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Planning a bachelor party is one of the most important things a group of friends can do for their buddy. Every groom will enjoy a different kind of party, and every group of friends has fun in unique ways. If you are planning the bachelor party, it’s important to talk to everyone in the group, find out what kind of party they are up for, and make sure that the groom is happy with all plans. 

After talking with the group, you can start planning the party. There are many logistics and moving pieces to arrange for a successful party, and you should take care of these elements well in advance. To help, refer to our helpful guide to planning and pulling off the perfect bachelor party for your buddy. 

Who's in Charge of the Bachelor Party?

Generally speaking, it is the best man’s responsibility to plan the bachelor party. That said, it shouldn’t be the sole responsibility of the best man to figure everything out. All groomsmen and bachelor party attendees can help with the planning process and give their thoughts on any plans. 

The entire group needs to be on board with the plan. If some people love partying, but others don’t, it can make for an awkward evening. While unanimous agreement on a plan might be challenging, the planning should include as many voices as possible with a general agreement on the activities. 

Traditionally, the groom wasn’t consulted by the groomsmen planning the bachelor party. Nowadays, however, it is crucial to talk things over with the groom. Some grooms may love a surprise and be up for any type of party, but others may want to have a say in what is going on. Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to talk with the groom to make sure he approves and is comfortable with the plan. 

It’s also beneficial to run the plans past the groom’s partner. Some couples might not be comfortable with traditional bachelor party activities, so know what boundaries they feel are appropriate and stick within them. 

Who Pays for the Bachelor Party?

When planning your groom’s outing, discuss who will pay for various party elements. In some traditions, the best man foots the bill, and in others, all groomsmen pitch in. Today’s standard bachelor party etiquette is for all attendees to pay their share plus part of the grooms. 

Whatever payment arrangement your group decides on, you should figure it out before spending any money. The budget should be clear and approved by everyone. Money is one thing that can send a good party sideways, potentially ruining an otherwise good night. Janet Coleman, Founder of the The Consumer Mag, says: “The best way to split the cost of the Bachelor Party is by doing a cost breakdown for all guests. This makes everyone feel like they received a fair share of the overall cost.”

When is the Bachelor Party?

Long gone are the days when a bachelor party happened the night before the wedding. Wild parties meant hungover grooms and groomsmen, which created tension on the couple’s wedding day. Nowadays, people avoid hosting a bachelor party the night before the wedding or even the same week as the ceremony. 

Most wedding experts recommend planning a bachelor party 1-3 months before the wedding. This is particularly important if the event is a destination party. The key is to find a weekend when all participants are free or a time when everyone can get a few days off work. 

Some groups prefer holiday weekends as most people automatically have time off. This approach can be less than ideal, though, as restaurants and bars are more crowded, and hotels often charge more for these weekends at a destination location. If this is the best option for your group, it is vital to plan even further in advance to secure hotel rooms and other reservations. 

Some couples try to plan the bachelor and bachelorette parties for the same weekend. This can be a lot of fun and create some fantastic memories. Joint parties work great if lots of the people involved in both parties are couples. However, a co-event can be tough to coordinate and often adds to the difficulty of planning a party.

Three men at a bachelor party

Who's Invited?

The invite list for any bachelor party can be more complicated than most groomsmen would think. How big a party is and the group dynamics can strongly affect how the night goes, and the wrong combination of people may have disastrous effects. 

When choosing a list of attendees, you first need to know how many people the groom wants at the party. In particular, determine the groom’s ‘must-have’ list of people, including close friends and family. Then, work your way to acquaintances and old friends, depending on the venue and budget. 

One of the golden rules for any bachelor party is the groom’s final veto. Everyone on the guest list needs to be approved by the groom. After all, this is his party, and only people he likes and gets along with should attend. 

It is also important to feel out the crowd and avoid any combination of people who might cause friction. If your groom has two friends or guests who dislike each other or have had disagreements in the past, speak with them beforehand and make sure they can put their differences aside for the evening.

Bachelor Party Budget, Location, and Activities

Bachelor Party Planning Infographic

Once you have the ‘who’ of your bachelor party, you need to decide on a location, activities, and a budget. Location and activities depend on your budget, so work out your bachelor party finances. 

  • Budget

The budget can be a bit of a sticking point. If the groom has sky-high expectations or expensive tastes, it can be challenging if his friends are of modest means. The groom isn’t paying for anything, so they might think of what they want first, without considering the cost. 

Work out a budget with the attendees and stick to it. It can be a good idea to give a rough budget to the groom and see what he thinks would be his favorite activity within that constraint. 

If you work out your budget in advance, then plan the festivities, it can be easier to stay on track. That said, it can be easy to overspend, so consider using a spreadsheet to plan and account for costs. Plan your party using 90% of your actual budget to allow for built-in wiggle room or a little extra for something special at the end of the night. 

When budgeting, remember to factor everything in, transportation, food, drinks, activity costs, and accommodation, and make sure any plan comes in below your amount. 

  • Location

Many grooms enjoy a destination event for their bachelor party. A destination could be a beach resort in a foreign country or a campsite in a national park. Some grooms also prefer a location close to home, like a favorite bar or local restaurant.

The location you choose will depend on the groom and his preferences. The key here is to run every idea past the groom and the attendees and make sure it works for everyone. 

  • Activities

In addition to a fabulous location, there are countless activities you can do for a bachelor party beyond the stereotypical party. Camping, skiing, poker, scavenger hunts, karaoke, food tasting, cocktails, and many more are possible activities for a bachelor party. 

Every groom enjoys different activities. Discuss the idea with the groom and all attendees to ensure that everyone will have a fun night and that no one has to participate in activities they are uncomfortable with or don’t find enjoyable. 

The Perfect Night for Your Buddy

The Perfect Night for Your Buddy

The future groom deserves one last night of freedom, and this night should be all about him. Always keep the groom in mind when planning the event, and make sure to plan far enough ahead of time that the party goes smoothly. Remember, the goal is to create a memorable night of bonding with his closest friends. Plan a party that will be memorable for your groom, and give him a night he’ll never forget. 

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