A Groom’s Wedding Planning Checklist

The ultimate guide on what to get done before your wedding day. Plus — how being prepared can also help out your future spouse.

One of the most common complaints that future brides have about their grooms-to-be is that they’re not as involved as they would like in wedding planning. It can often lead to fights — or worse — leave the bride wondering if their significant other even wants to get married.

Grooms, so what can you do? It’s simple. Have a checklist of things-to-do. Remember that actions speak louder than words.

Here are some of the most important items you should have on your checklist.

Talk budget.

Before anything, you and your fiancé(e) should be on the same page about how much you want to spend on your wedding, including your venue, guest list and food. If you’re part of the process from the beginning that will set the tone with your partner for the rest of the time you’re both wedding planning.

Select your wedding party.

Choose who and how many people you want standing next to the both of you at the alter. This group of close family and friends is one of the most important decisions you’ll make together as a couple.

Big decisions.

Research, help make decisions and at the very least — check out the vendors on your checklist together. Who are those vendors? We’re talking about the venue, officiant, caterer, florist, DJ/emcee, band/musician, photographer and videographer.

Planning a wedding is stressful. Don’t leave your fiancé(e) to do all the work by themselves. You not only have to find the best vendors within your budget, but also interview them to make sure they fit your vision and personalities.

Try avoid telling your future spouse these decisions are all up to them, and “none of this matters to you.” It should matter — this is one of the most important days of your life, and it’ll all cost a pretty penny.

“Try and be as supportive as possible even when you don’t feel certain details aren’t important to you. “

Choose your attire.

Decide on whether you’re going to wear a tux, suit or go casual. However, once you make your decision — you’re not done just yet. You’ll have to discuss your wedding colors with your future wife/husband — then figure out what your wedding party will wear and where to get their outfits.

It could take months for your attire to come in depending on where and when you make your purchase, so we suggest not to procrastinate on this task.

Wedding registry.

This can be a fun moment of wedding planning: deciding what items you want on your wedding gift registry. Want some new pots and pans? Ask your guests for a set. Need a new blender for your post-workout smoothies? Let your guests know. Make this an enjoyable wedding task with your fiancé(e).

Shop for rings.

You may have bought the engagement ring, but the set isn’t complete until you buy the wedding band too. Remember to look for rings for yourself and your future spouse. Make sure you order them in-time for your wedding.

Eat and be merry.

What’s more fun than eating cake? Another fun task that you can look forward to is taste testing the food your caterer will cook up for your reception — as well as cake tasting! These wedding tasks are meant to be done together so don’t disappoint your significant other by skipping out on these steps.

Write your vows.

Couples tend to forget to write their vows until the last minute. If you’ve decided to write your own vows, try and give yourself at least a couple months to write them, edit and then practice, practice, practice. Remember you can hire Vows & Forever to ghostwrite your vows and help you with speech coaching or you can buy one of V&F’s Wedding Vows Writing Templates.

Guestlist.

Choosing who will attend your wedding can be challenging and stressful. You’re more than likely restricted to a certain number of guests depending on your venue size and budget. Many couples butt heads when it comes to finalizing their guestlist and seating chart. Our best advice? Try not to make all your decisions during one discussion. It usually takes weeks or months to figure out who to invite, and things can change up until the last minute.

These are just the big items on a groom’s checklist. Don’t forget there are smaller, yet still just as important things-to-do, including buying wedding party gifts, packing for your honeymoon and helping out your fiancé(e) with the tiny details of your Big Day. Try and be as supportive as possible even when you don’t feel the items on their checklist aren’t as important to you.

Written By Vows & Forever Founder and Veteran Journalist Maria Cid. V&F is a wedding vows & speech writing service that also specializes in speech coaching and wedding timeline coordination.