Groom Wedding Planning: What is the Groom Responsible For?

Whether you're a super-involved, decision-making kind of guy, or a just-tell-me-when-to-show-up groom, there are a variety of tasks you'll need to handle before your wedding day. Below is a rough wedding timeline for grooms. Share with your groom so they can reference and adjust to their needs.  

- Decide roughly when you'd like to get married (choose the month)

- Plan your wedding guest list 

- Host an engagement party

- Discuss the wedding budget with your spouse-to-be and with your parents 

- Choose your best man and groomsmen

- Book a venue

- Register for wedding gifts

- Start planning your honeymoon

- Set up hotel room blocks for your guests.

- Choose your wedding date and end out save-the-dates

- At this point, the more planning-oriented partner will be choosing stationery, tasting cakes and food, meeting with florists, bands, DJs, photographers, etc. We recommend taking the lead on some of those, attending all meetings, and voicing your opinion throughout the planning process!

- Choose attire for your best man and groomsmen 

- Purchase your wedding attire

- Find and purchase the wedding rings

- Plan the rehearsal dinner

- Meet with officiants and choose someone you and your partner connect with

- Buy gifts for your groomsmen

- Make sure your groomsmen have their formalwear (and it fits)

- Get alterations done on your formalwear

- Book wedding-day transportation

- Get your marriage license

- Have a bachelor party 

- Go in for a final tux/suit fitting

- Prepare speeches for the rehearsal dinner and wedding

- Write and practice your vows

- Track down MIA guests

- Assemble wedding favors

- Give your song list (processional, recessional, first dance, etc.) to the band/DJ

- Get your hair cut

- Pick up your formal wear; ensure you have all the pieces and everything fits as it should

- Groom your nails

- Confirm day-of plans with all vendors and make any final payments

- Figure out tips for vendors and determine who will distribute on the wedding day

- Confirm the day of transportation

- Drop decor off at the venue(s)

- Practice your vows

- Pack for your honeymoon

- Pack everything you'll need for the big day if you're staying at a hotel the night before your wedding (Don't forget the wedding rings!)

- Attend rehearsal dinner

- Give thank-you gifts to your groomsmen

- Give the marriage license to your officiant

- Get some sleep!

- Shower

- Shave; consider getting a straight-razor shave with your groomsmen

- Eat breakfast

- Dress and enjoy some quality time with your groomsmen

- Consider asking your mom or dad to help with your tie and boutonniere

- Give the rings to your best man

- Get married! Congratulations and good luck!