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Tips for crafting an unbeatable stag do guest list
Are you in charge of organizing the stag do weekend for your friend who will soon enter married life? Then, one of the first questions that likely popped into your mind was: Who are all the people I need to reach out to and invite for the stag party? Getting the guest list right is crucial for the weekend to go well. You don’t want to leave anyone important out, but you also need to make sure someone your lad has beef with doesn’t get invited. But how do you know? Exactly. That’s what makes this part of the stag do prep so tricky, so we’ve put together some tips to help you decide who to invite and what to consider.
- 03
- Sep
- ' 24
Should You Talk to the Groom?
Well, we don’t have a definitive answer, but we do have a few tips to help you decide whether to openly discuss the guest list with the groom or keep it a secret.
1. When He’s Always Hands-On
Your engaged friend chose you to be his best man, so there’s probably no one who knows him better outside his family. Consider this: Does he enjoy surprises? If he prefers to be in control and spontaneity isn’t his middle name, that’s your cue. Talk to him before anyone makes it into the spreadsheet or your note app. This way, you’ll be 100% sure the right people are invited, and there will be no room for awkwardness when you raise your glasses for the first round in Goldfingers in Prague.
2. Surprise, Surprise
Is he more of a carefree and adventurous guy? Take some stress off his shoulders and handle the guest list yourself. There’s nothing like seeing his excited face when he reunites with his childhood best friend, whom you reached out to and who had flown in to join you.
3. Playing It Safe but Keeping It Fun
Or, there’s a third option: partially discuss the guest list with him. Agree on the key people who will definitely be attending, but leave a few spots for surprise guests. And there you have it!
One Group After Another
It’s easy to get lost in the Henrys, Jacks, Jameses, cousins, teammates, and coworkers from various jobs. If only there were a list of categories of contacts to consider… Oh wait:
1. Close Friends
Who are the long-time friends and best friends (with you being the ultimate best mate, of course!) You probably share a bunch of them with the stag, or you’ve heard countless stories about them, so this one should be fairly easy.
2. Family Members
Invite your groom’s siblings (unless there’s any bad blood between them, which we hope is not the case) and look into cousins and other close family members.
3. Groom's Partner's Family
Remember to broaden your perspective and include your stag’s future in-laws to be as inclusive as possible. A brother-in-law is a no-brainer, but your stag may have a close relationship with his fiancée’s cousin, who is, in fact, his gym buddy. Put his name down!
These are the top three groups of people you should consider—your groom’s inner circle. If you still have some open spots, here are some optional categories:
Work Colleagues
We all have work besties. Do you know the dude who makes every day in the office more bearable for your stag with inappropriate jokes? That’s the one! But be careful; if there are a bunch of coworkers your stag hangs out with regularly, picking the stag do weekend guests may feel like walking on eggshells. You don’t want to make the meeting-at-the-coffee-machine moment awkward for your stag if you decide to invite some colleagues and not others, so pick wisely. (No pressure, we know.)
Sports/Activity Friends
Is your stag a sports club member or plays for a team? There’s a high chance of recruiting a lad who should not be missing while you’re all downing our favorite Staropramen beers in a bar in Prague.
Old Friends and Schoolmates
It’s time to swap the kids’ bikes they used to roll around the block together for Ubers or scooters while pub crawling in Prague. Call your lad’s best friend from when he was little and set up a great surprise!
Red Flag Alert
The list is coming along nicely. Great job! Now, we need to throw in some warnings: these are the people you want to avoid inviting at all costs. No matter how “healed” their relationships with your stag may be, do-not-do-it.
Ex-Partners or Anyone Who Has a History with the Stag
Even though your party weekend will probably be gentleman-only, a woman’s name sometimes comes up when planning. It’s fine unless it’s one of the groom’s exes. Did they stay friends? Great. But it’s not ideal for her to get the invitation, trust us.
The Ones Who Steals the Show
This one is easy. When you hear their name, do you remember all the parties where they made it all about themselves? Off the list, then. You want your stag to be the main character, not his overly extroverted friend.
Guests with Very Different Interests
Run through the names. Is anyone significantly different from the rest of the group regarding personality or interests? Maybe an introverted lad who always chooses a book over a pint in a bar? It’s probably best if he keeps reading while you’re partying and then celebrates with your friend in a way he enjoys.
Double-Check Before Setting It in Stone
Once you’ve drafted the first version of the guest list, review it once more. Do you really know all these people? What are their personalities? Will they get along well? You don’t want to create any unnecessary tension in the group.
Does the group dynamic look right? Perfect. Now, pay attention to balancing different social circles—family, friends, and colleagues. Don’t let one group dominate. Your final critical look at the list should be through the lens of planned activities in Prague and travel requirements. Is everyone going to be on board with what you’ve planned? And is it even manageable for them to fly over to join you?
Always Go with What the Groom Prefers
When you’ve double- or triple-checked your list, get back to your groom—either literally by talking to him (regular check-ins do wonders!) or metaphorically in your mind. Is this what he would approve of? The only thing you need to consider is his comfort. It’s his weekend in Prague, so leave all the drama behind. It’s not on the wedding guest list after all, right?
One thing we’ve been saving for final advice is the budget: it will help you determine who to invite for stag do and what you can do when in Prague. Let us know if you need help figuring this out and putting together the ideal bunch for a memorable stag do weekend. We can help you organize the whole thing and even consult on the stag do invitation list you’re working on!
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