It’s no secret that for many guys, the Stag Do is the most hotly anticipated part of the entire wedding ritual. Obviously, the groom-to-be will be hugely excited by the prospect of publicly declaring his love and making a lifelong commitment to the new Mrs. However, what lad in his right mind wouldn’t a day or evening of fun with his closest friends, dearest relatives and a handful of stragglers picked up in the local pub?
As the best man, it’s your duty to make sure that the Stag Do is a resounding success and achieving that requires careful planning. To help, we’ve put together a checklist of the major tasks that lie ahead. Stick to them and you won’t go far wrong (until the night itself, naturally).
Who’s invited:
Chat with the groom about the guys he’d like to come along. Organizing these affairs is like herding cats, so keep the group tight and drop some of those extra workmates and acquaintances. The groom can organize some after-work drinks with them instead.
Once you have a list of who’s invited create a group chat to establish what sort of budget they’ll have and learn about any particular requirements. There’s no point planning a trip to Vegas if the groom’s brother only has $100 to spend or has a fear of flying, so get a clear idea of what everyone’s up for before you begin.
Set the date
Do not, on any account, plan the Stag Party for the night before the wedding. You want it to be close to the day itself, but not so near that half the party are still sloshed or missing in action during the ceremony. Start planning a minimum of three months in advance and consult everyone who’s coming along to find a date that works for all.
Ask the groom
As much fun as this is going to be for you, it’s actually supposed to be the groom’s night. Sit him down over a pint and chat about what he wants to get out of the Stag Do, so that you can be sure he’ll enjoy what you have planned.
Delegate tasks
The person booking everything should be who collecting collects the money.
Someone needs to make sure the Stag has everything he needs.
There’s a hell of a lot to do, so having a company like BoyzWeekend to manage your bookings and logistical part of the day is critical.
Examine the options
A decent Stag Do can consist of anything from an evening in your local pub to a four-day bender. You’ll need to choose something that suits everybody’s tastes and budget, so be realistic. Choose the activities everyone will get a kick out of and be talking about for days.
Plan and book ahead
Booking ahead of time will allow your Stag Do to secure the activities you want; the best suited accommodation and it’ll be less stressful. Again, there’s a hell of a lot to do, so having a company like BoyzWeekend to manage your bookings and logistical part of the day is critical.
Keep a grip on reality
Many a bumper night out has been ruined by members getting so intoxicated that they can’t function. Which doesn’t go well with a lot of venues and activities these days. It’s best to schedule in some food stops along the way to keep people from keeling over. Another good idea is to plan activities that require you to be sober (clay shooting etc…), this will ebb the flow of alcohol long enough to make a real difference.
While you’re at it, remember that your primary job is to get the groom home in one piece. If you’re planning any pranks, rule out anything that offers a fair chance of leaving him mentally and physically scarred. As a basic rule of thumb, imagine explaining what you have in mind to his bride to be when you get home. If you think she might get violent in response – don’t do it.
