Here calms the bride: why the 'zen do' is taking over

As wedding season approaches, Olivia Petter reports on the rise of the chilled-out hen do, a soothing alternative to the age-old tradition of hedonism, vodka and phallic straws

- Olivia Petter

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.

The term itself has been steadily rising on Google Trends over the past month as wedding season approaches. Meanwhile, Airbnb has noticed an uptick in interest for its selection of villas and homes hand-picked for particularly meditative brides-to-be.

According to a recent survey by Hitched, a leading wedding planning website in the UK, the majority of modern-day brides wish to keep their hen dos on the quiet side, with 30 per cent of respondents saying they hoped for a calm, chilled affair rather than the classic late-night party vibe, which just 8 per cent said they wanted. The most popular type of zen do activity is a spa day with friends (40 per cent), followed by dinner and drinks (30 per cent), a cosy, crafty activity (19 per cent) and finally a good old-fashioned afternoon tea party (13 per cent).