When it comes to weddings, there’s a myriad of “to-dos” and “guides” for brides and bridesmaids. But for the groom and his groomsmen, the material is a little… well, it's not that diverse. Getting ready on your wedding day, without the right direction and expectations can become overwhelming and downright troublesome. But we’re not here to talk about the things that can go wrong. Today, we’re here to talk about the groom, the groomsmen, and their duties, along with how to have fun and other wedding day tips, only for the boys! As the day of your wedding approaches, and you have many things to juggle, this list of tips and reminders will help you keep your wedding day meticulously planned and organized! So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we? We understand that wedding planning is deep and vast. And it is very easy for you to brush off certain things without realizing that the wedding day is almost here. That said, the first thing to do is make sure that your wedding day outfits are picked out, fitted, and ready for the day. Right after you decide on the wedding date, make sure that you have the right ideas to choose the outfits. First things first, decide on the color combinations for your wedding outfits! As you go through the options you have for color choices, make sure you check if the colors go well with the chosen wedding theme colors! With that said, we know that you may not have your wedding theme colors sorted, which is alright. Because if you don’t, you can choose wedding outfits in neutral shades or in seasonal colors. This will help you stay coordinated with the wedding details.
Now, for the groomsmen outfits, you need to sit down with your boys and discuss. Obviously, before you talk to your groomsmen, choose your wedding outfit. This will give you a starting point to decide on their outfit’s colors. Make sure that you understand what you want to do with the outfits. Traditionally, the groom and the groomsmen dress in similar colors, or complimenting tones. However, if your groomsmen want to add a stylish touch to the overall look of the wedding, why not let them decide how to! Groomsmen's outfits can complement the groom’s outfits or the bridesmaid's outfits. However, the groomsmen can have specially made outfits, something only your boys wear during the wedding. When choosing these outfits, ensure that the matching groomsmen outfits don’t take the spotlight away from the bride and the groom. Once you choose what the groomsmen will wear, be prompt and get the attire ready.
Now, let’s discuss the dressing tidbits! The wedding day suits are only the first part of the day’s attire. So, once you have the wedding day suit picked out, decide on the accessories. When you’re planning your wedding day outfits, remember to give your groomsmen the option to choose. A great way to do this is by asking them if they’d like to have the same accessories as you, the groom. Or you could ask them if they want to do something different. For example, you can choose to wear a bow tie, while your groomsmen wear a knotted tie. And if all of you want to sport ties on the wedding day, you and your groomsmen can differentiate between the knots. For example, if you choose Balthus, your groomsmen can decide to sport the pratt tie knot! Apart from this, you should consider the socks, the kind of shoes, watches, and cufflinks. Everything does not necessarily have to be the same, but it can be similar. Deciding on these points in advance can give you and the groomsmen to shop and collect the different parts of their ensemble. For example, if you want to have funny socks for your wedding, or you’ve decided on some details that are not easy to find, your groomsmen will have enough time to find their options!
Being chosen as a groomsman is a big deal and an honorable task. It is a task like no other. Of course, all of us want to be a part of the wedding day, but only the lucky ones get to play the part. If you have your groomsmen picked out, and you’ve asked them to be one of your groomsmen for the day, it is time to set the expectations! And we don’t mean it in a bad way. The groomsmen's duties are wide and versatile. However, before the day of your wedding and the wedding rehearsal dinner, it is crucial to set everything in words. First things first, talk about what you expect out of them. Once you’re done laying down what you expect your groomsmen to do, ask them about their feelings. Groomsmen's duties can range from being a support system to being a chaperone for a while, which is why it is important for your boys to know what they’re signing up for. Mention clearly what you expect out of them, and ask if they’re comfortable with your expectations. If your groomsmen are not comfortable with the duties you’ve mentioned, you ask them to suggest some changes, so that all of you guys are on the same page.
Apart from this, at this point, you should take the opportunity to express the situation with the formalwear. Traditionally, the groom and his family were responsible for their formalwear and attire. However, in modern times, groomsmen pay for their outfits. In some cases, the groomsmen decide to rent their outfits as well. So, when you sit down to discuss the groomsmen's duties, ensure that you talk about the expectations for the outfits. A great way to take care of the monetary aspect of groomsmen's attire is to come to a nexus where everyone, including the groom, chips in. It will be a “group” effort. But then again, that is only if your groomsmen want to. At the end of the day, it is up to your groomsmen. Discussions will lead you to understand them, and how to go about it.
One of the most important aspects of the groom and groomsmen relationship is that they’re there for each other. While everything that we’ve discussed so far is about decisions to make your outfits look similar and what your groomsmen can do for you, let’s discuss what you can do for them. Apart from helping them pick out the perfect outfits for the day, you can also make getting ready before the wedding easier for your groomsmen. And making your getting ready with the boys session easier comes with you helping your boys when it comes to bachelor party planning! Helping your boys plan the bachelor party will benefit you in two ways, firstly you’ll make sure that your boys aren’t overwhelmed with their groomsmen duties, and secondly, it will help you plan a bachelor party that you’re not just happy with but also enjoy completely! The next step is to help your groomsmen feel amazing in the morning and during the day!
If you want your groomsmen to be happy and refreshed for the day ahead, we have just the things you can do for them! You start the day with a hangover kit. You can have these customized for each of your groomsmen, or you could easily have a large kit, with things for everyone! Next, once you’re feeling better, you can start the day with a game of basketball, squash, tennis, or pool! Try to get some early sunshine to recharge your batteries for the day! You can ask your groomsmen what they’d like to do to exercise in the morning. If you can’t find something fun to do, all of you can go hiking or for a run! After that, you can plan a breakfast at your favorite place in the city or at a place none of you have been to. This will help you create some pre-wedding memories with you and your boys. You guys can go back to your rooms now, and begin dressing up for the day! You can throw in some customary drinks and cigars! While you’re at it, why not throw in some card games as well! However, when you play card games, remember to choose a game that all of you enjoy. And if you can’t settle on a game you’d like to play, how about a game of cards with your groomsmen? When you’re dressed, before the wedding, you can go out on a stroll with your boys! A fun twist on all dressed up and having fun is to visit a playground and act like children again!
To make your wedding day perfect, you’ll have to look your best, we all know that much. But do we ever talk about how your style can clash with your groomsmen’s style? To avoid looking alike, you should discuss the grooming possibilities and other choices. For example, if you want to have classy stubble, you can ask your groomsmen to be clean-shaven or have a slight beard. Another way to ensure that your groom’s style does not clash with your groomsmen’s is to ensure all of your boys have different styles for your beards. That said, there’s no rule that you have to look different! A groom and groomsmen with the same style look just as fashionable as individualistic styles do! What’s more, you can squeeze in grooming time with your boys on the morning of the wedding!
Grooms and groomsmen, much like the bride and bridesmaids, are prone to getting too excited and going over the top! Excited couples and their friends are always a charming experience! And that brings us to an invaluable tip! When you’re discussing plans with your boys and start creating a timeline, ensure that you speak to your fiance about these ideas as well. As we mentioned above, speak to your fiance about the color choices you have, the accessories you’d like, and how you plan to spend the morning of the wedding with your groomsmen. This will help you and your fiance plan and map out your wedding day with meticulous attention to detail! Furthermore, it will keep the plans that you have with your groomsmen in touch with what your partner has planned. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing different shades of the same color, your groomsmen can choose to do something similar, if they want to.
With that said, the last thing you need to remember is to have your groomsmen’s back! Apart from being warm and loving to your best boys, make sure that you show your appreciation to your groomsmen! Apart from the magic words, you’ll tell them all year round and during the day, make sure that you have a beautiful gift picked out for them! Groomsmen's gifts should be thoughtful and timeless. When you pick out a gift for them, you can pair the gift with your wedding favors as well. Furthermore, you can decide to have a specific kind of gift for each other boys, meaning you choose gifts that are different but as per your groomsmen’s tastes and preferences! This will help you not only say thank you without words but will also allow you to touch your groomsmen’s hearts! As far as when to give your groomsmen gifts, you can pick the time, you can give it to them on the day of the wedding when you’re getting ready, you can give it to them after the wedding reception, or you could give it to them before the wedding even takes place, the choice is yours! We hope that these tips help you and your groomsmen enjoy your wedding day.
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