Polterabendende are a tradition that is often celebrated before weddings. But how does it look if you celebrate the Bachelor Party only after the civil wedding? In the past this was unthinkable, but nowadays it is quite possible and socially accepted. In this article we will look at the origin of the polterabend and the various traditions. We will also explain why it used to be common to celebrate the Bachelor Party before the civil wedding, but why this is no longer so important today. But when is actually the right time for the Bachelor Party?
Origin of the wedding reception
The Bachelor Party has its origins in the Middle Ages. In the past it was celebrated as a farewell party for the bride and groom. Guests brought pots, pans, glasses and anything breakable. The bride and groom then had to smash the breakable objects on the floor to drive away evil spirits and thus make the house “pure” for the bride and groom. This tradition has continued to this day. More about this in our article“Why is there the Bachelor Party“.
Bachelor Party
The tradition of the polterabend differs depending on the region and country. In some regions there is a custom that the bride and groom break the dishes themselves. In other regions, the dishes are broken by the guests. In some countries, the Bachelor Party is even celebrated as a substitute for a wedding celebration. In some parts of Germany there is also the custom that the bride and groom together make a figure out of clay or paper. This figure is then smashed at the Bachelor Party. It symbolizes the breaking of the past and the beginning of a new life as a married couple.
Bachelor Party after registry office – Why?
In the past, it was customary to celebrate the Bachelor Party before the civil wedding. This had a practical reason: after the dishes were broken, the bride and groom could be presented with beautiful new dishes at the wedding before they entered into marriage. Besides, it was a kind of last celebration before the bride and groom started their married life. Another reason was that in the past people did not live together until they were married. Therefore, the Bachelor Party was an opportunity to meet friends and family and spend time together.
Today, however, it is no longer so important to celebrate the Bachelor Party before the civil wedding. Many couples already live together before they get married, and the Bachelor Party is simply considered another celebration. Nowadays, a stag Bachelor Party after the civil wedding is just as accepted as a Bachelor Party before the civil wedding.
Bachelor Party after registry office – allowed or not?
To answer the question finally: Yes, it is definitely okay to celebrate the Bachelor Party after the civil wedding. But those who prefer traditional, will try to organize date for the wedding Bachelor Party before the civil wedding.
