Wedding preparation often focuses heavily on the bride, but the groom has plenty to organise before the ceremony too. Looking after grooming, clothing and personal details in advance can make the wedding morning easier and leave more time to enjoy the day.
A good groom preparation plan starts several weeks before the wedding and continues through to getting ready at the venue.
Start Preparing Several Weeks Before
The final few days before a wedding are not the time to experiment with a completely new grooming routine. Start early so you have time to work out what suits you and make any necessary changes.
Establish a Simple Skincare Routine
Skin can become irritated when you introduce unfamiliar products shortly before an important event. If skincare is not already part of your routine, start with a few basic steps well before the wedding.
Cleansing and moisturising regularly can help keep your skin comfortable and prepared for photographs. Grooms who are looking for suitable products can explore options for skincare for men, taking into account their skin type and any shaving-related concerns.
If you already have a routine that works, there is usually little reason to change it dramatically before the wedding.
Plan Your Haircut
Think about how you want your hair to look in your wedding photographs and speak to your barber or stylist about the style well in advance.
If you normally have regular haircuts, keep to your usual schedule rather than making a major change immediately before the wedding. For a new style, try it several weeks ahead so you know how it looks and how easy it is to maintain.
Decide on Your Facial Hair
Whether you are clean-shaven, have a short beard or prefer a longer style, decide how you want your facial hair to look before the wedding.
If you are growing a beard for the wedding, give yourself enough time to achieve the desired length. If you plan to shave, consider whether your skin is prone to irritation and avoid trying a new shaving method for the first time on the wedding morning.
Have Your Suit Ready
Your suit should be fitted and ready well before the wedding day. Check the fit of the jacket and trousers, and make sure your shirt, shoes, belt, tie or bow tie and other accessories work together.
Try everything on together rather than checking each item separately. This gives you time to arrange alterations or replace anything that does not fit properly.
The Week Before the Wedding
The week before the wedding is about final checks rather than major changes.
Get Your Final Haircut at the Right Time
The ideal timing for your final haircut depends on your usual style. Some men prefer the sharper look of a fresh cut, while others find that their hair looks more natural after a few days.
Tell your barber that you are preparing for your wedding and work out the timing based on your normal haircut.
Keep Your Skincare Routine Consistent
Continue with the routine you have already established. Avoid adding several new products simply because the wedding is approaching.
The same applies to shaving and other grooming products. If something has previously caused redness, dryness or irritation, the week before the wedding is not the time to test it again.
Check Your Wedding-Day Essentials
Put aside the personal items you will need on the wedding morning. Depending on your plans, these might include deodorant, fragrance, comb or hairbrush, hair styling product, razor and shaving supplies, moisturiser, lip balm, tissues, phone and charger, wedding rings, watch, cufflinks, tie or bow tie, and any medication or personal essentials.
Keep these items together so you are not searching for them while getting ready.
The Day Before
The day before the wedding should involve as little last-minute organisation as possible.
Lay out your complete outfit, including shoes and accessories. Check that your shirt is clean and pressed, your suit is ready to wear, and everything you need is in one place.
If you are staying somewhere away from home, pack your grooming products and wedding-day essentials separately from the rest of your luggage. This makes them easier to find the next morning.
Try to get a normal night's sleep. There is no need to make major changes to your usual routine.
Getting Ready on the Wedding Morning
The wedding morning can become busy quickly, particularly when several people are getting ready in the same place. Give yourself enough time to shower, groom, dress and deal with any unexpected delays.
Allow Time for Grooming
Start with enough time for your normal shower and grooming routine. If you are shaving, allow extra time so you do not have to rush.
Apply your usual skincare products after washing and shaving. Keep the routine simple and use products you have already tried.
Get Your Hair Done Before Dressing
If you use styling products, finish your hair before putting on your suit where possible. This reduces the chance of getting product on your shirt or jacket.
Keep any final styling products nearby so you can make a quick adjustment before leaving for the ceremony.
Dress Carefully
Once grooming is finished, put on your wedding clothes carefully. A second person can help with difficult buttons, cufflinks, ties or jacket adjustments.
Before leaving the preparation area, check your outfit from front and back. Make sure your shirt collar sits correctly, your tie is straight and your shoes are clean.
Make Time for Photographs
The period when the groom is getting ready can provide useful opportunities for wedding photography. Your photographer may capture details such as the suit, shoes, watch, cufflinks and wedding rings, as well as candid moments with family and friends.
Keep the preparation area reasonably tidy if you know photographs will take place there. You do not need to make the room look staged, but clearing away empty packaging, food containers and unnecessary bags can make photographs easier.
Set aside important personal items in one place so they can be found quickly when needed.
Getting Ready at Settlers Country Manor
For couples holding their wedding at Settlers Country Manor, the getting-ready period is part of the wedding-day experience.
The venue provides dedicated bridal preparation facilities, giving the bride and her bridal party a private space to get ready before the ceremony. The groom and his party should also plan their preparation time so that everyone knows where they need to be and when.
Whether you are getting ready at the venue or travelling there after preparing elsewhere, allow enough time for grooming, dressing and photographs before the ceremony.
Grooming Tips for Wedding Photographs
Wedding photography includes plenty of close-up images, so small grooming details can become more noticeable than they might be during an ordinary day.
Before the ceremony, check the followings:
Hair is sitting as intended
Facial hair is neat
Skin is comfortable and free from obvious product residue
Shirt collar is sitting correctly
Tie or bow tie is straight
Jacket is sitting properly
Shoes are clean
Pockets are not overfilled
A quick check before leaving for the ceremony can prevent small problems from appearing throughout the day's photographs.
After Getting Ready
Once you are dressed and ready, avoid carrying everything you used during the morning.
Return grooming products, packaging and spare clothing to your bag or another designated place. Keep only the items you may actually need later.
Your phone, wallet, keys and other personal belongings should have a clear place so they do not become a distraction during the ceremony and reception.
Most importantly, once the preparation is finished, stop worrying about the small details. The planning has been done. The rest of the day is about being present with your partner, family and guests.
A Simple Groom Preparation Timeline
Several weeks before: Establish your skincare routine, decide on your hairstyle and facial hair, and organise your suit.
One week before: Have your final haircut at the appropriate time, check your outfit and gather your wedding-day essentials.
The day before: Lay out your clothes, organise your grooming products and make sure everything you need is ready.
Wedding morning: Shower, groom, style your hair, get dressed and allow time for photographs before the ceremony.
Before the ceremony: Do one final check of your appearance and personal items, then leave the preparation area with enough time to reach the ceremony.
A little preparation means the groom can spend less time looking for missing items or fixing last-minute problems and more time enjoying the wedding day.
