The traditional hen do is synonymous with chaos. Butlers in the buff. Vodka shots before noon. Strippers performing lap dances for the mother of the bride. I’ve been on several that have included not one but all three of these elements, alongside drinking competitions and tequila-fuelled games of Mr and Mrs. The format is well established in our sociological canon, something we can credit to pop culture, gender stereotypes – and, of course, America, where outrageous “bachelorette parties” are as much a rite of passage as getting your first period.
But times are changing. The raucous hen dos from the days of yore are being replaced by quieter, more relaxing alternatives. Introducing “zen dos”: the new age way some women are choosing to celebrate their impending nuptials by, well, chilling out a little bit. Encompassing wholesome, wellness-inspired activities like puppy yoga, sound baths, and full-blown spa days, zen dos are far more laidback than their bacchanalian counterparts.
