How to Plan a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party

Nights of drunken debauchery are so yesterday. Today, there are many more imaginative and tasteful ways to celebrate the bride's and groom's last days of singlehood. Find out what he or she actually wants before planning the party, and tailor the fun accordingly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Invite the entire wedding party, close friends and relatives. Don't forget to include your future in-laws.
2. Consider how much money you can spend and who will chip in. Family and friends who are already investing heavily in the wedding itself, traveling to it and buying gifts, will greatly appreciate it if you keep the costs down.
3. Set a date. Traditionally, the bachelor and bachelorette parties are held several weeks before the wedding. However, if many out-of-towners will be attending, hold both events the same weekend to make it easy for invitees. Steer clear of blowout parties the night before the wedding--no bride or groom wants to be hung-over at the altar.
4. Plan something that's appealing, simple, easy and brief. While the trend these days is toward elaborate weekend-long events at a spa, in Las Vegas and so on, the cost and time commitment may be too much for some guests to bear. Plan a dinner in the private room of a restaurant, get tickets to a game, hire a fishing boat or take the girls or guys away for a fun and memorable camping trip.

Tips & Warnings

• Arrange designated drivers, a limo service or taxis to make sure everyone gets home safely if people will be drinking at the event.
• If the bride or groom doesn't want to overdrink, don't make her or him do so.
• Don't expect people to be able to fly out for both the wedding and the bachelor party.

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