How to Plan a Sober Bachelor Party on a Budget

Contrary to what popular culture may lead you to believe, bachelor parties are not all about the alcohol; they’re not even about the guests, the decorations, or the food. They’re all about the groom. For some time there’s been a myth circulating that the words “non-alcoholic” and “fun” simply can’t coexist in the description of a bachelor party. Not only is this myth completely untrue, but it leaves no room for our betrothed brethren that are recovering from addiction.

Staying sober can be difficult, and the groom should be celebrated in a way that fits his sober lifestyle. If you’ve been tasked with the honor of throwing an alcohol-free bachelor party, grab a notebook and jot down a few potential plans, like these recommended by LindasDateList.com. There are loads of exciting ideas that can fit your budget and your soon-to-be-wed friend’s sobriety.

Coffee Shop Hopping

 Instead of bar hopping all night, hit the coffee shops during the day! Map out a trip to the city of your choice that includes all of the best coffee and pastry shops. With this type of party, you won’t be buying expensive shots of alcohol, but enjoying smooth, delicious shots of espresso. If too many trips out in one day don’t quite meet your budget requirements, you could also host a chic, in-home coffee tasting party. Coffee is the perfect substitute for alcohol. Different coffees have unique tastes and they won’t cause the groom-to-be to crave old habits.

Trip to a Theme Park

 If you live within a day’s drive to a theme park, turn this party upside down by catering to the roller coaster enthusiast’s dream. Be sure to look for promotional deals for large parties. Research discounts before you go. While some theme parks serve alcohol, it’s usually restricted to specific park areas. If you plan on making a theme park part of your bachelor party adventure, call ahead to learn where those areas are so that you can avoid them throughout your visit.

Take In a Baseball Game

If your groom-to-be is a big sports fan, particularly for major league baseball, consider an outing to see his favorite team play. For example, you can find Los Angeles Dodgers tickets through sites like TickPick, which also offer tickets to spring training games. It’s true that alcohol is served in the stadiums, but you can circumvent issues by lining up a suite or bowling your friend over with plenty of baseball park eats.

Grooming with the Groom

 Ladies aren’t the only ones that deserve a little pampering before their big day. Schedule an afternoon just before the wedding for your best man and his best men to get the hot towel treatment, a close shave, and trim at a swanky barbershop. When researching a barber for your outing, Taylor Andrews suggests looking for barbers that maintain a clean environment, are good conversationalists, and have a capable knowledge of styling. Whichever barbershop you choose, plan your outing so he can avoid old drinking stops, and pick a lunch spot that doesn’t have a drink menu on the table. These little things can be triggers for relapse.

Dance the Night Away

 The upcoming wedding reception is a great opportunity to flex your dancing muscles. But If your man of the hour needs to polish up on his dancing skills, consider taking a private dance class with your groom’s party. Call a few of the local dance studios and ask for a private lesson. If it isn’t overbooked, they might be willing to negotiate on the cost of admission. Alternatively, you can use an online resource like takelessons.com to find the perfect dance instructor. Keep in mind that making it a private event is ideal for avoiding alcohol because you get to decide what types of food and drink products are served.

Planning a sober bachelor party is a big responsibility, and doing so on a budget can add to your stress. The good news is that you won’t be spending loads of cash on drinks at the bar. Your groom’s party is a great opportunity to save money by finding sober activities like coffee shop hopping or day-tripping to a theme park. Whatever you plan, your groom will be grateful for friends that take his sobriety into account for his bachelor party.

Compliments of guest blogger - Michael Stephenson <info@theentrepreneurhub.com