The Ultimate Stag Do Planning Checklist

Welcome to the ultimate guide for planning the perfect stag do! Whether you're the groom-to-be or the best man, navigating stag party planning can be a whirlwind of excitement and big decisions. But we've curated the essential stag do checklist to ensure every detail is flawlessly executed. So grab your notes, unleash your inner party planner, and let's create a celebration that's as unique and memorable as the groom himself! 

How To Plan A Stag/Bachelor Party

How to Plan a Stag Do: Tips for a Smooth & Stress-Free Bash

Planning a stag do is all about balancing fun with organisation. Whether you’re heading abroad or staying closer to home, getting the details right early on will make sure everyone has a cracking time. Here are some key tips to make your stag do planning a breeze:

1. Assign Rooms Before You Go
If you’re planning a full weekend away, it’s a good idea to decide who’s sleeping where ahead of time. This avoids confusion and any potential squabbles when you arrive. For extra organisation, you could even put room lists on each door!

2. Get the Groom’s Input Early
The stag do is all about giving the Groom a memorable send-off, so make sure you know what he wants. Whether it’s wild or low-key, ask him what he’s hoping for or send him a quick survey to nail down the essentials.

3. Get the Guest List from the Groom
Ask the Groom for a full list of mates he wants to invite, plus their contact details. Having everyone’s numbers handy will make the coordination much smoother down the line.

4. Don’t Offer Too Many Choices
When it comes to the big stuff like date, destination, activities, and budget—just take charge. Too many options can slow everything down and make it hard to agree on anything. Instead, use the Groom’s preferences as a guide and present the group with a solid plan.

5. If Needed, Use a Doodle Poll to Set the Date
If you’d rather give people a say on the date, keep it simple. Use a Doodle poll to suggest a few dates and go with the one that suits most of the group.

6. Don’t Stress if Some People Can’t Make It
Not everyone will be able to attend, and that’s okay. Busy schedules, family commitments, or tight budgets can mean some mates will have to miss out. Focus on making it a great time for those who can be there.

7. Discuss Budget Expectations with the Groom
Some Grooms don’t mind what their mates spend, while others may want to be considerate of budgets. It’s worth having this chat early so you can pitch the stag do at the right price point.

8. Decide if the Group is Covering the Groom’s Costs
It’s common for the group to chip in and cover the Groom’s share of the stag do costs, but it’s not essential. Decide as a group early on and factor it into your budget to avoid any awkwardness later.

9. Set a Budget and Stick to It
Agree on a budget upfront and communicate it clearly when inviting the group. This gives everyone time to plan and decide if it’s manageable for them.

10. Offer Payment Instalments
Breaking the cost into instalments helps make it easier on everyone’s wallet. Let the group know when payments are due well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

11. Manage the Money Properly
Be clear about how you’ll handle the money. Whether it’s a shared online fund, group bank transfer, or a budget app, make sure payments are tracked and everything is secure.

4-6 Months Out - Start Research & Planning

• Consult the groom
• Make a guest list (and a Group Chat)
• Agree on the stag party budget
• Pick a date and send save the dates
• Get researching into themes and locations (especially if abroad) 

3 Months Out - Get Booking

• Decide on the stag party type and theme
• Draft a stag-do agenda
• Book the venue and/or accommodation
• Book group activities and reserve any restaurants/bars (don’t forget dietary requirements)
• Arrange for catering and other services
• Keep an eye on the price (make sure you cover the cost of the groom and leave contingency for any cancellations - any money left over can go on booze) 

2 Months Out – Polish the Plan

• Check in with the guests and send the itinerary 
• Confirm all the bookings (especially if some stags have to book transport themselves)
• Take care of the booze
• Organise the stag party decor using our stag party ideas
• Collect a deposit from all of the stags and get a payment plan in place
• Pick up the decor and sort out goodie bags for the stags

Two Weeks To Go – Almost There

• Download our stag party playlist 
• Collect the final balance of the money
• Find some fun games to play in case you need to fill any gaps in time like our Mr & Mrs Quiz
• Send out a reminder of dress codes and any must-have items 

One Week To Go – Get Ready to (Stag) Party

• Pack the essentials
• Don't forget to tell the groom where he needs to be and what he needs to bring
• Reiterate meeting points, what times you’ll be eating etc.  

The Day Of - Tonight’s The Night

• Have a good time (and make sure others do, too)
• Set up the games, activities, food, decor 
• Ensure the groom is relaxed and happy

Does the groom pay for his own stag do?

It’s generally expected that the stag does not pay for himself and the other stags put in together to cover the cost. Although this depends on your friend group and the activity you’re planning. 

How do you make a stag do unforgettable?

Make a stag do special by choosing an activity that the groom loves or has always wanted to do. It’s also about upgrading run-of-the-mill activities like going to the pub by dressing up in something fun. Going golfing with a band that follows you around…get creative! 

How many people is too many for a stag do?

The average size of a stag do is generally between 12-16 people as anything over that can get complicated with planning logistics, especially if you need to book hotels. With that being said, it’s also entirely dependent on the size of the respective friend group and the activity you’re planning. If you’re planning a theme park trip, you might want to ensure you have even numbers. 

Should a stag do be a surprise?

If the groom likes surprises, then it’s a fun way to make the stag do special but at the same time, it’s also important to consult the groom and make sure the stag party activity is something that he wants to do. If the groom is a control freak, this might be something you avoid. 

How long before a wedding is a stag do? 

On average, a stag do is often as little as 2-6 weeks before the wedding. Whereas, hen parties are around 4-8 weeks before the wedding, this is because it’s usually the bride who organises the last-minute plans and details before the wedding as well as indulging in a few beauty treatments.

Become the best party planner with this downloadable stag do checklist

For the ultimate stag do, you need the tunes to match. That’s why we have put together a stag party playlist with 150+ songs to suit any stag do activity. Still undecided on what the stag do should be? Take a look at these 101 stag do ideas for some more inspiration!