Tips on Throwing a Great Bachelor Party

The tradition of having a bachelor party has evolved dramatically over the years, going from a black tie event to what it is today; an excuse to consume lots of alcohol and misbehave before the wedding. While this may be the norm for bachelor parties, many fiancées still don't approve of a wild and crazy party that could jeopardize the relationship. The bachelor party is still a staple in the pre-wedding rituals, and while there are parties involving strippers, some grooms decide to keep the event civilized and centered around the groom's interests. There are many alternatives to the stereotype many bachelor parties have now and here are just a few ideas:

The best man is responsible for the planning of a party.

The best man is the person that will dictate what the plans are and where the event will be held. The best man has been appointed by the groom to serve as his right hand man on one of the most important days of his life. I consider that a great honor, and as a tribute to the groom the best man will have the chance the plan a memorable event. However, while the best man plans the event I feel that it is necessary for the cost to be split by the rest of the groomsmen and friends. How many people should be there, you may ask? I suggest limiting the event to the groom's party and perhaps a few other friends and family members. I wouldn't exceed ten people, otherwise you're getting away from the intimate setting. The best man should plan an event that is safe and would be approved by both the bride and the groom.

Another tip for the best man is to not hold the party the night prior to the wedding. The last thing a groom needs is a splitting headache from a hangover. For instance, I made the mistake of planning my brother's bachelor party the night before his wedding and we all looked and felt terrible the next day. Don't make the same mistake I did. Also, by having it the night before it appears that the best man didn't really have a plan and waited until the last second to hold the event. You want to seem prepared and allow plenty of time for people to fix their schedules, so I highly recommend sending out a very informal invitation to the bachelor party guests ahead of time.

Ideas for a bachelor party.

The ideas for a bachelor party are endless. It can be something formal that requires a tuxedo or suit, or it can be a group of friends and family members sitting around a television and watching football on Sunday. No matter what it is, the party should go well with the groom's style.

For instance, at my bachelor party my brother planned an all night poker tournament. I'm an avid Texas Hold em' Poker player, and it was nice having the chance to play all night with my closest friends and family members. Of course, there was plenty of beer and cigars, but it just goes to show you that you can have a great time without leaving the safety of your own home.

Since I live on the coast of North Carolina, I've heard many stories about surfing or fishing trips as a bachelor party. This is a great way to be active and have fun with those closest around you. Even if the best man doesn't surf or fish, it would be a great opportunity for the best man to learn from the groom. Remember, the bachelor party is about the groom, not the best man.

If you're able to plan it, a long camping trip over the weekend gives the wedding party a chance to bond and get closer during those days. You're able to leave reality and the normal life to get away for a few days and evaluate life. The best man could choose a spot that provides a lot of activity such as fishing, hiking, swimming, white water rafting, etc.

What guy doesn't like sports? The best man could plan something sports related; whether it's attending the game of the groom's favorite team or playing a sport. One of my best friends had a daytime bachelor party that involved golf at one of the area's nicest courses. By the 18^th hole they had plenty of beer and were laughing about their golf scores. If you really want to put the groom through the ringer, take it out onto the paintball field or even go skydiving. If you want to keep it simple, opt for a pool hall or tag football.

Plan for everything.

The best man must also plan other things such as how the bachelor party members will get home safely after a night or day of drinking. It would be a smart idea to contact a taxi service before the party to see if they can devote most of the night to taking guests home. You could also keep it simple by having a trustworthy family member show up at appointed times in the night to pick people up.

At some point, you'll need to have a round of toasts. The best man should ask each groomsmen to give a small speech for the groom. This is their one chance to tell the groom how they really feel about the marriage. Salute the groom with a glass of wine and be sure that you don't forget the camera!