Every year, more than 2.2 million people get married in the United States.
Before they tie the knot, many people expect to have one last blow-out party. Planning bachelor parties can be a ton of fun, as long as you do it right.
Doing it right can mean a lot of different things. At the heart of a bachelor party is the guest of honor. If you’re planning the party, you’re probably going to be the best man, maid of honor, or some other member of the wedding party.
This is your chance to put together the best party possible for your friend. You don’t have to go it alone, because here are 10 tips for planning the ultimate bachelor’s party!
Planning Bachelor Parties
While rumors about what happens at bachelor parties are legendary, most parties involve little more than hanging out with friends. Alcohol and food are very common at bachelor parties and sometimes professional entertainment is involved.
1. Ask the Groom/Bride What They Want
You know who you’re planning the party for. If you don’t know what they want, you should ask. If you intend to make it a surprise, try to be less obvious. You can’t hide that you’re planning the bachelor party since they probably asked you to, but you can hide the details.
2. Sort out Travel
While movies would have you believe otherwise, most bachelor parties don’t involve traveling. The expense of traveling can be a problem, so if you intend to have a destination party, make sure that enough people can go.
Unlike local parties, destination parties usually mean that everyone has to pay for their own travel and hotel. Getting a group discount can be worth checking into if you have enough people going.
3. Pick a Good Destination
A good destination applies whether or not you’re traveling. A favorite bar, a new city, even something as close as a neighborhood bar can be your destination. If you’re traveling, make sure you plan out as much as possible before getting there.
Whatever the destination of your party, make sure it can provide everything you need. This stag do guide can help you figure out what you might need.
4. Set a Budget and Stick to It
Sticking to a budget is easier said than done. Everyone except for the guest of honor should be involved in paying for the party. On average, the cost of the party ranges from between $700 to $1,000 per guest.
You can save money by cutting corners and planning, but it’ll still be expensive. A destination party like one to Vegas can cost over $1,500 in some cases.
5. Select More Than One Activity
While the popular myth is that a bachelor party is nothing more than drinking and debauchery, that isn’t true. Many parties last for hours and should feature more than one activity. Plan your activities around what the guest of honor likes, such as a game or sport event.
The more personalized the party is, the better it will go over. Planning bachelor parties that have more than one destination could require reservations.
6. Figure out Who All Is Coming
Planning a successful party isn’t done overnight. You need to know who’s going to be showing up to the party. Give your guests plenty of time to make plans to attend, at least a few weeks. If you’re going to be traveling, make sure you give them longer.
A great way to do this is to send out invitations. Not only is this a nice touch, but it also helps people remember to clear their schedule.
7. Plan for the Food
A key to any gathering or fun is making sure food is taken care of. Please don’t plan any food the groom or bride might be allergic to. This is one of those requirements that can be taken care of by choosing the right venue.
If you know your party is full of people who like to eat or prefer fancy food, plan accordingly. The success of your party can hinge on how the food tastes and how much there is. Hungry partiers are not happy partiers.
8. Make Sure Everyone Is Cool With the Plans
If you’re going to do something like hire strippers or adult entertainment of any kind, make sure it’s okay. The fastest way to kill a good party is if the guest of honor is too uncomfortable to have fun. Everyone has their tolerances, so make sure to respect boundaries that are placed.
You might also check with the other guests. If you’re inviting the family of the bride or groom, you don’t want to offend them. Upsetting guests is not the best way to plan a bachelor party.
9. Get Ready to Handle Problems
Anytime you get a lot of people together there could be problems. At some bachelor parties, it’s possible that a lot of the guests won’t know each other. Conflicts that arise should be dealt with quickly and calmly.
10. Make Sure to Be Safe
When you plan a bachelor party, make sure everything is safe. Drinking and driving can get people hurt or killed. Stay away from areas of town or parts of a city that are unsafe. Dangerous situations are always worse when alcohol is involved.
It Could Be the Time of Your Life
If you’re planning bachelor parties correctly, the fun is limitless. It gives a chance to reconnect to old friends and an opportunity to put your friend at the center of it all. Make sure that the groom or bride is taken care of and that everyone is having fun.
Planning bachelor parties can be very stressful, but nothing beats when a plan comes together. Don’t try to tackle everything alone. Work with other guests and relatives to make sure that the party is a success.
If it works out well enough, you might find your other friends calling on you when it comes time for their party.
We hope this guide proved useful in giving you some advice on how to plan a bachelor party. Before you go, please take a moment to browse our website for other great reads!