Planning a hen party for a smaller group of friends is an exciting way to celebrate the bride-to-be with her most cherished loved ones.
With a smaller group, you have a more intimate setting that gives you the opportunity to organise a truly meaningful event.
If you don’t know where to start yet, our team of expert party planners can help.
We’ve curated a list of hen party ideas that are perfect for smaller groups as well as some tips to keep in mind when planning the event.
Whether you’re looking for a classy afternoon do or something more adventurous, we’ve got you covered!
Flock’s 10 Favourite Hen Party Ideas for Smaller Groups
Here's our perfect list of ideas for small groups that will guarantee you have a fantastic time, with a more intimate and unique feel compared to large groups.
1) Go to a cocktail-making class 🍸
A cocktail-making class is the perfect hen party idea for smaller hen groups who want to bond over drinks.
This is a fun and interactive experience that allows the bride-to-be and her closest friends to channel their inner mixologists under the guidance of a professional bartender.
There are a number of bars that offer these classes, often with special packages for hen groups.
If you don’t feel like heading out, mobile cocktail services are also a great option, and many can host the event from the comfort of your hen weekend accommodation.
During the class, you’ll typically learn about different types of spirits and mixers, how flavours combine, and how you can use this knowledge to make your own delicious drink.
After the class, you can enjoy your drinks as you spend the evening celebrating with your friends.
2) Visit an escape room 🔐
Going to an escape room can be a thrilling and entertaining experience that can be the perfect hen party activity that is perfectly suited for small groups.
In this immersive activity, your hen group is locked in a themed room filled with puzzles, clues, and challenges to solve.
You’ll have to work together as a team to find your way out of the room, making this a great option for a tightly-knit group of friends.
Make sure you plan an outing for afterwards, too — you’ll definitely want to debrief and relieve the thrill over a light meal and some drinks!
3) Attend a themed dance class 🕺
Attending a themed dance class is a fabulous hen party idea that ensures fast-paced fun, fitness, and great memories.
The classes are typically led by a spirited instructor who will guide you through the steps, ensuring that everyone knows what to do when you hit the dancefloor.
Whether it’s a sassy salsa, a sensual burlesque, or a nostalgic 80s aerobics class, dancing together with your closest friends adds a lovely touch to the celebrations.
You can also fully embrace the spirit of the class theme by dressing up in costumes and accessories to match the style.
4) Host a bottomless brunch 🥂
Spend the morning hosting an indulgent brunch that combines the best of both worlds: delicious food and free-flowing drinks.
A bottomless brunch is great for a smaller hen group who wants to enjoy a relaxing morning together, bonding over drinks and good conversation.
It’s also a wonderful setting for playing a variety of fun hen party games to keep the lively atmosphere going.
You can either host these celebrations at your hen weekend accommodation or visit a restaurant that offers bottomless brunch options.
💃 Flock’s Recommendations: Theme Ideas for Brunch
Whether you’re heading to a restaurant or enjoying brunch at home, any event is always more fun when there’s a theme.
Here are some of our favourite ideas you can use to inspire your dress code and décor:
✅ Florals.
✅ Pastel colours.
✅ Vintage.
✅ Bohemian.
✅ Parisian.
✅ Hollywood glam.
✅ Old money aesthetic.
✅ Bridgerton.
5) Book a night at a fancy hotel 🏨
Booking a night at a luxurious hotel is a great way for you and your close friends to treat yourself to a sophisticated hen celebration — especially if it’s set in a location you’ve always wanted to visit.
This is also a lovely idea for a smaller group because it’s usually easier to arrange hen party accommodation for fewer friends.
At the hotel, you’ll have an opportunity to relax and unwind while enjoying the warm hospitality and lavish amenities.
If the hotel’s restaurant offers a fine dining experience, you can treat your friends to a memorable meal or spoil yourself with room service and a night in.
Spending your evening at a hotel also creates the perfect setting for enjoying a round of hen party games with your friends.
💃 Flock’s Recommendations: Hotel-Friendly Hen Party Games
A night in is the perfect excuse to play some fun hen party games with your bridal party and friends. Here are our favourite hotel-friendly options:
✅ Bridal-themed Pictionary.
✅ Never have I ever…
✅ Truth or Dare: Bridal Edition.
✅ How well do you know the bride?
✅ Lingerie guessing game where each guest has to bring a pair of new underwear for the bride and have her guess who bought which set.
You can also check out our article on our favourite hen party drinking games for more inspiration.
6) Host a cheese and wine-tasting evening 🍷
Channel your inner sommelier with this hen party idea that is a great option for a small group of friends.
The tasting can take place anywhere, from public parks to private venues. You can even host it at your home or hen weekend accommodation.
Have your friends each select a bottle of wine and a cheese that it will pair well with.
Then when the time comes, you can each take turns describing what you’ve bought for everyone to taste.
Do a bit of research on the flavours of the wines and cheeses that are meant to complement each other to really blow your friends away.
To make it even more fun, you can also have a prize for the best combination!
If you don’t feel like hosting the event yourself, hire a professional for the evening — then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
💃 Flock’s Recommendations: Wine and Cheese Pairing Ideas
If you don’t know where to start with your wine and cheese pairing, here are some delicious ideas:
✅ Chardonnay with brie.
✅ Sauvignon Blanc and goat’s cheese.
✅ Merlot with a sharp cheddar.
✅ Rosé with feta.
✅ Champagne or prosecco and cream cheese.
7) Go for an afternoon high tea 🍰
Going for afternoon tea is one the most popular classy hen party ideas that give you a great opportunity to catch up with all of your friends.
It’s also a great option for brides who want something classy and sophisticated to celebrate their hen do.
Spend the afternoon enjoying indulgent treats and snacks while sipping on various teas and coffee with your friends. You can also add some champagne to give the occasion a celebratory feel.
Since a high tea is usually an elegant affair, you can get into the spirit by dressing up to match the theme. Think floral and flowy dresses, high heels, and soft makeup to complete the look.
8) Have an at-home spa day 💆♀️
This is an indulgent hen party idea that is perfect for small groups eager to spend some quality time together.
Transform your space into a tranquil environment where you can enjoy a variety of at-home treatments for the ultimate relaxing weekend.
To make it even more luxurious, we highly recommend hiring a mobile spa service to come to your home.
These services typically include professional aestheticians that will be ready to treat you and your hen group to an unforgettable pamper session.
Choose from treatments like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures, then sit back and enjoy your afternoon.
9) Create your own perfume 💐
Creating your own perfume is a unique and fun hen party idea that ensures an unforgettable sensory experience.
Perfume making usually takes place in an intimate setting, so it’s ideal for smaller hen groups.
You and your closest friends will learn about all the different scents and how they complement each other when combined.
Then you’ll likely have an opportunity to sample a few scents before blending them together to create your own signature perfume.
You can make this unique hen party activity even more special by having the bride-to-be create the perfume that she’ll wear on her wedding day.
Not only will the perfume hold sentimental value, but it will also remind her of the lovely time she had with her friends.
10) Host a girl’s night in 🍿
If you have a cosy living area or outdoor space, you can host your hen group for a classic slumber party and girl’s night in.
This laid-back hen party idea is great for smaller hen groups who want to relax and connect in a cosy setting.
The evening can be filled with a variety of hen party-appropriate activities, from fun games to karaoke and movie marathons.
You can create delicious homemade snacks for everyone to enjoy, order takeout from the bride’s favourite restaurant, or have a mini cocktail-making session to get the party started.
To make the evening even more memorable, consider choosing a theme and have everyone dress accordingly!
💃 Flock’s Recommendations: Bridal-Themed Movies
When choosing a movie for your big night, pick something fun and entertaining with themes relating to friendship and love. Our top choices include:
✅ Bridesmaids.
✅ Pitch Perfect.
✅ Sex and the City.
✅ Legally Blonde.
✅ The Devil Wears Prada.
✅ Mamma Mia!
✅ About Time.
Tips for Planning a Hen Party for a Small Group
✅ Find out what the bride wants to do
If you’re planning a friend’s hen party, it’s important to talk to the bride-to-be before getting started.
You can ask her about the type of celebration she prefers, hen party games she would like to play, and any special requests she may have.
This will help you tailor the party to her liking and avoid things she might not enjoy at all.
It could also be helpful to get the bride’s list of ‘Hard No’s’ — these are things she definitely does not want in the hen do.
For example, she may not like the idea of strippers or club-hopping so it’s best to plan something that doesn’t revolve around those activities.
✅ Ask the group for ideas
Once you’ve determined the bride’s likes and dislikes, you can start brainstorming fun and unique hen party ideas.
It’s also a good idea to ask your friends for help to ensure you have a wide variety of options to choose from.
When you have a couple of ideas, have the group vote for their favourite and start planning from there.
✅ Determine the budget
Hosting a smaller group may mean that you won’t be able to do very expensive activities that are usually associated with bigger hen parties. That’s why it’s important to determine a budget beforehand.
Knowing how much money everyone is willing to spend can also guide your decision-making process when it comes to choosing activities.
You can also do some research on free hen activity ideas that you can combine with others for a well-balanced bridal shower.
✅ Always keep your numbers in mind
Although there are endless celebration options you can choose from, some may be better suited to smaller or larger groups.
For example, a cocktail-making class might be a bit overwhelming if your group is too big.
Similarly, something like a silent disco city tour can feel slightly awkward if you’re only a handful of people.
That’s why it’s important to keep the number of guests in mind when hen party planning.
Choose activities that are tailored to the size of your groups to ensure that everyone has a great time.
Plan the Perfect Hen Party with Flock
Planning a hen party is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the bride-to-be, but the admin can be a bit daunting.
At Flock, we want you to enjoy every second of the celebrations, which is why our team of party planners are here to help.
With years of experience in the industry, we can assist you in creating the hen night of your dreams — no matter the group size.
We also work with top-rated accommodation and activity partners to provide you with tailored recommendations to make your event unforgettable.
Plan the perfect hen weekend by getting in touch with Flock, today.