It may seem like an unfair generalization to say that women invest far more effort and enthusiasm than men in planning a wedding, but in many cases, this is indeed the case.

She has committed to him for life (hopefully!), so it is not unreasonable to expect him to repay that ultimate show of faith by pulling his full weight in organizing the most significant event of their lives.

A wedding checklist for the groom can be an invaluable tool to ensure he meets these expectations.

Any man with an impending wedding needs to know exactly what is expected of him and what he should do in terms of the overall planning. The same applies to the best man and groomsmen, albeit to a lesser degree.

Any member of the wedding party has a central role to play in the outcome of the day and must have a clear idea of their duties, both on the day and in the lead-up to it.

Essential Wedding Preparation For Men

Weddings are often portrayed as a far bigger deal for women than for men, but where there’s a bride, there’s also a groom, so the male of the species needs to be reasonably well acquainted with the wedding planning process – whether he’s the groom, the best man, or a groomsman.

A wedding checklist for the groom can help ensure he stays on top of his responsibilities and contributes meaningfully to the planning.

Facts and Figures

• 32% of grooms consider wedding planning to be overwhelming.
• 2 out of 5 grooms are solely or mainly responsible for selecting the site for the wedding ceremony.
• 1 in 4 grooms are solely or mainly responsible for choosing gifts for the bridal party.
• 1 in 5 grooms are solely or mainly responsible for selecting their fiancée’s wedding dress.
• 46% of grooms consider the ceremony site to be the most important wedding planning decision.
• 15% of grooms consider the reception venue to be the most important wedding planning decision.
• 12% of grooms consider the bride’s dress to be the most important wedding planning decision.

Essential Tasks for The Groom

• When following the wedding checklist for the groom give plenty of consideration to selecting your best man & groomsman.
• Pick out suits for you & your groomsmen – get measured for these at least 4 months before the wedding.
• Organise transport to the ceremony for the bride, her father, the bridal party, the best man, the groomsmen & you; as well as transport from ceremony to reception for the entire wedding party.
• Organize accommodation for any guests who are traveling long distances for the wedding.
• Purchase a gift for your fiancée & your groomsman.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner & have a toast prepared.
• Prepare your speech for the reception.

Duties to Undertake with Your Fiancée

• When following the wedding checklist for the groom, decide on a wedding budget (overall & for each item).
• Book a venue for the ceremony & reception as early as possible (minimum 12 months before).
• Book entertainment for the wedding.
• Decide on the guest list & send out invitations.
• Plan the menu for the reception dinner.
• Create a gift registry.
• Organize your honeymoon.

Groom’s Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s

• Make every effort to help your fiancée with as many tasks as reasonably possible.
• Take control of routine household tasks such as cooking & cleaning. Your fiancée will appreciate this during the wedding planning period.
• Be supportive towards your fiancée during preparations. It will be a stressful time, so support will be essential.
• Ensure that your best man & groomsmen are fully aware of their responsibilities.

Don’ts

• Don’t let your behavior get out of hand at the bachelor party. If your groomsmen are encouraging inappropriate behavior (which they shouldn’t), don’t bow to peer pressure.
• Don’t sit back & let your fiancée handle all of the preparation. There are 2 people getting married, so both parties are expected to work hard to ensure as perfect a wedding as possible.

Essential Tasks for The Best Man

• Attend suit fittings as requested by the groom.
• Attend any pre-wedding events (e.g., rehearsal the day before the ceremony).
• Prepare a speech for the wedding. It should be humorous yet heartfelt in describing the groom.
• Organize a bachelor party. Make it fun but respectable.
• Keep the other groomsmen briefed as to their duties for the wedding day.
• Ensure that the groom has everything he needs for the wedding & honeymoon (e.g., documents, passport).
• Double-check that the groom’s route to the wedding ceremony won’t be impeded by roadworks, diversions, etc.
• Mind the groom’s wedding ring on the day of the ceremony & present it to him during the ceremony when appropriate.
• Witness the signing of the register.

Best Man’s Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s

• Be rigorously prepared for the wedding day. That means knowing what is happening & when, as well as having an expert knowledge of the venue.
• Prepare your best man speech thoroughly. This is your moment of prominence, so getting it right will leave a positive lasting impression on everyone at the wedding.
• Feel free to have a few drinks, but pace yourself as you’ll need to ensure that every guest gets home safely.

Don’ts

• Do not ‘wing it’ for the best man’s speech. It makes you look sloppy at best, or as if you don’t care about the wedding at worst.
• Don’t include potentially degrading or offensive stories or remarks about the bride & groom in your speech. Dark humor will not be appreciated at all.
• Don’t complain about the workload involved. Being chosen as the best man is a rare & special honor.

Essential Tasks for The Groomsmen

• Attend suit fittings as requested by the groom.
• Attend any pre-wedding events (e.g., rehearsal the day before the ceremony).
• Abide by any specific pre-wedding requests from the groom.
• Help the best man with organizing the bachelor party.
• Decorate the getaway car with the help of the bridesmaids.
• Know where each guest will be sitting & usher them to their correct places.
• Find out all you can about the wedding venue, as guests will have questions such as where the nearest bathroom is located.
• Purchase a wedding gift for the bride & groom.

Groomsmen Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s

• Take every task seriously. The groom has entrusted you with a prized responsibility.
• Get up dancing early during the reception to encourage other guests to follow. If you don’t know how to dance, or you’re fearful about doing so, just learn a few simple moves!
• Be prepared for a series of tasks on the day of the wedding so that it all runs smoothly.
• If the groom is nervous, offer him calming words of reassurance.

Don’ts

• Don’t dismiss tasks such as the suit fitting to be menial or unimportant. If they matter to the groom, they should matter to you.
• Don’t be late to any event under any circumstances. The groom will probably be nervous enough without slack timekeeping making things worse.
• Don’t act irresponsibly or encourage the groom to act irresponsibly. You were chosen for the job because the groom trusts you to come good for the biggest event of his life.

Essential Wedding Checklist for the Groom

While wedding planning often sees brides taking the lead, grooms and their parties have a significant role in ensuring the day goes smoothly.

A wedding planning checklist for the groom is essential to staying organized and fulfilling expectations.

By understanding their duties and contributing actively, the groom, best man, and groomsmen can make the wedding a truly memorable event for everyone involved.