The Bachelor party is an old established tradition which has been updated and is enjoyed today by the groom before his wedding day.
Dating back to Ancient Greece, this tradition began in a city called Sparta, where the practice was seen very differently and in various forms. A formal dinner would be given to the groom on the eve of his wedding. If in the military, fellow soldiers would toast the groom before his wedding day.
It is also said that the prospective husband would take this as a last opportunity to amass money to facilitate his marital requirements by gambling at this very party.
Today it has a very different meaning … One last expression of male singularity before marriage, which is reflected in the various names it is known by … Stag Night, Bucks Party, Bulls Party etc.
PLANNING TIPS
The Best Man is usually in charge of the Bachelor Party but the groomsmen and other friends can and often help too. This has to be planned, to ensure that you match the personality of the groom and balance the spending of money so that you do not go overboard.
Be mindful, if your friend is naturally a simple person don’t go extravagant with a big outlandish do which he would not appreciate, alternatively if your friend is very fancy but funds are low, you can still plan something classy, with careful thought, which he would enjoy without financial burden.
Of course it you can and want to afford it, the world is your oyster to plan a grand bash.
BUDGET
The best basis is to first decide on the type of party which you will be having and making enquiries as to how much it will cost per head.
How far are you willing to go? If it exceeds your proposed budget, redesign your plan.
You will have to accommodate for Venue, Drinks, Food, Entertainment etc., requiring money upfront in the form of deposits. The cost of this celebration is routinely spread and shared among the groom’s wedding party and other attendees. It is a form of gift to the groom where he is not required to pay anything. Make sure that you inform those you invite of this fact so they can decide accordingly.
WHO ... CAN I INVITE LADY FRIENDS?
Generally, you would invite people who are close to you.
A long time ago it was seen as a big no-no to invite female friends. The bachelor do is generally seen as a “Boy’s Party”.
The fact is that we all have friends and family of both sexes and it is perfectly OK for you to invite lady friends to your bachelor party, if it is YOUR (the groom) wish to do so.
The importance is not in the gender but in the amount of trust you have in that person. If over excitement happens or scenarios are misconstrued, the last thing you want is someone who will stress your bride with unnecessary tales of their interpretation of the event.
This time is a very private celebration for the Bride and Groom individually and should be respected with silence by those who attend. As a result it is NOT advised to allow invitees to bring their own guests.
DATE
As a Best Man, you will know the itinerary of the groom so will be able to plan accordingly. If you are not the best man it would not be too difficult to find out this information from those who are involved in the wedding. In the past this party was traditionally held the night before the wedding. This proved to be unsuitable due to fatigue, stress and possible hangover the next (all important) day.
The weekend prior or anything up to two weeks before the big event is very satisfactory allowing breathing room to enjoy and plan all the events associated with the wedding. Weekends usually work best, taking into consideration the day job factor.
HOW MANY
The amount is purely dependent on your budget allowance, in coordination with the type of party you are having.
A small intimate affair at a restaurant, club or bar does not essentially need a lot of people which will subsequently necessitate the need for you to require more than one table. In that instance intimacy is the key. On the other hand if you are planning a big party at a venue then you may feel to invite more people.
Be mindful of inviting the groom’s workmates unless you trust and can afford to invite all of them
PLACE
The place very much depends on the content of the party. Knowing the groom you will certainly want to organise something which compliments his interests.
If you are including physical activities/sports in this celebration then you will need to facilitate them, as bachelor parties are becoming more imaginative and tailor-made, moving further out of the generic. Popular considerations include Short Term Rental Accommodation, Hotel Rooms, Clubs and Private Dining Room etc.
Be sure to book in advance, to avoid disappointment. Watch out for surcharges and confirm any menu necessary.
SAFETY
Above all the safety and well-being of the groom must be looked out for. Ensure that he is protected and that any drinking does not cause him to do anything which he will regret, or bring harm to him. Keep any pranks within safety levels.
The Best Man is responsible for keeping an eye out for the groom and all the attendees.
The Bachelor Party is generally seen for its potential to get out of control as drinking and merriment progresses. Ensure that everyone is safe. Designate one person to stay sober so that he can drive people home or organise taxi services for all attendees.
FUTURES
Developments to this tradition have seen the growing popularity of this celebration going on for more than one night. Stag Weekends and Stag trips are becoming increasingly popular as a chance to get away for a couple of days and relax between the merriment.
