How Far In Advance Should I Book A Stag?

Congratulations! The wedding is booked. Now you're looking for information about the big day. No, not the wedding day, the stag do, of course!

Most people wait way too long to start planning. But our stag experts all agree: if you want the best rates, the top-tier venues, the prime time activity slots, and a full turnout... you need to be looking eight to 18 months in advance.

When Is The Right Time To Book A Stag Weekend?

In this video, our stag experts - Robyn, Harry, Neave, and Courtney - sit down to share their insider tips on timing, common mistakes, and how to lock in the best deals.

The golden rule for booking stag dos is: the sooner the better. This is especially true if you're not just having a local night out doing a pub crawl. If you're looking for a fun weekend overseas, anybody who knows anything about stag dos will recommend planning activities early to get the best deals and save a few quid for a boozy night. You will also give your guests more time to save for the trip, and ensure there's space, especially if you're a big group.

Once wedding planning commences, set up your group chat and decide what the guys are doing. Whether you arrange a visit to a popular stag destination or go somewhere a little off the beaten track, doing so early means you can take your pick of the activities and hotels without worrying about them being fully booked.

The most popular destinations, hotels, and activity ideas are usually at capacity during peak times. As such, it is not only common for stag groups to miss out on the top deals, but also for the facilities in question to raise their rates during busy periods. Planning and booking your legendary stag party early is budget-friendly, ensures availability, and gives you more choices.

When should I start planning a stag do?

You should start to plan a stag do at least 6 to 12 months in advance and book a few weeks later, especially for larger groups or popular destinations. Booking ahead of time secures your first-choice activities and accommodation, avoids higher prices during peak seasons, and gives everyone more time to commit to the stag party.

While it might seem extreme to plan a stag do 6 months ahead, it's a small task compared to the marathon of wedding planning. For example, if the stag party is scheduled for September, start planning for the big day between January and March to secure your preferred accommodation and activities.

You will have peace of mind knowing you will not struggle with availability or worry about other parties or holiday-goers hijacking your slots. If you are travelling abroad, planning and making your bookings early means no last-minute scrambling for flights or hotels at exorbitant rates.

Also, some places tend to be more popular than others at different times of the year for holiday-goers. For instance, Bournemouth and Brighton usually see large crowds streaming to the shores in the golden months. So, if you are considering such options for the stag party, you will need to make arrangements and organise well in advance. In addition, if you will be travelling to a destination during the non-sunnier or off-season months, note that the vibe, especially the nightlife, won’t be as vibrant as it usually is in the sunnier months when most holiday hotspots in the EU are jam-packed with holidaymakers.

Stag do early booking hurdles and practical fixes

The best man title comes with a huge responsibility: organising your best friend’s stag do, which comes with various challenges. One of the main concerns stag do planners face when booking prematurely is that group sizes may change later. Some people may join the group while others may not make it to the big event.

If you are planning to travel overseas for the stag weekend, it will be even more challenging, as changing names or updating contact details on the tickets can be a hard nut to crack. Fortunately, most airlines nowadays allow travellers to change names seamlessly for a small fee.

A good example is EasyJet. The airline charges a small fee for name, flight, date, and destination changes. Just make sure you do it within the stipulated time frame. So opt for travel with flexible cancellation or adjustment regulations. You should be able to change or cancel a service if a mate changes their mind about attending the party or if anything comes up. You can also consider adding trip insurance when buying tickets.

Some stag do companies, like us, also offer flexible booking options. You can book the stag party for only £49, then confirm the guest list or number later. This gives you the wiggle room to seamlessly add and remove members over time.

Another concern most stag planners face when making early bookings is the heavy responsibility of collecting payments on short notice. This is why we offer a payment system and payment plan that lets everybody in the stag group pay us directly at their own pace, free of charge. There’s no need to follow up with members to make their payments. You will be provided with a link where your mates can sign up, confirm their places, make their deposits, see their balance, and make early payments.

Payments can be made in instalments, making the process more manageable and affordable by spreading the total amount over time. No last-minute rushes or worries about the guys making their deposits. The end result? You get the event’s maps, plans, and other details via the online booking system. What’s more, our stag experts are informative, always at the end of the phone, and incredibly good at organising unforgettable stag weekends and finding solutions to various issues.

Stag do planning timeline

Planning a stag is no easy feat. The key to a great stag night or weekend is breaking it into simple, manageable steps and timelines. Make sure the best man and, perhaps, one other designated planner keep a tight rein on the situation to avoid chaos and too many cooks trying to manage the itinerary. The structure below will not only make the adventure a whole lot easier for you but also keep you on track:

12–18 months before: Begin initial planning, including forming the guest list, discussing a destination with the groom, deciding on a date, and gathering potential activity ideas.
9–12 months before: This is the ideal time for a large group to finalise and book the main components, like accommodation and major activities.
6–9 months before: Book a stag do at least 6-9 months ahead, especially for popular locations or during peak season, to get the best deals and availability. You can propose various potential dates within that time frame for the party and allow your mates to pick what works for them.
Final months: After booking, double-check final numbers with participants and handle final payments, often due 4 to 6 weeks before the date.

A legendary stag do planning checklist

Planning an epic stag do party is not easy, but it can be lots of fun with the right tips in place. As a trusted mate, the challenge to deliver a memorable weekend is real. Having a planning checklist is usually at the heart and soul of making it a celebration to remember. The checklist will help you handle various activities in an orderly fashion without forgetting anything important. You will know which times to fill and how many guests will attend, without cluttering the schedule or paying pricey last-minute rates for different activities. Here are tried and tested insider checklist tips to help you start planning an epic send-off for your buddy:

Consult the groom: Have a general conversation with the groom to get a rough idea of his interests. Does he prefer bar-crawling (sampling local bars), a chilled weekend, going abroad, or partying the whole weekend? Also, it is his party, so let him pick the attendees. Let him give you his must-attend mates, either from his family, different friendship groups, uni mates or work colleagues. At this point, you can create an online doc or notebook to get a ballpark figure of the invite list.
Set a practical budget: During the chat, try to get a ballpark figure for what most people in the group can afford. At this juncture, you can also create a WhatsApp or Facebook group chat and let other members know what you are up to. Ask them directly how much they can each afford to contribute to the stag do party, so you have an idea of what you are dealing with.
Pick the right dates: There’s no point in booking epic adventures or the best activities on a day that the groom or most of your mates will not be available. Consult them on their availability and find a way to work with it. This approach will give the gang time to request time off at work, save for the big day, and free up their calendars. If possible, create a shared calendar with the members so everyone is on the same page.
Destination selection: Next, decide which stag destinations you want to visit. Whether it is Barcelona, Amsterdam, or even Vegas, keep the groom’s interests and desires in mind.
Stag do activities or theme: After choosing the right venue for your event, it is time to spice it up with a fun theme or stag do activities. From adrenaline-charged activities to entertaining pranks, there are so many adventures to enjoy. And do not forget the main guest, the groom. If he loves football, make a point of organising tickets to a big match. Is he a thrill seeker? Go for high-octane activities such as ziplining, skydiving, shark cage diving, or ice cross karting. For some inspiration, check out some of our stag do activity ideas. It's okay to leave free time to explore and rest, too. Don't feel the need to fill every minute of every day.
Lock it in!: After getting all the above sorted out, it is time to make reservations. The earlier you make reservations, the less likely other stag groups will beat you to the punch when it comes to your preferred activities, hotel, time slots, or flight. After that, you will not worry about it and will start counting the days to the D-Day. At Chillisauce, we only need a £49 deposit to lock in your big day.
No need to bug members to pay: When you book your event with Chillisauce, you will not have to keep reminding your mates to make payments. In addition to the small deposit, we allow all group members to make payments directly to us in instalments.
Make the stag do memorable: After booking, your job is technically done. Chillisauce will handle all the admin for you while you take the credit. That’s the grand finale of our legendary stag do checklist. Have a blast and cherish every moment, inside jokes, and laughter shared!

Benefits of booking your stag do early

The sooner you start planning, making enquiries, booking, and talking to various event organisers, the better. Although it might seem overwhelming initially, doing it right with the right agency means you and your mates will create special moments on the big weekend. Booking early will ensure that everyone in the group can attend and that any issues are resolved promptly. Here is more on the benefits of booking your stag do early:

Secure popular venues: Popular destinations and activities get booked up quickly, especially during peak season (March–September). They appeal not only to stag groups but also to other holiday-goers. If the groom or most of the group has a specific adventure in mind, the key is to book in advance. Otherwise, you may have to make compromises, such as sitting far apart at the stadium rather than sitting exclusively side-by-side as a group.
Save money: Booking ahead of schedule often secures better prices on flights and accommodation.
Ensure higher attendance: Providing ample notice makes it easier to secure commitments, as it gives people clearer schedules.
Guaranteed pickup windows: A pre-booked event comes with certainty. For example, if you are supposed to be picked up at a specific time at a certain place, the company organising your trip will make the arrangements in advance, so you do not have to wait for a few hours. This reduces uncertainty or waiting times. This is particularly important for time-critical schedules, such as late-night arrivals or airport transfers.
Fewer last-minute decisions: Clear, straightforward plans minimise the need to reconsider arrangements at departure. Everything is planned rather than a gamble, ensuring that you have an epic stag weekend.
Stress-free planning: Booking early gives you enough time to research the destination, draft a detailed schedule, and reserve time for must-do activities. You can also clearly focus on the thrilling adventures ahead instead of struggling with the basics.

Can you book a last-minute stag do package?

Yes, it is possible to book a last-minute stag do package. However, it offers limited options, higher rates, and, most importantly, uncertainty about confirmations from service providers. During high-traffic periods, large events, or adverse weather, conditions can become unpredictable. Stag do groups or general travellers heading to time-sensitive activities, or arriving abroad after a long international flight, may face unnecessary pressure if they do not arrange or book in advance. To be specific, here are some risks of last-minute booking:

You may not get the top deals on activities, accommodation, or transport
Your location and date options are limited
You may not be able to book time slots for unique activities such as assault courses, cave trampolining, greyhound racing, or blindfold driving.if you're travelling during the off-season or cooler months, note that the vibe, especially the nightlife, won't be as lively as it is in summer when most destinations in the EU are packed with tourists.

Start planning your stag do today

Has your friend entrusted you with planning a memorable stag do that will send him off in style? It is a big responsibility that requires creativity, good organisational skills, clear communication, and adaptability. But do not sweat! We are here to help you plan a stag do packed with unforgettable moments and plenty of laughs.

Our experts handle all the details from booking intriguing activities to finding the best destination and accommodation, so that you can concentrate on making special moments. Whether you want a countryside escape, a thrill-packed getaway, or a blend of both, we offer various packages that will make the big day unforgettable.

The best part? You do not have to pay the whole amount initially when booking, just £49, and you are good to go! You can then clear the balance in instalments. The payment is flexible; everyone pays directly through the system, without having to chase mates for their payments. If you need to make any date changes or adjust the number of group members later, we will do so at no charge!

Follow up questions

Who will pay for the stag do?

Technically, everyone who plans to attend the event pays for the stag do. You can choose to split costs equally or allocate expenses based on individual abilities and budgets. This way, all the attendees can fully enjoy the event without feeling overburdened. That’s why it is important to chat with your mates about what amount feels fair for everyone when developing the budget.

Should the best man pay for the groom on a stag do?

A common question that most groomsmen grapple with when planning a stag do is who pays for the groom on a stag do? Traditionally, he is not supposed to pay for anything. Everything, including his food, favourite activities, accommodation, and any tickets, should be sorted by the best man and his mates. The idea here is to give him a chance to chill and party freely before giving up his bachelor life. However, nowadays it is not uncommon for the groom to cover his own expenses.

Is 6 months enough time to plan a stag do abroad?

Yes. While most stag groups travelling abroad book stag dos about 3 to 4 months before the desired date, planning usually starts at least 6 months in advance. This helps avoid higher costs, last-minute stress, and uncertainty about the availability of certain services.

How early should you send save-the-date messages out for a stag do?

As soon as you have a date - ideally at least 2 weeks before you plan to start putting packages together, so mates have time to confirm and request time off.

How close to your big day should the stag night be?

Give yourselves at least two weeks or a month in between the stag do and the wedding day. This will give the groom and members enough time to recover and be in top shape on the big day.