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Where did Stag Dos Come From? A Brief History of the Epic Party Weekends
Did your friend just spill the tea and announce he’s getting married? Awesome! It probably took you less than two seconds to get hyped about the upcoming stag do, right? These days, we take these celebrations for granted. But where did they actually come from? What’s the origin of pre-wedding parties for the groom—or as we often call them—the last night of freedom or saying goodbye to freedom?
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The Spartans Started It!
Let’s take you back to ancient Sparta (around the 5th century B.C., for those of us who didn’t pay much attention in history class). Spartan soldiers were known to throw a stag party—or hold a feast, in their terms—to celebrate their comrades entering married life. We can only speculate on how wild those parties got. Was it just dinner and a toast, or did the Spartans indulge in something a little more? We’ll probably never know!
From Nobility Hangouts to Pranks
Even though we don’t know much about the 1,000 years between the Spartan era and the medieval and Renaissance periods, we can assume that upcoming weddings were still being celebrated at, sort of, stag parties, often tied to religious or communal events.
As time went on, stags and their mates loosened up a lot. Between the 5th and 14th centuries AD, formal feasts gave way to more casual gatherings (and we all know what that means, right?), with fun activities starting to sneak into stag do plans: drinking, gambling, and other forms of entertainment.
This trend carried on into the 19th and 20th centuries, with one big shift. Before, it was mainly the wealthy who could afford to throw a proper celebration. But the Industrial Revolution changed that, making stag dos a middle-class tradition. And after WWII, the idea of stag dos really took off across Western countries. Planning became more elaborate, the parties got wilder, but one thing stayed the same—heavy drinking remained at the core.
These days, stag dos have gotten even more adventurous, often with themed parties (have you packed your costume yet?) or held in stag-do-friendly destinations—like Prague!
Availability of the group
This one is crucial. You want to ensure that all of the key attendees are available. Not sure who to invite? Check here. Save yourself the hassle of back-and-forth calls trying to figure out which dates work best for everyone. You can knock the item of “coordinate schedules” off your list pretty quickly, for example, by utilising this nifty tool called Doodle. Simply put in the dates you’re considering and let everyone mark their preferred dates. Sorted!
When choosing the final date, we suggest avoiding major holidays like Christmas or New Year’s, as prices skyrocket and tourists overrun the city.
What Can’t You Miss at a Modern Stag Do?
A little evolution of the party never killed nobody! With stags and their guests branching out significantly in terms of activities, it’s hard to imagine a stag do weekend these days without:
Click through the categories and get inspired! Giant beer pong and Foot darts are activities that ancient Spartans would definitely have loved to try out—no doubt about it!
No Two Stag Dos Are the Same
As stag dos evolve, do they remain the same around the world? While there are key elements that characterize pre-wedding parties globally—like celebrating for multiple days or blending adventure with relaxation (including hiring strippers in most cases)—the nature of the party can also vary depending on where you’re invited.
In Europe, the parties often focus on cultural experiences, such as visiting a brewery or riding in a tank. In the UK, you’ll likely find lads pub crawling or catching a plane to other European destinations like Prague or Amsterdam. You might need to pack your suitcase in North America for a real adventure, probably in places like Las Vegas. Meanwhile, stag dos tend to be more down-to-earth in Australia and New Zealand, literally, with plenty of outdoor activities, including camping, BBQs, and adventure.
Do You Want Your Stag Do to Go Down in History as Epic?
Reach out, and we’ll help you plan everything according to the latest trends and your preferences. While stag do weekends have a tradition that dates back over 2,500 years, organizing one yourself can still feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! It’s time to beat the Spartans (metaphorically and in partying only, of course, because otherwise, it wouldn’t end well, haha).
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