Whether you’re the best man or a member of the groom’s entourage, you may find yourself in charge of putting together a bachelor party. It may feel like a huge responsibility on your shoulders, especially if the groom is looking to plan a big one with several major activities. Keeping in mind the following tips below can help you put together a party that will be well-remembered many years from now.
Consult the groom-to-be
Before making any concrete plans, ask the groom if he already has something in mind. Is he thinking of going bar-hopping? Or is there a lively yet wholesome party venue that he’d like to book?
If he doesn’t have any input on potential venues, it’s worthwhile to prod him in envisioning the ideal bachelor party he’d like to pull-off.
Seeking out his ideas can help you save a lot of time and effort on planning. It doesn’t make you a bad organizer. Actually, it makes you a smart one.
Mind the invite list
You may be thinking of inviting basically every friend and relative— close or otherwise — of the groom, but that would be a major mistake. Even though it’s not officially the wedding, you still have to be mindful of the guest list for the bachelor party.
Inviting too many people can result in quite a few issues. For instance, your budget could drastically increase, and you’d need to find a venue that can accommodate everybody. The groom could also exhaust himself trying to accommodate each and every person present.
When thinking about a specific number, it may be wise to avoid going beyond 16 people. When in doubt, figure out which people have made the most meaningful connections with the groom. If you’re still having trouble, this is where tip # 1 can come in handy.
Create a clear schedule
Clearly outline every major activity you need to cover. That way you have a bird’s-eye view of what is possible for one night or a stretch of two to three days, if you’re thinking of something grander.
Additionally, schedule the bachelor party a month before the wedding. That’s the ideal scenario, but if circumstances don’t permit, have it one week prior. Don’t schedule it the night before the wedding. Nobody in their right mind would want to go through The Hangover situation.
Setting dates in advance will also be helpful for people out of town who need to make travel arrangements — securing out-of-office permission, getting plane tickets, etc.
Steer the conversation
Even though it’s not directly applicable in the planning phase, you should start thinking of how the general conversation plays out during the bachelor party. List down potential questions or statements you’ll make which can encourage everyone to look back at their fond memories with the groom. Any proud moments or achievements that are worth drinking to?
Remember that this event is to celebrate the groom-to-be and his decision to get married. It’s not just some usual night in town, where conversations veer off into all kinds of topics.
As the host of the event, make people feel comfortable and welcome — not everyone will necessarily know each other — by centering most of the conversation around the groom, who is the common reason everybody is there.
