BACHELOR PARTY

With the wedding preparations over, the groom deserves a treat from his male friends. This is what the bachelor party is all about. The idea of a bachelor party is said to have its origins in ancient Sparta, where soldiers would give a toast over dinner on the night prior to a friend's wedding. In the modern days, a bachelor party usually involves activities beyond the customary parties and social gathering ingredients, which symbolize the rite of passage to marital life from bachelorhood.

Though tremendously fun, throwing a memorable bachelor party is harder than it seems. Like anything, it takes good planning. Organizers should have an idea of what the bachelor likes or dislikes. Experts attest that bachelor parties are more remarkable if they give the groom an awesome time instead of humiliate him.

The organizing and planning tasks of a bachelor party are usually assigned to the groom's male siblings or the best man. In some events, however, any close male friend can plan on the party. Traditionally, the bachelor party's planned activities are kept as top secret, such that everyone knows except the groom.

No invitations are sent for the event. Organizers of the party typically ask the groom's male friends -- through phone or e-mail, to show up at the event. Tasks must be assigned, just as ideas must be pooled in. During this part, the budget can be set and the event can be managed. Everyone must be covered, and as the groom is the core of the party, no important friend of his should be left out.

There are a handful of bachelor party ideas, which all share a common goal -- to guarantee that the groom and the partygoers won't have a dull time. Participants expect lots of food and drinks. The most commonly known idea however, as depicted in movies, are bachelor parties with a stripper which the groom's friends present as one of their gifts. Usual bachelor party games also include putting the groom on the spot to recall naughty and fun experiences. In most cases, this idea does not obtain the bride-to-be's approval, so it is important to ask the groom.

Other bachelor parties involve sports. The bachelor and his male friends get together and compete in volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball, football or golf. A bachelor party can also mean outdoor activities such as camping or exploring the woods with beer and food. Others include bungee jumping, rafting or dirt biking in their adventure activities. Another bachelor party idea is for the groom and his friends to play poker or other similar games and gamble at the casino all night.

While it is usually all madness, fun and laughter, the bachelor party is meant to treat the groom. With that, it either makes the most of a groom's final chance to involve himself in certain activities that his new wife might disapprove of, or merely allows him to spend bonding time with his male pals. Either way, the bachelor party should be something that the groom will see as the most fun-filled event right before he tied the knot!

Bachelor Party