Bachelor parties - tips

The bachelor party is to celebrate the groom’s last days of singleness but also to look forward to the wedding and the strengthening of his male friendships. It should be arranged by a close friend, usually the Best Man, someone who knows the groom’s tastes and personality well.

PICK A DATE - THE EARLIER THE BETTER!
Definitely not within two weeks of the wedding and preferably any day from a Thursday through to a Sunday. Men get their weekends booked out pretty quickly so make sure you have a couple of viable dates when the bachelor is free and then go with the one where most of the invitees are available. Send out informal invitations through a paperless service.

CHOOSE A LOCATION
Most grooms have friends spread the width and length of the country. You may think a weekend in Vegas would be ideal but, if most of the invitees live in the north east, it may be a bit unfair. Choose a reasonably accessible city so folk don’t have to take multiple planes, trains and automobiles to get there.

THE ACTIVITY IS NOT AS ESSENTIAL AS THE FUN!
Just because you all can’t chip in for a weekend in Aspen doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast. The details are everything. Maybe get your groom an obligatory costume he has to wear all weekend or get everyone a customized t-shirt with their nickname and Team Bachelor on...or some funny comment with the bachelor’s name and date of the weekend.

KNOW THE BACHELOR’S TASTES
Usually the best man is the one who organizes the actual weekend. What does he like doing? What does he hate? Would he love the vibe of New Orleans or does he hate the humidity and noise? Is he a cosmopolitan or an outdoors guy? White water rafting in Northern California or bar crawling in Manhattan? Who are his favorite hang-out buddies?

SIZE DOES MATTER!
Having 8-12 guys is manageable but twenty is more of a problem and a limitation on activities.

WORK OUT THE BUDGET...INCLUDING THE DRINKS
And share it out over the invitees. If you are flying, book the Best Man’s and bachelor’s flights first and then everyone else can dovetail in. Likewise, coordinate rides.

PLAN OUT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
From the chilled out welcome to the more intense physical activity - surfing, golf, paintballing. The Saturday night should be the big one with his favorite dinner followed by hitting the bars and clubs.

BOOK ACCOMMODATION NEAR TO YOUR ACTIVITIES
If you’re camping, it should be pretty easy but otherwise get a suite for the bachelor. A bunch of you can stay there along with any new ‘friends’. Sometimes the hotel runs packages including transportation for bachelor parties.

ENSURE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BACHELOR PARTY STAYS WITH THE BACHELOR PARTY!
Keep a handle on photos and names...you don’t want any embarrassments for the groom on the wedding day. It is a send-off, a farewell-to-all-that - not some indiscreet moment to reappear during the wedding speeches!