Let us guess—you find yourself thinking that most wedding services are focused on the Bride? We'll, you're right, but we are here to help. There is an overabundance of information available to the Bride, so much so that it's become quite confusing for Bride and Groom alike! To help the Groom (a fairly important member of the wedding party), we've compiled a few pages that should offer some assistance. You'll note a checklist below as well as some Words of Wisdom From other Grooms who no doubt learned the information they're sharing the hard way!
Choose your Best Man wisely! Someone with great organizational skills is preferable. He will be assisting you in a multitude of ways, including, but not limited to:
- Organizing your most tasteful bachelor party.
- Managing your Groomsmen, their responsibilities and lodging.
- Picking up boutonnieres and running other miscellaneous last minute errands.
- Assisting with the rehearsal dinner, including preparing a toast to the Bride and Groom.
- Making sure that everyone looks great in their tuxes.
- Assuming the roles of chauffeur, toastmaster and friend & advisor.
- Ensuring that all parties know how to get to the church.
- Potentially helping with your honeymoon travel arrangements.
- Assisting you in finding the perfect gift for your Bride from the Groomsmen.
- Keeping that marriage license safe and sound until the day of the wedding.
- Delivering payment to your minister, priest, rabbi, or other officiator, as well as the band, chauffeur, photographer, etc.
- And don't forget, handing you your wedding rings at the right time!
Select your formalwear merchant. Set up a session with your merchant for choosing the colors and style of your formalwear. Although Brides tend to insist on keeping their wedding gown a surprise to you, this tradition doesn't normally work reciprocally! In most cases, you ought to have your fiancée with you, you know, before you sign off on the 70's style, extra wide-lapelled, sky-blue tuxes—no matter how cool you and your Groomsmen may think you look in them.
Make your boutonniere selection. Most Grooms also pay for the floral arrangements as well. And don't forget—it is the responsibility of the Groom to purchase the Bridal Bouquet. Another task that your Bride will likely want to have some (did we say some?) input on.
Consider having your wedding bands engraved. This is a very popular option for couples. Here are a few ideas: Forever in Love, Our love is eternal, Semper fidelis [Always faithful], Semper amemus [Our love is forever], Autre ne veux [I think of none other].
Don't forget to purchase a combination membership for your Bride to two or more gourmet clubs that you can both enjoy! This lets you plan a romantic date with your wife and celebrate your marriage—every month! An idea our members and their wives really appreciated when they returned home from the honeymoon. Some of our members have told us that they composed a poem to accompany their first delivery, making the experience intimate and very special. Others have included a copy of their toast to the Bride. How ever you decide to usher in this first rendezvous, your Bride will appreciate the attention to detail you've put in to a gift you can enjoy together!
Don't forget your blood tests and the marriage license! And be sure to take the lead on managing your honeymoon arrangements by getting an early start on applications for passports and visas, the latter of which takes a lot of grooms by surprise, so get on it… Sound like a lot of work? Consider how much your Bride has going on already!
Plan the particulars of your first evening as man and wife. This is probably going to be the first opportunity you'll have to be alone together-consider surprising her with flowers and Champagne or wine in the hotel suite [Remember—she had to give away her bridal bouquet!]. Once again, your Best Man can be your secret weapon here, setting up drinks, flowers, flower petals, and other special surprises per your instructions. Be creative not only in your tangible selections, but in each and every one of your actions. This is a treasured time which new couples reminisce about for years to come.
Reception Gifts: With all you've had to juggle (and to drink!), don't try to carry all those reception presents yourself! Make arrangements to have them delivered to the appropriate location afterwards.
Reward your Best Man and Groomsmen! Call us toll free to place orders for your valued buddies early. We'll gladly help you draft special messages and create customized Gift Announcements for each attendant. But be sure to take the time to compose your thoughts, for they will be remembered.
The rehearsal dinner is traditionally the responsibility of the Groom's family. Therefore, you will be at least partially responsible for this event's planning. Get involved, adding your own creativity to the process!
Beverages: Check with your caterer, as you may need to delegate providing beer, wine and other drinks at the rehearsal dinner and/or reception if they are not providing them.
Give all checks for the officiators, photographers, musicians or DJ's, caterer's fees, etc. to your Best Man so he can get each to the appropriate party on your behalf.
Confirm everything no less than once! Then confirm again!!
