The Ultimate Guide to Bachelor Parties in 2023

If your friend is getting married soon, you probably have images in your head of fun and wild bachelor parties. But a bachelor party involves more than crazy antics among friends. The cost, location and guest list can complicate what might seem like an otherwise fun and spontaneous outing.

With the right guidelines and planning tools, you can throw the ultimate bachelor party without causing yourself a lot of stress. Read on for a list of bachelor party themes, planning strategies and out-of-the-box ideas to send your friend off into married life with a bang.

Brief History of the Bachelor Party

Though they seem like a modern concept, the bachelor party dates back to ancient Greece. The ancient Spartans were known for throwing wild celebrations for their kinsmen the night before a wedding celebration. These parties often included the same elements as our current bachelor parties today, including drinks, food and mischief.

Today, bachelor parties feature all the historical elements associated with single male life and focus on giving the soon-to-be groom one last taste of freedom before the big day.

Who Plans a Bachelor Party?

Planning a bachelor party can fall to anyone, including the groom himself, but traditionally it is considered a job for the best man. The best man is usually the groom’s closest friend and is the most invested in showing him one last good time before the wedding.

The best man doesn’t have to be in charge of planning alone. In many cases, the entire groom’s side of the wedding party plans the festivities, including other groomsmen and ushers in the wedding ceremony. However, if one party member is paying for all or most of it, such as the best man, he should get more of a say in the theme, location and activities.

In many cases, the groom takes the lead in planning things or is at least consulted, especially if he wants to avoid or do specific things. The groom’s wishes should always be respected, so if the groom has any strong opinions for or against bachelor party activities, the planning party shouldn’t force their preferences on him. If the bride and her friends are planning a bachelorette party, you might coordinate with her to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Who to Invite to a Bachelor Party

The size of the group can change the dynamics of a party. A smaller group of close friends usually but not always means a lower-key and intimate affair. On the other hand, larger groups can get a bit more wild and rowdy.

The venue will also determine how many people are invited. If the party is being held at a restaurant, bar or club, there may be a limit on the size of individual parties. Before making the final list of invitees, it’s a good idea to check on limitations at the location of the party.

Since the bachelor party is meant to celebrate the groom, the guest list should usually be limited to the groom’s friends. It is considered bad manners for another attendee to invite someone the groom doesn’t know and force awkward introductions in what should be a carefree stag party.

Since the bachelor party is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable evening, the guest list shouldn’t include anyone who may cause trouble or who may not get along with the rest of the group.

Paying for a Bachelor Party

Bachelor parties are meant to be wild and crazy affairs; however, it’s still a good idea to plan out the expenses ahead of time. Too often, planners and attendees don’t budget effectively and end up overpaying. By some estimates, the average cost for a bachelor party is around $738 per person.

If you’re going to a bar or club with a group of people, it’s a good idea to sort out who’s paying for what ahead of time. If the best man or whoever’s paying for the party has the money to cover everyone’s drinks, he should let them know before anyone runs up a tab.

On the other hand, if people are expected to cover their own tabs, they should know before they order anything. A lack of clarity over who’s paying for what can result in conflicts that ruin an otherwise fun night.

You can plan a great bachelor party on a budget. Instead of going to an expensive club, you could buy a few kegs, rent an audio system and have a fun gathering at someone’s house.

If you’re planning a destination bachelor party, you could rent a less expensive Airbnb instead of a more expensive hotel. You might also find a destination your group could drive to instead of flying.

If a bachelor party is important to the groom and his friends, it’s critical to plan the expenses ahead of time alongside all the other wedding expenses. Blowing too much money unexpectedly just before the wedding can cause financial strain for the groom and his mates.

Amazing Bachelor Party Ideas

The details of a bachelor party should revolve around what the groom wants to do. But you don’t have to confine yourself to cliched bachelor party traditions to have a good time. Here are a few creative and fun bachelor party ideas that can send a groom off into married life in style.

• Guys Camping Trip

For grooms who love outdoor activities, a camping trip with guy friends can be an excellent bachelor party experience. Camping tends to be cheaper than staying at a hotel. Participants will need appropriate camping supplies, especially if the trip involves outdoor activities like hiking, rafting and mountain biking.

Before planning a camping bachelor party, ensure everyone involved is physically able to participate. It’s also a good idea to check the weather before booking anything to ensure your fun outdoor bachelor party doesn’t turn into a rained-out mess.

• Sporting Event

If the groom is a die-hard fan of a particular sports team, getting group tickets to a game can make for a great bachelor party. Not only will everyone get to cheer on their favorite team, but sports stadiums tend to have numerous bars and beer vendors.

Just ensure there aren’t any ill-fitting sports rivalries among the group. The combination of competition and alcohol could cause unnecessary conflicts between attendees.

• Trip to Vegas

Las Vegas is a bachelor party paradise for a reason. A night in Vegas offers a bachelor party for the ages with tons of clubs, bars, casinos, high-end restaurants and entertainment options. You can also often find travel deals on flights and hotels in Vegas for larger groups.

Ensure everyone agrees beforehand if you want to go this route. Check to see if invitees can make the trip out of town before the wedding ceremony and see if anyone has specific issues that may make Vegas a less-than-ideal destination, such as a drinking problem or gambling addiction.

• Low-Cost Get-Together

Not every bachelor party needs to break the bank to have a great time. Some of the most memorable bachelor party ideas don’t cost much. To create an unforgettable bachelor party, consider cheaper locations that hold sentimental value for the groom.

Maybe there’s a dive bar where he got his first drink or a local club where he met his soon-to-be wife. Going on a bar crawl in your old college town can be just as fun as spending money on expensive clubs. You might even find a discount deal on a party bus to enhance an inexpensive evening on the town.

Partying at cheaper places like these can be even more fun than shelling out tons of money to get into expensive, overcrowded clubs. Other activities like bowling, pick-up basketball, paintball, go-kart racing or a night playing video games can provide just as much fun as a more expensive night on the town.

Of course, sometimes all a groom wants is to just have a quiet barbecue with friends. A low-key grilling and beer party is sometimes more than enough to celebrate a man’s impending status as someone’s husband. You can even learn how to make your drinks at home and get the same bar experience without spending too much money.

• Men’s Club Outing

The term “men’s club” may conjure up images of sleazy strip clubs with overpriced drinks and gross buffets. Some upscale men’s club options feature cigar and whiskey bars, which provide a sophisticated and elegant environment for the future groom and his friends.

• Thrill-Seeking Activity

For adrenaline junkies, thrill-seeking activities can provide unforgettable bachelor parties. Activities like skydiving, bungee jumping and whitewater rafting can offer incredible thrills for everyone involved.

Given the nature of these activities, this bachelor party may limit the number of people invited. However, a thrilling activity shared among a few close friends can be even more memorable than a more generic night of partying with a larger group.

Throw a Memorable Bachelor Party That Everyone Can Enjoy

The ultimate purpose of a bachelor party is enjoyment — an event that is not just fun for the groom but for everyone invited.

When planning a bachelor party, ensure you don’t do anything you or the groom will regret down the road. Don’t plan anything that will get the groom-to-be in trouble with his bride. It might be a good idea to check in with his fiancee beforehand just to see what she’s comfortable with.

If you’re planning on making alcohol a key part of your bachelor party, make sure you have a designated driver or a rideshare organized.

Try to keep things stress-free and ensure everyone is on the same page. If you focus on having fun, you can throw a perfect bachelor party no matter how much you spend. Be sure to follow the Groom Club on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest for more great ideas for a bachelor party, including ideas for creative seasonal party themes, bachelor party fashion advice and money-saving party tips.

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