Bachelor parties have been a wedding tradition since the so-called Olden Days, when they gave the groom a chance to “sow his wild oats” before marriage. We are well out of that dark age (thank goodness!), and these days women celebrate imminent weddings with their closest pals too.

Who Hosts?

Virtually anyone can host a bachelorette party. Often the maid of honor and bridesmaids, who are close to the bride, do the honors, but any friend, relative (a cousin, for example), or even coworkers who feel the urge can plan this party.

The Guest List

Shower guests must all be invited to the wedding, but this isn’t necessarily true for bachelorette parties. Chances are that most bachelorette party guests — who are generally the bride’s best gal pals — are wedding guests, too, but it’s fine to invite coworkers or neighbors who may not be invited to a small or out-of-town wedding. Just be up front with them about your limited wedding guest list — you don’t want to disappoint any well-wishers. It’s usually best to keep this party pretty small — definitely under 20, and under 10 is probably ideal.

Decide on a Date

Steer clear of the night before the wedding — the last thing the bride needs is a hangover! She’ll be nervous enough; she shouldn’t have to worry about getting sick. (The rehearsal dinner is usually scheduled for that night, anyway.) If the wedding is in a town other than the bride’s hometown, you might want to have the bachelorette party before she leaves; even if the wedding is local, party at least 2 or 3 nights before the big day.

Spread the Word

Choose or design with a theme in mind, even if it’s as simple as the bride’s favorite color. Create official invitations depending on the type of party you’re planning. Remember if you need to make reservations for a show or other activity, you’ll probably want guests to officially RSVP.