A ‘bachelor bash’ in the US, ‘stag-do’ in the UK, Ireland and Canada, a ‘buck’s party’ in Australia and with French flair enterrement de vie de garçon (translating to: ‘the burial of the life as a boy’). Different terms, but all describing one last party as an unmarried man.
Bachelor parties of the recent past have brought up imagery of cigars, strip clubs and endless bouts of drinking. It has been portrayed as one last free pass where everything goes! While we know that marriage isn’t necessarily the end of individuality and fun, celebrating singlehood has become a rite of passage. Very few weddings, especially in the Western world don’t have a bachelor party as part of pre-wedding festivities. This reason-to-party is gaining significant importance in the East too.
The more popular, publicised parties would have us believe that this pre-wedding celebration is an invention of the modern world. However, it was in ancient Sparta (of ‘300’ fame) that the earliest pre-wedding custom was recorded and recognised. That was in about 5 BC! While their practices and rituals may vary from those of today, the sentiment remains the same – a toast to a close friend before a major life event!
Through the ages, bachelor parties have been organized and conducted differently – with the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century influencing those we know today. These have been fun nights in pubs with co-workers and friends, black-tie events hosted by the groom-to-be’s father and weekends of ‘no-limits’.
However, more recently, there has been a big change in what happens at a bachelor bash. People marrying when they are older, and more financially well-settled, increased travel options and more activities to choose from are some factors that influence how bachelor parties are planned today.
Men today may choose weekends of heavy drinking in favour of a trip to the mountains. Similarly, strip-club surfing is being replaced by renting a yacht for a weekend of fishing and sailing.
Move over Las Vegas! Another practice that is becoming popular is a trip to an offsite location. In this regard, here are a few places that we recommend if you’re planning a bachelor bash for your best mate. There’s plenty here to see and do while still focussing on strengthening the bonds of friendship that you’ve probably had for years. What’s better? You won’t have to break the bank while making this trip!
If your idea of a bachelor party doesn’t involve clanging slot machines, scantily dressed women, and bright lights, read on…