Image by Andre Gouin Photography

Spending one last weekend with some of your best friends is one of the best ways to celebrate becoming a married man. As you get older, you may find it hard to get everyone together the way you used to when you were younger. That’s why hosting a bachelor party the groom will remember for the rest of his life is an absolute must before the big day. 

We understand that there are a lot of moving parts that go into planning one, though. From figuring out who does all of the planning to choosing a date and organizing activities, it can be stressful. Especially if you’re not used to planning big events like this. That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know to plan the bachelor party of a lifetime.

Bachelor Party FAQs

Who Plans The Bachelor Party?

Unlike planning a bachelorette party, there’s not typically one specific person who does most of the bachelor party planning. In fact, according to a study done by The Knot, it was found that 41% of those studied had their friends plan it, while 39% said that the best man took on the planning. If you’re the best man, don’t need to hesitate to reach out to other friends for help. And if you’re the groom, there’s nothing wrong with hosting your own party, either!

When Do You Host The Party?

The last thing you want is to deal with a killer hangover on your wedding day. That’s why having the bachelor party ahead of time is key. Most parties take place one to three months before the big day. If your partner is having a bachelorette party, it’s wise to plan them over the same weekend. This way, you’re both out of town at the same time and can come together with wild stories to talk about once it’s over. 

If you are hosting a party out of town, you’ll want to start planning three to six months before you jet off. This gives you plenty of time to get everyone on the same schedule, purchase all of the decorations, and plan activities.

When’s The Best Time Of Year To Plan A Party?

If the schedule permits, hosting the bachelor party over a holiday weekend allows you to spend more time with your friends and family without running the risk of using your PTO. Some holidays–like Labor Day and Memorial Day–come with incredible weather, too, so you can spend your time by the water if you’re planning on a lake or beach day. Just be mindful that typically hotels and flights cost more over long weekends, and your destination may be a bit busier. 

Image by  Ash Gabes Photography

Is The Groom Involved?

As we mentioned earlier, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not the groom is involved. You can be as involved or as hands-off as you want. Sometimes they like to be completely surprised, while others enjoy being a big part of the planning. It is their weekend, after all.

Who’s Invited To The Bachelor Party?

The bachelor party should include everyone that matters most to the groom–think groomsmen, best man, and any other close friends they may want there with them. When you begin party planning, reach out to everyone that the groom wants there to give them a heads up. This will help determine who’s interested and help you get a rough estimate of who can attend and who isn’t available. 

Do You Need To Send Out Invitations?

Unless you really want to send out invites, feel free to skip them. Doing so saves you time and money. Instead, send out a group chat with all the details (aka date, location, etc.). This allows for a quick conversation and easy access to all the information when needed. 

Are Gifts Required?

Just like invitations, gifts are not required for bachelor parties. You may want to bring something small as a token of appreciation for the groom, but it’s not necessary. Not sure what to bring? Great gift ideas include alcohol, cigars, or sports equipment or merch. If gifts aren’t your thing, you can also cover one of the activities during the party, such as dinner out or a round of drinks.  

How To Plan A Bachelor Party

Image by Jessie Jean Photography

Figure Out The Guest List

When figuring out the guest list, include all of the groomsmen and the best man. From there, you can also include any friends that the groom wants in attendance. The most important thing is that whoever tags along should also be invited to the wedding. 

Choose A Location And Date

Where you host the bachelor party determines the budget, the attendees, the decor, and the activities. That’s why figuring it out early on is so important. Whether the groom wants to see their favorite team play or wants to get away to Vegas for a weekend full of drinks and gambling, it’s crucial you figure this out before booking lodging and transportation. If it’s a destination party, you may find that some cannot attend for various reasons–such as work or money.

In terms of when it takes place, remember that you can’t please everyone. If the groom and a majority of his groomsmen can make it, that’s all that matters. Of course, you want everyone to be able to make it, but don’t stress yourself out trying to make that happen.

Book Lodging And Transportation

Before you book lodging and transportation, have a final number in mind. This way, you won’t get stuck paying for an Airbnb that’s too expensive and too big for your guest count. Although final numbers may change some, this will prevent any drastic changes that can hurt your wallets. 

If you’re planning on traveling for the party, we recommend booking an Airbnb over a hotel. At an Airbnb, everyone can stay together, cook meals together (which helps you save money), and be in one easy-to-reach, central location throughout the weekend. It also makes parking much easier, too. 

Plan Activities

Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot more to do at a bachelor party than drink for a weekend straight. Although we imagine the alcohol is going to be constantly flowing, it’s also vital that you plan some activities. This can include lounging by the pool, going to a concert or comedy club, hanging out at a casino, or a couple of rounds of golf. You want an itinerary that isn’t too structured. That way, you have wiggle room for laying low if you need some time to recover. 

Finalize Who’s Coming

Once you have the Airbnb picked out and how everyone is going to arrive at the destination, you can finalize who’s attending. When you’ve made it to this step, you can let everyone know that once they’re confirmed, there is no backing out. This means agreeing to all of the expenses and activities. 

Image by Courtney Marie Photography