So when someone mentioned to me:
“What is the groom responsible for?” I gave them a look of duh. I didn’t know!
Well after much research, I am happy to show you a checklist for the groom.
Keep in mind that some of this stuff will not apply to your specific wedding
but for most guys it will. Keep the faith amigo!
Richie’s Groom Checklist.
1 Year in Advance
- Choose wedding date (Yes this is the most important
step)
- Decide on the size of your wedding (big or small)
- Determine what religion your service will be
- Decide on the time of day of the wedding and the
reception
- Choose the ceremony’s location
- Choose the reception’s location
- Start saving cash
- Decide on a budget with your bride *very important
also*
10 Months in Advance
- Ensure home/renter’s insurance covers engagement ring
or buy additional jewelry insurance
- Get your vows organized (writing them yourself?)
- Decide on a budget for your honeymoon.
- Put your engagement announcement in the newspaper
6 to 10 Months in Advance
- First meeting with the pastor or wedding officiator.
- Write your vows
- Ask your best man and ushers if they’ll accept the
honor of being in your wedding.
- Pick out tuxedos for yourself and the groomsmen, the
ushers and your father.
- Book your wedding rehearsal dinner location.
- Draft up a guest list (1st revision)
- Start booking the honeymoon.
- Apply for your passports and/or visas.
4 to 6 Months in Advance
- Get your transportation to and from the wedding in
order (limo driver? Rent a car?)
- Buy wedding attire accessories you need like shoes and
cufflinks
- Buy your wedding bands.
- Order the groom’s cake!
- Make 2nd revision of your guest list
- Get Measured for your tuxedos!
3 to 4 Months in Advance
- Get your living plans in order for after the wedding?
Buying a house? Renting an apartment? Get it taken care of in advance!
2 to 4 Months in Advance
- Finalize your seating arrangement at the rehearsal
dinner with your mother (if desired)
- Choose your song for the mother and groom dance
- Finalize vows and memorize (if necessary)
- Buy your gifts for your groomsmen, parents, fiance (Yep
she gets one too), and your ushers
- Finalize guest list
- Get addresses of all people on invite list (this one is
a bear, I suggest an excel spreadsheet)
- Ask mom if she wants rehearsal dinner invitations
and/or place cards matching invitations
- Set date with your bride-to-be to get your marriage
license (check with your state for timeline and details.)
- Get blood test or physical for your marriage
certificate (if required)
- Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon, especially if you are going out of the country!
2 Months in Advance (getting close bro!)
- Schedule as hair-salon appointment (no barber shop
dude)
- Book hotel rooms for the out of town wedding guests
- Choose one person to whom the groomsmen can return
their tuxes, and have that person return the tuxes to the rental place
(usually the best man)
- Choose who will take the groom’s tuxedo back to the
rental place (usually the best man)
- Buy clothing for your honeymoon!
- Find out what you are wearing to the rehearsal dinner.
- Get your wedding band inscribed
- Call and inform all wedding participants who need to be
at rehearsal
- Obtain your marriage certificate (IMPORTANT)
- Have the last meeting with your pastor.
- Develop a gameplan for where your wedding participants
will get dressed.
- Double check that the formal-wear shop has *all* tuxedo measurements correct
1 Month
- Box and wrap all gifts for bride, your groomsmen and
the ushers.
- Make sure that your mom has addressed and mailed the
rehearsal dinner invitations
- Order flower arrangements for rehearsal dinner
- Pick up the wedding bands
- Make sure jewelry is insured.
- Confirm your honeymoon reservations
- Open joint checking and savings accounts (key)
- Change the beneficiary to your fiance for your living
will and life insurance policies
- Get your car and homeowners insurance policies changed to have your future spouse on it.
2 Weeks in Advance
- Meet with rehearsal dinner caterers
- Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night (VERY
IMPORTANT)
- Confirm hotel reservations for your wedding guests
- Develop a schedule for the wedding day. (Important)
- Get your hair done for the wedding.
- Move your belongings into your new home if you are moving.
1 week in Advance
- Pack for your honeymoon
- Obtain traveler’s checks for honeymoon
- Exchange money to foreign currency now if you are
heading out of the country.
- Remind attendants about the time of the wedding
rehearsal
- Pay your pastor or clergy for his services.
- Remind the groomsmen and ushers to pick up their
tuxedos on the day before the wedding
- Ensure that the delivery of the flower arrangements for your wedding rehearsal dinner have been made.
1 Day Before Wedding
- Pick up your tuxedo
- Do the Wedding Rehearsal and the following rehearsal dinner
Morning of Wedding
- Wake up and say a prayer.
- Give the groom’s wedding band to Maid of Honor and your
bride’s wedding band to Best Man prior to the wedding ceremony.
- Relax
- Take a deep breath
- Don’t forget to say “I Do!”
- Congrats! Now have fun with your wedding!
Much love,
Richie
