Koktail revisits Yaya’s iconic hen night look from January, using it as a lens to explore the history and global evolution of hen parties from traditional pre wedding rituals to modern celebrations of friendship, independence and the moments before “I do”.

Congratulations to newlyweds Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund and Nadech “Barry” Kugimiya! This morning, 17 April, the wedding procession kicked off in Nadech’s hometown of Khon Kaen, turning an early start into a full-on Isan nuptial celebration. 

Close friends and fellow stars showed up for the big day, including Prin “Mark” Suparat and Kimberly Ann “Kim” Voltemas as bridesmaid and groomsman, along with Suppachai “A” Srivijit, the well-known Thai actor manager.

Courtesy of jahsalisa/prangkk

After years of onscreen romance, the groom and bride have finally made it official, with the early morning sun spilling golden light across the paddy fields like it was straight out of one of their dramas, as if this were the finale, with a “happily ever after” running across it.

This wedding has been a long time coming, with the excitement really picking up pace after Yaya’s hen party back in January. But we’re still not over that special moment. Koktail revisits Yaya’s hen night look– and some of the world’s most iconic ones – to highlight the final chapter before marriage: a celebration with closest friends that can lay the foundation for a healthy, fulfilling union.

A Look Back at Yaya’s Hen Night Look: Victorian Fashion Made Modern

Yaya’s hen night at Capella Bangkok back in January went all-in on a pastel theme, with her friends – both industry and non-industry – all dressed in soft matching hues. The lush riverside garden with calm water views set a dreamy tone to start, before everything flipped into party frenzy. Rose petals scattered everywhere dialled up the drama, just the right amount of over-the-top fun.

Courtesy of urassayas

Yaya’s hen night look is basically Victorian bridal fashion reworked for a modern girls’ night. Those sheer gloves and sleeves nod to 19th-century ideas of composed, restrained style, while the cinched waist, fitted bodice and intricate lacework feel like they’ve been borrowed from a vintage bridal wardrobe. But the real surprise is the see-through layers that sneak in a flirty, if not borderline sexy energy, keeping it from feeling too prim and proper.

Courtesy of urassayas

The modern touches keep the dress from feeling overly tied to the past. It’s still playful in the best way, tailor-made for a champagne-fuelled hen night where things swing from heartfelt speeches to unhinged dance-floor craziness in seconds. And then there’s the colour: all that white brings a sense of innocence, but also that “fresh start” feeling, marking Yaya’s leap into a lifelong marriage. Palette-wise, the dress can even be read as a blank canvas, ready to be filled in with all the joy and memories to come. Very demure, very mindful – according to the current Zoomer vocabulary – but also very stylish.

The Importance of Hen Parties: From “Last Night of Freedom” to a Celebration of Sisterhood

Hen parties may have started out as the female answer to stag dos, borrowing the same idea but swapping in a different animal, and all the gender stereotypes that came with it. Early on, these pre-wedding gatherings were pretty much modelled after the male version, much like how bachelorette parties followed bachelor parties in the United States. 

Courtesy of urassayas

But things began to shift in the 1960s, as the sexual revolution and changing attitudes around gender roles gave women more space to redefine what these celebrations could look like. By the 1990s, hen parties had fully come into their own, standing on equal footing and becoming a space for celebration, self-expression and a sense of shared female experience.

Courtesy of urassayas

Now, hen parties are a far cry from the polite, tea-and-etiquette affairs they once were. Instead of reinforcing traditional ideas of femininity or preparing brides for a narrow domestic role, they’ve become more about celebrating individuality and relationships on your own terms. 

The whole “last night of freedom” narrative feels outdated. In its place is something more reflective of modern partnerships, where both the groom and the bride step into marriage as equals. It’s also a chance to see the bride in her element: surrounded by her friends, fully herself, and bringing that bubbly energy and personality into the life she’s building next.

Iconic Hen Parties Around the World: A Celebration of Women’s Joy and Friendship

To mark Yaya and Nadech’s newly formalised union, Koktail turns its attention to six iconic hen parties from around the world. These celebrations, like many rituals across history, sit within a broader continuum that celebrates women’s independence, joy and close friendships. That is where the true meaning of hen parties can be found.

1/6 Kate Middleton: Regal Glam

2/6 Hailey Bieber: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Courtesy of alaiabaldwin/keliamoniz

3/6 Sophie Turner: Wigs and All

4/6 Selena Gomez: Cabo’s It Girl

5/6 Priyanka Chopra: Amsterdam Diaries

6/6 Sofia Richie: A Parisian Romance