Let’s be honest. You could forgive a groom for thinking that it’s the bride’s world and he’s just living in it. After the dress has been picked out, reception planned and photographer booked – what’s there left for a guy to do? The answer is plenty. While many of today’s weddings are more of a mutual effort, there are still some areas where the groom can (and should) take charge. These six areas are a great place for the groom to get busy planning.
- Select Your Best Man, Groomsmen and Ushers. Start off by chatting with your bride-to-be about the size of the wedding party you want. There’s no right answer to how many attendants you should have. Brothers, close friends and family members should be considered for roles. Also don’t forget to pay back the gesture to anyone whose wedding party you’ve served in.
- Create the wedding website or blog. Managing the wedding website is a unique way for today’s tech-savvy grooms to get involved. Even if he’s not a programming whiz, there are countless websites that offer free wedding website templates where couples can post their wedding info. Some grooms have even taken it a step further by starting blogs that detail their foray into the wedding planning world.
- Plan the Rehearsal Dinner. This traditional pre-wedding dinner is where grooms can really thrive. The groom and his family have traditionally planned and paid for the rehearsal dinner. The key is that it’s less formal than the reception which lends itself to more options for creativity. When my wife and I got married, we held the event at our favorite brewery and had it catered by our favorite BBQ restaurant. The event was a hit because everyone in attendance appreciated the effort that was put into personalizing it.
- Book Entertainment. Not to stress you out, but wedding entertainment will make or break the reception. This is why it’s key to hire the right DJ or band. It’s a natural spot for the groom to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of interviewing/auditioning potential vendors. The bride, of course, gets to help make the final decision!
- Handle the paperwork. Guys like feeling important. That’s why handling the organization, filing and paying of all pertinent legal documents and fees is a great job for the groom. The business of getting married can require quite a paper trail – so be aware of your local/state rules on marriage licenses. Other topics to research include the changing of name(s), adding your spouse’s name to necessary accounts and pre-nuptial agreement information.
- Help Plan the Honeymoon. Giving the bride a honeymoon surprise is a great idea. The groom and/or his family traditionally pay for the honeymoon, so it makes all the sense in the world for you to jump in and take charge (just make sure to decide on a destination as a team)!
Need more guy-friendly tips and groomsmen gift ideas for the big day? Head over to The Man Registry for the latest 4-1-1.
- 10 Romantic Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him - February 7, 2018
- 5 Signs That He Will Propose For The Holidays - December 14, 2017
- Important Wedding Responsibilities For Grooms - August 15, 2017
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