Bachelor parties are often wild celebrations thrown by the groom’s male friends or family to celebrate his last days of freedom. However, not all parties involve debauchery and some couples prefer more discreet events. There are rules to follow, including avoiding conflict with the hen party and respecting the groom’s wishes for discretion.
The rituals and customs surrounding marriage range from the serious and sacred to the hedonistic and possibly incriminating. A custom known as a bachelor party often falls into the latter categories. This type of party is usually thrown by male members of the groom’s family or future groomsmen, ostensibly to celebrate the groom’s last days of freedom as a single man. While there are no set rules regarding the events of such a party, the evening is generally filled with male bonding over booze, light acrobatics, and exotic entertainment from hired dancers.
The stag do ritual, also known as a bachelor party, is believed to be centuries old. Part of the party’s function is to allow the groom’s male friends one last opportunity to relive a time when they could be irresponsible and immature without penalty. A raucous party is often seen as a Viking funeral for the groom’s teenage years before entering the world of adult responsibility.
However, not all bachelor parties are destined to become legendary for their tales of wanton debauchery and destruction. Some newlyweds actually prefer a more discreet event if they plan to host one. A bachelor party can turn out to be more than an informal gathering of the groom’s closest friends and relatives at a local restaurant or nightclub. Since a number of couples now live together before marriage, the idea of visiting a strip club or hiring a private dancer may not be as appealing as it might seem. The stereotypical image of an uninhibited, booze-fueled party might be more fodder for movies than reality.
There are certain rules surrounding a bachelor party that should be followed to the letter of the law. It should never be kept anywhere near the venue for the hen party equivalent. This is when both bride and groom have one final, uninhibited fling as single adults, so party planners should coordinate their efforts to avoid potential embarrassment or conflict.
A spouse should never be forced to participate in any act of hazing or sexual indiscretion. Guests should always respect the wishes of the groom and keep the details of the party to themselves. Sharing party information with friends of the bride can only lead to trouble. Guests should also be discouraged from taking photos or recording the event. A successful bachelor party depends a lot on the discretion of the guests.
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