We’ve all seen enough blockbusters to know how crazy a bucks party can be. You gather the boys, party your hearts out, experience a once-in-a-lifetime night, lose the groom, and wake up the next morning with no memory whatsoever of what had happened. Or, wait – maybe that was just in the movies.
Obviously, no one wants to drink themselves into oblivion at a bucks party. At least not before making some crazy memories.
However, between being strapped for cash and trying to find out-of-the-box ideas, throwing an awning party can feel like a far-fetched dream. Luckily for you, we have a few expert tips to help you plan an unforgettable celebration as the best man.
Here’s what you can do:
Choose a Good Time
Bucks parties are all about timing. You want to send off the groom with a bang, but that doesn’t mean you should ruin their wedding day either. There are high chances this is going to happen if you choose the night before the wedding to throw a bucks party.
It’s normal to go crazy at a bucks party, but there are ways to avoid turning the night into a recipe for the worst hangover of the year. No need to send the groom on his way hungover, sleep-deprived, and panicking on one of his most important days. Not to mention, planning for two big events back-to-back is going to overwhelm everyone involved.
That’s why it’s better to set the party about a month or two weeks before the wedding. However, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing the time of the party.
For starters, you want to choose a time that works for the biggest number of people. Obviously, it has to suit the groom before anyone else, but it should also be suitable for the groom’s close circle. Although you won’t be able to accommodate every invitees’ schedule, you can at least tailor the time to suit the VIPs.
You’ll also want to choose a time that doesn’t clash with other weddings, birthdays, or other significant events. Be sure to check all the possible holidays and vacations as well. Decide whether you want a quiet and closed bucks party or you won’t mind sharing the space with a crowd, as it always gets super rowdy during public holidays.
Once you decide on the date, be sure to move quickly with your bookings. The earlier you place your bookings, the better deals you’ll get. When placing your bookings, pay attention to the payment options and the possibility of getting a cancellation refund. Some platforms also offer A “pay later” option, which can be useful if you’re currently strapped for cash.
Pick the Theme
Once you start looking into it, you’ll find an overwhelming number of options, especially here in Australia where people go all out for an event like this. But that’s a good thing since you’ll want to explore as many Bucks Party Ideas as possible before you can narrow down your options. The options go from good old pub and club partying to more adventurous ideas like ax throwing and range shooting. Some people like getting active for a change, so they play paintball, go-cart, or even go rock climbing.
It all comes down to your preferences. A good idea is to choose three interesting themes and leave it up to the groom’s choice. However, you should book your activities as soon as you decide on the theme to avoid any issues down the road.
Decide on the Location
Your destination will largely depend on your theme. The theme will also be the deciding factor in choosing the number of days you need. You may only need a night for a typical pub party, but if you’re setting up adventurous activities, you might want to plan it over the course of a weekend. Maybe you’ll decide on a casino weekend, in which case you’ll have more things to prepare.
In all cases, make sure to arrange for accommodation that fits your group for at least one night. In case you’ll be leaving town, you’ll need to book your accommodation as well. Don’t forget you may have the hostel vs. hotel vs house debate, so better get it out of the way as soon as possible.
Ask Your Friends for Help
Don’t try to shoulder all the preparations on your own. It’ll be more meaningful and impactful to divide the tasks between you and the other groomsmen. Taking care of everything on your own will be daunting. You may also struggle with something that can be easily fixed when you rack your brains together.
The most important thing in this step is to be organized. As the group’s leader, start with creating a checklist, then assign and follow up on the tasks. Be sure to maintain an open channel of communication and stress the importance of being reachable.
Discuss the Budget
At some point, you’ll have to address the elephant in the room – and the sooner you do so, the better for everyone. A couple of people will definitely back out on mentioning the budget, but it’s easier for everyone else to manage their affairs if they know the cost in advance. At the very least, that way you can ensure the pack members can definitely make it.
Create a Guest List
Despite your best efforts, not all invitees will attend. Your job is to try to figure out as soon as possible who’ll make it and who won’t. Usually, if you invite around 15 to 20 people, you can expect around 10 to 16 to show up. Make sure the location can fit the number of invitees as well.
As a safety measure, set an early deadline for paying the fees so you can ascertain who’s coming. You can also add all the invitees to a Facebook or a Whatsapp group so everyone can confirm and stay updated with the program.
Send a Reminder
You’ll be the one responsible for making sure all the confirmed attendees are updated. A couple of weeks before the party, be sure to brief them about the timing, program, meeting point, and contact person. You’ll also need to share any special details, like in the case of needing a specific dress code or if there are any changes. The Facebook or Whatsapp group will be a great and convenient way to share all these updates.
Perfecting the Party
Although the bucks party is all about the groom, it’d be nice to add a few touches to ensure the most perfect event. For instance, it’d be nice to hire a party bus to drive guests home instead of letting them leave tipsy or dizzy. You can also discuss splitting the night’s cost evenly among the attendees (the groom excluded, of course). Try hyping the groom by throwing a surprise reception together with the groomsmen at the beginning of the party.
Don’t Let it Get Out of Control
Finally, keep in mind this is a day you want to remember for the rest of your lives. Have a lot of fun, but be sure to set good boundaries. Respect the groom’s wishes and don’t try to humiliate him in front of a crowd. Stick to good partying ethics and ask everyone to act responsibly.
A bucks party is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s something the groom will remember for the rest of his life, and he’ll probably never get the chance to experience it again. It’s also the day you and the boys will keep retailing for the rest of your lives, so it’s crucial to take every step you can to make it perfect. Hopefully, now you know how to throw the best bucks party of your lives.
