hen night

• hen’s night
• hens’ night

hen night (plural hen nights)

1. A party held for a woman who is about to be married, normally attended only by female friends and relatives.
   • 2001, Karen S Smith, Up To No Good, 2004, Black Lace, London, unnumbered page,

     This was what a hen night should be: just a group of good friends getting together to enjoy unpretentious fun away from other people’s eyes.

   • 2006, Yasmin Mills, How to Party, RoofTop Publishing, Indiana, page 47,

     Plan an unforgettable hen night to show your girlfriends how much you appreciate them.

   • 2007, Nicola Chalk, Because of You, Vanguard Press, UK, page 114,

     “Why he is^[sic] out on a hen night?” Denise asked as soon as we all arrived and met up at the Hotel. “He looks like a man to me.”

   • 2009, David Nicholls, One Day, unnumbered page:

     The hen night is for Rachel, the thinnest and most mean-spirited of his wife’s friends, and a hotel suite has been hired for the sleepover, complete with a handsome cocktail waiter to use as they see fit.

   • 2011, Jo Berry, Katy Perry: California Gurl, unnumbered page:

     Then, Katy’s pal, singer Rihanna, let slip where the actual nuptials were taking place. She told a US radio DJ that she had her work cut out for her, planning a hen night for her friend with a theme to tie in with an Indian wedding.

• (party for a woman about to be married): see also Thesaurus:bachelorette party.

• (antonym(s) of “party for a man about to be married”): bachelor party, stag night