Okay, you have the idea about what the groom wants to do for his bachelor party…but now what? If you’re anything like most groomsmen, the planning process can get a little hazy and blurry, induce excessive perspiration, and may even cause you to faint. That’s completely okay, because that’s what we’re for and here are some step-by-step instructions on how to execute your mission are listed below.

Confirm where and when with the groom. After the groom decides what he wants to do, figure out where you’ll be going and where you’re going to stay. If this is a one day activity, then obviously there’s no need for lodging decisions. Otherwise, figure out if you’re staying at a hotel, cabin, lake house, treehouse, yurt, cottage, etc. then specifically choose which hotel, cabin, lake house, treehouse, yurt, cottage, etc. it will be.

Approximate general expense. After you have the lodging nailed down, calculate the average cost it will be for everyone to stay there. Have a general sense of what everyone can afford and what everyone will want to pay. The bachelor should be covered in his costs for this, so divide his dollar amount across the groomsmen as well. Also, include any extra-excursion costs into the general total per each attendee. They’ll appreciate the heads up of what’s to come.

Pick a date. Unless you’re looking to plan this party on a super busy weekend in hopes of spicing up your trip with a bunch of tourists and/or children, try to book around major holidays and national events. Also, consider who out of the attendees has children and will need notice of the date as soon as possible to make sure their family life is in order before they retreat to the wilderness with no cell service for roughly 48-72 hours. DO NOT plan the party the night before the wedding!

Alert the troops. Send an email or round everyone up via conch shell horn and include the details of the party and/or trip. When translated into the male dialect, it should go somewhat like this;

TITLE (i.e. Brad’s Bachelor Party)

We’re doing (chosen activity), so bring (items necessary for chosen activity). We’re going on (date of departure) and coming back (date of return). Bring $(trip/activity expense estimation). 

Then maybe include something about getting your affairs in order before the trip, any flight details if you’ll be going somewhere exotic like Lake Tahoe, then finish it off with a nice photo of Brad (or whoever the groom is) last Halloween performing a full whip & nae nae in his Stormtrooper costume.  

Once you have everything in order, you’ll feel less panicked about logistics, and therefore, fully able to freely take part in all the hilarity and manly bonding that will ensue during the bachelor party. Just make sure to keep tabs on the groom (he will be needed shortly thereafter for the wedding ceremony and marriage to follow) and you’ll be golden.