'GROOM'ING: 101

Grooms! You bought the ring, you planned the proposal, you asked the question and you got the answer....That’s just the start. If your other half says they are good to manage all of the details of your wedding planning, we would recommend doing the opposite! Part of wedding planning is sharing your decision making and honoring your relationship. A big way to do that is take initiative! Take some items off your partner’s list, share the tasks that you can make decisions on together and remember to compromise. Here’s a quick guide to your responsibilities after the big YES!

Photo: Alex Paul Photography

​WEDDING PLANNING STAGE

Traditional planning would dictate a number of responsibilities that would be split between the couple and others that would be shared. In today’s world of wedding planning, most couples choose to tackle their wedding planning differently based on their lifestyles. No matter how you split the deck, here are some of the big items that are typically on your list! (Wedding planning note: Always include your other half before final decisions!)
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Logistics: Date, venue, budget, guest list, registering. Be present and open, and you’ll roll through your decision making together!
Wedding Party. Choosing your grooms party and other attendants. (ie: ring bearer, ushers)
Vendors. Sharing your opinion on & finalize contracts with vendors. Take more of a lead with the vendors that most interest you. (Think band or DJ, bar vendor, and officiant to start.)
Attire. Choose your attire for yourself and your party: Coordinate with your future spouse on style but, try to manage all of the trickier details of ordering and scheduling. If you need tips on where to start, check out our latest blog!  
Honeymoon. Dream up ideas of what the ideal culmination to your wedding planning would be for you both.
Guest List. Get your people’s details! You can always enlist family to assist in collecting mailing addresses.
Transportation. If needed for your wedding, taking on transportation for your guests, wedding party & yourselves for before and after the wedding can be a huge help!
Rehearsal dinner. A project usually for the groom & his family… many couples see the rehearsal dinner as the kick off for their wedding weekend. Whether it’s a small gathering of immediate family and wedding party or an event for all of your guests is a joint decision but, from there it’s yours.
Arranging the marriage license. Each state has different requirements and deadlines for application. Make sure you have all of your information in line, your wedding planner and/or officiant can help!
Bachelor Party. Whether you have known your best person for a year or a lifetime, giving them a style and direction for your groom celebration can only help make it a memorable event.
Share Information. Giving the wedding party and family a heads up about all the where, whens, whys and hows in the weeks before the wedding helps keep the stress level down and everyone on time and excited! 

WEDDING DAY

​Since you have a wedding planner (or at least we hope you do!), kick back and leave the timeline to us! As the groom, the wedding weekend can be a whirlwind of hugs, congratulations and reminiscing. The tips below can help you make the most of your weekend! 

Be Present. The celebrating and toasting to the couple can be constant. Keep in mind the weekend and events can be long. Find times to connect throughout the day and the weekend to check in with one another. It’s your wedding, cherish and remember it! 
Exchange Gifts. A trend making a comeback in weddings is to exchange gifts. The expense doesn’t have to be great, a handwritten card is a beautiful gesture! 
Rings. Make a plan for who will manage the wedding bands on the day of. The fewer exchanges of hands, the better!
Tipping. We hope you love your vendors and want to extend your thanks! Knowing who you would like to give gratuities to, what form of payment you plan to provide and arranging them before the wedding day will save you scrambling on the day of!
De-Stress the Situation. Should anything affect your wedding day schedule, and sometimes things do happen, have your partners back. Big picture: You are married!
Extend a Thank-You. Some couples choose to extend their thanks to all of their guests from attending their wedding on the wedding day. If standing up and giving a toast isn’t in your comfort zone, consider a note in your welcome bag, ceremony program or at the place settings. 
Give Special Gifts. There are many people who play a part in making your wedding weekend happen, from parents to your groom party. Depending on how far they have trekked and your budget, it’s customary find a way to say thanks. 
Making the Return. Small detail but, have an idea of who is responsible for returning attire and what date they have to be returned by. Enlist backup if need!

Photo: Lara Kimmerer Photography

​POST WEDDING

Take a breath (enjoy the Cape) and ride the newlywed high!
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Thank You Notes. With all of the events surrounding a wedding, keeping track of the gifts and who they came from can be a big undertaking! Grab a chair, few hours and your favorite playlist and send thanks to your friends and family!
Happily Ever After! Your married life has just begun. Enjoy your honeymoon and future together! On to the next steps of your journey!