Planning the night is probably the most important step — this is where all the plans are laid out for the magic to happen.

The guest list
In order to ensure that you’re not forgetting anyone important (or inviting others who didn’t receive an invitation in the mail), plan the guest list with the groom, or at least have him scan the list himself beforehand. Include the groom’s best buds, relatives, and others that just have to be invited out of politeness.

Since his Amish cousin Jeb and uncle Leo may be present, plan the night by going to a restaurant or starting the night out with cocktails at someone’s house. Once they’ve said their goodbyes, proceed with the rest of the festivities.

Then come the girls. Now the essence of a bachelor party is that there are no girls. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a few of those wild female friends you’ve all had a good time with, for good measure. I’m not talking about inviting the fiance’s friends — in no way should the female guests be associated with the fiance — this cannot be stressed enough. Invite some party girls who have no relation to your everyday crowd, the girls who always want to be around for a good time. If you don’t know of any, just call them up at 976-WILD.

Where you’re going
This usually includes a strip club, a strip joint, oh, and did I mention a gentleman’s club? The night could also involve a restaurant, a casino, his favorite bar, and you may want to cap off the night at a hotel room (the best of the best) or rented penthouse, unless someone is brave enough to offer his pad.

Transportation
It’s important to know where the party is headed all night, in order to arrange how you’ll get from place to place — no designated drivers allowed. Rent a limo for your buds so that no one has to worry about how much they drank, and the only concern is whether or not the champagne is still flowing.

You’ve got the people; you’ve got the places — what’s next?

Extra expenses
Since you’ll probably be a loud and obnoxious bunch, forewarn the kind management at each establishment that you’re holding a bachelor party, so they won’t be surprised when your friend starts approaching all the women in the joint to give them a little spanking. Once you arrive at each party spot, give whoever’s in charge a little extra coin for special treatment. This includes your limo driver for the evening — do it before the night begins.

Also, make sure to set aside some money in case you’re liable for any extra costs, like if you trash a hotel room (your friend putting all his dough in Candy’s thong does not count).

Food and drink
If you’re spending most of the night at a hotel room or apartment, make sure you have enough food and alcohol to keep everyone smiling. You don’t need an elaborate meal; just finger food and plenty of bubbly.

extra, extra!

Make it a night he’ll always remember
Besides making all the arrangements for the bachelor party, you can give the groom something special to remember the night by. No, not a stripper’s phone number, but a video montage of his dating past or of his life, for example, that you can show to everyone at the party.

You don’t want to wave around a video camera all night during the stag party (at least not once it becomes X-rated), but you can take some pictures of the night. This can be useful as collateral for when you want a special favor from your buddy.

Just have fun
This is a night for the guests too, so once all the arrangements are done and the party is in full gear, kick back and enjoy the festivities. The only thing left to worry about is how much fun the night will be, and how you’ll explain those lipstick stains on your collar when laundry day rolls around.

more inspiration

For some inspiration while arranging the party, check out these classic guy flicks:

Swingers — Vegas baby, yeah! Babies, sex, and the boys. It’s money.

Bachelor Party — See Tom Hanks in one of his earlier roles, as the groom-to-be whose bachelor party is full of hookers, drugs and all things ’80s.

Very Bad Things — Check this out to see what to avoid — if the title is any indication, you do not want the bachelor party to end up like this.

Jerry Maguire — Take a look at the video montage of Jerry’s exes at his bachelor party.

Remember, the bachelor party is not supposed to make the groom get cold feet, or think twice about getting married for fear of missing the single life, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get one last taste of it.