The Batchelor / Stag Party

This is one of the most controversial aspects of any wedding. First of all, you should consult the groom as to his wishes and to find out what type of party he would want (or doesn't want). Some grooms would be uncomfortable with having a stripper & getting really drunk.

It's important for the groom to have a good time, and not being pressured into any situation he doesn't want or would jeopardise the wedding plans. You can plan any type of party including the traditional stripper/strip bar, dinner & drinking, backyard barbecue, pool party, enjoying a weekend abroad, or a limousine trip to London for a nightclub weekend just to name a few. Use your imagination, and you'll plan a great party!

However, it is important to note that the bride will be seriously cross if her husband to be arrives for the ceremony still half drunk or feeling unwell. It may therefore be a wise precaution to hold the stag party at least a couple of weeks before the big day. Upsetting the bride on her wedding day is NOT a good idea - play it safe!

Here then are a few ideas -

Don't go overboard too quickly. With stag nights, there can be such an expectation to get drunk as fast as possible that the evening can peter out much too quickly. Pacing yourself is crucial!
If you're having a joint do and want to mark the event properly, make sure that someone is in charge of getting up and making a toast or at least reminding everyone why you're all there. It's your day - so don't let that get forgotten.
Never underestimate how nervous and strung-out people get before their weddings. You may want to play what you think is a very gentle joke on your stag, but make sure that you're certain that they can take it - pre-wedding nerves can sometimes bring on a total sense of humour failure and ruin an otherwise fun night.
If you're organising a stag do, get a mobile phone. Even if you're only going out with a smallish group in a big city, it's incredibly easy to lose stragglers as the night wears on. This way, everyone can at least find you!
Be sociable. Stag nights often bring together people who have never met before, and if you're not careful, the group can break down into factions. So at the start of your do, make a point of having a good old get-to-know-you session.
Always, always, have a plan to fall back on. Your stag night could be ruined by the fact that the place you have set our hearts on going to, e.g. a top comedy club decides not to let you in because you are just too big a crowd. It's always a good idea to check ahead and make sure that the venue is likely to cater for a large party, especially if it's a single-sex group. Even if you can't be certain, think of a few other places that you could go to in the vicinity - and check ahead with them too.