Groom’ing tips to ensure a perfect wedding

A picture-perfect wedding requires a team effort from all of the players involved.

While much of the planning traditionally is handled by the bride and her family, the groom also plays an integral part in deciding on the many wedding arrangements.

To help ensure a beautiful wedding for the happy couple, following are some basic task lists for the groom and his team, to make the big day a success.

Groom
• Buy an engagement ring.
• Prepare a guest list and indicate who should be seated in reserved pews.
• Invite friends to be the best man and ushers in the wedding.
• Visit the formalwear specialist to select the wedding attire.
• Choose gifts for the bride, the best man and the ushers.
• Select the wedding ring (this should be done with the bride).
• Plan the honeymoon (this should be done with the bride) in time to assure getting reservations.
• Apply for the marriage license. Check the state and local rules about the time required. This should be obtained several weeks before the wedding and given to the best man the day of the wedding, along with the clergyman’s fee.
• Check to be sure that all of the necessary papers — blood tests, birth certificates, etc. — are complete and available upon request.

Best Man
• Take charge of the ushers; brief them on special seating arrangements during the rehearsal.
• Keep the wedding ring and have it the day of the ceremony, or be sure the ring bearer carries out instructions properly.
• Have the marriage license and clergyman’s fee on hand.
• Help the groom get ready for the wedding.
• Call for and escort the groom to the wedding. Be there at least 15 to 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Ushers
• Be at the wedding site at least one hour before the ceremony.
• Have a typed list of guests occupying reserved pews. As the guests arrive, ask whether they are friends of the bride or groom and seat them accordingly.
• An usher should escort the bride’s mother to the front pew just before the procession.