Planning a bachelor party is one of your most important jobs as a best man. You need to create a fun and memorable experience that will not get the groom-to-be in trouble with his future wife. Here are some must-have items for the ultimate pre-wedding bash.
Booze
Alcohol is a key part of nearly any pre-wedding bash. Unless you and the guests plan to go bar-hopping, you will need to supply the booze yourself.
You do not have to spend big bucks on high-end alcohol. Just make sure there is enough for all the guests. Be sure to include a variety of options, from basic beers to Sorel Liqueur. Get shot glasses for everyone, as well. Do not forget the cozies and bottle openers, as well.
Food
After all of that drinking, the guests will be hungry. Consider hiring the groom’s favorite restaurant to cater the event. You should also offer lots of snacks.
Cigars
Most wives do not want their men buying expensive, smelly cigars. The groom may thus want to smoke some as part of his last pre-wedding hurrah. Grab a few boxes so other guests can participate in the fun. Do not forget lighters and other related accessories.
The Ideal Location
If your party will just take place over the course of an evening, you will need a place for everyone to safely crash at night. Check for nearby hotels or Airbnbs that offer fair prices. A family cottage or lake house would make sense, as well.
You may also want to hold the bachelor party throughout an entire weekend. Before planning a multi-day bash, talk to the groom and groomsmen to find out their favorite weekend destination. You can then reserve a condo, campground or hotel at this location. Keep in mind that those with busy schedules or limited funds may not be able to attend these lengthier gatherings.
Great Guests
Indeed, creating the ideal guest list is a key step in the party planning process. First, you and the groom must decide whether the party will be co-ed.
Whether or not your gathering is men-only, you should do the polite thing and invite the fathers of the bride and groom. Of course, you may not want the older adults around for the more R-rated portions of the evening. Yet you should at least invite the groom’s dad and his future father-in-law for dinner and a few drinks.
Do not be afraid to invite guests who will not attend the actual wedding, either. The groom may want a small wedding with just close family and friends. He can then use the bachelor party to celebrate with his other acquaintances.
Finally, remember that the bachelor party will likely feature people from different social circles with various personalities and beliefs. Talk to everyone ahead of time so it is clear what types of actions and comments are unacceptable.
Games
If not all the guests know each other at the start of the night, some friendly competition can help break the ice. There are various types of party games that you can provide for guests. There are drinking contests such as shot roulette for fun and dirty card games such as Cards Against Humanity.
You may also want to include some gambling fun. Provide poker chips and cards for the guests, or simply make up your own betting games.
Party Favors
As everyone leaves the bachelor party, give each guest a gift as a reminder of that night’s events. The party favor can be a personalized token of appreciation such as a baseball cap or flask.
If the bachelor bash is the night before the wedding, you could also offer each attendee a hangover kit complete with Advil or Tylenol. This will help everyone recover in time for the main event.
A bachelor party should be unforgettable in a good way. Following the above tips should keep guests happy and entertained without causing too much pre-wedding drama.