It’s not unusual to hear people proclaim that a wedding is “the bride’s special day”. And while many grooms acquiesce to many of the bride’s wishes, many have chosen to become much more involved in the planning of both the ceremony and the parties that surround it, including any pre-wedding dinners and the reception.

That said, the groom may opt to take on a number of different responsibilities but, traditionally, there are still a number of duties that belong specifically to him. These responsibilities should be taken seriously and carried out in a timely manner so as to make the wedding day, and all the days that lead up to it, as special as possible.

First of all, the groom will need to choose a best man and groomsmen/ushers. The Best Man should be a close relative or dear friend and someone who can be trusted with a number of responsibilities. The number of groomsmen to be chosen should match the number of bridesmaids selected by the bride. While choosing the male half of the bridal party is indeed up to the groom, some consultation should occur with the bride so as to avoid any clashing of personalities, etc.

Next, the groom – again in consultation with the bride – should choose the formalwear for himself and his groomsmen. This usually occurs after the women have chosen their dresses so that the outfits can be coordinated. A good formalwear store can suggest the appropriate formalwear for the time of day during which the wedding will be held.

The groom must also choose a wedding ring. These days, the bride is often in on the selection, so the two shop together. Also, many rings come in sets – the wedding band and engagement ring together. If that’s the case, the groom will already have the ring but should be sure to take care of the inscription before the day of the wedding.

Gifts also need to be purchased for the Best Man and groomsmen. Often, a personalized item of some sort is chosen, such as a key chain, multi-purpose knife, money clip, or other similar gift. This way, it can be engraved with the name of the recipient as well as the date of the wedding. These should be ordered well in advance to ensure delivery before the day of the wedding. They may be distributed at the rehearsal dinner.

At the rehearsal dinner, the groom often gives a short speech, thanking his parents for hosting the dinner and his groomsmen for their participation. He should prepare this ahead of time and resist the temptation to improvise. It can be witty, but should also be heartfelt and brief.

While the location of the honeymoon is often decided by both members of the couple, sometimes the groom chooses the honeymoon destination and surprises the bride. If that’s the case, the groom needs to make sure that all pieces of the puzzle are in place, including transportation, tickets, accommodations, and other essentials. He also needs to be sure that the bride is appropriately packed for the surprise destination!

The groom might also want to choose an appropriate gift for his bride, remembering to choose an item that won’t break the bank but rather one that holds sentimental meaning for the bride. An appropriate gift that the bride will treasure for years to come is sure to get the marriage off to a good start.