The Bachelor Party and Bachelorette Party
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 fiancé.
James Auld webmaster and president of Wrapwithus.com provides expert wedding advice and other services.
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