The Essential Guide to Joint Hen Parties and "Sten" Dos
Better together
The traditional "separate" stag and hen weekend is no longer the only way to celebrate. Whether you are two friends, both getting married at a similar time and sharing a friend group and a budget, or a couple who wants to celebrate their final weekend of freedom together, both Joint Hens and Sten Dos are massive trends for 2026, as they have been getting more popular every year.
Combining two parties sounds like a great way to save money and simplify a busy wedding calendar, but it often requires a careful balancing act. From guest list etiquette to choosing "gender-neutral" activities, here is how to master the shared weekend in whatever form it may take!
(Also, please note, these are just some of the many examples of joint hens or stens that we have arranged – if we tried to give every possible configuration we’d be here forever!)
1. The Double Bride Weekend: Sharing the Spotlight
If you and a best friend are both getting married, a joint hen weekend can be an absolute lifesaver – not just for you, but also for your mutual friends' bank accounts and schedules. It’s even more convenient if each bride is each other’s Maid of Honour, as you’ll be able to put both heads together to ensure everything is perfect. The only requirement for any joint hen weekend is to remember rule number 1 – there are no rules! But we’ve got a few guidelines you may want to consider.
Compare Guest Lists Before Inviting: Before the first WhatsApp group is created, the Brides and Maids of Honour must cross-reference the guest lists. Ensure that both brides are 100% happy with everyone in the room. Try not to have too many people that one bride doesn’t know, and, most importantly, check for any "historic friction". If one bride has never really got on with someone, they aren’t going to want that person at their special weekend, and you as the organiser don't want any kind of situation that might create a divide mid-weekend, forcing the hens to pick sides.
The Balancing Act: It is absolutely vital that neither bride feels like a "supporting act" on their joint hen do. When planning, ensure activities are balanced, with both brides given equal priority for choosing activities. Flexibility and compromise are the keys here - if Hen A picks the Saturday afternoon event, Hen B should pick the evening theme (for example). As Maids of Honour, your job is to ensure both brides have an equal say and that neither is overshadowed by a louder personality.
Don't Be Afraid to "Divide and Conquer": If Hen A wants a high-energy dance class and Hen B wants a quiet spa session, you don’t need to have an argument about it, just do both! Ask the other hens which activity they’d prefer, and then split the group for a couple of hours to do the activities before meet back up for cocktails. You are all adults; there is no rule saying you must be glued together for 48 hours straight.
2. The "Sten" Do: Mixing Stags and Hens
A "Sten" or "Hag" do (Stag + Hen) is perfect for couples who share the same friend group and don’t fancy splitting into gender groups. However, choosing activities that appeal to everyone is the secret to success, so avoid anything that might be considered too gender-specific.
Zorb Football: Don't let the word "football" put you off (or, if it might put the hens off, call it Bubble Mayhem instead!) This is a high-energy, hilarious activity where everyone is encased in a giant inflatable ball. It’s the perfect "Stags vs. Hens" competitive event that requires zero actual football skill – the winner is usually decided by whoever has the absolute confidence to start bouncing other players out of the way!
Murder Mystery Dinners: Sten groups are often larger than a standard hen party, so for those moments that you want everyone to be taking part in the same activity at the same time, a Murder Mystery is a fantastic way to integrate everyone into one entertaining event. It gives everyone a role, encourages interaction across the whole party, and provides a structured evening of entertainment over a meal.
Luxury Boat Charters: If you are heading to a sunny European destination, chartering a private boat is the ultimate gender-neutral luxury. Whether you are sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying the bar, it’s a shared experience that appeals to everyone and provides the perfect setting for a mixed-group recovery session.
Escape Rooms: These are ideal for groups who want a mental challenge over a physical one. Research shows that a mix of "male and female" perspectives often leads to a higher success rate in solving the puzzles, so even if you end up splitting up to tackle multiple rules, your best bet may be to keep the groups mixed throughout. Go on, put your collective brainpower to the test!
3. Golden Rules for Joint Success
Plan Extra Early: Joint parties mean more schedules to coordinate. You need to lock in dates, destinations, and budgets at least nine to twelve months in advance to ensure the majority of both groups can attend.
Geographic Fairness: If the two groups are coming from different parts of the country, choose a central UK hub (like Nottingham or Birmingham) or a well-connected European airport to ensure no one is unfairly burdened by travel time or costs.
The Private Chat: Each Maid of Honour (and Best Man if it’s a Sten) should have a private "check-in" with their bride (or groom) before invites go out. Ensure that they are 100% on board and not just agreeing to a joint party to be "conciliatory." After all, it’s their special weekend, and they need to be the focus.
Ready to Plan a Celebration for Two?
From "Stags vs. Hens" Zorb football to a shared luxury manor in the Cotswolds, we specialize in the unique logistics of joint parties. So whether it’s a joint hen do with two brides, a joint hen do for the same wedding, or a sten do, we can offer you plenty of options!