How to Throw a Bachelor Party

A bachelor party is coming, and we are now entering dangerous territory. It can be the best night of the groom’s life or the worst. It’s easy to get carried away and plan the Hollywood version of a stripper-soaked bachelor party, but it’s important to tread the thin line between success and excess.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Money
• Time to plan

1. Create the guest list. If you don’t know the groom very well for some reason, find out who his closest friends are and invite only the varsity squad. A smaller guest list makes it easier to move from place to place, less expensive, and the groom doesn’t want his middling friends there anyway.
2. Find the locations. This is where detective work comes into play. A hundred years ago, bachelor parties were formal dinners. Is the groom-to-be that guy, or is his favorite flick "Animal House"? Do your research.
3. Start slow. In case the man of the hour wants to go nuts, but some friends are a little hesitant, start with a nice dinner or the groom’s favorite relaxed bar. After that, ramp up the action so that the less-than-willing can drop out at their leisure.
4. Plan the entire night. Know each bar, each gentlemen’s club, each mini-golf course you’re going to and hire a limo or a cab unless somebody actively volunteers to drive. That way everybody can focus on the festivities and the groom-to-be.
5. Spend a lot of money. Account for all of the destinations, transportation and lodging if you’re somewhere other than your hometown. Add in incidentals (tips, extra rounds of drinks, snacks, etc.) which can almost double the total cost of the night.
6. Throw some ideas around with the guests and (if you’re not surprising him, the groom-to-be). Think stereotypically, the reason every bachelor party involves strip joints, golf, steak and bars is because they are usually very successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t plan a crazier party than your groom-to-be is prepared to have.
• Do your research. The more you do, the smoother the night will go.
• If you want, get some gag gifts for the groom, like a plastic ball and chain.

Who Can Help:

• Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.