Putting together a bachelor’s party

VERY soon it will be Christmas again. The second part of the year is about weddings and parties to do with weddings. So, I have been watching bridal showers and bachelor parties being put together overnight with rushed plans and money here and money there and all sorts of things. Of course, it all works out in the end, but it is so not necessary for people to do things blindly. So this week, I will be giving you tips on how to put together a basic bachelor’s party in this city.

First, nights of drunken debauchery are a thing of the past. Today, there are many more imaginative and tasteful ways to celebrate the groom’s last days of singlehood. The best advice I would give the one given the duty of putting together the bachelor’s party (usually the best man’s job) is to ask the groom what he actually wants before planning the party, and tailor the fun accordingly. Of course, if it is a surprise then that is a different story.

So first and foremost find the best date, possibly the week of the wedding, but not too close especially if there will be alcohol involved. Having the bachelor party the same week as the wedding will be beneficial for those travelling from out of town for the wedding. It means they only have to make one trip for both events. We do not want a groom suffering from a hangover at his wedding. Once you have the date, invite the entire wedding party, close friends and relatives. Don’t forget to include your future in-laws such as the brothers. I know it might be a mood killer to invite the father and senior male relatives. That is okay, they should not be offended if they are not invited.

It is a great idea to share the financial load with some of the close friends, etc. However, if finances are not an issue, set the budget and go for it. Try, however, to keep the costs down, because there is the wedding coming which will have added unseen financial issues.

Keep it simple and easy. I would add brief to this but it depends on what you have planned for the evening. Of course because you are men, food tops the list on this occasion, so go for it. Lots and lots of meat. My suggestion to you would be a braai. It is such a sociable way of celebrating. Meat on the braais the whole night, soft drinks or alcohol punch flowing for hours, sadza and rolls on the table, salads and gravy to ease the flow down the throat, music from a home PA system and lots of noise. How much more simple can this be; and it can be held at the back of a friends yard.

But for those guys who want a change, how about celebrating the event at a soccer match. If the wedding party is big enough, the soccer match could be between the men being invited. They can play against each other in a few social games, before ending in a braai. Guys will get this; women will probably say how boring. Yes, all the men can attend the soccer match and then after that have a celebration.

If guys like fishing another brilliant idea would be to hire a house boat and have a weekend of touring and fishing, better still the men can camp on the shore of the lake and do their fishing right there. Once the fish is caught, you can all have a braai with the fish caught (if any is caught).

What I have learnt of most guys is that they prefer the more casual environment, even if they start off at a formal dinner or something; they end up removing their ties and jackets during the night and having fun.

Now I know some guys are saying where are the strippers and female dancers, etc? Really, people, really, do you want the women killing me if I suggest you sneak in prostitutes or strippers? No way!

Make your own dancing competitions at the event, men, or Karaoke competition, why not make fools of yourselves for the last time (for the groom at least). Speeches are a good thing, maybe from the best man and then a relative.

But then again if the guy is a friendly character his friends might want to all speak — go for it.

Ultimately guys the thing to do is to make sure that it is simple from beginning to end. Also ensure that if there is alcohol, there are some designated non-alcoholic drinking drivers at the event so that the drunk guys are taken home. There are many other ways of celebrating, I’m sure you can think of some really fun ways, clubbing, gaming, casino and on and on. Go for it, as long as the groom’s chances of being married are not compromised by his behaviour or that of his friends at his bachelor party.

Right, that is it from me in brief, hope this helps.