Brides, you don’t have to worry about what your man is doing for the bachelor party anymore. Gone are the days of guys-only celebrations with heavy drinking in X-rated establishments. More grooms are gathering their buds together for a day full of PG-rated activities.
“They’re taking more trips in general,” said wedding planner Tricia Huddas of Tricia Huddas Co. Weddings & Events. “They are much more extravagant than the stereotypical, raunchy … elements.”
Huddas said Hilton Head offers the perfect place to say goodbye to singledom. Here are just a few ways the guys have fun before the wedding:
Golf
Golf is the first thing most people think about when they hear the words, “Hilton Head Island.” According to Golfers Guide, there are 20 public golf courses on the island where the groomsmen can spend their days practicing their swing prowess. Spice the game up with a healthy dose of competition with a golf tournament. Check courses, prices and more at hiltonhead.golfersguide.com.
Watersports
Grooms, get an up-close and personal view of the Lowcountry landscape from a kayak. There are a plethora of nature tours available all around the island and the surrounding area.
Spend a day on the beach and test your athleticism with boogie boarding and kite surfing for a more intense sense of fun. For a more leisurely water sport, consider waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing.
Fishing
Grab a cooler of brewskies, some bait and fishing poles and head to one of Hilton Head’s many fishing spots. The local waters are filled with red drum, redfish and channel bass year-round. In the cooler months, expect to see speckled trout and flounder.
Restaurants and Pubs
OK. So maybe a little imbibing is in order. Who wants to ring in a new relationship without toasting the one you love? Whether you’re taste-testing a fine wine at one of Hilton Head’s many delectable restaurants, catching the game at a sports bar with a plate of messy chicken wings or seeing the sites of Savannah during a haunted pub crawl, have safe transportation or a designated driver ready.
Spas
Women aren’t the only ones in the bridal party who deserve a little pampering. Spend the day in a spa with an invigorating massage, a relaxing facial, a pedicure and manicure. There are other alternative ways to get in the zone before the wedding, including acupuncture, floating and hyperbarics.
Minor League Baseball
After golfing in Hilton Head all day, catch a Savannah Sand Gnats game. The season starts in April. For more information, check out www.sandgnats.com.
Casinos
Get your buddies together for a game of poker at Savannah’s Diamond Casino, which takes you on a cruise, where the guys can enjoy three decks of 220 gaming machines, along with 20 table and poker games. For more information, visit www.diamondcasinosavannah.com.
