Pro Tips For Organising A Stag Do
Rok Zabukovec/Unsplash
Angelo Van Dyk
founder of Wasted Wine Club
The best stag do I’ve been on was a weekend away in the Western Cape winelands in South Africa. We rented a farmhouse on a vineyard, surrounded by mountains. There were just six of us, and we spent three days poolside with amazing food, wine and plenty of chat. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and fun.
When planning a stag do, the first thing you should do is make sure there’s enough food. For some reason, blokes often focus on everything else, and food becomes an afterthought – leading to trouble later.
To keep things fun without going too wild, make sure you’ve planned some activities. They don’t have to be anything elaborate, but sitting around and feeling pressured to drink can hurt the vibe. Plus, you’ll want to bring together a group who might not all know each other. Team sports are usually a good shout to break the ice and create bonds – especially when there are bragging rights at stake.
Choosing a destination depends on the groom. Some guys want wild nights out; others prefer something more wholesome and relaxed. Consider less-travelled spots like Albania, Turkey or Montenegro, but I think a UK stag is very underrated. Cornwall and the Lake District offer beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and plenty of opportunities for group bonding.
For a London stag, I’d start at a wine bar like Quality Wines, followed by dinner at a restaurant with a great private dining room – somewhere like Morchella, where you can have a tailored, relaxed experience.
For activities that don’t involve alcohol, nature is always a winner. Get everyone outside on a hiking trail or coastal path – time in nature encourages good conversations and adds a refreshing change to the usual stag activities.
Managing different budgets is also crucial. Speak to the groom beforehand to get a sense of the group’s financial range, so you can plan accordingly without making anyone feel uncomfortable. And if budget allows, costumes or matching outfits can be a fun way to unite the group. People might say they hate dressing up, but once the gear comes out, they’ll all get into it.
The biggest mistake people make is forgetting to put the groom first. They get caught up in logistics and planning what they’d like, instead of what the groom would enjoy. To give him the best experience, make sure he doesn’t spend a penny all weekend and doesn’t have to lift a finger. If he can just show up, relax and enjoy, that’s the ideal scenario.
My dream stag would be a weekend in the Scottish Highlands, with a big hike, some fly-fishing and an open-fire meal with plenty of wine and whisky. Alternatively, I wouldn’t say no to a Vegas trip.
For first-time planners, my advice is simple – don’t overthink it, plan ahead, and always make sure the groom is your top priority.
Visit WastedWine.Club
Kimson Doan/Unsplash
Adam Nile
private party planner
As a groom, you need to choose the best person to plan your stag. You want to pick your best mate, but you also need someone who’s organised and will plan a weekend you’ll enjoy. I’ve seen too many cases where the best man has gone totally off piste and carnage has ensued. Speak to the groom to find out exactly what he wants – it’s better to plan something he’ll enjoy than surprise him with something he won’t.
Don’t revolve the whole weekend around drinking. Of course, you’ll want to let your hair down and enjoy some booze, but you also want the groom to remember his stag. Instead of hitting the bars off the bat, plan a whisky tasting evening or hire a private chef and sommelier for the evening. It has to be something the groom will enjoy though, so if he’d rather sink pints at the pub, hire a private room there with food and plenty of soft drinks – not everyone in the group will want to get plastered.
A great destination abroad is Porto. It’s a relatively small city, but there’s so much to see and do. You can go on cycling tours, boat trips, walks around the old town, and visit the famous port houses. The food scene is good too – and the seafood is excellent. There are plenty of affordable Airbnbs as well as upmarket hotels in the city, and you probably won’t spot other stag dos there, which is always a plus.
In the UK, hiring a big house is always fun. I went on a great stag to Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk a few years ago which was epic. It feels totally secluded, though you have access to acres of land with activities like shooting, kayaking and outdoor feasts cooked over fires. Some cottages have private pools and BBQs.
I personally hate fancy dress, but if you wanted to get some merch for the group, there are some tasteful brands to know. Not Another Bill has lots of personalised stuff, from caps to keyrings. Getting the groom a few pieces is nicer than getting everyone a t-shirt they’ll never wear again. Also, think outside the box – if you’re going on a golf weekend, for example, could you engrave one of his clubs?
My perfect stag do would be a sailing weekend in Croatia. Fly out on the Friday morning to enjoy three days out on the water, stopping off at local markets for fresh seafood and some beers along the way. My mates would take it in turn to DJ on board, keeping the vibes high. Hiring a private chef on one of the days would be pretty cool too.
Tom Bourlet
head of marketing at The Stag Company
Plan out games and activities in advance to ensure you have a tight itinerary. Make sure you have thought about how long it takes to get to each place, that there aren't pauses between activities where people are just sat around, and that you've booked restaurants you're going to visit. Also, don’t go straight to the bars – you want to hold off as long as possible. People in the group will want to drink straight away, but those ones will probably not remember much past 5pm. You want everyone to have an amazing and memorable experience, so fill the days with at least one or two non-alcohol-based activities.
When choosing a destination, let the activities guide you. For example, if you're a daredevil, Snowdonia might be a great option as you have Europe's longest zip wire and lots of opportunities for hiking. If you want a traditional stag of paintballing and go-karting, somewhere like Nottingham could be a great option. And if the groom wants to go abroad, there are plenty of Spanish or Portuguese destinations that fit the bill, like Lisbon or Menorca. Lisbon would be my pick, though it’s more suitable for 30-somethings than 20-somethings. You can organise boat trips, food tours and hiking trips. You can also head to beach clubs.
One destination that’s a bit overdone is Ibiza. It's so expensive for the type of activities people want to book, and it’s tricky if you have a group of 12+ people as not everyone will have the same budget. Las Vegas is the same. Instead, why not choose somewhere where you won’t find thousands of stag groups everywhere, such as Brussels? It offers all the traditional activities you would expect to find elsewhere, such as go-karting and bubble football, while you get to enjoy Belgian beers on tasting tours.
For a London stag, there are endless options, but some of its cool arcade bars would be a good shout. NQ64 would be fun and nostalgic, and you’ve got numerous cricket bars and spots for mini golf.
When booking restaurants, make sure they’re okay with large, potentially rowdy groups. Some places reject stag parties on arrival, so it’s crucial to confirm in advance. Avoid 'restaurant crawling' without a reservation, as it can leave you stuck without enough tables. To elevate the experience, work with places that welcome stag groups, or ensure you've planned accordingly to avoid any surprises.
Managing different budgets and personalities is key to planning a successful stag do. Extroverts can handle themselves, but it’s important to help introverts or those unfamiliar with the group feel included. Encourage others to look out for quieter members, not just the best men, who can already be stressed. When it comes to budgets, find a balance. Avoid extravagant trips but don’t settle for the local pub. Keep it to two or three days, depending on location, to avoid costs and time-off issues.
The biggest mistake people make when planning a stag do is heading straight to the bar. It’s important to have fun, non-drinking activities like airsoft, off-road buggies, or brewery tours to keep the day engaging. Another common error is poor timing – booking activities back-to-back and forgetting about meals. Lastly, don’t overdo it with shots for the groom – putting him to bed by 4pm means him missing out on the fun, which defeats the purpose of the stag do.
To ensure the groom has the best experience, keep him hydrated and avoid overloading him with shots. Stick to pints and make sure he eats throughout the day. Most importantly, plan activities based on his interests, not yours. It’s surprising how many forget this, leading to a disappointed groom. Involving him in the planning process or choosing activities you know he’ll enjoy is key to making the weekend special.
Visit TheStagCompany.com
Roya Ann Miller/Unsplash
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected].
