One third of Brits think the traditional stag and hen party is dead

A new survey from travel experts Big Domain has shed light on British attitudes to hen and stag parties

Looking to explore the attitudes of British people toward traditional hen and stag parties, travel experts Big Domain has conducted a survey of 1,000 people across the UK. Its research has revealed that not only do almost one third of Brits think that the traditional stag and hen party is dead, 60% of people actually dread attending them – and 40% of people have even turned down an invitation to attend.

The traditional stag and hen party is synonymous with a night out drinking alcohol and wearing costumes or funny outfits. Hens might drink through penis-shaped straws and wear sashes, while stags might visit a strip club or pull an embarrassing prank on the groom-to-be.

So what is turning people away from stag and hen parties? According to the research, many people do not enjoy the heavy drinking. 46% of respondents said that drinking is their least favourite element of a stag and hen party, while 40% of people want to avoid a hangover. Almost half of the males surveyed stated that they hated the idea of fancy dress, and 50% of those aged 18 to 35 don’t want to wear a rude or personalised t-shirt.

Furthermore, many Brits are now opting for a more chilled-out, personalised experience; in fact, Big Domain’s research showed that 31% of respondents would prefer to go on a relaxed stag or hen celebration instead of conforming to the stereotypes. Similarly, more than half of the women surveyed would prefer a private setting for their hen party instead of celebrating in a public place.

Commenting on the research James Starkey, marketing director at Big Domain said, “Our results go to show that people are looking for more from their group holiday. The traditional stag and hen party is certainly changing as more and more people want to make the celebration a tailored experience.

“It’s clear to see that people are passionate about celebrating before the big day. Spa days were by far the most popular activity, allowing people to fully relax in the build up to the wedding. According to a third of respondents, the ideal length of a stag or hen party is one night, with the second most popular choice being a weekend-long celebration.”