I've planned two and been in four. Need help, talk to me.
*edit*
Get the Best Man's Handbook:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/076240499X
I used it and it was indispensable.
*edit 2*
Here's some tips:
1. Talk to the groom, because I am assuming you are the best man and his best friend. Ask him what, specifically, he does NOT want for the bachelor party. If he is adamantly against getting drunk out of his mind or doesn't want strippers, you should plan around that. Just because his ideals may not fit with your idea of a "Raging Party" doesn't mean you can do that anyway. Remember, this is HIS NIGHT, not yours.
2. Talk to EVERYONE invited - groomsmen, brother of the bride (if applicable), and any other MALES that want to join but aren't in the wedding party. DO NOT invite the father of the bride. No females may come unless they are part of the "entertainment."
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a. Set a tentative date. This can be anywhere from 2 days to 1 month before the wedding. If everyone is local then it's easier to plan, but if you have out of town guests you will have to make sure they can be present on that weekend.
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b. Plan a budget. The quality and amount of partying is directly dependent on the participants' ability to pay. As best man, be prepared to pony up not only the groom's share but any extra you did not account for. Understandably, if the groomsmen aren't very wealthy, don't rent a party bus for a trip across the border for hookers. Assess how much each person is comfortable with paying equally, and use that as a budget.
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c. Get friendly with the bride-to-be and her family. The more she trusts you the less she'll dick around with your plans and cause grief to the groom. Remember, YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE GROOM ARRIVES TO THE WEDDING IN ONE PIECE. If he cheats, steals, gets arrested, or dies, it is YOUR FAULT. Last time I planned a bachelor party, the father of the bride, who worked in a casino and had mafia ties, sat me down at a restaurant and publicly threatened to have me neutered in my sleep should anything happen to "fvck up" the wedding. You don't want that stress, trust me.
3. Booking the venues. Since you have decided on Vegas, I will assume that everyone is > 21 years old, they can afford to travel there (KEY), can afford 2-3 days of debauchery, and none are overtly religious as to object to strippers, booze, or gambling. If any of these statements are wrong, you may want to rething your plan.
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a. Arrange Transportation. Again, I am assuming you have decided on adequate transportation to and from Vegas for all involved. Intra-city transport can get expensive with many people. Cabs are readily available but can be pricey. You may want to arrange for a limo -- you get style points plus everyone can sit comfortably and get trashed en route.
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b. Order of events. True horror story: A friend went to a bachelor party where the groom got piss drunk before dinner was over. He was puking before they made it to stop #2. Bad move. Dinner first, THEN drinking.
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c. Book early.. As soon as you have a 100% verification of budget, date, and # of attendees, book a hotel room, "entertainment," dinner reservations, and if possible, a club reservation. Follow up a month, then a week before to verify reservations.
4. ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN "B". I can almost guarantee that something will either go wrong or cause you to change plans. For each step of the journey have an alternate plan available...especially later in the night when you're too drunk to think of something on the fly.
5. Keep an eye on the groom!. Yes, I mentioned this already, but it's important, especially if alcohol is involved. You are the best man and therefore appointed guardian of him this night. Get him as drunk as you'd like, but know his limit. Don't send him to the hospital with alcohol poisoning...it's even better if you can get him to avoid a hangover completely. Don't let him get hurt, get into fights (esp. with other partygoers; nothing kills the mood more quickly). Depending on how much valor you are capable of, either prevent him from cheating on the bride or be very very sure everyone is good at keeping a secret. He will thank you in the morning if you save his ass, though. If you can make it through the night without incident, I promise you that the bride's family will shower down the praises upon you if that matters.
6. Budget budget budget (mushroom mushroom). Again, I'm repeating myself here. But every bachelor party I've been to has resulted in either the Best Man or attendees spending more than they had planned. If you can tap an extra few bucks (by few bucks I mean from $5-$100 depending on income) from each person that will avoid bitterness in the long run -- make sure everyone pays the same amt unless they volunteer more, though. Round all the expenses up, factor in an additional 20% for taxes and gratuities and incidentals. Attendees should pay for their own drinks unless you have alcohol bought for the limo/bus/hotel room.
