Stag and Doe

I'm sort of nervous that FH's stag isn't going to work for him. I personally don't like the idea of hosting a fundraiser for our wedding (that's why he's doing a stag alone), and I don't have a large group of friends, so I couldn't imagine actually profiting off of it.

I'd say if you have a small group of friends, maybe don't have one? Unless you're really into it and prepared to maybe lose money, consider skipping it.

View quoted message See that is the part I'm worried about. Even if it cost us say $2000 but we only made $1000 than we are out a $1000. I think we are going to have to shop around

So I’m also from Ontario and the reason they are hit or miss for making money in some cases depends on who gets the sale of liquor. If your not supplying the alcohol for the event then you usually don’t get the money from the sales. This is also the most expensive part of the event (liquor liscence, smart serves, purchasing the alcohol, drink tickets, security, etc) and you take on all the liability for the bar but without money from these sales it’s more likely that you will lose money.

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LOL Timbits... I don't think a Canadian party is truly complete without them!

As for being worried about not making money... it's kind of the whole point of the event, so your tickets/raffles/games should cost more than it does for you to host it. You just need people to come.

Like Tori was mentioning, opening it up to the "public" or extended friends and families of your guests, allows for a much larger group of people to have a fun night out, but it may double or triple the amount of people. They don't need to be wedding guests. Your Stag & Doe is the party that you invite distant friends, co-workers, long lost cousins, and your dog walker... The people who come get a night out, fun, games, socializing, so it's not necessary to have them be wedding guests only.

If you're quite certain you aren't going to make money, then don't have one... It would be counter-productive to lose money on a fundraiser.

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To be fair I didn't say they were different... but they are different.. lol "In Manitoba, in addition to purchasing entrance tickets, guests bid on silent auction prizes, participate in a 50-50 draw, and purchase liquor. Typical food at a Manitoba wedding social includes KUB bread, cold cuts, cheese cubes, and Timbits."

But as for when we have them - usually in the spring so that there isn't snow (which means it doesn't matter how close to the wedding is), the cost is usually $2,000-$3,000 but can make as high as $10,000 that I have heard of, we don't play games at socials, and we even have a website as to where we could go ask for donations and it provides a letter that you could use when asking for donations. http://www.socialsguide.com/index.php

View quoted message Tori... that is pretty much what a stag and doe is here in Ontario, sometimes called buck and doe also. For the ones I have gone to it's a couple games but mostly just standing around drinking and yelling over the music

Here in MB we have socials and basically open them up to anyone willing to come. That and we also sell support tickets which is pretty much a money grab as well. For the most part we have each person in the wedding party sell tickets to all of their family and friends and of course those family and friends may have a friend who wants to come as well - because let's face it - socials are thebomb.com

See if one of your friends will be willing to host on their home. Plan homemade games in the backyrard and do potluck style for food.

Toonie bar with drink menu based on what liquors you buy. White and red wine plus non-alcoholic too.

Raffles and/or silent auction can be set up fpr everyone to have a chance to win. If there is something you do have and not really needing, set the price at the starting bid and see where it goes for the person wins the item.