How to Organise a Stag Do (Without Stress)

Thinking about putting together a stag do? You’re in the right place. Here’s a laid-back guide to help you nail the planning—with tips from picking the big leader to locking in activities everyone’ll remember. Make this the kind of send-off your mate deserves.

Quick Wins

Pick the organiser, set a spend limit, and draw up a guest list the groom actually rates.
Choose the perfect place, whether at home or abroad, and fill it with fun day and night ideas.
Keep on top of payments—apps or spreadsheets help—then check your bookings twice so the big weekend runs smooth.

First Steps: The Basics

Start things right by deciding who’s running the show. Usually it’s the Best Man, but sometimes a team works better. Get the groom’s nod, set a budget that won’t scare folks off, and draw up a list of 8-20 of his actual mates (not just randoms).
These steps set you up for the easy wins later.

Who’s the Boss?

Keep the planning squad tight—one to three people max. Too many cooks is chaos. Make a group chat, stay open with what’s happening, and split jobs to keep things moving. If all this juggling sounds like too much, you can always bring in the pros who’ll sort the lot, no faff.

Budge It (Then Actually Stick To It!)

Work out the max you all want to spend and hold to it. The best nights often come with a price tag, but there’s ways to save and still go big. Team votes make it fair.

Nailing Down Dates

Throw some dates in the group chat, see what sticks—aim for 3–5 months before the wedding. Go with the option that lets most key players make it, then send the date out sharpish so people can book it out.

Guest List Vibes

The groom calls the shots on who’s in. Best size? Eight to twenty. Big enough for banter, small enough so no one’s left out. Once you’ve got a list, chase up people to say yes or no—don’t assume.

Pick Your Destination

Home or away? Close-to-home means easy travel and more control; abroad brings fresh adventures. Popular options: Amsterdam, Prague, Gdansk, Budapest, Krakow, Bratislava. For sun: Barcelona hits different.

Get the Fun Lined Up

Adventure, laughs, or something the groom would never expect? Check this list for inspo: go-karts, pranks, quizzes or something totally out there like a human table football set-up or snake charmer. Book stuff early to dodge disappointment.

Day: Sports, paintball, adrenaline, or chill vine tours.
Night: Clubbing, bars, pub crawls, themed shindigs, or a classic night at a weirdly great local.
Go wild with fancy dress—funny tees are always a shout.

Book Beds & Rides (Early!)

Nab hotel beds near the action—look at these picks for easy access and good group deals. For trips abroad, make sure everyone’s passport is valid and travel’s sorted (coaches, minibus, or cheap flights work great).

Keep the Money Simple

Stag costs usually get split between the group (the groom goes free). Use apps to chase payments and politely remind laggards. Best to get a deposit in (roughly £50), then ask for the rest in one or two more chunks. Spreads out the pain and keeps things clean.

Final Bits: Prep & Checklist

Chase up missing payments so there’s no awkwardness on the day.
Book a dinner that does “lining the stomach” justice—if it’s greasy, no judgement.
Finalise all the bookings. Triple-check nothing gets missed.
Draft an itinerary everyone actually reads—mix in downtime for food/recovery.
Remind the crew what to pack (party shirts, swimming stuff, whatever works for the plan).

On the Day: Just Go With It

Once you’re there, the main job is making sure the groom survives and there’s a good story to tell. Eat before you hit the pints, drink water between rounds, and don’t wind up the locals. Give folks room to take it easy if they want.

Key FAQs

Who plans it? Usually the best man or a couple of close mates. Just keep the groom’s wishes front and centre.
How do we set the budget? Chat as a crew and agree what feels fair. No surprises is the aim.
Best places? Classic hits like Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Budapest, Riga, Krakow, Barcelona—the atmosphere is next-level in all of them.
How do we keep on top of payments? Dedicated apps make it a breeze—track, chase, done.
What goes in the itinerary? Map out the main events, sprinkle in some downtime, and make sure everyone’s got the details before kickoff.

Just Start (Seriously)

The best stag dos happen because someone took the first step. Start small, plan a bit, let things build. Or—hand it to the pros and kick back. Either way, just get moving and you’ll make memories that last past the hangover.