The bachelor party is a special time for the groom and close male
friends to spend time together before the wedding ceremony. This
event was originally called stag night or the bachelor dinner.
This tradition originates from the 5th century BC in Sparta when
the groom would gather with his male friends the night before his
wedding. His male friends would toast the groom to ward off evil
spirits. Bachelor parties have always had a reputation for lots
of drinking. Today many people refer to bachelor parties as the
grooms "last taste of freedom" and their last celebration of
single status. The party allows the groom and wedding attendants
to release their jitters before the wedding. Bachelor parties,
like bachelorette parties, are typically held close to the
wedding date, but it should not occur the night before the
wedding. This would put unnecessary stress on the groom and
wedding attendants. Also, you don\'t want anyone hung-over or
exhausted for the wedding day. Anywhere from a week before the
wedding to two nights before the wedding are good times to have
the party.
The best man is usually in charge of making the arrangements and
he should talk to the groom about who to invite to make sure
everyone will get along. Of course the groom, best man and the
ushers should all be included, as well as any other close friends
or family. Keep in mind that this should be a small gathering of
very close friends and family, with only about 10-15 people. The
best man should also ask for the groom\'s input on what he would
like to do. This is a time of celebration and the groom\'s
preferences should be taken into account.
There are endless options on what to do; hire a female stripper;
go to a strip club, dance club or bar; spend a day on a boat;
take a hike; go to a sporting event; go on a ski trip; or go
gambling. The key here is to have fun! People usually drink
during bachelor parties, but don\'t let things get out of control.
It is the best man\'s responsibility to help keep things under
control and to make sure the groom doesn\'t do anything he is
going to regret. Make sure everyone has a good time, but it is
never acceptable to cheat. Traditionally the party ends when the
groom makes a toast to his bride
The bachelorette party is a special time for the bride and close
female friends to spend time together before the wedding
ceremony. The bachelorette party is not nearly as formal or as
large as the bridal shower. It is not customary to give the bride
gifts for her bachelorette party. This party is about having fun
and spending quality time together to celebrate the end of the
bride\'s single status.
The maid of honor is usually in charge of making the arrangements
for the party and decorations. She should talk to the bride about
the guest list to be certain that everyone gets along. The guest
list for the bachelorette party should include the bride, maid of
honor and the bridesmaids, as well as any other close friends or
family. Keep in mind that this should be a small gathering of
very close friends and family, with only about 10-15 people in
total. It is much harder to get larger groups together and the
intimacy of this event will be lost with a larger group. The maid
of honor should send out invitations a couple of weeks before the
party. She should also ask for the bride\'s input on what she
would like to do for her party. This is a time of celebration and
the bride\'s preferences should be taken into account.
There are an endless number of options on what to do; hire a male
stripper; go to a strip club, dance club or bar; spend a day on a
boat; go for a spa treatment; go on a scavenger hunt; take a
hike; play board games; or have a picnic. The key here is to have
fun! Make the bride feel special with an iron on shirt saying "My
Last Night Out," a bachelorette cap with veil or put a
bachelorette car flag on her car to advertise that you are out to
have a wild time. End the evening with the group signing a
special bachelorette autograph hat to give the bride as a
keepsake for the amazing time you had together.
This event typically takes place close to the wedding date, but
it should not occur the night before the wedding. This would put
unnecessary stress on the bride and wedding attendants. Also, you
don\'t want anyone hung-over or exhausted for the wedding day. The
bachelorette party is one of the last nights the bride will be a
single girl, however don\'t do anything to jeopardize the wedding.
Just because it\'s her last night out being single doesn\'t give
her to right to cheat on her fianc?.
James Auld webmaster and president of Wrapwithus.com provides
expert wedding advice and other services.
James Auld | 
