For most wedding party members, the most fun they have is at the bachelor or bachelorette party. These nights are often referred to as the Bride and Groom's "last hurrah" before they get settled down ("get tied down" is another popular colloquialism). These parties are traditionally planned by the Best Man and Maid of Honor and the range of activities that happen during one of these parties is wide.
Traditionally, the bachelor and bachelorette party are nights of drunken debauchery. Bachelor parties are notorious for exotic dancers and lewd behavior and in recent years Brides and their attendants have worked very hard to live up to the low bar that has been set by their male counterparts.
So how do you plan a fun night that everyone can enjoy?
1. Ask the Bride and Groom what they want to do. It is, after all, "their" night. If the Groom says he'd rather stay home and play poker, arrange a night of staying home and playing poker—even if you would rather go club hopping. If the Bride says that she wants to do a pub crawl then a pub crawl you will do.
2. If alcohol is involved, you will need to arrange to have a designated driver. One of the easiest ways to do this while not leaving anybody out is to hire a car service for the evening. There are many companies that offer "party busses" and other vehicles that are driven by sober professionals—call around to get the best rate. Hiring a car service (limousines are always popular) might seem extravagant but it is the best way to make sure that everyone invited to the party can take part in the festivities.
3. Respect the Bride and Groom's wishes when it comes to alcohol. Not everyone has fun getting drunk and if the Bride or Groom says that she or he does not want to drink too much, don't pressure that person to keep drinking.
4. Choose your budget ahead of time and stick to it. Make reservations ahead of time and pay in advance for services so that you will not be tempted to overspend once you are caught up in the fun of the night. It is also a good idea to let the party guests know how much money they should bring ahead of time that way they can be prepared.
5. Plan the big night a few nights before the wedding. While tradition and popular media usually show the bachelor and bachelorette parties happening after the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, it is a good idea to plan the night for a few nights before the wedding. This will give the bride and groom a few days to recover from the festivities before getting married. Remember, they probably want to remember their big day with clarity and probably don't want to spend it pretending not to be hung-over.
Planning a Bachelor or Bachelorette party does not have to be difficult—remember to have fun!
