Wedding Forum - Whats the difference?...

Not sure tbh MrsA-J. I think a hen night is a night to go out and party. I think a bridal shower is a more civilised affair in a house/restaraunt/function room where you would have nibbles and drinks play games and people bring you gifts xx

Cathryn is right. It's an american term. The main difference is friends of the bride bring gifts. A baby shower is the exact same thing but for an expectant mother.

DOH! Sorry - I didn't see the post above:-)

Yes definate American. My sil who is American wanted me to have one while she was over but when she told me what it was (exactly what everyone says it is) I felt it was a bit cheeky to be asking people to folk out more on our wedding gifts. We don't want gifts it's not the reason we're getting married.

Most people in the states have both
A shower and a hen do

(actually I have a cousin (in the US) who had 3 showers !)

People are expected to bring gifts to a shower and they have games and someone 'hosts' all very strange. Then they have a hen do which is like what we do them

They call their hen do a bachelorette party don't they instead x