TheGroom usually is so quiet during the organisation of a wedding that it is often assumed that he doesn’t have many duties.
This could not be further from the truth. In fact the groom of today is very active in the wedding plans and knows exactly what he wants.
While the bride and her mother have their roles, the groom too has his tasks which are often not noticed but very real and certainly active.
The amazing thing is that traditionally, while often seen as less participary than the bride, if the normal protocol is followed, he is actually the person who gets the whole ball rolling for this amazing journey which culminates with your wedding day.
WEDDING DUTIES
PRE - WEDDING
The groom is in fact officially the first person to perform a duty when he buys and presents an engagement ring to his proposed bride. He then helps the bride by including his input as to final decisions regarding the wedding theme, colours, venue, tableware for the reception etc.
He helps to compile the "Registry Gift" list and has a strong say in the guest list, after all he has friends and family too who must be included as well as his personal choices for inclusion into the wedding party. He also has to consider his own families wishes concerning anyone who they would particularly like to invite. He will attend meetings with the officiate
He helps plan the budget with the bride and helps to bear the financial and emotional responsibility of the event. He helps ensure legal requirements.
The groom also assists in the choosing of the wedding bands and gifts for the parents.
He will plan his outfit and those of his Best Man and other male attendants
He will attend all, dinners, rehearsals and other pre-wedding functions.
WEDDING DAY
He is the first to arrive at the wedding venue, usually a good space of time before the ceremony begins, sometimes up to half an hour earlier. He will remain composed.
He will sign the registry with the bride
He will pose for all official photographs
He will stand in the receiving line and officially introduce his new bride to guests
He will make the much anticipated speech at the reception, where he thanks everyone for helping to make the day a success. The guests, wedding party, services and most of all the parents of the bride for the beautiful gift of their daughter
He will cut the cake with his new bride
He will have a first official dance with his new wife and then traditionally dance with the Mother of the Bride
After enjoying the rest of the occasion, he will leave for his honeymoon, trusting the wrapping up of events on the Best Man, Maid of Honour and the rest of the faithful bridal party to see that all ends are covered
YOUR DUTY TO YOURSELF
TO LOOK YOUR BEST
This is one of the, if not the only time in your life where you really are the centre of attention and you get the chance to express your style and personality, in a manner you always dreamed and envisioned but never had the opportunity to actually create.
Well! this is the occasion where this can truly become a reality and it is ok to look as elaborate or simple as you so desire. You owe it to yourself to enjoy this time and explore all the opportunities that your type of wedding affords.
Whether it is a simple occasion or a large elaborate extravaganza, make sure that you feel comfortable with your choice of presentation and that you look as good as you should feel on your special day.
TO BE REMEMBERED IN A POSITIVE WAY
It is in your interests to preserve the image you worked so hard to create. While it is an event and a celebration … Your celebration with your bride … You want to be remembered for your wedding and how handsome and smart you looked in it, not for any embarrassing scenes which will have people talking about you in a negative way for a long time after, or upset your new bride, spoiling what should be a remarkable memory to last a lifetime.
Be careful of your alcohol consumption so that you are in complete control and can enjoy every moment of the proceedings without doing anything that you might not even be aware of and regret afterwards.
Enjoy the celebration but be conscious of and listen to your body when you have reached your limit. You also need to be healthy for your honeymoon and not miss any special moments because you were unnecessarily under the weather and so unable to function as usual.
