11 Things Grooms Can Do to Make Their Wedding Day Easier
Here are some things a groom can do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Photo: Little Blue Lemon Photography & Cinematography
The morning of your wedding can go one of two ways—totally calm and fun, or frenzied and stressful. An enjoyable pre-wedding process is usually the result of a great deal of pre-planning, from delegating responsibility to organizing.
Try on and organize clothing and accessories
The last thing you want is to put on your wedding-day attire only to find that it doesn’t fit properly—or to find out that your tie or cufflinks are missing. Whether you are renting or buying your wedding attire, sure to try your complete outfit on at least a few weeks before your big day and have a tailor handle any alterations. Once the alterations are complete, try on your suit or tux again to ensure a perfect fit—and make sure it’s clean and everything is wrinkle-free. And make sure you organize all of your accessories, from socks to cufflinks in advance (and bring extras, just in case!).
Do as much the night before as possible
If you’re able to handle any pre-wedding tasks the night before, go for it—you’ll avoid an overwhelming to-do list in the morning. Make sure your clothing is ironed and hung properly, your shoes are shined, and you’re all packed for your wedding night and honeymoon, if applicable. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish on your wedding day (be as detailed as possible) so you’re ready to go in the morning. And don’t forget to set your alarm—and have a groomsman give you a backup wake-up call, just in case.
Don’t go overboard at the rehearsal dinner
It will be very tempting to live it up the night before your wedding. The rehearsal dinner is usually a casual, fun party—and the drinks will be flowing. However, restrain yourself from going buckwild. Try to make it an early night and get as much sleep as possible so that you’re refreshed—not a hungover mess—in the a.m.
Learn how to tie a tie—or find someone who can
“Does anyone know how to tie a bow tie?” may be the most-uttered phrase by soon-to-be-married grooms ever. Instead of scrambling to find someone to tie your tie, learn how to do it yourself. Watch a YouTube video, ask a friend or family member for a tutorial, or ask a salesperson at your formalwear retailer. Not only will you be able to handle your own tie on your wedding day, you’ll be able to assist any clueless groomsmen as well!
Make sure the fridge is stocked
You’ll definitely want to fuel up before your wedding so you’ll have energy to party all night. Whether you’re getting ready at your venue, at home or at a hotel, you’ll want to make sure that you have provisions—both food and drink. Order breakfast and/or lunch in advance so it will be ready for delivery or pick up at a convenient time. Make sure there are (healthy) snacks and (both booze and non-alcoholic) drinks at the ready so everyone is well-sated before the big day. And for everyone’s sake, don’t overdo the alcohol before your wedding—you want to remember your ceremony, not be totally wasted.
Plan activities
If you’ll have some downtime on your wedding morning, plan some activities so you’ll avoid getting bored—or stressed. Whether it’s a basketball game, golf, trip to the barber, video games, hiking, biking, watching a movie, or another favorite activity, a group activity can make the time pass quickly—and help your groomsmen bond.
Delegate responsibilities
There may be certain tasks that need to occur on your wedding day. Maybe someone needs to pick up your Uncle Frank from the airport. Maybe someone needs to hang signage at the venue. Your focus should be solely on getting yourself ready for the big day, so definitely delegate these tasks to family members, friends, or wedding vendors—who surely will be more than happy to assist you.
Talk to future spouse
You and your almost-spouse should be on the same page when it comes to your wedding day. Are you doing a first look? Will you exchange gifts or letters before the ceremony? If so, when? Make sure you’re both in agreement on how the day will play out so there’s no confusion right before the wedding.
Write letters and purchase gifts in advance
If you and your future spouse have decided to exchange letters or gifts on your wedding morning, be sure that you handle these well in advance. You don’t want to be running to the mall on the morning of your wedding, or wracking your brain on what to write in your love letter. Thoughtful gifts and notes take time, so start planning for these a few weeks before the big day.
Communicate with vendors
You and your vendors should be in close contact in the days before your wedding. Your wedding planner or venue coordinator can be a huge help in creating a wedding-day timeline which should be sent to all of your vendors (as well as your wedding. A few days before the wedding, you should confirm timing and any last-minute details with your vendors. And don’t forget to make sure you’re squared away in terms of payment. Organize any tips and have them at the ready so you (or a family or wedding party member) can easily hand them out.
Practice, practice, practice
If you’re writing your own vows or making a speech at your wedding, try to avoid procrastinating—both when it comes to writing and practicing. You’ll want to be as prepared as possible on your wedding day so you’re not nervously reciting your vows in front of a mirror ten minutes before your ceremony is to begin. Don’t worry so much about memorizing any speaking assignments, as long as you can speak clearly and confidently, no one will mind if you’re reading from a script.
