When it comes to wedding planning, it’s often assumed that the bride will take the lead in planning the big day – but this isn’t always the case! In fact, grooms play an essential role in organizing a successful celebration and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
With this being said, we also understand the planning process can often feel like uncharted territory, so we’re here to help. From planning tips to specific responsibilities and how to best support your partner, read on as we share the ultimate groom’s guide to wedding planning below.
Essential Wedding Planning Tips for the Groom
Gone are the days when wedding planning was solely the bride’s domain. As the groom, there are countless ways you can contribute to the planning process!
So, where to begin? From booking venues and vendors to managing payments and RSVPs, there are a lot of moving parts involved in organizing your special day.
If you’re recently engaged and have absolutely no idea where to start, here are some essential wedding planning tips every groom should know.
Get Involved
The first step in being an active participant in planning your wedding is simple: get involved! Offer your opinions and input, attend vendor meetings and site visits, and contribute to sourcing inspiration and ideas.
By being present and engaged in the planning process, you’ll not only ease your partner’s stress but also ensure your wedding authentically reflects both of your personalities and preferences.
Communicate Effectively
Communication is key for a successful marriage – and the wedding planning process is no exception!
Sit down and have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your vision for the wedding, your expectations, and any concerns you may have. It’s important to get on the same page to ensure you, your spouse (and your entire team of vendors) are all working towards the same goal.
Tip: Download our free wedding vision worksheet and complete this with your partner to get clear on your top priorities for the day.
Budget Together
One of the most crucial aspects of wedding planning is creating a realistic budget. Before making any big decisions, you and your partner will need to determine exactly how much you’re willing to spend on your celebration. To do this, you’ll need to review your current finances and estimated savings leading up to the event.
Once you’ve established a rough budget, you can begin allocating this towards the different elements of your day (eg: venue, catering, decorations.). Our online wedding budget calculator is a helpful tool that can do these calculations for you!
Stay Organized
With so many details to keep track of, staying organized is critical during the wedding planning journey. Consider using an online wedding planner (ideally, one with at least two user accounts) to create a master checklist, and begin delegating tasks between you and your partner accordingly. You’ll want to prioritize the most important tasks first, such as booking your venue, creating a guest list and securing key vendors.
You can also use an online planner to manage contact information, payment deadlines and RSVPs. This will ensure you don’t forget any important details, and can easily access everything you need during the planning process.
Groom Wedding Planning Tasks and Responsibilities
Wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming – so it’s important to divide responsibilities and be an equal partners in the planning process.
When it comes to assigning tasks, it’s a good idea to play to your strengths. For example: who has the more creative eye? Who is better at handling logistics? Who is the biggest foodie?
While every couple and their strengths are different, here are some of the most common groom wedding planning duties you can add to your to-do list.
- Attend meetings. From venue visits to consultations and cake tastings, be present in all of the meetings leading up to your event.
- Choose your attire and wedding band. This includes suiting, shoes and any other accessories required to complete your wedding day look.
Check out our guide to finding the perfect wedding band here! - Plan the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, the groom’s parents would host the rehearsal dinner. If this is the case, help out by taking charge of the guest list and logistics for the event.
- Coordinate groomsmen. This includes choosing their attire, purchasing gifts, and making sure they’re aware of their responsibilities on the day.
- Organize transportation. For example: ceremony transport for you, your partner and the bridal party, plus any additional transportation for your guests (such as a shuttle bus).
Find our guide to everything you need to know about wedding transportation here! - Write your vows. If you’ve opted for personal vows, be sure to give yourself enough time to write and rehearse them before the big day.
- Assist with the seating chart. Take responsibility for seating your side of the guest list, including navigating any tricky family dynamics.
Tip: use a drag-and-drop seating chart builder to simplify the process! - Research and book wedding music. Start by finding available musicians in your local area, then source and compare quotes to find the best fit.
Check out our guide on choosing between a live band or DJ for your wedding here!
- Create DIY decor. Get hands-on (and save some extra dollars!) by building custom backdrops, signage and other decor
- Write your reception speech. Don’t worry – this is typically short and sweet! You can find our top tips for writing a great wedding speech here.
- Organize the honeymoon. Ensure flights, accommodations, transfers and insurance have been arranged for your upcoming trip.
How to Best Support Your Partner
While getting married is an exciting milestone, the planning process can be somewhat stressful for both parties! Here are some of the best ways to support your partner leading up to your special day.
- Take initiative. Don’t wait for your partner to assign you tasks – be actively involved in the process. It’s also a good idea to initiate regular check-ins, so you can update each other on what has been completed and what still needs to be done.
- Be a listener: Wedding planning can be an emotional rollercoaster. From finding the perfect dress to managing tricky family situations, the bride will likely rely on you for comfort and reassurance along the way. Make sure you listen to her concerns and provide emotional support as needed.
- Help with logistics: Organizing the logistical tasks (such as transport, accommodation and seating arrangements) can take the mental load away from your partner, making the planning process much smoother.
- Plan regular date nights. Amongst all of the wedding planning chaos, it’s important to take time out for you and your spouse. Plan regular date nights (that don’t revolve around wedding planning!) to nurture your relationship along the way.
Etiquette Tips For The Groom
Finally, as the groom, there are a few etiquette rules you’ll need to follow on your special day. Keep the following etiquette tips in mind to avoid any major faux pas.
- Be punctual. Time management is key on your wedding day, particularly when it comes to your ceremony. Make sure you arrive ahead of time so you can greet your wedding guests as they arrive.
- Dress appropriately. When it comes to choosing your attire, make sure it’s appropriate for the formality of your wedding. For example: if the dress code is black-tie, a tuxedo is expected. We explain some of the most common wedding dress codes here.
- Thank your vendors. It’s important to show appreciation for the team of vendors who helped make your wedding day a success. Take some time to thank them for their hard work (and even better, leave a positive review after the big day).
- Thank your guests. Finally, don’t forget to thank your loved ones for joining you on the day. Be sure to include some words of appreciation in your wedding speech, and send thank you cards to your guests within 3 months of your celebration.
Collaborate With WedSites
Our digital wedding planner is ideal for couples who want to collaborate on their wedding planning journey! Create a master planning timeline and assign tasks and deadlines accordingly, so you can see exactly what needs to be done and when. We’ll even send you email reminders to keep you both on track.
Learn more about our online wedding planner here, or create your free account to get started.