Stag party: When does the stag party take place and what is behind this custom?

Are you planning a wedding or have been invited to a wedding reception and are wondering when the reception will actually take place? Then you've come to the right place! The Polterabend is a wonderful wedding tradition that has been celebrated in Germany for centuries. We explain everything you need to know about the bachelorette party: when it traditionally takes place, what happens at the bachelorette party and which customs are part of the bachelorette party.

What is a hen party and where does this custom come from?

The Polterabend is one of the most famous German wedding customs of all. The rite dates back to ancient times and has a very special meaning: dishes and porcelain are smashed because broken pieces bring good luck. The loud crashing of the smashing plates is said to drive away evil spirits and bring the bride and groom luck and blessings for their married life together. According to popular belief, the more shards that are broken, the more luck the marriage will bring.

Traditionally, the wedding reception takes place in front of the bride's house. The fiancée and groom then sweep up the broken pieces together, symbolizing that they will stick together in married life and overcome difficulties together. This beautiful tradition makes the bachelorette party an unforgettable experience for the fiancées and guests.

Stag party when: When is the stag party celebrated?

The most frequently asked question about the stag party is: When does the stag party take place? Traditionally, the stag party is celebrated on the evening before the wedding, i.e. the night directly before the wedding day. This is why it is also referred to as the "evening before the wedding".

In practice, however, this has changed somewhat. As the organization of the bachelorette party requires a lot of effort and many guests still have to arrive on the evening before the wedding, the bachelorette party is now often celebrated a few days or even weeks before the wedding. For example, the Thursday before the wedding is popular if the ceremony takes place on a Saturday. This gives the bride and groom a day's break between the stag party and the actual wedding celebration.

Some couples also decide to organize the wedding reception two weeks before the wedding, especially if many guests have to travel from far away or the guest list is very large. Things can get stressful for the bride and groom shortly before the wedding, so it sometimes makes sense to plan the stag party a little earlier. The only important thing is that the stag party takes place before the church wedding or the civil ceremony, as it is the prelude to the wedding celebrations.

When does the wedding reception take place? Flexible according to your wishes

The exact time of the wedding reception is therefore not set in stone. The best time to celebrate your wedding anniversary is when it suits you as the couple-to-be and your guests best. It's entirely up to you whether you celebrate on the eve of the wedding or invite your guests a few weeks earlier.

What you should consider when planning is the number of guests. A small wedding reception with close friends and family is easier to organize at short notice than a large celebration with lots of acquaintances. So think about who you would like to invite to the bachelorette party early on and when the best time is for everyone. Then send out the invitation to the stag party in good time so that all guests can block the date in their diaries.

What happens on the hen night?

Afterwards, the bride and groom sweep up the broken glass together, which, as already mentioned, is symbolic of their journey together. Sometimes the groomsmen also help with this or the guests cheer the bride and groom on as they polter. Of course, there is a party after the poltergeist! The guests and the bride and groom spend a cheerful evening together with food, drink and a good atmosphere.

Another popular custom at the wedding reception is to hide the bride's shoes or play little jokes. Games and activities in which the bride and groom have to show how well they know each other are also very popular at a stag party and make for lots of laughs.

Invitation to a hen party: who do you invite?

Traditionally, everyone is welcome at a stag party! Unlike a wedding reception, where only invited guests are allowed to attend, in the past the whole village was allowed to come along and smash dishes at a traditional wedding reception. Today, this has changed somewhat and most couples only invite their closest friends and family to the wedding reception.

However, you can of course also celebrate a larger wedding anniversary and invite friends and acquaintances who may not be invited to the actual wedding. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with people who are not coming to the wedding reception but would still like to accompany you on your journey. If the bride and groom are happy to have a large party, there is absolutely nothing to stop them having lots of guests at the wedding reception.

Bachelorette party ideas: how to make your evening unforgettable

If you're looking for ideas and tips for organizing the bachelorette party, we have a few great suggestions for you here. A great location for the bachelorette party is, of course, the bride's parents' house, but a garden, terrace or rented outdoor area is also a wonderful place for a bachelorette party.

Make sure you have enough vintage tableware and china so that all guests can join in. You can tell your guests to bring old crockery in the invitation to the bachelorette party. This way, you're guaranteed to get enough material together and the party will be twice as much fun.

Also think about the music and food for your stag party. A cozy buffet, drinks and good music will ensure that the evening goes on really well after the bachelorette party. If you would like to combine the stag night with a stag party, this is of course also a great idea that many couples are implementing these days.

Conclusion

The wedding anniversary is and remains an unforgettable custom that heralds the start of married life together. No matter when you celebrate your bachelorette party, whether on the eve of the wedding or a few weeks before, the important thing is that you celebrate together with your loved ones, laugh and enjoy this special moment. Because as the saying goes: broken glass brings happiness!