How to Plan the Ultimate Bachelor Party

There’s only one wedding-related event where the groom is the center of attention: the bachelor party. At this pre-wedding celebration, the groom's closest friends and family members gather together to honor the man of the hour's upcoming marriage, whether it's drinking and golfing in his town of residence or enjoying a weekend-long vacation at a resort in Aruba.

According to event designer and planner Madiha Khan, these functions are a great way for the groom-to-be and friends to bond together, create long-lasting memories, explore new places, and celebrate this huge life milestone. Meaning, although bachelor parties tend to get a bad reputation—associated with strip clubs, hiring exotic dancers, or engaging in frowned-upon activities—they're usually not as risqué as one might think.

With all this in mind, if you've been tasked with hosting a bachelor party, you might be wondering how to pull off this important event. To make your job a little easier, we asked the experts to give us the rundown on everything you need to know as the host, from the best time to throw this event to the appropriate people to invite. Plus, we share must-know tips on how to organize this pre-wedding affair, including bachelor party ideas and locations to consider.

Keep scrolling to access our complete guide to planning a bachelor party, which you'll definitely want to bookmark.

Bachelor Party Etiquette Questions, Answered

Curious about the proper bachelor party etiquette to follow? Here are frequently-asked etiquette questions, plus answers from the experts.

Who hosts a bachelor party?

The groom’s best man or his closest friends traditionally plan the bachelor party, but there aren't any rules that prohibit the groom from planning his own pre-wedding celebration. Either way, make sure that the person organizing the affair communicates all important information to the groomsmen well in advance, so everyone can make proper arrangements to attend.

When do you throw a bachelor party?

Although Rester says the bachelor party can happen at any point leading up to the wedding, the most common time is one to three months ahead of this big day. While it's convenient to plan bachelor and bachelorette parties on the same weekend, it isn't always possible to make this happen since you'll need to navigate multiple schedules. 

However, you should start planning the bachelor party at least three to six months before the festivities, depending on how elaborate the itinerary will be. This timeframe provides ample time to understand the attendees' preferences and complete any necessary bookings or reservations before they fill up.

Can you plan a bachelor party during a holiday weekend?

Definitely, Rester says. “Labor Day and Memorial Day are great bachelor party weekends, so the guests attending don’t have to take any days off work,” she notes. If you’re planning a bachelor party on a holiday weekend, though, keep in mind that some hotels might jack up the price due to the increased demand. And if you’re partying in a tourist attraction, expect some restaurants to have longer wait times.

How involved with planning the bachelor party should the groom be?

Let the groom decide how involved he wants to be in planning his own bachelor party. “Sometimes, the groom is completely surprised by the entire weekend and leaves it all to the best man,” Rester mentions. “Or sometimes, the groom likes to be involved in all the planning that occurs to ensure a great weekend for him and his friends and family.”

Who gets invited to a bachelor party?

Traditionally, the groomsmen and the groom's close male friends and family members receive an invitation to the bachelor party. That being said, whoever is planning the bachelor party should clear the guest list with the groom before sending the invite, and anyone who attends the bachelor party should also be invited to the wedding.

Are formal invitations required for a bachelor party?

Paper invitations aren't necessary for bachelor parties. Instead, spread the word via a group chat, where you share the date, location, and itinerary. That way, you and every attendee can have an ongoing conversation. When it's time to book hotels and flights, move the discussion over to email.

Who pays for the bachelor party?

In most cases, all attendees pay their own way, covering their own food, lodging, and activities. The planner should give everyone an average estimate of these costs before the guests transfer their money for deposits or airfare. Sometimes, the parents of the groom will pay for a portion of the costs, whether that’s a meal, part of the hotel or house rental, or an activity. 

Do you need to bring a gift to the bachelor party?

Bachelor party gifts are not required, though some attendees choose to bring small tokens that the group can enjoy during the festivities, such as alcohol, cigars, sports equipment, or party games. Another iteration is for the group to cover the groom's cost at one of the events, such as dinner at a restaurant, a round of drinks at a bar, or a particular outing.

Should you hire strippers?

Contrary to many media references, not all bachelor parties include strippers. If you're unsure whether adult entertainment is expected, consult the groom and guests. If you already know everyone well enough, you'll probably have a good grasp on the matter. Otherwise, there's no shame in bringing it up or taking an anonymous vote. Just be mindful of the fact that this party is for the groom, not everyone else in attendance. If the groom isn't keen on strippers but everyone else is game, the groom's wishes hold more weight.

Tips for Planning a Bachelor Party

Want to ensure you plan a bachelor party for the books? Follow these seven steps, according to Rester.

Determine the Guest List

Figure out the headcount for the bachelor party, and then, determine who to invite. While the groomsmen almost always make the guest list, you can also invite others who are close to the groom. “People are often invited to the bachelor party who aren’t necessarily in the wedding," Rester mentions. “This helps the groom get to include as many people as possible.”

Pick a Location

To help nail down the perfect locale for your bachelor party, determine a central theme and an overall vibe. Maybe a laid-back, relaxing weekend is in order. In that case, lounging by the beach, whether it's in Rhode Island or the Bahamas, will match that vision. Perhaps you're looking for something more active, so a camping trip in the woods, with white water rafting and hiking, is more in line with that goal.

Set a Date 

Pre-select a few weekends to run by your bachelor party crew, and be sure to ask for their preferences and whether they have any potential conflicts. Hopefully, there’s one weekend where everyone can attend.

Book Accommodations

For destination bachelor parties, Rester recommends going with a house rental over hotel rooms almost every time. “That way, you can have groceries and booze at the house, so you’re not having to eat out every meal,” she points out. “And some of the best times are waking up with everyone and recapping the night before.” It also makes meals and parking easier to navigate if some of the guests are driving instead of flying.

Plan the Activities 

Contrary to popular belief, bachelor parties involve more than just drinking copious amounts of booze. Plan two to three group outings, whether that’s chartering a boat, attending a sporting event, or going bowling. You don't want the bachelor weekend to feel like one giant to-do list, so avoid cramming in too many events, and make sure to schedule ample downtime. “Don’t think that you need the entire weekend planned out,” Rester adds. “Some of the best times are hanging out at the house together.”

Arrange Group Meals

Since large groups make dining in restaurants a little challenging, try to book as many reservations as you can ahead of time. Make sure the restaurant can split the check, so no one gets stuck paying the hefty bill. Otherwise, download Splitwise or Venmo for easy transactions.

Additionally, you probably won't want to eat out for every single meal, so stock the rental with easy-to-prepare choices, like frozen pizza. Another option is delivering catered meals to the house. You'll also want to fill the pantry with snacks for guests to nosh on late at night or in between meals.

Confirm Attendance 

Once you have a good idea of the estimated price for lodging and activities, share these numbers with the group so they can start making their arrangements. Let everyone know that once they confirm their attendance, they’re agreeing to pay their portion of expenses for the entire weekend, so there’s no backing out.

The Best Bachelor Party Ideas

When creating the event's itinerary, Khan stresses the importance of including activities that are in line with the groom's interests. If you're looking for some suggestions, these bachelor party ideas are sure to inspire you.

Go Golfing

According to Khan, golf is a sought-after activity that many hosts include on the bachelor party itinerary. If you're looking for an event that lasts all day in the great outdoors, try a full 18-hole course, complete with drinks. For an iteration that requires less time and commitment, you can always head to a driving range or go mini-golfing.

Tour a Brewery

If the groom is a craft beer aficionado, Khan recommends booking a private tour of a local brewery or distillery as a bachelor party idea. These tours often include access to the facility, plus beer tastings and snacks. If wine is the groom's drink of choice, Khan says you can also visit a winery—some of her favorites are in Napa Valley or Healdsburg, California.

Arrange a Bar Crawl

Another drinking-related bachelor party idea is a bar crawl. Whether you're traveling for the bachelor party or keeping it local, make a list of the spots you want to visit ahead of time. Mapping out bars that are within walking distance from one another is preferable, but if these establishments are more spread out, make sure to figure out a mode of transportation that will shuttle everyone to and from each place.

Attend a Sporting Event

For grooms who are into sports, buying tickets to attend a game, especially if his favorite team is playing, will make the bachelor party one for the books. Whether it's watching baseball, basketball, football, or hockey, these events are full of energy and community, which will increase the momentum and contribute to amazing shared memories. You can also extend the activity by tailgating beforehand.

Buy Concert Tickets

Buying tickets to a concert or a music festival is the perfect bachelor party idea for grooms who are passionate about music. If their favorite band is going on tour, let the concert schedule inform your bachelor party destination. For those who are more interested in festivals, find one that complements the groom's genre preferences, from bluegrass to country.

Try Camping

Whether it's an overnight stay or a weekend getaway, camping in a scenic, natural place is a highly memorable bachelor party idea. Since camping often includes activities, such as hiking, fishing, and white water rafting, this type of bachelor party is best for those looking for an action-packed trip, but you can definitely organize a more restorative affair that entails simply sitting around the campfire.

Organize a Surprise

Even if the groom is heavily involved in the planning process, adding a surprise element to the agenda will make the bachelor party extra special for the man of the hour. This might look like flying in a friend or family member who previously said they couldn't attend (per Khan), playing a video message from his favorite celebrity via Cameo, or arranging an activity that centers around his go-to pastime.

Top Bachelor Party Locations in the U.S.

The days of heading to Las Vegas to get drunk and gamble are long gone, according to Khan. While there's nothing wrong with visiting Sin City to celebrate, there are many other spots that offer plenty of things to do for an unparalleled experience. Whether you let the agenda inform your locale or vice versa, here are some of the top bachelor party locations in the United States to consider.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is an in-demand bachelor party location, per Khan. This city has balmy temperatures year-round and an unlimited amount of activities to participate in. For some ideas, Khan suggests going hiking or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, watching comedy shows at Comedy Mothership or Esther's Follies, or listening to live music at The Continental Club.

Nashville, Tennessee

Another location that offers a lot to do, according to Khan, is Nashville, Tennessee. Since this city, aptly nicknamed "Music City," has a robust live music scene, this spot is best for those who want to spend their bachelor party listening and singing along to artists and bands performing country, rock, pop, jazz, and so much more. Not to mention, Khan says Nashville has many distilleries, art galleries, and museums to visit, plus delicious cuisine.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Since Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from, it's a popular spot for bachelor parties. With beautiful mountain ranges, this town has a strong skiing and snowboarding scene in the winter. Khan suggests booking Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for a stay in the colder months. The summer season also provides an array of warm-weather activities, such as fly fishing, golf, and river rafting, Khan says.

Miami, Florida

For grooms who want to immerse themselves in an energetic city, consider Miami, Florida. This southeastern spot has endless restaurants, shops, and clubs to explore. Of course, a huge draw of this destination is the warm weather, so for more laid-back bachelor parties or in between scheduled events, make sure to spend time at the pool or beach.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a bustling city filled with culture and history. With bustling nightlife, delicious food, and live music, there is no shortage of activities to choose from. For some suggestions, organize a walking tour of French Quarter to admire the architecture, listen to jazz performances at Preservation Hall, or visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Without a doubt, the biggest event of the year in New Orleans is Mardi Gras, so if you want to be a part of the action, plan the bachelor party accordingly. Since accommodations and restaurants during this festival will book up quickly, remember to plan the event well in advance.