Were we to ask you to describe the phrase ‘bachelor party,’ there’s no doubt you’d serve up tales of debauched ‘flings before the rings’ and feelings of ‘was it really that fun?!’ with a penis straw thrown in for good tacky measure. 

To help recalibrate what a bachelor party can and should be, we are delighted to serve up the bachelor party of Gregory and Sean, a celebration of the community that supported these two as they went from first meeting to walking down the aisle. 

But, first.. their meeting back in 2013! “We told people we met through mutual friends because, after we met, we figured out that one of Sean’s co-workers I had gone to school with. But, in actual fact, we met on Tinder” 

“The coffee shop we were meeting at was closed so we ended up going for a long walk for our first date, which then turned into two loops because we were having such a nice time,” Gregory said. “Sean was sweet, down-to-earth, had great values… all the stuff you look for in a person.” 

Because the early days of Tinder weren’t much about same-sex couples, Gregory and Sean had set a very wide radius which is why theirs was a long-distance relationship from the start. “We lived about an hour and a half away from each other. And we were doing that commute for quite a few years.”It wasn’t until Gregory bought a house and Sean found a new job in the same town that the two moved in together. “Nothing about our relationship felt rushed. Every next step felt natural.” 

Right around the time of the couple buying a new property, renovating another, being consumed with work and celebrating their seventh anniversary, Gregory secreted Sean away to the Elora Mill & Spa with the intention of proposing. While on a private terrace overlooking Canada’s typical breathtaking landscape, the two talked about their life together and what was to come. Greg set up his phone as though to take a photo, but began videoing his proposal to Sean. “Obviously he said yes!!” 

Typically, this is the point in our storytelling where we begin to talk about wedding planning. But, as every wedding story is unique, this one is so because we are talking about a bachelor party. A bachelor party that is about this couple’s strength and commitment, celebrating the community they brought together and how they are supporting Gregory and Sean in turn!  

“Given the pandemic, my brother and sister were keen to throw an event for us,” Gregory explained. And that event turned into an intimate 30-person seated dinner and dance party in the couple’s scenic backyard. “Sean and I have a great group of friends, who are the most wonderful people to us. Hosting this wasn’t about us, but a nod to them for all of their support of our relationship.” Sean and Gregory reframed the bachelor party as a celebration of gratitude for those around them. 

And the event delivered. Smoking cocktails, oyster bars, small plate menu, espresso martinis after dinner, and lighting and scenic changes to kick off the dance party. “People turned it out because this was their first time in 18-months to cut loose.” Including Greg, who is a wedding and event designer himself. 

“Letting go was so hard, but we got to enjoy the event and also see what would work for the wedding!” (Once an event designer, always an event designer!) “We just kept layering surprises for our guests from the cocktail on arrival to what the server was wearing to what was being passed around. Then, making the spaces magical and eye-popping.” And, of course, the community that gathered in support of the couple and their love, made this a bachelor party to re-define bachelor parties. 

The final surprise, for this story at least, is the fact that Sean and Greg married in October! “Everyone who was at the bachelor party came to the wedding and it was so amazing to see and share that energy again with such special friends.” Unlike a typical bachelor party which tends to be about a small group keeping secrets, Sean and Greg’s was about being inclusive and sharing an exceptional experience with others.

“Your bachelor party shouldn’t be that last bash, because you’ve already made a commitment to be together as a couple and with your friends. Celebrate that and all that will come after it.” Truer words could not be said about the new bachelor party. 

Gregory Fast: @gregory.fast
Event Rentals: @special_event_rentals