Bachelor party

Last updated

A bachelor being led to his party Wes' Bachelor Party 005.jpg
A bachelor being led to his party

A bachelor party (in the United States and in Canada), also known as a stag weekend, stag do or stag party (in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries, and Ireland), or a buck's night (in Australia), [1] is a party held/arranged by the man who is shortly to enter marriage.

Contents

A stag night is usually planned by the groom's friends or family.

The first references to Western stag nights in the Oxford English Dictionary date to the 19th century. [2] Traditionally, stag nights involved a black tie banquet hosted by the father of the groom that included a toast in honour of the groom and bride. [3] Since the 1980s, some bachelor parties in the United States have involved vacationing to a foreign destination, [3] or have featured female company such as strippers or topless waitresses.

History

The bachelor party dates back as early as the 5th century B.C. The ancient Spartans celebrated the groom's last night as a single man in which they held a dinner and made toasts on his behalf. [4]

In 1896, Herbert Barnum Seeley, a grandson of P. T. Barnum, threw a stag party (known as the "Awful Seeley Dinner") for his brother at the restaurant Sherry's in New York City. The party had a dancer nicknamed "Little Egypt" who allegedly danced naked in desserts. The party was dissolved in the early morning by an officer. Afterwards, the Seeley family brought the police officer to the police board trial for "conduct unbecoming to an officer of the law." [5] At that time, that incident brought the light to the "behind closed doors" matters with bachelor parties.

The term "bachelor", originally meaning "a young knight-in-training", was first mentioned in the 14th century to refer to an unmarried man in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales . In 1922, the term "bachelor party" was published in William Chambers's Journal of Literature, Science and Arts and was described as a "jolly old" party. [4]

Variations

The equivalent event for the bride-to-be is known as a bachelorette party (or hen night).

In Canada, some choose instead to hold a stag and doe , or a hag party or hag do in the UK ("hag" being a combination of the words "hen" and "stag"), in which both the bride and groom attend. [6] These events may often provide an opportunity to fundraise for the wedding itself.

Canada

Canadian stag nights may extend into weekend affairs, sometimes involving travel to a cottage or cities around Canada, and occasionally Las Vegas as well. As in South Africa, the itinerary of a stag event is frequently kept hidden from the groom-to-be. The Australian terminology 'buck' rather than 'stag' is sometimes used.

In the province of Manitoba particularly, a "social" is often held rather than a stag and doe, in which the public are invited to attend a large evening party at a rented pub or event venue. Tickets are sold at the door or online, there is usually a cash bar and silent auction, and a traditional buffet of regional snack foods known as a 'midnight lunch' will be served throughout the evening.

Francosphere

In France and in many French-speaking regions such as Quebec, the bachelor party is called enterrement de vie de garçon, which literally means "(the) burial of the life as a boy" or "burial/funeral of the life as a bachelor". For women it is enterrement de vie de jeune fille, translated as "burial/funeral of the life as a young girl/maiden". Bachelor parties were known as early as the 1830s, when in the Charpennes neighborhood of Lyon groups of young men would dine at the restaurant of La Mere Brigousse on her famous dish of enormous dumplings les tétons de Vénus (Venus's breasts). [7]

Germany

In Germany, this event is called Junggesellenabschied, which literally means "bachelor farewell". There is also a separate event that the couple celebrates together on the evening prior to their wedding, called Polterabend . At the Polterabend, the guests break old porcelain and earthenware to bring luck to the couple's marriage. The tradition is said to go back to pre-Christian times; by noisily breaking ceramics, evil spirits – especially spirits of envy – are supposed to be driven out. In the last couple of years, Anglo-style bachelor parties have become more and more popular among bachelors. In parts of northern Germany that lack a Carnival tradition, funny costuming has become a popular part of bachelor or bachelorette parties.

Some parts of Germany have a related custom, in which a person who is not yet married by their 30th birthday, is made to dress up in an embarrassing fashion by their friends and to do silly tasks that most often include some kind of cleaning work.

Israel

In Israel, the bachelors party is called מסיבת רווקים (mesibat ravakim), literally meaning bachelor party. Such parties may feature heavy drinking and sometimes the presence of strippers, [8] or else other recreational bonding activities undertaken together, such as paintball or an overseas trip lasting a few days.

South Africa

Bachelor parties in South Africa are expected to be a surprise, which is a unique regional variant. The party is planned without the groom's knowledge and is typically a couple days before the wedding. A bachelor party can include many family members and friends, and it isn't limited to the wedding party. It often includes a traditional braai.

Sweden

In Sweden bachelor parties are known as Svensexa. They are documented since the 17th century; it is believed the tradition began with the bachelorette party, Möhippa, which was then followed by a male version. [9] The parties were first called Svenafton, meaning Sven's Eve. [9] Sven is a Swedish first name, meaning "young man" and also used in connection with male virginity. The parties were disliked by the church as they involved heavy drinking and the participants would show up to the wedding hung over or drunk. [9] In the 19th century it was reformed by the bourgeoisie, and it became known as Svensexa, where sexa was a new word for a late-night party with dinner and alcohol that started at six o'clock with drinks and snacks. [9] [10] There were no activities at Swedish bachelor parties, other than food and alcohol, until the 1960s or 1970s. Since then they have developed to full-day or weekend events, traditionally starting with a kidnapping followed by activities that might involve humiliation of the bachelor. [9] They are usually not held the day before the wedding, but a few weekends before.

Thailand

Bachelor parties in Thailand became increasingly popular after huge success of The Hangover 2, which was filmed and based in Bangkok.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Pranks are a long-standing feature of stag parties in the UK and Ireland. [11]

In the United Kingdom, it is now common for the party to last for more than one evening, hence the increasing prevalence of the phrase "stag weekend", or "stag do". A spin-off has been the growth of the stag weekend industry in the UK with various companies taking over the preparation of the event. [12]

In the UK, stag weekend trips are becoming mini-holidays with the groups taking part in various day-time activities as well as the expected night out on the town. They may involve travelling to another location in the UK or going abroad, [13] with Kraków, Dublin, and Riga topping the list, followed by Prague, Amsterdam, Bratislava, and Budapest. [14] Stag parties abroad have been known to involve visits to brothels and prostitutes, although this is in the minority of cases. [15]

United States

In the United States, Las Vegas is both a popular bachelor party destination and location for the wedding itself. [13] Increasingly, "destination bachelor parties" are replacing standard nights out, with Americans traveling to Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, or abroad to Mexico. [16]

Bachelor parties in the US stereotypically entail the mass consumption of alcohol, hiring a stripper, and general rowdiness to which the bride might not have a positive reaction; in fact, the defining feature of the bachelor party is that the fiancée is not present. Increasingly, bachelor parties have come to symbolize the last time that the groom is free from the influence of his new wife/partner. [17] Pop out cakes are sometimes associated. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding</span> Ceremony where people are united in marriage

A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, races, religions, denominations, countries, social classes, and sexual orientations. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by a couple, presentation of a gift, and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or celebrant. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers, or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony, as well as superstitious customs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding reception</span> Party after a wedding

A wedding reception is a party usually held after the completion of a marriage ceremony as hospitality for those who have attended the wedding, hence the name reception: the couple receive society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married couple. Hosts provide their choice of food and drink, although a wedding cake is popular.

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some Western traditional wedding ceremonies. A bridesmaid is typically a young woman and often the bride's close friend or relative. She attends to the bride on the day of a wedding or marriage ceremony. Traditionally, bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groomsman</span> Participant in Western wedding ceremonies

A groomsman or usher is one of the male attendants to the groom in a wedding ceremony. Usually, the groom selects close friends and relatives to serve as groomsmen, and it is considered an honor to be selected. From his groomsmen, the groom usually chooses one to serve as best man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bachelorette party</span> Party held for a woman who is about to get married

A bachelorette party or hen night is a party held for a woman who will soon be married. While Beth Montemurro concludes that the bachelorette party is modelled after the centuries-old stag night in the US, which is itself historically a dinner given by the bridegroom to his friends shortly before his wedding, Sheila Young argues that its British counterpart evolved from a number of earlier pre-wedding traditions for women whose origins are obscure but which have been around for at least a century in factories and offices across the UK. Despite its reputation as "a sodden farewell to maiden days" or "an evening of debauchery", these events can simply be parties given in honor of the bride-to-be, in the style that is common to that social circle.

A stag and doe party, stag and drag party, buck and doe party, a jack and jill party, or a wedding social is a Canadian party and fundraiser for an engaged couple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridal shower</span> Party where a bride-to-be is given gifts

A bridal shower is a gift-giving party held for a bride-to-be in anticipation of her wedding.

A rehearsal dinner is a traditional pre-wedding ceremony in the United States, usually held after the wedding rehearsal and the night before the wedding ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russian wedding traditions</span> Russian wedding culture

Traditional Russian weddings can last between two days and one week. The celebration usually involves dancing, singing, toasting, and banqueting. The best man and bridesmaid are called "Witnesses" or "Свидетели" in Russian. The ceremony and the ring exchange take place on the first day of the wedding. Russian weddings ceremonies have undertaken a certain amount of Western traditions, including incorporating maids of honour into the wedding party.

Polterabend is a German and to a lesser extent Polish, Austrian and Swiss wedding custom in which, on the night before the wedding, the guests break porcelain to bring luck to the couple's marriage. The belief in the effectiveness of this custom is expressed by the old adage: "Shards bring luck". The expression is derived from a time when the word "shard" referred to the unbroken clay pots of pottery makers, and not just the broken pieces. It was said that a full jar was a lucky thing to have, therefore the expression "shards bring luck".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engagement party</span>

An engagement party, also known as a betrothal party or fort, is a party held to celebrate a couple's recent engagement and to help future wedding guests to get to know one another. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the engagement party, but many modern couples host their own celebration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Divorce party</span> Ceremony that celebrates the end of a marriage or civil union

A divorce party is a ceremony that celebrates the end of a marriage or civil union. They can involve either one or both members of the separating couple. Divorce parties have been called the final frontier in the wedding industry complex, and often involve a toast that emphasizes the couple beginning new chapters in their lives.

Arabic weddings are ceremonies of matrimony that contain Arab influences or Arabic culture.

In the United States and Canada, weddings follow traditions often based on religion, culture, and social norms. Most wedding traditions in the United States and Canada were assimilated from other, generally European, countries. Marriages in the U.S. and Canada are typically arranged by the participants and ceremonies may either be religious or civil. There is a tradition that the prospective bridegroom ask his future father-in-law for his blessing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bou Bhat</span> Post-wedding ritual in Bengali culture

A Bou bhat is a post-wedding ritual held usually one or two days after a Bengali wedding. In this ceremony a party is hosted by the groom's father or family, where both the bride's and groom's family members and friends are invited. A grand banquet is held at the end of the party which is called Preetibhoj or Preetibhoja and is similar to a gala dinner. In Bengali Muslim wedding after the bou bhat party, the bride and groom go to the bride's family's house for two nights. On the second day, the groom's family is invited to the bride's house for a meal, and they leave with the bride and groom. This meal is called firani or araiya. Shopping is done by the groom for this meal. Similar tradition can be found in other cultures in the Muslim world such as the Walima ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azerbaijani wedding traditions</span>

The Azerbaijani wedding tradition is one of the most significant and solemn family traditions of Azerbaijani people. It is multi-stepped, and is related to various compulsory rituals and traditions. Ancient Azerbaijani weddings reflect cycles of traditions, lasting for a long period of time, and need significant material costs.

Don't Tell the Bride is an Australian reality television series premiered on Network Ten on Tuesday 21 August 2012. Presented and narrated by Kate Ritchie, this series was an adaptation of the UK series Don't Tell the Bride that screened on BBC Three.

<i>Last Vegas</i> 2013 film by Jon Turteltaub

Last Vegas is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Dan Fogelman and starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Mary Steenburgen. Three retirees travel to Las Vegas to have a bachelor party for their last remaining single friend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oaxacan Weddings</span> Traditional arrangement

An Oaxacan wedding is a traditional ritual that involves the participation of both the bride's and groom's family along with the community. The main decision makers of the wedding are the fathers of the groom and bride. The father of the groom must first ask for the bride's hand and if the bride's father accepts two weeks later they begin to arrange the wedding. If the case is that the groom does not have a father he can have an elder represent him. At this gathering the groom's side of the family brings with them fruits, bread, and alcoholic beverages. The godparents of both the bride and groom attend this gathering, who are the godparents of baptism, first communion, confirmation, as well as the new wedding godparents of the couple. The godparents are chosen by the couple usually because of a blood tie or a friendship. After this the groom must show his commitment to his bride's family by doing any chores the bride's family needs until the wedding date. The chores can vary from sweeping to helping the father in law with work in the ranch.

References

  1. ↑ "10 Great Bucks Night Ideas". 2014. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Bradshaw, Graham; Bishop, Tom; Tetsuo (2007). Special Section, Updating Shakespeare. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 174. ISBN   9780754690139.
  3. 1 2 Meaghan (16 June 2009). "A Brief History of Bachelor Parties". Time. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017. In the past, a bachelor party could commonly involve a black-tie dinner hosted by the groom's father, with toasts to the groom and the bride. The more recent traditions of hazing, humiliation and debauchery – often consuming entire weekends and involving travel to an exotic destination such as Las Vegas or its nearest available facsimile – became a staple of bad '80s sex comedies.
  4. 1 2 Haire, Meaghan (16 June 2009). "Bachelor Parties". Time. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ↑ Beebee, Lucius (9 January 1932). "The awful Seeley Dinner". The New Yorker– via www.newyorker.com.
  6. ↑ McInerney, Lucie (18 September 2015). "Hens and stags? So last century. It's all about the 'hag do'". Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018. Hens and stags? So last century. It's all about the 'hag do' – The Telegraph
  7. ↑ "La Mère Brigousse® Lyonnaise". lamerebrigousse.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  8. ↑ "A Very Israeli Bachelor Party". The Times of Israel . Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ritualer från 1500-talet gör Victoria redo för bröllopet". www.expressen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "sexa | SAOB | svenska.se" (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  11. ↑ The Irish Examiner, 7 October 1964
  12. ↑ "A man's guide to marriage: The stag do". TheGuardian.com . 15 June 2010.
  13. 1 2 Boyer, David. Bachelor Party Confidential: A Real-Life Peek Behind the Closed-Door Tradition New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment 2007. ISBN   1-4169-2808-1
  14. ↑ Smith, Craig S. (8 May 2007). "British Bachelor-Partiers Are Taking Their Revels East". The New York Times . Prague. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  15. ↑ Boazman, Simon (14 January 2010). "Stag parties 'fuel sex trafficking'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  16. ↑ Austin, Michael. "Bachelor parties skip town". Crain's Chicago Business. 7 May 2007. p. 53–58. MasterFILE Premier EBSCOHost. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  17. ↑ "A History of Bachelor And Bachelorette Parties". The Odyssey Online. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  18. ↑ Glass, Jeremy (3 June 2016). "Why the Hell Did Women Start Popping Out of Cakes, Anyway?". Thrillist.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.