The bachelor party is the only pre-wedding celebration focused solely on the groom and it should be a gang-buster event. But this old tradition has a controversial reputation.
The last generation’s stereotypical bachelor party, with its emphasis on drinking and X-rated entertainment, has become increasingly out of touch with today’s men. Increasingly, grooms admit they are uncomfortable with this wild last stand against adulthood.
Poor planning
Andrew Somerset, of London, Ontario, received a broken nose at his stag, which he blames on the youth and exuberance of his friends.
“I would have preferred a fairly quiet party,” says Somerset. But the friend planning the party had other ideas.
The details remain fuzzy. They drank too much and then Andrew was taken to a nearby strip joint. After being thoroughly humiliated, he became upset and got into an argument which led to punches being thrown. He ended up in the emergency room, much to the dismay of his fiancée.
The lesson?
- Eliminate unwanted surprises.
- Plan the party around the groom’s interests and preferences.
- Hold the bachelor party a week or more before the wedding.
Maturity spawns change
Toronto bridal consultant Risa Gold notes that when couples marry later, their desires change. Grooms are more mature so they opt for something tailored to their own taste.
“They’ve seen the stag movies; they’ve been there, done that,” says Gold.
Personal experiences
- Avi Benbihy flew to Las Vegas with seven close friends. His fiancée, Nina Keslassy, spent the weekend with her best friends, with a night out, an afternoon by the pool and a shopping trip.
- Baruk Barkin of Toronto and his pals drove to Detroit for an NFL game.
- Sandor Waldman is having a joint bachelor party with a friend. Both grooms enjoy sports and games, so the bachelor party will include a game of paint ball followed by a trip to a sports bar.
