As a groom, your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. However, plenty of grooms have allowed the day to go awry, making it unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
To avoid any wedding day mishaps, learn the top five do’s and don’ts of being a groom. Follow these tips to discover what to do and what to avoid as you prepare for your big day.
As your wedding day approaches, there will be an overwhelming number of items to check off your to-do list. If you attempt to knock out your entire list alone, you will inevitably spread yourself too thin.
Fortunately, your best man will likely be more than happy to assist with whatever you need, from selecting wedding bands to ensuring the rehearsal dinner runs smoothly to figuring out groomsmen gifts. Delegating some of your responsibilities can help you focus on the most critical aspects of planning your wedding, like finalizing your guest list.
Laurence Lee, CEO of The Great Brain experiment, stresses that, “You have to remember to be mindful of your partner’s feelings and needs leading up to the wedding day. They are likely to be feeling a range of emotions – excited, anxious, nervous, and maybe a little bit scared. Be understanding and supportive, and do what you can to help make the planning process easier for them.”
Plenty of grooms have made the mistake of going hands-off and allowing the bride to plan the wedding ceremony, wedding reception, and even plan the honeymoon all by herself.
While your future bride may have stronger preferences than you, it’s your special day too. Determine what aspects of the wedding planning process you would like to be particularly involved in, and share your thoughts and ideas with your wife-to-be.
Participating in the planning process will take some of the burden off your bride-to-be’s shoulders so she can enjoy the planning experience as much as you.
Don’t procrastinate. Take care of every detail you can before your wedding day arrives, so there are no last-minute surprises. Make sure you have filed your marriage license, purchased the wedding rings, and that all members of your wedding party know their responsibilities.
If you have a wedding planner, check in with them consistently in the days before the wedding so no details slip through the cracks.
One way to ensure that your wedding ceremony is memorable for you, your bride, and your guests is by writing your own wedding vows. Don’t opt for an online vow template. Make it personal – this is your chance to tell your future why she’s special. If you make an effort, both you and your bride will remember these words for the rest of your lives.
Weddings can be long and sometimes draining, especially for the bride and groom. To keep your energy levels high, remember to stay hydrated and eat a light, healthy diet in the days leading up to the event and the day itself.
On your wedding day, you and your bride will likely be whisked around from event to event with little downtime. Plan ahead by packing water bottles and simple (not messy) snacks, like nuts or fruit, that can help keep your energy levels up during your long day.
If you have an outdoor wedding during the hotter months, always provide water for your guests. You may want to invest in a water cooler if there aren’t accessible water fountains. Keeping you and your guests hydrated, particularly if you are consuming alcohol, is crucial in avoiding medical emergencies.
If these do’s all seem doable, you’re well on your way to a memorable wedding. However, knowing what to avoid as a groom can be just as important. Learn the don’ts, and sidestep common wedding pitfalls like a pro.
Movies like The Hangover, though hilarious, reveal the many downsides of having your bachelor party the night before your wedding. Trust us, being hungover at your real wedding is not a good look. Have your party several weeks before the wedding to avoid feeling like the walking dead when you’re walking down the aisle.
Being hungover also isn’t a great look for your wedding video and pictures.
You may be tempted to tip back a few adult beverages on your wedding day. However, getting drunk as a groom on your wedding day is a sure (and tacky) way to ruin your wedding; you should not be slurring your words or acting out of character. Here are some tips to maintain a buzz on your wedding day, if you plan on drinking!
While a tipple to calm your nerves before you say “I do” in front of a crowd is acceptable, don’t overindulge. You want to stay sharp so that you can remember this special milestone.
This tip is obvious but worth reinforcing. Just don’t do it. Your wedding is a declaration of your love for your bride-to-be, so it is entirely inappropriate to hit on any of the bridesmaids (or anyone else, for that matter) who are presumably close friends or even family of your future wife.
If you must get involved, play wingman for your groomsmen and make someone else’s day.
It’s natural to want to spend time with your own family and friends during your wedding, particularly if you haven’t seen them in a while. Go for it, but don’t forget the bride’s side.
Make sure to introduce yourself to members of your bride’s family you haven’t met yet, thank everyone for coming, and set aside some time to spend with your bride’s immediate family (especially if they have paid or helped pay for the wedding).
Don’t get caught talking draft picks with your brother all night. Make the rounds and show your guests your gratitude.
No matter how carefully you’ve planned, problems may still arise on your wedding day. But when the caterer is late, and the harpist is sick, and you can’t find grandpa, don’t stress. Be the pillar of strength your bride needs you to be, and remember: all that really matters is that you and your bride say, “I do.”
As much as beautiful flowers, superb catering, and an incredible band can add, your union with your bride is why everyone’s there. If that goes smoothly, then your wedding will be memorable no matter what.
Many married couples looking back on their wedding day say the same thing: I was running around so much I couldn’t stop to enjoy it. Make sure you take a step back during your wedding to appreciate all the hard work that has gone into making your special day happen, and practice gratitude for all your loved ones who have come from all over to show you their support.
Commit to following these simple do’s and don’ts to avoid wedding day disasters and make your wedding memorable for all the right reasons. When stress and problems arise–and they will–take a deep breath and remember not to sweat the small stuff.
When you’re reminiscing with your bride later, many of the issues that seemed catastrophic at the time will be just a blip on your radar, something to laugh over while you open your wedding gifts.
