A Groom's Guide to Wedding Planning
When it comes to weddings, the focus is usually on the bride.
Everyone thinks of it as her special day, that event she's been
looking forward to since she was a child and the time when
she'll be the center of attention as she embarks on a new life.
But what about the groom? It's his day too, and one that he
should plan just as carefully as the bride. Ideally it will be a
once-in-a-lifetime occasion for both bride and groom, so they
should share the planning and the enjoyment of that magical day
equally!
Future grooms, follow these steps as you prepare for your
wedding to make it a truly special occasion:
1. Select the Groomsmen Choosing the groomsmen is an important
task and should be done at least a year prior to the wedding.
(Plan to have one usher for every fifty guests.) Once you've
settled on who the groomsmen will be, choose their outfits.
Later you will also want to buy gifts for the men in your
wedding party. These could include cuff links, a money clip, a
flask, or another gift that will commemorate the occasion with a
touch of class.
2. Make your Guest List You and your bride will put together
separate guest lists, so think about who you want to invite. Be
sure to consider family, friends, and co-workers, and consult
with close relatives to confirm that you haven't left anyone
out.
3. Reserve the Wedding Location Don't hesitate to take the
initiative in finding possible sites for the ceremony and/or the
reception. Your fiancee will appreciate your efforts since this
can be an overwhelming, time-consuming task! Discuss with her
what your budget and style are and start searching. The sooner
you find the right place and reserve, the more likely you are to
get the date you want.
4. Plan the Honeymoon Make your bride happy by researching
honeymoon destinations and presenting her with some detailed
itineraries of possible trips. She'll know she's picked a winner
if you do your honeymoon homework and come prepared with good
travel ideas!
5. Order your Wedding Bands Don't leave this until the last
minute. Go with your bride to pick them out and get fitted so
that you have them safe in hand in time for the wedding. Also,
leave some time between the time you receive them and the
wedding day in case you need a last-minute adjustment. If the
jeweler gets the sizing wrong you'll need time to fix it.
6. Get your Marriage License Depending on where you live this
can be a lengthy process that will include blood tests and
possibly other medical tests. Begin researching early to
determine exactly what is required in your state and how long
you should expect the process to take.
So remember, your wedding day isn't just for her - it's YOUR
special day too! Make it an occasion you'll always cherish by
planning ahead and following these simple steps.