With a wedding only days or weeks away, a bachelor party is an unforgettable way to give a soon-to-be-wed groom the chance to thank his groomsmen for their friendship and support. The once-in-a-lifetime event, which gives the groom one last night of freedom, often involves alcohol, companionable activities, and some form of entertainment. Whether you’re an experienced best man or new to the role, throwing a successful bachelor party is a task that can seem daunting. However, with careful planning, you can craft an event that your future spouse will approve of and that will live up to expectations of friends and family.
First and foremost, establish a budget for the event. This may have to be done in conjunction with the groom, best man, and other groomsmen, if they will be helping to pay. Knowing how much you can spend will help determine the scope of the event, including the location, the number of people attending, and the type of entertainment. Once that’s in place, you can begin to plan individual elements — such as the guest list, supplies, food, and activities.
When making the guest list, keep in mind that a bachelor party is meant to be an intimate gathering of close friends (and their spouses, if they wish to attend). While there’s no hard and fast rule about the number of guests, three to 10 is about average. If you choose to have a bigger party, you’ll need to factor in additional expenses such as additional entertainment and food costs. Also, make sure to confirm the attendance of everyone invited in advance.
When it comes to the location, the options are nearly endless. Some popular favorites are destinations like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but many other locations can be just as much fun, such as a nearby bar, a cabin in the woods, a beach, or a dude ranch. Once you’ve chosen the destination, you can begin to plan the details. It’s best to book any travel more than one month in advance so that everyone has plenty of time to arrange flights or lodging, if necessary.
In addition to the general location, you’ll also need to choose activities for the event. These can range from more active pursuits like golf, bowling, paintball or karting to more chilled-out activities such as wine tasting or a cooking class. As the party planner, it is up to you to come up with activities that will appeal to the guests; thinking of each individual’s interests will go a long way in ensuring a successful party.
No bachelor party is complete without entertainment. As you work within the budget, entertainment is an area where you really want to get it right. It may be tempting to just reserve some prurient performances, but this is not necessarily the best course of action. Think of the groom’s taste and background — if he’s not the type to attend this type of show, try looking into different herbal entertainment or comedy acts. Lastly, consider making sure the bachelor party has a happy ending. By hiring a limousine or town car for the evening, you can ensure that the groom will get safely back home and unscathed from the night’s festivities.
By taking the time to properly plan the perfect bachelor party, you can let the groom enjoy the last days of his singledom. With the right entertainment, activities, supplies, and a bit of planning, your bachelor party will become an event that everyone will remember for many years to come.
