A bachelor party is a celebration of the last night before someone gets married. Traditionally, the groom’s friends, who are often his closest buddies, will take him out for drinks and other activities to say goodbye to the single life.
If the only bachelor party experience you have is watching the 2011 hit film, The Hangover, you’re probably wondering if every bachelor party ends in blurry memories, a stolen tiger and a missing groom are the norm. Rest assured, your average bachelor party tends to consist of over-drinking, watching some sports, catching up with friends and perhaps a weekend away, partying.
If you’re thinking about throwing a bachelor party or just curious as to what goes down at a bachelor party then this article will give you some insight into what happens at one and what to expect. Read on for more information about how bachelor parties work!
What Happens at a Bachelor Party?
The best thing about a bachelor party is that it’s different for everyone. Some people might go out to dinner, others might go bowling, and some might choose to play golf. It all depends on what the guys want to do and the preference of the groom.
Most British bachelor parties, or most commonly referred to as ‘Stag Do’s’ consist of drinking & partying, typically in excess. These can often be accompanied by themed nights, party buses or exotic dance clubs.
Some of the most common activities at a bachelor party are:
- Drinking
- Playing games
- Karaoke
- Dancing
- Clubbing
- Going to watch a sporting event
- Go-karting
- Golf
What to Expect at a Bachelor Party
Some bachelor parties are planned out down to the very last detail, others are more go-with-the-flow kind of parties. Mention of a bachelor party can put wives, girlfriends and partners in a panic but generally the worst thing you can expect in the aftermath of a bachelor party is a mess. A messy hangover, a collection of beer cans and remnants of last night’s food everywhere.
Bachelor parties usually consist of drinking alcohol, playing games such as beer pong and flip cup, doing sports, like racing in cars or piloting remote-controlled airplanes, or engaging in other physical activities.
Typically, bachelor parties happen on the day before the wedding; however, these conventions are not always strictly followed. Now it is a general rule that bachelor parties are simply held any time before the day of the wedding. This could be a month before, a week before even a year before in some cases. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the individual commitments people have it can be hard to arrange a time where all your friends and family are available. So now most groomsmen tend to plan bachelor parties on the nearest date to the wedding where all friends and family are available.
Tips for throwing the best bachelor party:
A good bachelor party is all about the groom, so be sure to plan all of his favourite activities to give him the best celebration before the big day. The task of planning the bachelor party normally falls on the best man. So, if you’re the best man in an upcoming wedding, listen up!
It’s your job to know the groom inside and out and to make sure that all his closest friends and family are around to celebrate him. Best men tend to take one of two routes when it comes to planning a bachelor party. They either plan games, activities and settings that will embarrass the groom as a comical send off into married life. Or they go down the route of planning the groom’s perfect day, from teaching their favourite sports team, to eating at their all-time favourite restaurant.
Each bachelor celebration will be completely different, but remember you’re there for the groom. So the aim is to make sure he’s having the best time.
Before the big day, here is a checklist of things you should consider:
- Where will you be going? Will it be a restaurant or bar?
- What type of activities would you and your friends enjoy doing?
- Who should be invited? Friends or family members, along with other groomsmen and bridesmaids.
- What are some activities that are common for these types of parties? Bowling, pool, darts and card games?
- How long will the party go on for? Some people think it’s nice to have a limit on when things wrap up. Others think it’s more fun to go until they are tired and have had enough. The decision is yours.
- Does the groom have any requests while throwing this party? Some grooms might want to bring their favorite liquor or food items to share with their friends during the festivities.
Conclusion
One of the most memorable moments in your life will be the day your best friend gets married. Whether it’s the big day or the big night, your best friend’s wedding is an event you will never forget. But it’s important to celebrate as friends before the big day. The bachelor party is the ideal place to celebrate your friend getting married and to reminisce before they head into their new chapter of married life.
