Double Guest Blog Post {There’s gRooom for you} Percy Sales Events and Dynamite Weddings

Groom photo credit: Sharpe Photographers

There’s gRoom for you.

The groom is the second most important person at the wedding, well unless of course it is a same-sex wedding, so why is it that the brides have most of the fun. I personally think it’s important for the groom to have some input to his special day and should take on some of the responsibilities of making sure that the day is all the couple has envisioned. I know…every bride has told me that they would just like to have the groom nod and agree with them in choosing all the parts of the wedding, but the reality is that your wedding day should be reflective of the two of you and should have meaning as a couple.

You can get your groom’s input on many items, or simply give him carte blanche to plan portions of the wedding or ancillary events. Okay brides don’t freak out, this is just a suggestion. How cool would it be to let your groom take charge of such items as the rehearsal dinner, transportation, honeymoon, band/DJ, lighting, or maybe even his groom’s cake. I think including your groom in the planning process will give him a sense of ownership and make him feel that this day is also special for him and that he is just not a secondary figure on the “brides” day.

If including him in the planning process is not an option, then there are things that the groom can make sure that his wedding day goes off without a hitch. Here are my recommendations:

1) Make sure that the best man has the rings, marriage license, and payment for officiate the day of the wedding.

2) Make sure not to drink too much before the ceremony.

3) Confirm transportation is secured for after the ceremony and reception.

4) Be dressed, ready, and at the ceremony location an hour before the ceremony.

5) Make sure the groomsmen are dressed appropriately and sober for the ceremony.

6) Prepare a thank you toast for the reception…make sure to compliment the bride.

7) If you have a coordinator, make sure the bride is enjoying herself and not worrying about details of the day…leave it to the hands of the coordinator.

Take deep breaths.

9) If you cry during the ceremony…that’s a good thing, just let go and don’t think it will make you less masculine. Brides love it when the grooms cry during their vows.

10) Relax, enjoy yourself, and take everything in, because it goes by fast.

Therefore, whether your groom is going to be a part of the planning process or not, I think there are ways that he can be a big part of the success of your wedding day. Brides, remember that this day is just as emotional for him and letting him be a part of it will just make it that much more special for the two of you.

Percy

Many grooms feel removed from the responsibilities that come along with planning a wedding. Usually, by no fault of their own, grooms are asked to take on limited responsibilities such as choosing their groomsmen, helping create the guest list, pick out a tux and show up! Seems simple enough. But these days, many grooms welcome the involvement and let’s be honest ladies, it’s their day too! Relinquishing some responsibility will be a burden off you and you may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. There’s nothing that says a little oversight isn’t appropriate but treat your groom like the adult that he is and let him share in planning for the big day. There may be some discussions and compromises between you, but this could be your first time facing a challenge together and will prepare you for your life as a married couple. Tasks for your groom, in addition to the aforementioned (and obvious ones, like show up sober):

• Meeting with the DJs or bands that you’re both interested in
• Attending catering and cake tasting appointments to give input (Guys are very good at food tastings! They know what they like.)
• Checking vendor references and online critics
• Arranging for transportation for the two of you and possibly large party transportation for out of town guests
• Setting up room blocks and negotiating rates for out of town guests
• Suggesting alternatives to traditional favors for the wedding (maybe a photo booth or caricature artist?!)
• Choose the alcohol to be served at the reception
• Assign ushers (if not groomsmen)
• Choosing & purchasing gifts for your groomsmen
• Purchase a wedding day gift for your lovely wife
• Invent a creative way for the wedding party to enter the reception (fun song, share silly details about each wedding party member (ex: "Introducing John, the best man, not only for this wedding but also the best man for exercising Scarface quotes in any situation.")
• Select a song for the Mother/Son dance
• Writing a thank you speech for the night of and possibly something brief for the rehearsal dinner
• Choosing the destination for the honeymoon

Dynamite Weddings