Bachelor Party Ideas

SHOULD THE GROOM PLAN HIS OWN BACHELOR PARTY?

The answer is maybe “Yes” and maybe “No”

Traditionally, one of the key responsibilities of the Best Man is to plan the Bachelor Party…along with getting the Groom to the church on time and not forgetting the ring, toasts, etc.

However in this hectic world, with guys living in different states, with a variety of schedules; planning a Bachelor Party and getting it right can be a chore. If the Groom wants to see all his best buddies and have an event full of laughs and memories, he and the Best Man may have to collaborate and take the following factors into account.

Whom should be invited?

When should the event take place?

How long should it last?

How can it be made “special”?

Who can make the arrangements?

Whom should be invited? This is an important first decision, since the make-up and size of the group will have an effect on the rest of the planning. If relatives (Dad, a favorite Uncle, teenage brothers) are to be included it will influence what type of an event, where it happens and how long it lasts. Two and three day excursion or adventure weekends are becoming more popular and can accommodate participants of all ages. The focus is on adventure and making memories, along with celebration, so that older relatives and younger siblings don’t feel out of place. The same type of event can also apply for best buddies that are scattered across the country. A geographically centered location coupled with a two/three day event reduces travel time and gives them time to relax and compare notes from the past and present.

When should the event take place?  There are several factors to be considered. If the Bachelor Party is to be a weekend adventure event it should be well separated from the wedding itself. This will give groomsmen from out of town time to return home, get back to work and regroup before leaving for the wedding. Also some types of bachelor parties ideas encompass adventures that are best done at certain times of the year, eg lake fishing, white water rafting. Local bachelor parties with local groomsmen can be held the weekend prior to the wedding or the more traditional night before the wedding. If the plan is for a “destination” adventure weekend, then plans and reservations should be made early, using only reputable tour company with Bachelor Party experience.

How long should the Bachelor Party last? Weekend events are becoming much more common. They last from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, and some even start on Thursday. This gives those from out of town, time to travel and also allows everyone to relax, socialize, relive memories and start some new ones. Everything from golfing to sky diving is now being considered for these gatherings. These are mini-vacations for a group of friends and, in some cases, have turned into annual events. Everyone pays their own transportation costs. The weekend ground costs are usually split between all the groomsmen so that the Groom goes free. Everyone is usually surprised how reasonable the costs are, considering this is a mini-vacation and a chance to experience something new for the group.

How can the Bachelor Party be made “special” This is where the Best Man and the Groom need to put their heads together. What is it that would make this a memorable occasion for the Groom?  It is more than consuming as much beverage as possible and waking up the next day with a strange tattoo. Great memories are made of sharing an adventure, a special dinner, or sitting around a campfire telling tales from the past. Herding cattle and then challenging each other to ride a mechanical bull makes for a never to be forgotten weekend. Special T-shirts, with the date and Groom’s name, videos of the adventure…even an engraved memento to be presented to the Groom at the wedding reception are now becoming more common bachelor party ideas.

Who can make the arrangements? As was indicated in the opening, planning a memorable and exciting Bachelor Party can be complicated and often is overwhelming for the Best Man, even with bachelor party ideas from the Groom. The important thing is keep the idea, not lose the enthusiasm and let someone else do all the planning. Destination weddings have been around for years, and wedding planners or bridal consultants have used their knowledge to take the pressure off the Bride. Now the same logic can be applied to the Bachelor Party. New tour companies have set up weekend adventures with just the right touch, just the right location, just the right ingredients, to meet everyone’s expectation.

Let’s face it….weddings aren’t everyday events…and the Bride certainly has lots of input. Why should Bachelor Parties be different? The Groom should have input and can do everything from hint to the Best Man, to picking the adventure. Brides love the idea of her fiancé involved in something other than the “traditional” wild party, so go for it guys!

Weekend Adventures—A New Trend in Bachelor Parties

Bachelor parties are about guys getting together, sharing old stories, and maybe creating some new ones. They are a chance for the best man to send the groom off in style, in appreciation for years of friendship. Traditionally, this has involved drinking one’s fair share of alcohol, heading off to a gentlemen’s club, and waking up the next morning in a strange place with a new tattoo. Recently, a new trend has emerged. Guys are now spending weekends immersed in outdoor adventures: leaping out of airplanes, roping cattle, reeling in trophy fish, and riding wild whitewater.

Picture it: 10 buddies sitting in a rubber raft, getting tossed back and forth, and paddling like crazy through a menacing drop-off the guides call, “The Meat Grinder.” Besides whitewater rafting, parties can perform airborne ballets after leaping from planes at 10,000 feet, reel in fish ranging from 30 lb king salmon to 300 lb sharks, or drive hundreds of cattle alongside real-life cowboys. As an added bonus, guys return from the adventure, with pictures, mementoes, and memories that will always remain special.

Although these adventures bring a fresh, new idea to the bachelor party concept, groups are given many opportunities to do some old-school partying.  Typically, the extreme adventure locations are located off the beaten path, requiring a couple-days excursion. Everyone usually congregates in a major city near the adventure site and spends the first night enjoying the urban nightlife. Day Two kicks off with an early morning rise, followed by a trip out into the wild for the adventure activity. 

Some detailed examples of adventure-based bachelor parties paint a clear picture of exactly how extreme adventure combines with traditional fun to produce an unforgettable experience.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting is an adventure that can take place in multiple locations across the country. As long as there is a flowing river, someone will put a boat in it. The trick is finding the rivers that will take you to the edge, without throwing you over it.  Under the guidance of an adventure expert, guys paddle, dodge, and hold on through class IV and V rapids, all while taking in spectacular views of the scenic beauty and wildlife.  To compliment the adventure, the group spends the first night at an upscale hotel in a bustling downtown area and the second night in more rustic accommodations surrounded by nature.  This combination creates a solid mix of fun and adventure.

Cattle Wrangling

Imagine living out the movie, City Slickers. Saddle-up the crew, ride the open range like old-time cowboys, and drive longhorn cattle through rugged mountain terrain.  In the morning, work alongside real cowboys to move the thundering herd to greener pastures.  Enjoy the sights and sounds of rolling rivers, towering mountain ranges, and native wildlife while attempting to control the wild herd.  After the drive, see if anyone lasts eight seconds on the mechanical bull before taking aim at the skeet shooting range.  Recount the day's highlights during a Texas-style-barbeque dinner including steaks, potatoes, and plenty of beer. Before you dive headfirst into the cowboy lifestyle, enjoy a night with upscale hotel accommodations, fine dining, and outstanding nightlife characteristic of the adjacent downtown area. 

Charter Fishing

In groups of four to six people, the guys board separate charter boats and compete in a private fishing tournament.  Someone not only has the satisfaction of wrestling a trophy fish into the boat, but also the sweet taste of victory in catching the winning fish to beat the rest of the bunch in the tournament.  While everybody breathes in the fresh air and takes in picturesque views, the expert captains and crew guide the team to the hot spots and teach the boys how to reel in the big one.  After a full day of fishing, camaraderie, and competition, a chef "cooks the catch" at a restaurant overlooking the water. Since most fishing trips are located in beach side towns, nights will be spent at Buffet-like bars sipping Margaritas, watching the fade over the horizon.

Skydiving

What's better than jumping out of a plane, free-falling for over a minute at 120 mph, and seeing for miles in every direction?  Doing it all with some of your closest friends.  After some basic training, everyone flies to 13,000+ feet and prepares for the jump.  Hearts pound, men begin to fade to the back of the line, and adrenaline pumps as everybody peels out of the plane into the open sky.  Once everyone has returned safely to Earth, the party begins. The boys enjoy beers in the hanger, a bonfire on the grounds, a delicious catered dinner, and a viewing of the days skydive video. To enhance this exceptional skydiving experience, upscale accommodations, fine dining, and locally distinct nightlife in a lively downtown setting complete the package.   

Regardless of the adventure theme you choose, it will be important to make the outing an “experience” rather than just a trip. Answer these questions when planning your weekend to remember:

• What adventure activity is the group interested in?

• What areas of the country offer this type of activity during the group’s seasonal timeframe?

• Is there a major city near the event where people can fly to at a reasonable price?

• What hotels offer high-class accommodations and fit the group’s price range?

• Is there a restaurant with a private banquet facility near the hotel, where champagne toasts and words of encouragement can be uttered without upsetting the other patrons?

• What are the best bars?

• How will the group get from the hotel to the adventure outfitter?

• If the adventure is outside of the city, where will the group stay the second night?

These are just some of the questions that will come up as the event planning takes shape. The most important part of the trip is making sure the groom has a great time. So, if you are the best man, make sure to have his best interests in mind at all times. If all goes as planned, you will have successfully orchestrated a weekend filled with memories to last a lifetime and maybe even overcome some fears along the way.

Introductions

I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about why this blog was born and where my passion lies.

I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of friends scattered across the country. This has resulted in the occurrence of multiple wedding engagements.

I always felt for the best man, especially when that best man was me. He was asked to plan this show-stopping bachelor party, but unfortunately he did not know all the potential attendees, was a busy guy himself, and never took party planning 101. An event was needed that almost sold itself to the group.

This is how Bachelor Party Ideas Blog (BPIB)came to be. I write about events that are geared towards making the weekend as memorable as possible for all those involved. A little exercise in addition to the 12 oz. curls men are usually content with.

Oh, I forgot the most important thing, when you compare it to a traditional bachelor party……The women will love it!

Maybe you are not even planning a bachelor party? Did you came across us in search of bachelorette parties, corporate outings, or just an excuse to get some friends together? No problem. When it comes to organizing adventure trips of any nature, I have tons of ideas.

I thank you for visiting BPIB and if there is anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Darren Hitz