How to Plan a Bachelor Party

With all the primping and planning involved with a wedding, it's always a good idea to plan a bachelor party to let off some steam and let men be men. Despite what the movies portray, you don't have to make the event a night of unbridled debauchery culminating in hazy transgressions trapped in the matrimonial closet. Make it a reasonable, responsible night out with the guys that the groom-to-be will enjoy and remember.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Money set aside for unforeseen expenses
• Food
• Guest list
• Drink
• Designated drivers
• Itinerary

1. Prepare a guest list. Include any males that are involved with the wedding, and maybe some unassociated lady friends that know how to party. Have the groom look over the list to make sure that no one is left out.
2. Set a date. Generally, the party is about 2 weeks before the wedding, but if you have a lot of out-of-town friends you should try to coincide the party date with their travel plans.
3. Set a budget. Factor in everything: Taxis, limos, cover fees, tips, drinks, foods and some emergency funds, too (just in case you damage something or get a ticket or something else unthinkable).
4. Plan an itinerary. If you're going out on the town, make sure you hit all the groom-to-be's favorite spots. Plan for travel time and how long you'll stay there as well as some wiggle room. Prioritize places according to their closing times and happy hour specials.
5. Get enough food and drink for the whole night. When you finally settle down at a hotel room or house, make sure you have enough alcohol and finger food to keep everyone satisfied for the whole night. Liquor stores might close before your party is over.
6. Invite guests and tell them where to meet. The women like to send out pretty invitations, but you can just call up the buds and tell them where to be and when. Get a confirmed attendance list though, so you know how many reservations you'll need and who to wait for.
   
   
7. Be safe, have fun! Know your limits, don't do anything you'll regret, get someone to drive (or hire someone) and have a blast!
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• The best man is usually the best person to plan this outing. He knows the groom-to-be the best and can make the best judgments on what he'll enjoy the best on his last night out.
• It's a good idea to call ahead and give management a heads up. You might want to give them a little extra gratuity for putting up with your raucous party.
• For more reserved friends or older family members, provide some more tame entertainment at the beginning of the night and get wilder as the night progresses.
• For best results, try not to invite any females or tattle-tales from the bride's side of the family. Not that you are planning on doing anything unforgivable, but it's easier to enjoy yourself if you feel uninhibited and without surveillance.
• Renting a hotel room or suite is a great alternative to having a huge mess in your living room to clean up the next morning.
• Alcohol has a curious effect on short-term memory. You might want to bring a camera to record the night's events.
• Give the groom-to-be some sort of hat or piece of clothing that identifies him so people know who to toast to at bars.
• Plan ahead. It'll be harder to gather funds during the party or afterwards.
• This is your last night of “freedom” so to speak, but that doesn't mean you have a carte blanche to be more licentious than the bounds of a normal relationship would allow. Don't jeopardize your impending marriage due to peer pressure, booze and strippers.
• If someone is harshing the buzz, send them home. This should be a night to remember fondly for the groom-to-be, not a night of drama.
• The night before the wedding isn't the best date to plan a bender. He shouldn't be hungover while reciting his vows.
• Brides-to-be are prone to worrying. Pick someone sober and responsible to be in charge of being able to keep in touch with her if she has an attack of paranoia. Reassure her that everything will be fine and she has nothing to worry about.