People often say that all the groom has to do for the wedding is show up, look good, say “I do.” Totally not true! We think it is important that both partners be involved in the planning process so that the day reflects both of them. If you’re looking for a place to start with the groom’s day of to do’s, here’s some simple things that every groom should be doing.
Practice your vows
Reading your vows on paper in your head and saying them out loud are two very different things. Everyone wants their vows to sound natural and from the heart; not formal and stiff and one of the best ways to make that happen is with some practice. You don’t necessarily need to memorize your vows – and even if you try, the emotion of the moment may overtake you and cause you to forget something you wanted to say. But being very familiar with what you plan to say means that you only need to check your notes briefly and can keep the moment moving along nicely. Even if you are repeating after your officiant, you should still be familiar enough with the cadence of the words to not stumble over them if possible. Practice makes prepared!
Eat some good-for-you food
On no day more than your wedding day is the old adage “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” more important. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast, with protein and veggies to help keep you energized throughout the day. It is a good idea to stay away from stinky foods or anything too harsh that might upset your stomach. People’s bodies react differently to stress, so choose foods that are hearty and healthy and you should be good!
Stay sober(ish)
Weddings are a day of celebrating – and for most folks celebrating includes drinking alcohol. No one would expect that you would not enjoy your time with friends & family or that you would skip out on the toasts or having drinks with your friends. However, your wedding day should be one of of the most wonderful and important days of your life. You’ll want to remember and cherish the moments!
Thank all those important folks
One of the best ways to do this is to give a toast during speech time before you all celebrate the night away. Think about your parents, your partner’s parents, your guests who traveled from long distances, and of course, your wedding party. After all, these are the people you chose to stand by you on your wedding day! It doesn’t have to be a lengthy speech; just a simple, sincere “thank you.”
In most cases, couples will also choose to give gifts to their parents and wedding party members as a way of saying thank you for their help. For the ladies, personalized items such as robes, make up bags or totes are usually a hit. For the gents, gifts can range from beer steins and cigars to cufflinks and watches, or even something more tailored to fit your group of guys. If you really want to show your groomsmen how grateful you are for them, consider giving them personalized groomsmen gifts just like the ladies.
Tip your vendors
Whether it be wedding planners, bartenders, videographers, or the band, it is customary to tip most vendors on the wedding day. Sometimes, gratuity is in the contract, so make sure you check first. You can also ask the vendor to add gratuity in your payment contract so you have one less thing to worry about on the day of your wedding! If you need more info on tipping, we have a super handy tipping guide which covers all sorts of vendor tipping.