered celebrations? Well, according to younger generations, more inclusive ‘STEN dos’ are the way forward.

What is a STEN do?

Inspired by celebrities like Paris Hilton, Tom Daley and Vogue Williams, nearly half of those surveyed (43 percent) have already attended a ‘STEN do’, where the bride and groom celebrate together with all of their friends. A resounding three in four (75 percent) prefer this mixed-group approach as a more modern and inclusive way to mark the occasion. It’s also sometimes known as a hag do as ‘hag’ combines the words ‘hen’ and ‘stag’.

But the rise of the ‘STEN do’ doesn’t mean we’re scrapping the short break away, with group travel abroad highly desirable (71 percent) for a modern STEN celebration. Popular choices include cultural city breaks (47 percent), shared luxurious villas with pools (44 percent) or beach destinations (36 percent). Activities are also getting an upgrade, with fancy dinners (44 percent), spa treatments (32 percent), beach days (29 percent), and music festivals (24 percent) topping the list for Gen Z.

But despite the desire for classy, inclusive trips, the financial burden of wedding celebrations can be a major concern. In fact, a staggering 95 percent of Brits who have recently attended hen or stag dos complain about increasing prices, making them difficult to afford. On average, guests are asked to shell out a staggering £538 per event.

As a result, cost-savvy Brits are seeking value. 83 percent would consider a package or all-inclusive holiday for their ‘STEN do’ to cut costs, with 3 in 4 (75 percent) believing it would significantly reduce potential disagreements within the group regarding costs and logistics.

Kevin Nelson, Managing Director of First Choice said, “While the concept of a ‘STEN do’ has been around for some time, recent years have seen significant growth in the trend of mixed-     sex friendship groups, going away to celebrate a couple’s nuptials in a more wholesome way.

 ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL HEN AND STAG DOS WHICH ARE OUTDATED, ACCORDING TO BRITS

 

1. Hiring a Butler in the buff/stripper – 51%
2. Going to an adult entertainment club (e.g. Dream boys) – 48%
3. L- Plates on the bride-to-be – 43%
4. Penis shaped straws/balloons – 40%
5. Embarrassing pranks (tying the groom to a lamppost) – 34%
6. Themed stag/hen nights with specific outfit and accessory requirements – 28%
7. Pictures of the groom’s face on balloons/masks – 26%
8. Using hashtags like #bridesquad – 26%
9. Embarrassing or dangerous challenges – 26%
10. Group t-shirts – 25%
11. Brightly coloured wigs – 23%
12. Mock wedding gowns – 22%
13. Making the groom wear a dress – 21%
14. Drinking games – 17%
15. Riding in a stretch limo/ hummer – 17%