A prank works when everyone is in on it except the groom, and when he is in on it a minute later. The classics below have survived because they are cheap, quick and kind. None of them involves risk, travel documents, money or the bride-to-be being frightened.
The safe-prank rules
- No fearNothing that makes the groom think something is wrong, such as a missing wallet or a missed flight.
- No riskNo stunts, heights, driving or anything with a chance of injury.
- Keep it privatePhotos and videos stay in the group unless the groom says otherwise.
- Reveal fastEnd every prank with a laugh within a few minutes, and let the groom have the last word.
Ten classics
- The sealed envelope. Hand the groom an envelope on arrival with the weekend's rules inside, including one blank rule he has to write himself.
- The airport welcome sign. Meet him with a ridiculous sign bearing a made-up title, such as the Duke of the Dance Floor.
- The embarrassing nickname T-shirt. Print matching shirts for the whole group, with the groom's nickname on the front.
- The fake awards ceremony. Hand out joke trophies at dinner, such as Most Likely to Fall Asleep, with the groom as host.
- The silent toast. The group raises glasses and says nothing, until the best man breaks the silence with the worst joke he can find.
- The itinerary reveal. Give the groom a fake itinerary full of silly activities, then reveal the real plan over lunch.
- The message wall. Collect short messages from friends and family and read them out one by one, with the groom guessing who wrote each.
- The voice-over weekend. One guest narrates the groom's actions all weekend like a nature documentary.
- The mystery sash. Fill a bag with sashes, hats and wigs, and let the groom draw his outfit for the day.
- The permission slip. With the bride-to-be's consent, present a joke permission slip for the weekend, with a list of silly conditions.
If you want a prank with a travel element, such as a mystery destination, tell the groom in advance what documents he needs. A surprise should never put his trip at risk.
Which prank for which moment
- On arrivalThe envelope, the sign or the sash. Quick, visible and over in minutes.
- At dinnerThe awards ceremony, the message wall or the silent toast. Everyone is seated and listening.
- On the moveThe voice-over weekend or the mystery sash. Easy to run between venues.
- For the last morningA gentle reveal, such as a thank-you speech or a printed highlights reel.
Props that help
- Groom sash
- Matching T-shirts
- Dare cards
- Badges
- Silly hats
- Wigs