A couple of tips we compiled for Stags

Planning a stag? Here’s all you need to know!

 

While being best man can be an honour, planning the stag can sometimes feel like a poisoned chalice. We asked stag expert, Fergal Quinn, the owner of henandstagsligo.ie, for his top eight tips to make this the best night of the groom’s life. Turns out it was perfect timing as Fergal is taking the plunge himself and is currently planning his own stag on March 30.

1. Get active. Plan an activity. Make sure you have at least one activity planned for the weekend and that it is suitable for everyone – even better if it doesn’t include alcohol.
2. Chow down. Include one big meal over the weekend. Finger food is not going to cut it for a bunch of guys on the lash for the weekend.
3. Get mobile. Make sure transfers are arranged to bring you from activity to pub to club. And leave enough time to drag the slow coaches out.
4. Be on time. I’ve seen loads of horror stories when stags – or hens – turn up really late for an activity and they have lost their time slot. It can put a real dampener on the weekend.
5. Pay online. There is always one guy who forgets to pay or loses his wallet so using an online group payment system is invaluable. It automatically emails people who have not paid, saving you the hassle.
6. Know your territory. A lot of stags like to go in costume but some pubs, clubs or restaurants won’t let in groups who are wearing fancy dress or runners. So ring ahead to avoid being turned away on the door.  Towns like Sligo are very stag-friendly but not all places are.
7. Don’t be a rock star. Trashing a room might seem like fun at the time but most places take security deposits – usually paid by you, the organiser -  so warn the lads ahead of time so you’re not left holding the bill.
8. Remember your audience. If the stag’s future father-in-law is on the weekend, it might not be a great idea to put a strip club on the itinerary. What happens on the stag might not always stay on the stag!