Should a Christian have a bachelor/bachelorette party?

Response

One common tradition in Western culture is to hold a bachelor party (for the groom) or a bachelorette party (for the bride) the evening before the wedding. Typically organized by the best man or maid of honor, these parties offer close friends a final gathering before transitioning from “single” to “married” status. The concept of a gender-specific event to celebrate a marriage is not inherently good or bad. The appropriateness of a Christian hosting or attending such a party depends on the activities that take place.

Traditional bachelor parties often serve as excuses for engaging in immoral behavior and excessive drinking. Activities like hiring strippers, involving prostitutes, and participating in beer-chugging competitions are common in many circles. Regrettably, it is not uncommon for an intoxicated groom to engage in infidelity the night before his wedding and show up for the ceremony hungover. Clearly, this type of celebration is unsuitable for a Christian to organize or participate in “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”, (1 Peter 4:3). Bachelorette parties are not much better when the bride’s friends engage in their own forms of debauchery: hiring male strippers, engaging in drinking games, and indulging in lewd, sexual conversations (see Ephesians 5:4;Colossians 3:8). Any bride or groom who values maintaining a pure heart and honoring their future spouse would not find enjoyment in such events.

Nevertheless, bachelor and bachelorette parties do not have to be occasions of debasement. Many Christian brides and grooms opt for enjoyable gatherings with their friends the night before the wedding. They plan activities that are in line with their values and beliefs, ensuring a memorable and respectful celebration.

ities, schedule movies, and have guys-only and girls-only events that do not devalue the next day’s celebration. Christian brides and grooms see no need to indulge in sin simply because they are getting married. In fact, they view this final get-together with their single friends as a way to celebrate the years of friendship. They may watch old videos of their times together or plan some of the activities they used to enjoy together as a way of bidding farewell to an era. They often spend time praying for each other and the new family about to be formed. Some soon-to-be brides and grooms even invite parents and grandparents to be part of this unique celebratory evening, taking the opportunity to gain last-minute advice from the wise «He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed. », (Proverbs 13:20).

Whether a Christian should have a bachelor or bachelorette party depends entirely on the types of friends and activities such parties will include. A Christian who wants to avoid the traditional evening of debauchery needs to make that stipulation clear to the party planners. The maid of honor or best man needs to be someone who can be trusted to heed the wishes of the friend who entrusted him or her with such an honor. A bachelor party or bachelorette party does not have to belong to Satan. Christians have come up with many creative ways to redeem the tradition and add even more joy to the celebration of marriage.