It’s true, the majority of the focus on your wedding day is on your bride. The majority of the festivities are based on her dreams. But, that doesn’t mean that the groom doesn’t have a role in wedding planning. The groom’s first and foremost role as a lifelong partner is to support his wife. What better way to start, than to support her in the wedding planning process. Here are some ways to stay engaged in the planning.
Initial Planning
There are three key items that the groom needs to have an input into and these are the wedding budget, the guest list, and the gift list. The budget and the guest list need to be put together before the bride can begin to book anything. Make a date of it and sit down to figure out the wedding budget and guest list. These are very important to complete before the rest of the wedding planning can start.
Traditional Groom Responsibilities
The Wedding Car
Most men won’t have an issue with this responsibility. Grooms, we all like a sexy sports car, but keep in mind your bride will need to fit into the car comfortably with her wedding gown.
Wedding Night Accommodations
Reserving and paying for a hotel for your first night as a married couple is the groom’s responsibility. If your holding your reception at a hotel, booking a honeymoon suite is simple. If this isn’t the case, make sure you both discuss travel plans to determine where you will spend the night.
The Honeymoon
Whether it’s a surprise honeymoon or something you have discussed, grooms need to take special considerations when planning the honeymoon. Make sure to book your honeymoon many months in advance. Also, if this is a surprise honeymoon, make sure to consider the season and ensure your fiancé packs appropriatley.
The Wedding Suits
Your bride may be the “Queen of Style” but this is the groom’s responsibility. The groom is responsible for notifying the men in the wedding party what they are to wear and where they can rent/buy the suits. If you are renting, you need to make arrangements for the suits to be returned when you leave for the honeymoon.
Thanking The Wedding Party
While the main speeches usually fall on the best man and the bride’s father, most grooms make a speech thanking the wedding party and all those involved. you may also wish to distribute gifts or handwritten thank you cards. Most importantly, you need to thank your wife for the privilege of becoming her husband. You can never thank the bride too much!
Tips For Avoiding Conflict During Planning
Many grooms may want to stay out of the planning process to avoid potential conflicts. This is generally a bad idea. Wedding planning can be stressful, but it is a great way to learn how to handle conflict before you tie the knot. You won’t always agree and that’s ok. Just remember, this day is for the both of you and one you want to remember for the rest of your lives. The most important thing you can do is listen to each other and respect each other’s opinion.