‘I went on 56 hen parties in just 18 months because I felt bad saying no… it cost me £50,000 and I’m still paying the credit card bill – but it was all worth it’
A man who spent £50,000 on 56 stag and hen parties in 18 months because he was ‘bad about saying no’ is still paying his credit card bill – but said it was ‘worth it for the memories’.
Will Stevenson, 43, began his epic bachelor party streak when he filled in for someone who couldn’t attend — and he was hooked.
In the first three months alone, the Lincoln-based car salesman went to 16 events.
Not only did he go out to celebrate with friends, but he also attended complete strangers’ events by clearing spare tickets for a cheap getaway.
Word circulated that he would fill in for no-shows before he found himself being asked to travel all over the world, from Blackpool to Australia.
Will Stevenson, 43, (pictured) is still paying off his credit card debt after attending 56 bachelorette parties in 18 months
In the first three months alone, the Lincoln-based car salesman went to 16 events. Pictured: Mr. Stevenson (front right) on one of the many dos
The father insisted that the debt is “worth it” for all the memories and friends he has made
Mr. Stevenson is now happily married to his wife Abigail (pictured), but is still paying off his debts
But although Mr. Stevenson is now happily married and has a three-year-old daughter called Iris – and another baby on the way – years later he’s still paying off credit cards because the partying earned him £50,000.
The father insisted that the debt is “worth it” for all the memories and friends he has made.
Mr Stevenson has only been to a few stag parties in recent years, including three for himself.
“When I proposed to my wife Abigail, I told her I was going to stop doing bachelor parties except my own,” he said.
“That didn’t stick — I’ve done a few more — but they don’t often anymore.
“I keep in touch with almost all the friends I’ve made!”
His heroics began when he bid online for a place at a stranger’s bachelorette party in June 2015, when one person dropped out, and he ended up in Budapest with 22 guys.
A BBC radio show picked up the story, after which he was inundated with requests from grooms wanting him to fill a vacant spot.
The couple have a three-year-old daughter, Iris (pictured), and another baby on the way
Mr Stevenson has only been to a few stag parties in recent years, including three for himself
Despite often going away without knowing any of the other members of the party, he said he made friends for life
Mr Stevenson has visited too many countries to count, including Ibiza – his favorite – Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Amsterdam, as well as Sydney, Las Vegas and New York
He vowed to calm down a bit, although it didn’t stop him from having three stag parties of his own – in Blackpool, Brighton and Magaluf
Mr Stevenson has visited too many countries to count, including Ibiza – his favorite – Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Amsterdam, as well as Sydney, Las Vegas and New York.
He said the experience earned him around £50,000 in total, including travel, food, drink and accommodation.
Despite often going away without knowing any of the other members of the party, he said he made friends for life.
“There was a time when I went to so many people that I felt bad if I ever said no,” he said.
In 2016, his wild 18 months came to an end when he proposed to Abigail.
He vowed to calm down a bit, though it didn’t stop him from having three stag parties of his own – in Blackpool, Brighton and Magaluf.
Mr Stevenson and Abigail had daughter Iris in March 2020 and then married in August 2021, forcing him to tone it down for good, with a second baby due in February 2024.
He added, “It was always an adrenaline rush.
“I haven’t had a drink in about three months after all that.”