Posts Tagged ‘best man jobs’

Are UK Stag Weekends Safer And Do They Offer Better Value for Money?

A stag weekend in Prague. – Sounds great? Well it did up until this Summer. Enormous delays at check-in, cancelled flights, hassle – the list is endless. So has the tide turned for stag parties in the UK? Certainly the number of enquiries we have received in the last few months has increased compared to preceding months. Does this mean that people have been turned off travelling to Europe for their stag weekends?

Value for Money and Cost of Stag Weekend Packages

In our view it has always been a misnomer that European destinations offer a better value for money experience than comparable breaks in the UK. Firstly the cost of the flights when you take into account transfers to and from the airport can vastly increase the price. Delays have become a regular occurrence. This is a problem with short weekend breaks as any delay eats into your valuable time on the ground in country. Furthermore it looks increasingly likely that the Government are thinking about increasing the taxes on flights in order to combat global warming. This again is not going to be absorbed entirely by the airlines with the cost ultimately being passed onto the customer.

UK breaks are usually more inclusive for the groups. In our experience group organisers will certainly receive more refusals from potential participants with a European trip than with a UK trip.

Quality of the Adventure Activity Venues

You have to question why groups consider an overseas trip to be more exciting. Is it because of the scenery? Well no. The UK has some of the best in Europe. Take South Wales. We are blessed with having the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Gower Coastline on our doorstep. These are both wonderful natural adventure activity playgrounds. Not many places in Europe can boast a mountain wilderness and a coastline designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within 30 miles of each other.
We appreciate there is a considerable amount of pressure on the organiser of a stag party. You are expected to organise an unforgettable weekend for the stag’s send off. With an overseas trip there are added complications such as flights, currency, language, transfers and so on. So it is not as if there is less effort in putting together such a trip.

Your Safety is Paramount on Stag Parties

Do you really know what you are booking with these activity weekends in Europe – Are they regulated and safe? Do you really want to fly a second hand MIG fighter when we’ve seen what happens to their submarines!
Rip off Britain or is that a myth? 93% of our past customers consider that our stag party packages represent good to excellent value for money. They can’t all be wrong. So all in all watch out Cool Britannia the stags are back!

Best Man Top Tips

It is allways an honour to be asked but quite terrifying when the realisation hits you that you have a responsible job to do to ensure your best mates day is the best ever – no pressure! The best man is usually chief attendant of the groom at the wedding. This job is typically given to the groom’s best friend, brother, close family or the friend.

Although difficult to generalise there are common wedding duties the best man has to perform. These can include some or all of the list below:

•  Stag weekend and stag night arranging
• Taking the bridegroom to the wedding
• Involvement in the wedding planning although realistically this is usually done by the bride
• Supervision of ushers on the big day.
• Carrying the rings to the wedding which are to be handed to the groom during the service
• Delivering a witty, funny wedding speech containing lots of anecdotes about the groom which are suitably embarrassing.
• A toast at the wedding reception
• Decorating the bridegroom’s vehicle with streaming ribbons, toilet paper, clanking cans and worse. This tradition isn’t as prevalent as it used to be given the couple more often than not now stay for the duration of the reception and leave for honeymoon on the following day(s)
• Support for the groom with nerves
• Dance with the head bridesmaid
• Help the photographer coordinate photographs particularly with large wedding parties

Piece of cake really. Good luck to one and all.

For ideas on stag weekends click here.

For stag weekend packages click here

For budget stag weekends click here

For bachelor party ideas

For the Origin of stag parties click here

For stag dos and how to plan them click here

For UK stag weekends click here

Plan the Ideal Stag Night

Is there a right and wrong way?

Having many years experience of dealing with stag groups and organising stag weekends there do appear to be a number of basic lessons that can be learnt about planning the perfect stag party.

1. Confirm date of wedding

Sounds obvious but unfortunately many best men get this wrong and don’t leave themselves enough time to arrange things properly. You’d be amazed how many hens we get phoning up arranging the stag party for their other half who had left things to late.

2. Confirm rough dates for the stag night

It is recommended that the stag night should be no closer than two weeks before the wedding although this is flexible. Any later and things can start to go wrong – like the groom doesn’t make it to the wedding. As he is your responsibility (best man) do you really want to face the bride (more to the point the brides father who is most likely paying for the whole shooting match!) and explain what has happened? Setting rough dates with the Groom will also make it easier in narrowing down the numbers for the event.

It is extremely unusual for everyone you invite to be able to make the stag night. The most important person it has to be convenient for is the Groom so the dates have to suit him.

3. Who to invite

The Groom obviously, his friends from home, school, college, work and family. It is becoming more common for invites to be issued to the Groom’s father and , wait for it, the Bride’s father – you’ll have to ask the Groom about that one! Don’t get too large. Don’t forget you’re going to have to organise this lot. The bigger the group the more difficult it is to manage. You’ll have to collect the money etc. We’ve all been there and had that one person who is slow to pay.

Also you have a number of different groups eg. school friends, college then they may split into their respective groups and not mix as much as the Groom would like. So keep the group size manageable. The Groom is the best person to ask as he knows them all.

One important tip is to get the e-mail addresses of all those invited. This is by far and away the easiest way to co-ordinate everyone. Finally we all know one or two, how do we say, difficult people, especially when drinking! It would be prudent not invite those people if you feel they won’t get on with the group or locals. You want this to be remembered for the right reasons not the wrong ones.

4. Choice of Venue and what to do

Again depends on the Groom. It is becoming more popular to go away for a weekend and try some unusual adventure activities. The budget of the group, and the amount of time off work and spent away from partners/families etc will dictate how far you travel. Is it going to be 3 weeks in Barbados or a night in the local boozer? For more bachelor party ideas take a look at our other stag related web pages

 5. Arrange Yourself or Use a Company

Depends on you and what you intend to do. However it is always advisable to use a company to arrange everything for you, especially for bigger groups. This is far less trouble than doing it yourself and can be more cost effective. You should also bear in mind that many places such as pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants no longer accept stag groups – Dublin and Tenby being prime examples of placing where stag groups are becoming less welcome.

Ensure that whoever you use arrange everything for you – be sure you know what you are paying for and what is excluded. Is it full board or are evening meals extra, what about lunch? Do you have to drive everywhere yourself or are transfers provided? Do you really want to be looking for an activity venue with a convoy of 10 cars and you navigating? Certainly stag organisers are looking for budget stag weekends that offer value for money this year. Alsp special offers are available for instance if you book the stag hen night with us the stag and hen go free.

If you are wary of using a company then ask the company for testimonials or if you contact past customers.
It’s your head on the block so make sure the groom has a memorable time (well maybe being memorable is asking too much) !

6. During the stag night

Jokes and embarrassing the Groom are traditional but remember don’t go too far. You are the one who will have to explain to the Bride why her beloved hasn’t got any body hair! You know the Groom best and will know where to draw the line – do you?

A good way to get everyone involved quickly to have t-shirts printed with photos or nick names of everyone. This breaks the ice and gets everyone talking. The other one which is very popular (those of you who have sampled Swansea will vouch for this) fancy dress – a must not only for the Groom but also the group.
There is also the usual dilemma of stripper or no stripper. Again you know the Groom. Don’t be pressured by the group – it’s not their stag night.

Keep a kitty. It is far easier with a big group than going in rounds as someone will be missed out or miss their round – especially as the night draws on. Gather the money early on and replenish when needed. So those who wish to drop out later on in the night can.

7. Make Sure You Know Where You Are Staying

Make sure you can get back to your accommodation at the end of the night! Take the address or phone number with you. You’d be amazed how many blokes forget or don’t know where they are staying. This is especially true if they travel in someone else’s car. Many companies will arrange the transport for you as a matter of course. Also ensure that accommodation is available that is stag group friendly. More and more are becoming reluctant to take stag groups which agaian it is adviasable to think about using an expert stag weekend company. You’ll have a good idea about the sort of stag night experience to expect from their website.

8. Look After the Groom

Finally and most important of all LOOK AFTER THE GROOM HE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. You may have to lie for the rest of his life, which could be short if his prospective wife found out about some of the things that traditionally go on.

Video Top 10 Tips on How To Organise a Stag Weekend

Where Does the Term Stag Party & Bachelor Party Come From?

This is a very good question. In Britain,Canada and Ireland the event is referred to as a stag party, stag night, stag do or stag weekend. In Australia they are bucks parties and bachelor parties in America.

It is a party held for the single man just before he gets married. It is a celebration in the his honour, although it may not seem like it at the time as humiliation seems to be the order of the day. It is also sometimes known as his last night of freedom although the duration of the event over recent years seems to have changed from the traditional drink the night before the wedding to weekends away participating in things such as adventurous activities and generally getting involved in things his future wife may not approve of.

What Are Stag or Bachelor Parties?

It is a last chance as a bachelor to gather together a group of people who have known the him since childhood, through school, in University and work colleagues, sports clubs and obviously last but not least his family. It can often be the last opportunity to get this grouping of people together before the Groom and his peers take on more responsible adult marital roles – mortgages, children and monthly bills. This is not just you average night for drinking in the pub or bar. It has a tradition and mystique associated with it involving tricks and lots of drinking usually at the groom’s expense.

It often has a risqué element such as strippers or being stripped and tied to lampposts in the dead of night, body hair being shaved off, dressing up in fancy dress with the groom in female attire the list is endless.
Although there is not much evidence around to explain the origins of this famous tradition what evidence there is suggests that it was originally called the bachelor dinner, or stag party. Like many other wedding traditions, it seems to extend back into ancient history. Evidence suggests it first came about in the fifth century, in Sparta, where military comrades would feast and toast one another on the eve of a friend’s wedding. There he would say goodbye to the carefree days of bachelorhood and swear continued allegiance to his comrades.

Why A Stag?

The reference to stag and bucks also has strong male conartations. The leader of the pack or herd, virile, male vigour and ardour, males in their prime identified with strength and vitality. There’s another stag connection with male rites of passage – again possibly involving drinking alcohol to excess and soliciting the favours of ladies who are prepared happily to remove all their clothing for the appropriate sum. The Horned God referred to in both Celtic and early English mythology was a symbol of all things male – the Celts called him Cernunnos.

Legend from these times is often confused, but it seems clear that in pre-Christian times, Brits definitely worshipped a large hairy god who sported antlers, ran around with the Einheriar, or wild hunt.

Why Bachelor?

As to the word bachelor, again its history is murky. The earliest meaning of bachelor in English is ‘a young knight who followed the banner of another’. This reference is first found in the late thirteenth century. The use of the word in the context of ‘an unmarried man’, is found in Chaucer in the late fourteenth century. The English word, seems to come from Old French. The source of the Old French word, many believe, probably comes from a Latin word baccalaris ‘farmhand’ but who really knows well your guess is as good as the next man!

For ideas on stag weekends click here.

For stag weekend packages click here

For budget stag weekends click here

For bachelor party ideas

For best man jobs

Our Reputation Means a Great Deal!

Stag Parties Weekends > Budget Stag Weekends

With the current economic climate people are looking for budget stag weekend ideas that represent value for money. Cheap in terms of price but not in terms of the value for money, value for time and the quality of the experience.

We understand that you want the best time possible but don’t want to exclude anyone from the stag do because they can’t afford to participate. We have given this careful thought and come up with budget stag weekends – something to suit all budgets but without comprising the quality of the stag weekend experience.

Budget Stag Party Packages

It’s a difficult and responsible job organising a stag party so this is where we come in. We have arranged hundreds of stag parties over the last 11 years and have the experience, local knowledge and the resources to ensure you have the best time possible at value for money prices.You don’t want the hassle of pulling everything together which is why we offer all the componets for stag packages which include your stag accommodation, stag activities, all your food and transport. You can pick and mix what componets you want to ensure value for money and a stag weekend which matches your budget.

We’ll be flexible to suit your requirements for a budget stag weekend.

Typical Sample Budget Weekend Itinerary – £90

Saturday

-Breakfast

-Picked up Call of the Wild staff and transported to activity venue such as canyoning

-Packed lunch

-Picked up and returned to accommodation

-Evening meal

-Optional trip to Swansea Saturday night

Sunday

-Breakfast

-Depart

“The flexibility and can-do attitude of the staff set the precedent for the whole stag weekend.Many thanks.” Mr. B Hawkins, Plymouth.

Stag Weekend Activity Ideas

Adventure Britain operate in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park and Gower Peninsula, Swansea for our stag party weekends. We offer over 30 outdoor activities including canyoning, paintball, caving, climbing, quad biking, surfing, clay pigeon shooting, coasteering and golf packages. All activities are supervised by well-qualified trainers (our main facilitator is an ex-marine who did a winter crossing of Iceland on skis) ensuring both your enjoyment and safety at all times.

Take a look at our UK stag activities page to discover the wide range of activities we can offer your bachelor party.

“I couldn’t have hoped for a better weekend. Everyone had a fantastic time- from the activities to the night in Swansea. The rooms were perfect and food was wonderful. Thank you for making it so easy.” Mr. M. Forde, Essex

Ideas for the Stag Night Evening

We offer you the option of travelling into Swansea to sample its great nightlife. It has all the usual suspects in term sof bars and clubs. Ask about our VIP free entry and queue jumping offer for entry into one of the biggest and best nightclubs in Swansea. If the cost of this is prohibitive then we have the music room in our property Merlins where we have live music most weekends through the Summer. This would be a cheaper alternative to the nightlife in a big city.

Budget Stag Accommodation

The exact location will depend on what standard of accommodation you require. We have a range of accommodation available to suit all budgets. The location for our budget stag weekends is on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, 15 miles north of Swansea or we use the Gower which is just to the south west of the City Centre of Swansea.

We can offer good quality shared room accommodation up to 5 star luxury. The choice is yours. If you are on a budget then we would recommend our high quality Visit Wales graded property which has dorm style rooms with 2 to 5 beds in the rooms.

What is it Going to Cost me?

Packages start from £90 for a one night one activity stay as above. If you are looking to keep the cost down even further you can just try a single day activity without any overnight accommodation starting from £45. You can go to £185 for two nights and two activities full board accommodation. Look at our packages and prices page for more information. We will be flexible and put a budget weekend package together which fits your affordable and suits your requirements – just give us a call! View our full range of stag packages here

Who Are Adventure Britain?

We are one of the largest and oldest activity companies specialising in stag weekends to suit all budgets. We have been operating for 12 years and are licensed with the Adventure Activities Licensing Service. We are not an agent for others but deliver our own activities, have our own instructors and hospitality staff, our own accommodation and tranport. We are the people you’ll be speaking to and the people you’ll actually meet and be looking after you. A very personal service. This is why we can offer a flexible pricing package for the stag weekends.

We have won awards including:-

• National Team Building Company of the Year 2008/2009
• Welsh Small Business of the Year 2008/2009
• National Business Tourism Company of the Year 2011/2012

What Next

1.Work out approximate numbers

Approximately how many will there be in your group

2. Agree a Date

What weekend are you seeking for the stag party

3. How do you book?

Complete the contact us form or give us a call Tel:01639 700388

4. How much do I need to Pay Now?

To secure your weekend we require a £40 deposit from each person.

View these Videos for More Information

Testimonial From a Stag Group

Canyoning as an Idea for a Stag and Hen Do