A good bucks party can be a true night to not remember, or, ideally, one for the record books. There is nothing like a night out with the guys, celebrating friendships and family, looking forward to the next chapter and bidding farewell to the last. It is one of those occasions that you really want to get right, but doing so can be tough.
Should you aim for something unique or classic? Who should actually organise and pay for this most important of nights? If you are getting married soon or planning on organising a Bucks party for someone else, read on to discover all you need to know…
What is the tradition of Bucks party?
Also known as stag dos, stag parties, or bachelor parties depending on where you are in the world, the idea of a last night with only blokes, held right before the wedding, has a long and rich history. While it may seem a fairly modern concept, men have been raising a glass and letting loose at a bucks party for thousands of years.
The tradition originated in Sparta in 500 BC, where a soldier’s friends would toast his upcoming wedding as if he were heading off to war. Stories of youthful fun and mistakes were shared and plenty of alcohol was drunk – really not all that different from the modern-day bucks party.
Since then, men have often gathered to eat, drink, and be merry the night before the wedding. However the increase in popularity of rehearsal dinners or wedding feasts that same night meant that sometimes the bucks party had to happen days or even weeks in advance.
Now, bucks all over the world choose dates earlier than the night before the wedding, avoiding a hangover on such an important day, and giving more options for how to celebrate. Buck parties can last days or even longer, with trips abroad increasingly popular. There is really no limit to what you can do on a Bucks party today, as long as it is within your budget, wishes, and the law.
Bucks Party Ideas Australia
Coming up with a truly unforgettable bucks party can be tough, with so many clichés and traditions to include or avoid. If you are trying to plan a bucks party in Australia, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Hire a boat – one of the best and most iconic choices for any bucks party is to take a boat out, have a BBQ, and toss back a few beers while looking out at the view. For a truly memorable party, look at private boat hire on Sydney Harbour, then follow up your boat trip with more fun in the city.
- Throw a poker party – a classic choice, but popular for a reason, make a poker game part of your night, and settle down for some cards, drinks, and lots of fun.
- Go paintballing – who doesn’t enjoy running around and shooting at your mates with paint-filled bullets? This is a fantastic way to start off your weekend. Or, if you are cruel, make it the activity the morning after a heavy night and see how the groom fares.
- Do a whiskey tasting – or whatever the groom’s drink of choice is. Having an expert teach you a little about booze while getting to taste the good stuff will certainly start your night off right.
- Go to the races – horse racing is an excellent choice for bucks parties if you are throwing one at the right time of year. Get dressed up, hit the betting area, and watch the races from your choice of spots ranging from private and posh to crowded and lively.
- Go go-karting – if you like a bit of competition with your Bucks party, why not go go-karting, and see which of the bucks gets to raise the cup – and then get doused in fizz.
- Take a trip – you can go anywhere and do anything on a bucks party, from a pricey and extravagant week in Thailand or the Netherlands, to a camping trip in the woods.
There are so many activities you can do, places you can go, and styles of buck parties you can choose from. The important thing is to decide on a budget that everyone can afford, think about what the groom might actually want, and organise activities where you can laugh, hang out, and bid farewell to single life.
Who is supposed to organise a Bucks party?
Despite this being the groom’s night with all his closest friends, he traditionally does not plan the Bucks party. While the wedding planning may be the purview of the bride and groom, the bucks party is supposed to be organised by the best man. Often, the groomsmen, or close friends of the groom, will work together to plan a night or weekend that their friend will love, or sometimes will hate.
Some bucks parties go more for humiliation or embarrassment, though the majority still focus on those ancient traditions of male bonding, storytelling, and drinking.
Who usually pays for a Bucks party?
When it comes down to paying for your weekend in Sydney or your day and night of fun activities, traditionally, the groom won’t chip in. The costs are usually split between all of the attendees, with each paying a little extra to cover the groom.
For example, if 10 people were going to the bucks party, with the 11th being the groom, and it cost AU$200 each, they would each pay AU$220 instead to cover the groom’s share.
Final thoughts
Bucks parties have a rich history, allowing the groom and his best friends to get together and remember past times, to toast the future, and to have one last night of debauchery. While the core components of drinking and storytelling tend to remain, you can celebrate your bucks party however you want, depending on what the groom might like and what suits your budget.
If you are looking for a hopefully memorable bucks party activity, look no further than a private boat trip on Sydney Harbour for the best location for a last night of freedom – or just a good time with the lads.
