A UK stag do costs £200-300 per person for local weekends and £400-700 for European getaways, with attendees splitting costs equally while dividing the groom's share among the group.1 The best man typically organises 3-4 months in advance, booking accommodation, activities, and transport for 8-12 guests. Traditional pranks and drinking challenges are giving way to adventure experiences, sports trips, and memorable group activities that suit the groom's personality.
Planning a stag do balances creating an unforgettable send-off with managing group budgets, coordinating schedules, and respecting the groom's preferences. This guide covers everything from destination selection to activity booking, helping best men organise celebrations that everyone will remember—for the right reasons.
What Is a Stag Do?
A stag do is a pre-wedding celebration for the groom and his closest friends, typically held 4-8 weeks before the wedding day. In British English, the terms "stag do," "stag party," "stag night," and "stag weekend" are used interchangeably, though weekends away have become more popular than single-night celebrations. Americans call this event a "bachelor party," whilst Australians use "bucks party" or "bucks night."
The celebration traditionally involves the groom's friends—including the best man, groomsmen, close mates, and sometimes family members like brothers or fathers. Group sizes typically range from 8-15 people, though intimate gatherings of 5-6 or larger groups of 20+ are becoming more common.
Modern stag dos have evolved from obligatory pub crawls with embarrassing costumes into personalised experiences reflecting the groom's interests. Adventure activities, sports events, cultural experiences, and destination weekends now compete with traditional nightlife-focused celebrations. The best stag dos balance creating memorable moments with ensuring everyone—including the groom—makes it to the wedding in good condition.
Popular UK Stag Do Destinations
British cities offer diverse stag weekend experiences from £65-160 per person per night, with northern cities providing exceptional value and southern destinations commanding premium prices.2 Location choice significantly impacts overall budget, activity options, and group satisfaction. Consider travel distances for attendees, the groom's interests, and whether you want nightlife, adventure, culture, or a combination.
| Location | Accommodation/Night | Activities Budget | Total Weekend (Per Person) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | £70-90 | £80-120 | £220-300 | Party atmosphere, Beatles tours, football stadium tours, legendary nightlife |
| Manchester | £80-100 | £100-150 | £260-350 | Vibrant nightlife, Northern Quarter bars, football experiences, urban activities |
| Newcastle | £65-85 | £70-100 | £205-270 | Legendary nightlife, friendly atmosphere, excellent value, Geordie Shore experience |
| Edinburgh | £90-120 | £100-150 | £280-390 | Whisky tours, castle visits, sophisticated nightlife, scenic beauty, cultural experiences |
| Bournemouth | £75-95 | £90-130 | £240-320 | Beach activities, water sports, seafront clubs, summer destination |
| London | £120-160 | £150-250 | £390-570 | Maximum variety, West End shows, premium experiences, international cuisine |
Northern cities like Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle deliver outstanding value without sacrificing quality, offering compact city centres where pubs, clubs, and activities cluster within walking distance. Edinburgh adds cultural sophistication alongside traditional revelry, whilst coastal Bournemouth suits summer celebrations with beach and water sports options.
London commands premium prices but justifies the expense with unmatched variety—from Michelin-starred restaurants to underground clubs, West End entertainment to every conceivable activity. Budget an extra £100-200 per person compared to northern alternatives, but gain access to unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
European Stag Do Destinations
European stag weekends cost £300-600 per person including flights, accommodation, activities, and meals, with Eastern European cities offering exceptional value.3 Budget airlines have transformed Prague, Budapest, and Krakow into stag do favourites, whilst Dublin remains the closest international option. Weekend breaks typically span Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, maximising time abroad whilst minimising work disruption.
| Destination | Return Flights | Accommodation (2 Nights) | Activities & Meals | Total Per Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | £34-60 | £80-110 | £150-200 | £264-370 | Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar pubs, Irish craic, minimal culture shock |
| Prague | £54-80 | £60-90 | £120-180 | £234-350 | Cheap beer, medieval architecture, legendary nightlife, shooting ranges |
| Amsterdam | £80-140 | £100-160 | £180-280 | £360-580 | Unique nightlife, canal tours, cycling culture, coffee shops |
| Budapest | £60-100 | £70-100 | £130-200 | £260-400 | Thermal baths, ruin bars, Danube cruises, affordable luxury |
| Krakow | £50-80 | £55-85 | £100-160 | £205-325 | Historic old town, vodka tours, salt mines, budget-conscious luxury |
| Benidorm/Malaga | £70-120 | £85-130 | £140-220 | £295-470 | Spanish sunshine, pool parties, beach clubs, guaranteed weather |
Prague and Krakow dominate budget-conscious groups, offering medieval beauty, excellent nightlife, and unbeatable value where beer costs less than water. Budapest elevates the experience with thermal spas providing perfect hangover recovery between ruin bar sessions. These cities combine affordability with genuine cultural interest, appealing beyond simple drinking destinations.
Dublin suits groups wanting international adventure without language barriers or dramatically different culture. Direct flights from most UK airports, familiar pub culture, and Guinness heritage make Dublin the comfortable choice for groups containing less adventurous members.
Book flights and accommodation immediately after setting dates—prices increase dramatically closer to departure. Consider apartment rentals over hotels for groups of 8+, providing communal space, kitchen facilities, and better value. Verify passport validity (6 months remaining) well before departure.
Stag Do Activities by Category
British stag do activities range from £10 budget-friendly options to £150 premium experiences, with most popular choices costing £40-80 per person.4 Activity selection should reflect the groom's interests, group demographics, and overall budget whilst creating shared memories beyond drinking sessions. Balance high-energy activities with relaxation periods, especially on multi-day celebrations.
Adventure & Active Experiences (£30-150)
Adrenaline activities suit physically active groups wanting memorable challenges. Go-karting (£40-65) provides competitive racing on professional circuits, whilst paintball (£30-50) creates team battle scenarios. Quad biking (£50-80) offers off-road adventure, and clay pigeon shooting (£60-90) tests marksmanship in countryside settings. White water rafting (£70-120) delivers extreme thrills in Wales, Scotland, and the Lake District, whilst axe throwing (£35-55) combines medieval skill with modern competitive entertainment.
Consider fitness levels honestly—half-day activities suit most groups, whilst full-day adventures require reasonable fitness and genuine interest beyond simply "doing something." Book morning slots to avoid hangovers sabotaging expensive activities.
Sports & Competition (£40-150)
Sports-focused activities work brilliantly for groups bonding through competition. Golf day packages (£60-100) include course fees, buggies, and clubhouse meals at quality venues. Five-a-side football tournaments (£40-70) hire pitches with referees and medals. F1 driving simulator experiences (£80-150) provide Grand Prix thrills without insurance worries, whilst cricket sessions (£50-90) combine sport with traditional pavilion refreshments.
Stadium tours at football grounds (£25-45) include behind-scenes access, trophy rooms, and pitchside photos. Match day packages (£80-200) add live game attendance to city nightlife, though require advance booking as popular fixtures sell out months ahead.
Nightlife & Entertainment (£40-120)
Traditional nightlife remains central to most celebrations. Organised pub crawls (£40-70) include bar entry, welcome drinks, and local guides ensuring you hit the best venues. Casino nights (£50-90) provide poker chips, table games, and private gaming areas. VIP club packages (£80-120) guarantee entry, reserved tables, and bottle service at premium venues, whilst comedy club visits (£35-60) offer dinner and headline entertainment.
Boat parties on rivers or coastal waters (£60-100) combine DJs, bars, and unique venues floating through city landmarks. Cocktail masterclasses (£45-75) teach mixology skills before nightclub progression, creating entertaining transitions between afternoon and evening.
Unique Experiences (£35-120)
Distinctive activities create talking points beyond standard stag fare. Whisky distillery tours in Scotland (£50-90) include tastings, production insights, and souvenir bottles. Brewery tours (£35-65) offer similar experiences for beer enthusiasts with behind-scenes access and unlimited samples. Escape rooms (£25-40) challenge groups with themed puzzle scenarios requiring teamwork.
Private chef experiences (£60-100) bring restaurant-quality meals to rental accommodation, combining fine dining with casual atmosphere. Poker tournaments with professional dealers (£80-120) create Vegas atmosphere at hotels or hired venues, adding structure to evening entertainment.
Budget-Friendly Options (£10-40)
Tighter budgets needn't mean forgettable celebrations. Garden BBQs at someone's home (£15-25 per person) combine quality food with relaxed atmosphere. Fishing trips (£30-50) offer peaceful days at lakes or coastal spots. Hiking and camping weekends (£20-40) suit outdoorsy groups with scenic walks and campfire evenings. Home poker nights (£10-20) need only chips, cards, and food delivery.
Beach BBQs, park cricket matches, and games nights create memorable occasions through quality time rather than expensive activities. These options particularly suit groups with varying budgets, ensuring cost doesn't exclude close friends from celebrating.
Complete Budget Breakdown
Understanding detailed costs helps manage expectations and collect appropriate deposits. Total expenses divide into fixed costs (accommodation, booked activities) and variable spending (food, drinks, spontaneous decisions). Best men should over-estimate slightly, refunding surplus rather than requesting additional contributions mid-weekend.
| Cost Component | Local Night Out | UK Weekend | European Weekend | Luxury Abroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | — | £70-90 | £80-130 | £120-180 |
| Travel | £15-30 (taxis) | £40-80 (trains) | £60-120 (flights) | £150-250 (flights) |
| Activities | £40-60 | £80-150 | £100-200 | £200-400 |
| Meals | £25-40 | £60-90 | £80-140 | £120-200 |
| Nightlife | £50-80 | £80-120 | £100-160 | £150-250 |
| Decorations/Extras | £10-20 | £15-30 | £20-40 | £30-60 |
| Total Per Person | £140-230 | £345-560 | £440-790 | £770-1,340 |
| Groom's Share | Divided by group | Divided by group | Divided by group | Divided by group |
Calculating the Groom's Contribution
British convention dictates attendees cover the groom's costs, splitting his share equally among participants. For a £400 weekend with 10 attendees, each person pays £440 (their £400 plus £40 towards the groom's share). This tradition recognises wedding expenses already burdening the couple.
Calculate precisely: (Total Group Cost / Number of Paying Attendees) + Individual Base Cost. For 12 people on a £500 weekend: £500 / 11 paying attendees = £45.45 per person additional, so each pays £545.45 total. Best men should calculate this clearly upfront, avoiding surprise surcharges creating resentment.
Planning Timeline for Best Men
Successful stag dos require 3-4 months planning time, with venue and activity bookings secured 2-3 months before departure.5 Rushing organisation limits options, increases costs, and creates unnecessary stress. Follow this timeline ensuring smooth coordination and maximum attendance.
3-4 Months Before Wedding
Establish fundamentals immediately after being asked to organise. Confirm the wedding date from the groom, then work backwards to identify stag do timing—typically 4-8 weeks before the wedding allows recovery time whilst maintaining pre-wedding excitement.
Compile the guest list with the groom's input. Include groomsmen, close friends, brothers, cousins, work colleagues, and father/father-in-law if relationships suit. Send preliminary "save the date" messages via WhatsApp group establishing timeframe and budget ballpark. Poll preferred dates checking work commitments, holiday availability, and personal circumstances.
Research destination options matching group preferences and budget. Create shortlist of 3-4 options with estimated costs, sharing these for group feedback. Finalise destination and specific dates through democratic vote or executive decision if consensus proves impossible.
2-3 Months Before Wedding
Book accommodation immediately after confirming dates. Hotels, apartments, and hostels fill quickly, especially popular stag weekends in major cities. Secure group-friendly rentals with communal spaces, multiple bathrooms, and kitchen facilities. Read reviews specifically mentioning stag parties—some venues explicitly welcome groups whilst others ban them.
Reserve transport simultaneously. Book train tickets benefiting from advance purchase discounts (up to 50% savings), or arrange minibus hire if driving. For European destinations, book flights and airport transfers. Consider travel insurance covering cancellations—group trips face higher cancellation risk than individual travel.
Research and book primary activities. Popular experiences like go-karting, paintball, and brewery tours book up weekends ahead. Reserve morning/early afternoon slots avoiding hangover conflicts. Confirm group sizes, dietary requirements, and any physical restrictions with activity providers.
4-6 Weeks Before Wedding
Chase final attendance confirmations and collect deposits. Send payment requests through Monzo or Revolut with clear breakdowns. Some will need gentle reminders—follow up personally with stragglers rather than passive-aggressive group messages.
Finalise detailed itinerary balancing structured activities with free time. Over-programming creates exhaustion, under-programming creates boredom. Build in recovery periods, meal breaks, and flexibility for spontaneous decisions. Share provisional schedule gathering feedback before cementing plans.
Book restaurants for group meals, especially in popular destinations where walk-ins for 10+ prove impossible. Confirm dietary requirements including vegetarians, allergies, and religious restrictions. Reserve private areas or long tables facilitating group conversation.
1-2 Weeks Before Wedding
Share final itinerary including addresses, booking references, meeting times, and emergency contact numbers. Create printed copies for those preferring paper plus digital versions in WhatsApp group. Include accommodation check-in details, activity confirmation codes, and restaurant reservations.
Confirm all bookings directly with venues, activities, and accommodation. Verify final numbers, payment status, and any special requests. Reconfirm dietary requirements with restaurants and accessibility needs with activity providers.
Organise decorations, themed outfits, or surprise elements. Traditional embarrassing t-shirts, inflatable items, and fancy dress need ordering with delivery time buffers. Coordinate who's bringing what to avoid everyone assuming someone else has sorted essentials.
Who Pays for the Stag Do?
All stag do attendees pay their own costs plus an equal share of the groom's expenses, with the best man coordinating collection and managing the budget. This British convention recognises wedding costs already burdening the couple, making it inappropriate to charge the groom for his own send-off celebration. Clear financial communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone commits with full knowledge of costs.
Calculate total costs including accommodation, activities, meals, transport, and nightlife, then divide the groom's portion equally among attendees. For 10 people on a £400 weekend, each pays £440 (their £400 plus £40 for the groom). Transparent calculations shared via spreadsheet or group message build trust and allow people to understand exactly where money goes.
Payment Collection Methods
Modern payment apps revolutionise group finance management. Monzo and Revolut offer group tabs where everyone contributes to shared pots, whilst Splitwise tracks who owes what with automatic calculations and payment reminders. These tools eliminate awkward money conversations and cash collection logistics.
Request deposits (typically 50%) when booking accommodation and activities, with final balances due 2-3 weeks before departure. Early deposits secure bookings whilst spreading costs over time eases individual budgets. Send clear payment requests specifying amounts, deadlines, and payment methods with clickable links minimising friction.
Handling Budget Constraints
Not everyone shares identical financial circumstances. Mixing high earners with students or people facing money pressures creates tension if costs spiral without consideration. Discuss budget parameters openly when planning, establishing maximum per-person costs before selecting destinations and activities.
Offer tiered participation for expensive weekends. Core group attends the full weekend whilst others join for single nights or specific activities they can afford. This inclusion beats excluding people entirely due to cost barriers. Alternatively, plan budget-conscious celebrations ensuring universal participation.
Stag Do Traditions
British stag do traditions balance ritualistic humiliation with genuine celebration, though modern interpretations increasingly favour experiences over embarrassment. Understanding traditional customs helps gauge what suits your groom's personality—some embrace classic pranks whilst others prefer dignity-preserving celebrations.
Classic Traditions
Embarrassing outfit for the groom tops traditional elements. Inflatable costumes, ridiculous fancy dress, or humiliating t-shirts marked the groom as the celebration's centre. Mankinis, superhero costumes, and drag outfits featured regularly, with photographic evidence ensuring lasting mortification. Modern approaches favour funny-but-not-humiliating options—matching group shirts with the groom's distinguished by colour or text rather than degrading costumes.
Forfeits and challenges traditionally tested the groom's willingness to embarrass himself publicly. Drinking games, daring pub challenges, and pranks created stories retold at the wedding. Contemporary versions emphasise funny rather than cruel—inflatable obstacle courses beat forcing the groom to perform degrading acts for strangers' amusement.
Drinking games form nightlife backbone, from pub golf to complex card game marathons. Traditional British drinking culture pervades stag celebrations, though increasing numbers recognise that excessive alcohol creates messy endings rather than memorable experiences. Pace drinking, intersperse water, and ensure food buffers between sessions.
Modern Interpretations
Contemporary stag dos increasingly reject humiliation in favour of genuine enjoyment. Groups recognise the groom should love his celebration rather than endure it. This shift favours activities he'd genuinely choose—golf weekends for golfers, climbing trips for outdoor enthusiasts, gaming marathons for gamers—over enforced "traditional" experiences he'll hate.
Matching t-shirts replace embarrassing outfits, with personalised designs referencing in-jokes, nicknames, or shared history. The groom's shirt differs slightly whilst maintaining group cohesion. This visible identification helps groups stick together in crowded venues whilst preserving dignity.
Experience-focused celebrations prioritise creating positive memories over testing limits. Adventure activities, sports events, cultural experiences, and quality meals replace pure drinking marathons. These celebrations suit wider age ranges and create stories everyone happily retells rather than incidents the groom wishes forgotten.
Modern Alternatives to Traditional Stag Dos
Not every groom wants lads-on-tour weekends involving excessive drinking and potential embarrassment. Alternative celebrations reflecting genuine interests create more meaningful experiences whilst maintaining the core purpose—celebrating friendship before marriage.
Adventure Weekends
Outdoor pursuits suit active groups seeking physical challenges. Surfing weekends in Cornwall or Devon combine lessons, beach camping, and coastal pub culture. Skiing trips to Scotland or European resorts offer winter sports camaraderie with apres-ski socialising. Rock climbing centres or outdoor mountaineering create achievement-focused celebrations. These options suit fitness-conscious grooms preferring natural highs over alcohol-fuelled nights.
Mountain biking trails, coasteering expeditions, and multi-activity centres provide varied challenges across single weekends. Wales and Scotland particularly excel in adventure infrastructure combining outdoor experiences with accommodation and expert instruction.
Sports-Focused Celebrations
Football or rugby match weekends combine live sport with city exploration. Attend Premier League matches, Six Nations fixtures, or international tournaments, building celebrations around sporting passion. Many grounds offer matchday packages including stadium tours, hospitality, and premium seating creating VIP experiences.
Golf trips remain perennially popular, especially in Scotland where legendary courses welcome group bookings. Multi-day golf packages include accommodation at clubhouses, rounds at famous venues, and evening meals in traditional settings. These civilised celebrations suit older groups or those preferring competitive sport over nightclub chaos.
Cultural Experiences
Whisky trails through Scotland combine education with indulgence. Speyside, Islay, or Highland distillery tours include tastings, production insights, and accommodation at distillery hotels or nearby cottages. These sophisticated celebrations appeal to drinks enthusiasts wanting knowledge alongside consumption.
City break weekends focusing on culture over clubbing suit more reserved grooms. Edinburgh's history and architecture, Bath's Roman heritage, or York's medieval streets provide exploration alternatives to party destinations.
Low-Key Gatherings
Cabin retreats or country house rentals suit intimate groups preferring quality time over constant activity. Rent large properties in countryside locations, bringing in private chefs, organising poker tournaments, or simply spending weekends talking, drinking quality whisky, and reminiscing. These relaxed celebrations work brilliantly for small groups or when the groom actively dislikes traditional stag culture.
Gaming weekends appeal to esports enthusiasts or childhood friends who bonded over video games. Rent accommodation with multiple gaming setups, organise tournaments, and recreate teenage gaming marathons with adult budgets.
Tips for the Best Man
Organising successful stag celebrations requires balancing multiple competing interests whilst managing logistics, finances, and group dynamics.
Know Your Groom
Plan celebrations matching the groom's actual personality rather than stereotypical expectations. If he's introverted, uncomfortable with attention, or dislikes excessive drinking, design experiences respecting these traits. The best stag dos reflect who the groom genuinely is rather than who tradition suggests he should be.
Ask direct questions about preferences, boundaries, and absolute no-goes. Some grooms dread public embarrassment whilst others embrace it. Certain activities terrify specific people—heights, water, physical contact—making surprise bookings potentially disastrous.
Budget for Everyone
Price points determine attendance more than destination or activity appeal. Ambitious plans meaning several close friends can't afford participation create hollow victories. Better to enjoy a modest celebration with all important people than an elaborate weekend missing the groom's closest friends.
Poll budget comfort levels anonymously early in planning. People struggle admitting financial constraints publicly, whilst private surveys enable honest responses. If responses vary dramatically, choose conservative budgets ensuring universal participation.
Communicate Constantly
Create dedicated WhatsApp groups immediately after confirming attendees. This central communication channel shares updates, collects feedback, builds excitement, and maintains momentum. Pin important messages containing dates, costs, and booking deadlines ensuring visibility.
Set clear deadlines with consequences. Specify deposit due dates, final attendance confirmation requirements, and booking points of no return. Chasing payments and confirmations wastes energy better spent planning.
Stay Sober Enough to Manage
The best man role includes responsibility—you can't lose your phone, forget booking details, or become incapable of managing the group. Pace yourself, stay hydrated, and recognise your dual role as participant and organiser.
Designate a reliable second-in-command sharing organisational duties. If you're unwell, lose your phone, or simply need supporting, having a deputy who knows the plan prevents weekend collapse.
Leave Recovery Time
Schedule the stag do at least 3-4 weeks before the wedding. This buffer allows physical recovery from hangovers, bruises from activities, and tan lines from sunburn whilst providing psychological transition between bachelor celebration and marriage commitment. Last-minute stag weekends risk the groom arriving at his wedding exhausted, injured, or still recovering.
Sources and References
Footnotes
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Fizzbox Group Bookings Analysis, UK Stag Do Cost Statistics, 2024. Average costs compiled from 12,000+ group bookings across UK destinations and European cities. ↩
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Booking.com & StagWeb, UK Stag Do Destination Cost Comparison, 2024-2025. Accommodation pricing based on average weekend rates for 8-12 person group bookings. ↩
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Skyscanner UK, European Weekend Break Flight Pricing, 2024-2025. Return flight costs represent UK departure averages for weekend flights during peak stag season. ↩
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Last Night of Freedom, UK Stag Do Activity Pricing Guide, 2025. Compiled from verified activity provider pricing across 150+ stag-friendly suppliers. ↩
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Hitched UK, Pre-Wedding Celebration Trends Report, 2024. Survey of 3,200+ couples analysing stag and hen party planning timelines, budgets, and preferences. ↩