The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Best Stag Do Invite

Planning a Stag Do is fun and all but it’s also a right pain in the arse. From who to invite to where and when everyone goes, a good stag weekend requires attention to detail. One of the key parts of this is the stag do invite. Whether it’s a wild weekend in Poland or a low key affair, a great stag do invite can elevate the experience from mediocre to legendary, ensuring your guests are ready for a good stag.

In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about planning a stag do, writing the perfect invite and making sure the big day runs smoothly. Let’s get started on how to make your stag do invite stand out and the event a success.

Planning the Stag Weekend

Before we get to the invites, you need a plan for the stag weekend itself. Poland has become one of the most popular destinations for stag dos thanks to its nightlife, affordable activities and history. Cities like Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk offer culture and fun, so are perfect for a weekend.

Whether it’s a pub crawl, an adrenaline fuelled adventure like go-karting or paintball or a relaxing day at a spa, make sure the vibe of the stag weekend matches the groom’s personality and interests. Once you’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to focus on the guest list and the invite. Including family members, like the dads, can add a different dynamic, humour, stories and family bonding.

Who to Invite on a Stag Do?

Creating a guest list for the stag do is more than just picking the groom’s best mates; it’s about considering who should be invited to ensure the right dynamic for the event you’re planning, including the best man. The first step in the process is to get the groom involved. It’s his weekend after all but you want to make sure everyone attending the celebration gets on and can enjoy themselves.

Old School Mates: Invite the groom’s old school or university friends. They’ll bring a sense of nostalgia to the trip and may have some good (or embarrassing!) stories to share about the groom. Including them will add fun and familiarity to the weekend.
Work Colleagues: If the groom has close friends at work, invite them too. But make sure they leave the office talk at home – this is a time to unwind not to discuss projects or deadlines.
Family: Depending on the groom’s relationship with his family you might want to invite his dad, future father-in-law or even his brothers. A mix of generations can add a different dynamic to the group and may help temper some of the wilder antics.
Diverse Groups: Every stag do is different. Some are all about pub crawls and nights out while others involve more adventurous activities. Consider the groom’s preferences and the nature of the group when finalising the guest list.

How Many People Go on a Stag Do?

Stag dos usually have 12-16 people. This is the sweet spot – enough people to keep things lively but not too many to manage. If your guest list goes over 16 it can get tricky. Booking activities, restaurants or arranging accommodation for a larger group requires more coordination so keep numbers in check.

Write the Invite

Once you’ve got the guest list and the activities sorted it’s time to write the stag do invite. The invite is the first impression your guests will get of the event so make sure it’s informative and fun.

What to Include

A good invite should include all the essentials so your guests know what to expect:

Date and Time: State the date and time of the stag do. If it’s a multi day event include the start and end times.
Location: Whether it’s a local pub or a weekend in Poland make sure everyone knows where to go. Include addresses for meet-up points, accommodation and any activities.
RSVP Details: Specify an RSVP deadline and how you want guests to confirm attendance. This will help you finalise numbers for bookings.
Dress Code: If there’s a theme or dress code for the stag do include it in the invite e.g. Funny T-shirts for Stag Do
Any Extras: Be upfront about any costs attendees will need to pay for – accommodation, activities or group dinners.

A good stag do invite message is key to getting everyone hyped and committed to the event.

Ideas to Make Your Invite Fun

Stag do invitations don’t have to be boring or generic. Add some personality to them:

Custom Design: Whether digital or printed cards, a unique design will make your stag do invitations stand out. Use colours, fonts and images that match the stag do’s theme or destination. For example if you’re going to Krakow for the weekend you could include Polish landmarks or references.
Personal Message or Inside Joke: A personal message, anecdote or inside joke will make the invite feel more special. Tailor the tone to the groom’s sense of humour and the style of the stag do.
Theme: If the stag do has a theme (e.g. a retro 80s night or a day of adventure sports) include it in the invite. It’ll help set the scene for what guests can expect.

Invite Logistics

When planning a wedding one of the most important tasks is sending out invitations. Make sure to include all the details – date, time and location. And an RSVP option is crucial for getting a headcount. Many couples go digital to save time and money.

To invite people quickly consider using WhatsApp and be mindful of the etiquette especially when inviting people not on the wedding guest list.

Digital or Paper?

It all depends on budget, time and personal preference.

Digital Invitations: Quick, easy and cost effective. Create an invite using an online tool and send via email or messaging apps. Digital invites are easier to update if details change. And more eco friendly.
Paper Invitations: If you want something more traditional, printed invites add a touch of class. They may also be a nice keepsake for the groom. But take more time and effort to create and send.

Or use both—a formal paper invite and a digital message closer to the event as a reminder to turn up.

RSVPs and Guest Confirmations

RSVPs are key to the planning process. Make sure the invite includes clear instructions on how and when to respond. If you’re using digital invites you can set up a tracking system through Google Forms or other RSVP tools. For bigger stag dos you might also want to create a group chat to make communication easier. Good RSVP management means accurate headcounts and booking arrangements and ultimately a legendary weekend for the groom.

Formal Stag Party Invite

If your stag do is more formal (e.g. smaller or more exclusive) your invite should match the vibe:

Tone: Keep the tone of the invite in line with the formality of the event. A wild weekend might call for a cheeky tone, a more refined stag do might require a more polite and to the point.
Clarity: Whatever the style the invite should be clear and easy to read. Don’t overload your guests with too much information and keep it concise.

Stag Party Etiquette

Who to Invite to the Stag

Most stag parties are attended by the bride and groom’s close friends and family, but there’s no hard and fast rule about who to invite or not:

Family Members: The groom’s dad or even the bride’s dad can sometimes be included in the fun. This can add a nice dynamic to the event and make it more family friendly depending on the personalities involved.
Non-Drinkers: Invite a friend who doesn’t drink to balance out the group especially if the stag do is going to be heavy on the booze. They can keep things organized and look after the group without being distracted by drinks.

What to Put in the Stag Party Invite

Since stag dos have smaller guest lists than the wedding ceremony you can make the invite more personal. Use inside jokes or references that only the group will get to create a sense of brotherhood before the event.

Stag Party Tips

When to Send Out Invites

To get the maximum attendance send out invites as early as possible—ideally 6-8 weeks before the event. This gives everyone enough time to clear their diaries and make any necessary arrangements especially if it’s a destination stag do.

Send

Proof and Edit the Invite

Before you send out the invites review them carefully for mistakes. Check all the details dates, times and locations to avoid any confusion. If you can get someone else to read through the invite to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

Send the Invite

Once you’re happy with the final version send and print the invites! As mentioned above you can do digital or paper invites or a combination of both depending on your preference.

Good luck creating the perfect Stag Do Invite!