Chris AshtonBucks parties are a time honoured tradition. Though most people tend to keep their stag night pretty local, the rise of destination weddings has seen an increase in destination bucks parties too.
While you’re only limited by the best man’s imagination, and your bank balance, here are a few handy tips to help create an overseas bucks party that goes off without a hitch.
Choose the crew wisely
No one wants to spend a night stuck dragging that guy around from bar to bar, but that feeling is ten fold when you’re stuck with them for an extended period of time. Pick who you definitely want to attend, who is a maybe, and who should remain on the other side of the departure gate for the duration.
Pick the right place
Quad biking in New Zealand, scooter trips in Vietnam, bar hopping in Bali – the world is your oyster. One thing to put in the back of your mind though: what are the local laws? No one wants to end up like those muppets in Malaysia wearing only budgie smugglers in public. Do a quick Google check to make sure you’ve picked a destination that doesn’t mind whatever it is you’re going to be getting up to, and also find out how you’re meant to behave in public. It may sound frivolous, but it could be the difference between a hotel room or a jail cell. A good resource is smartraveller.gov.au.
Lock down social media
You may be the type of person who doesn’t mind having their dirty laundry aired all over the internet, but chances are the groom-to-be won’t have that same level of freedom. To avoid dealing with the aftermath of any unfortunate photos, lay down some social media ground rules before the trip. No Facebook at 4am, no Instagram photos of those girls at the bar.
Fly smarter and save
The more you save on flights and hotels, the more cash you’ll be able to splash having a good time. The cheapest days of the week to fly tend to be Tuesday to Thursday, while the most expensive are Friday to Sunday. Webjet is a useful flight comparison site, while Booking.com will help you find a good deal on your hotel accommodation.
Make a plan, stick to it
To avoid a ‘Hangover’ situation where someone goes missing or wakes up with a facial tattoo, it’s a good idea to make a plan of attack and stick to it. Set out meeting points and times, and have some way of communicating with each other if you get separated. If travelling in a non-English speaking country, ask the hotel where you’re staying for a card with the name of the hotel printed on it to hand a taxi driver – it can be a lifesaver after a few drinks.
Get travel insurance
If you heard about the recent flight cancellations in Bali, and the financial headache it caused for travellers, you’ll understand the importance of insurance. According to a Southern Cross Travel Insurance survey, 30 per cent of bucks and hens nights resulted in an accident or broken bones, yet a quarter of the respondents didn’t have travel insurance. Don’t be a statistic. If you’re travelling overseas, it’s a small price to pay for a safety net.
Have you been on an overseas bucks party? What advice would you give?
