Ideas for a mixed bachelor bachelorette party

Photo: iStock.com/Ridofranz

Girls dressed in sashes, guys tied to street lights, and lots of tequila shots… bachelor/ette party season is upon us! However, in recent years, more couples have been skipping the single-sex celebrations and going co-ed for their pre-wedding event; heading out for a ‘last night of freedom’ with your girl or guy pals seems a little outdated in the modern era. If you’re considering a joint bachelor-bachelorette event, read on to find out if it’s right for you, and to get some awesome party ideas!

Should You Consider a Joint Bachelor Bachelorette Party?

There’s a number of reasons why a joint bachelor and bachelorette party might be a great idea! It could be for budgetary reasons, to save time on event planning, or simply because you and spouse-to-be share many of the same friends. Another reason a joint bachelor and bachelorette party could be ideal for you is if the majority of your friends are other couples, and the idea of spending the night together as a big group seems like the best way to celebrate this special time! Even if you decide to opt for the traditional separate bachelor and bachelorette party format, it’s definitely worth considering a joint party as well. Below, we’ve listed some tips on planning the perfect joint pre-wedding party, as well as pros and cons to consider before you decide if this different style of party is your best option!

Combine Your Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Planning a joint bachelor bachelorette party requires some careful considerations that you may not have thought about when planning traditional, separate parties. 

Let Them Take Charge

Usually, the planning of the bachelor party is taken care of by the best man, while the maid of honor is in charge of the bachelorette party. Now that this party has become a joint affair, you could arrange for them both to work together in organizing.

Make It Clear

Be sure to properly specify on your invitation, whether that’s a physical invitation or an e-invite, that this is a combined bachelor and bachelorette party to avoid any confusion. 

Share The Love!

Finally, it’s important to make sure that the party encompasses both you and your spouse-to-be’s wishes. Talk openly about your ideas, budget, and expectations for the party to ensure the perfect, inclusive night! 

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Pros Of Mixed Bachelor And Bachelorette Parties

  • No-one gets left out! Plus with a bigger, mixed group, everyone’s  bound to know someone.
  • The whole wedding party can meet each other before the big day, and look forward to a reunion at the main event.
  • Mix and match! If you’d like the best of both worlds, why not arrange a combination of traditional and new. Have the first part of the night separate, and then meet up halfway! 
  • You get to spend more time with your partner in the run-up to your wedding day and create shared memories to look back on.
  • Less planning involved. With one big party, you’ll have far less planning, booking, and logistics to worry about!
  • It’s cost-effective! With just one party to plan, you can pool your resources and afford something special.
  • You can (probably) save yourselves from ritual humiliation! Your friends are unlikely to shave your eyebrows off or give you embarrassing dares with your partner there.   

Cons Of Mixed Bachelor And Bachelorette Parties

  • Friends who have been plotting your traditional party for years may be disappointed that they can’t enact their plans.
  • Depending on your group, a mixed event can seem more ‘couple-focused,’ which can make single friends feel uncomfortable.
  • It’ll be awkward if your guests turn up unaware of your plans! So make sure it’s clear on your invitations that the guest list is mixed.  
  • The numbers add up fast! A bigger party with more personalities and interests can be difficult to plan.
  • If you were looking forward to the raucous or risqué aspects of a traditional bachelor/ette party, you may have to tone it down!
  • Ideas may clash! With a larger group, suggestions for shared activities may vary. It can be hard to pinpoint one idea that everybody is satisfied with!

Joint Bachelor Bachelorette Party Ideas

Wedding Olympics

There’s nothing like some friendly competition to break the ice. Find some green space and plan an afternoon of field games: a three-legged race, tug of war, relay, long jump, and more! Alternatively, play a touch football game or volleyball on the beach.

Roadtrip

Hire a couple of vans or a bus and hit the open road. Head down the coast, to another city, or into the country. Wherever you go, the journey is part of the fun, so sing songs, play games, and deck out your ride with custom car accessories.

Go Camping

A trip to the great outdoors may be just what you both need to destress from planning the wedding. So pitch up those tents and plan a weekend of hiking, fishing, and fireside s’mores. Alternatively, go glamping and relax in a luxury teepee.

Scavenger Hunt

This idea takes a bit of planning, but is a fun and inexpensive activity for a city-based event. Divide your crew into teams, then race each other to find or take photos of certain items, situations, or people around town. You can even create custom team shirts!

Music Festival

If you love catching concerts together, book passes to a music festival. Perhaps you went to one years ago and had a blast, or this is an excuse to finally make it happen. There’s Jazz Fest, SXSW, and Coachella, or loads of smaller events, too.

Tastings

Visiting a distillery or brewery is a great option for a joint event, provided you don’t have any non-drinkers in the gang. Both older and newer alcohol brands run guided tours and tastings in their facilities, so look for options near you.

(Pent) House Party

Why not recreate the house parties from your student days with a luxury twist. Book a swanky hotel suite or apartment and host your own A-list style private event, with real sparkling wine rather than beer out of plastic cups!

The Big Game

If you and your partner are sports fans and support the same team, book tickets to a game and make a day of it with your pals. Those with a large budget could book a private box, or just have a tailgate party.

Boat Party

Rent a boat or a yacht for the day and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the stunning open water with your guests. Whether you’re brave enough to jump off the boat to swim, or prefer to stay high and dry, it’ll be a day you’ll fondly remember!

Games Night

Upgrade poker night into a classy casino evening with a formal dress code, and custom sets of playing cards that can double up as favors. For a more laid-back affair, bring out the board games including classics like Scrabble and Pictionary.

A Classic Pub Crawl

Keep things simple with a fun pub crawl for the entire group! Head to your favorite bars, or try out totally new ones, and get ready to experience amazing drinks with the best company. 

Backyard Barbecue

A barbecue with friends is easy, cheap, and always a success. Make your event more special than the regular weekend BBQ with a theme, decorations, and an out-of-the-ordinary menu. You can even go potluck style and ask friends to bring a dish.

Pool Party

If the weather is on your side, you could throw an awesome, fun-filled pool party! Stock up on plenty of colorful, blow-up pool toys and warm towels to really make a splash! Guests will totally love sipping on delicious summer cocktails while wearing cool sunglasses. 

See a Musical or Show

If you and your partner are fans of the theater, there’s never been a better time to get together with your friends and head out to a good old-fashioned show. Make sure to book your seats in a row so all of your guests can experience the show together! 

Amusement Park

Relive your childhood by playing carnival games and riding the bumper cars. You can split up into smaller groups to hit the rides you want, then regroup for lunch. Plus you’re sure to get some hilarious mid-rollercoaster photographs!

A Cabin In The Woods

Recreate your favorite childhood sleepaway camp memories by booking a large cabin (or cabins) in a beautiful woodland setting. You and your guests can spend time in nature, and also have some late-night fun because this time there’s no curfew! 

Like any event, the key to planning a successful joint bachelor-bachelorette party is to know your group. So pick something that you think will appeal to your guests, including both of you! Whatever you choose to do for your pre-wedding party, we hope you have an absolutely amazing night that you’ll cherish forever. If you have any other mixed bachelor and bachelorette party ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments under this article. We’d love to hear from you!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.