Two in five people think bachelor/bachelorette parties are more memorable than the wedding itself (42%), according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 adults looked at sentiments around the traditions involved with the “final night of freedom” and found that people find bachelor/bachelorette parties to be more fun (58%) and memorable (44%), than raunchy or cheesy (13% and 12%).
Americans have an opinion or two about what makes a good bachelor/bachelorette party since the average person has been to about three throughout their life.
A third of respondents are over going to gentlemen’s clubs (34%) – especially women (42% vs. 25% of men).
Many are also ready to stop having explicit-themed items (29%) or visiting a casino (22%), deeming these traditions tacky.
Conducted by OnePoll for CheapCaribbean, the survey found that while bachelor/bachelorette parties may invoke images of partying and chaos, 65% believe they should be an opportunity for the groom or bride to relax and that the group of guests should cover all expenses for the party (55%).
From drinks to hotels and all of the other party fun, the average person expects to spend about $313 as a guest attending a bachelor/bachelorette party, with men typically budgeting about $100 more than women ($364 vs. $263).
The average respondent also believes the ideal bachelor/bachelorette party should last two days and be limited to 10 guests, although a third would be open to partying with a larger crowd (34%).
People prefer parties that take place at an all-inclusive resort where they don’t have to worry about anything (27%) or a bustling city where there’s plenty to do (16%).
While many people would prefer getting invited to bachelor/bachelorette parties that are local (42%), nearly one in four said they’d go as far as needed (24%).
And half of respondents would prefer an even mix of activities and relaxing, with another 27% saying they’d prefer to just spend their time relaxing.
“There’s really nothing quite like having your bachelor/bachelorette party in a unique destination surrounded by your friends and family,” said Dana Studebaker, vice president of marketing of consumer brands at Apple Leisure Group. “From relaxing on the beach and sipping cocktails to exploring a destination’s nightlife, having that last getaway makes for the ideal pre-celebration before you say I do.”
No matter what, some favored plans for the event include going out to dinner (62%), brunch (49%) or having a sleepover/party at a hotel (38%).
With all of this in mind, half of those surveyed are confident they could throw someone the perfect bachelor/bachelorette party (49%).
But they don’t always go perfectly. Of those who have had one, they would change a few things, such as the activities they did (35%) or who was invited (28%).
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Thirty-seven percent would opt to change the location they had their party, wanting to choose somewhere other than a small town (24%) or a popular vacation destination (15%).
However, people also reflected on some of their fondest moments from their bachelor/bachelorette parties like “dancing and having fun,” skydiving for the first time and having a “drinking contest.”