Who Foots the Bill? Settling the Bachelor Party Payment Debate Once and for All

So your best buddy is getting hitched, and as the best man, the responsibility falls on you to plan an epic bachelor party. But in between booking the limo, the club, and figuring out how to sneak a llama into the hotel room as a prank, an important question arises—who’s actually paying for all this? The groom? The groomsmen? Bachelor party, who pays? Do you split it evenly or pay for your own stuff?  There are a few schools of thought on this, but as the best man and party planner extraordinaire, it pays to settle this financial quandary before the big night so everyone can focus on what really matters: celebrating your friend’s last moments of freedom in style. After all, the only thing worse than a hangover the next morning is getting slammed with a huge bill you weren’t expecting. Let’s take a look at the common ways to split the bachelor party costs so you can make the call that keeps the peace and ensures this is an epic night your buddy will never forget (or remember?).

Modern Etiquette Allows Costs to Be Split Among Attendees

Tradition says the groom pays for his bachelor party. After all, it’s his last hurrah before tying the knot, right? While that may have been the case in the past, today many grooms split the costs with attendees or have them foot the entire bill.  

If you’re planning a bachelor bash, decide upfront how costs will be covered. The groom shelling out for everything was fine when parties were a night out at a bar. But destination trips, activities, and multi-day events can carry a hefty price tag. Rather than saddling the groom with a huge financial burden or excluding friends on a budget, consider sharing expenses.  

Have attendees pay their own way for travel, lodging, and activities. Set a budget for shared costs like drinks, dining, and entertainment and split it evenly among guests. You can also suggest each person contributes a set amount with the groom kicking in a bit extra. However the costs are divided, make sure everyone agrees to the arrangement before moving forward with planning to avoid confusion or hurt feelings down the road.

While tradition suggests the groom pays, that doesn’t mean the bachelor party has to be a financial hardship. Talk to your crew and explore options for keeping the celebration within everyone’s means. Your wedding is stressful enough without worrying how to pay for an extravagant pre-wedding bash. Focus on bonding with your best buds, not who’s footing the bill.

How to Decide Who Will Pay for the Bachelor Party

Modern etiquette says it’s perfectly acceptable for costs to be split among the bachelor party attendees. Gone are the days of the best man footing the entire bill. With destination bachelor parties becoming more popular, costs can quickly skyrocket. Splitting costs ensures everyone can participate without breaking the bank.

Rather than sticking one person with an enormous bill, talk to the group and determine a budget everyone is comfortable with before planning anything. Get estimates for accommodations, transportation, activities, food and drinks. Then divide up costs evenly among attendees. Many find it easiest for each person to pay their share upfront.  

Don’t feel obligated to do lavish or expensive activities. Some of the best bachelor parties focus on bonding over shared interests. Think golfing, camping, gaming or just a chilled night in. If the groom has his heart set on a bigger trip, look for ways to save like renting a vacation home and cooking some meals in. 

At the end of the day, the most important thing is celebrating the groom. Keep an open mind, be willing to compromise and work as a team. When costs are split evenly, everyone can relax and truly enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event with friends. The groom will surely appreciate having all his nearest and dearest by his side to usher him into the next chapter of life. After all, isn’t that what really matters?