Groom… this groom duties checklist is for you! Be sure you subscribe and stay in the loop, too!
Is the Bride knee-deep in tulle, pulling her hair out over seating charts, and tying 100+ ribbons onto favor bags? You’re probably wondering how you can jump in to help or perhaps you’re wondering what the Groom does, or what are some important roles of the Groom for the wedding day.
You already know there are a few (easy!) yet essential groom roles and responsibilities you absolutely must do. But did you know there are a bunch of extras you can do to assist your partner? And these secret roles aren’t as obvious, so you’ll be happy to have read about them here. :)
Now, we know this list isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you’re already doing all of these things and you’re both planning the wedding together. That’s great! This list is a great recap of all the things you can cross off so you don’t forget a thing, whether you’re more of a hands-on wedding planning Groom — or more of a wedding planning observer. :)
P.S. Get this set of glassware! A must-have. :) By AvritOliverDesigns.
This list hashes out all the necessary Groom duties and roles, along with a few EXTRAS that will really help the bride, thanks to this list. In it, you’ll find thirty groom responsibilities that you can tackle and give your soon-to-be spouse a little less stress and a definite respite.
Besides, it’s 100x more fun planning this thing together.
Let’s get started!
Groom Duties Checklist
1. Select your best man, groomsmen, and ushers
This is one of the groom duties that is essential. The rule of thumb is the groom chooses his best man, groomsmen, and ushers to be in the wedding.
You can ask your best man and groomsmen with funny groomsmen cards, call them on the phone, or ask casually during the next football game or hangout.
Here’s a card that works 100% of the time (by PetalPaperCo):
See: How to Ask “Be My Groomsman” In a Non-Cheesy Way to help.
2. Groom duties include choosing attire for the groomsmen and ring bearer
This is one of the essential Groom duties: selecting attire for groomsmen to wear. It is also helpful if you decide on ring bearer outfit ideas to match.
3. Choose groomsmen gifts
As the groom, you get to pick out the groomsmen gifts for your crew. Have fun with this: choose unique presents you know he’ll enjoy. Read: 100 Best Groomsmen Gifts for ideas.
4. Do this if the bride needs help getting inspired
Surprise her with a few books to get that inspo flowing: grab one of these, this book and this book on wedding themes will make planning so much easier.
Top it off with a mug like this one from HappilyChicDesigns. It’ll make her smile and she can sip coffee while she dives into those awesome books you ordered.
5. When the bride is stressed out / freaking out, just listen
Sometimes, she just needs to vent.
6. Go cake tasting with the bride
It’s delicious, it’s easy-going, and you get a chance to try out the wedding cake you’ll have at your wedding. It’s fun, promise.
7. Vow to not smear cake on her face at the wedding
You may as well knock this one out early. If it’s your thing, ok, but I don’t know a single bride who wants to have cake smeared all over her wedding day makeup.
8. When she’s stressing about the wedding…
… simply remind her what the day is all about.
9. Help cross things off of the giant checklist list
Set aside some time to go over a few things you both need to tackle on the wedding checklist. It is so much easier to sit down and chat about a few things, even for a few minutes, than to have it hanging over your head. Sure, table linens, the cake, and centerpieces may not be the most exciting decisions… but tackling just one or two things will help take the stress off of that seemingly endless list.
10. Arrange for you two to have breakfast in bed the day after the wedding
Such a sweet idea!
11. Compile your family’s side of the guest list.
It is easier if you are in charge of your side of the family, while your partner is in charge of theirs. And please encourage your parents to inform you of any guests they wish to invite ASAP — the sooner you do this, the easier it will be.
12. Help with invitations
Invites can seem like a giant task. It is so much easier if you pick out invitations together, work on wording together, enclosures, all of it. Do it as a team.
When invitations arrive, assist in making sure you assemble invitations in the right order and address them. It’s one of the most time-consuming tasks, so definitely celebrate afterwards with dinner out and an ice-cold beer. :)
13. Ask her to dance with you in the living room so we can pick out our song.
This is extremely helpful for choosing your First Dance song… but it’s also a great way to practice dancing together. She might not ask you to practice with her, but if you ask… well, she’ll definitely appreciate that.
14. Take her out on a date.
Once you start planning your wedding, don’t let all the fun date nights fly out the window! 50 Cheap Date Ideas will get you inspired to spend quality time together.
And make sure you promise to NOT talk about wedding stuff while you’re on your date. One of the Groom duties is to make sure she gets a full break from all this planning stuff. That’s easy enough!
15. Write your partner a card or note the day of the wedding…
… and have it delivered to the bride by someone (so you don’t see her) on the day of the wedding — in the morning — while she’s getting ready. Write something heartfelt inside. She will LOVE this.
You can include a wedding day gift for the bride from the groom. They’re absolutely perfect.
A piece of bridal jewelry makes a nice gift.
One of my favorite gift suggestions is a bridal clutch purse with a photo of you two together, printed on the liner. They do EVERYTHING for you, all you do is submit the photo, over at MeshkaDesign. The purse is handmade for her and the liner is printed so beautifully. This is one of the easiest groom duties and she will treasure this so much.
TIP: Wrap the gift easily inside a gift bag with tissue paper; add the card. What a nice touch. Get this bag from DetailsMatterStudio.
See? So easy. Done!
16. Double check on the tux/suit fittings
One of the best man roles is to make sure the groomsmen, ring bearer, fathers, etc. get fitted for their attire. However, it helps if one of the Groom duties is to check in on this so the bride doesn’t have to worry about suits being ordered and picked up on time.
17. Be as enthusiastic as possible.
Get excited and involved on wedding details, even those you couldn’t care less about… like mason jars or table settings. Or whether you need escort cards AND place cards.
18. Help with the wedding seating chart.
Figuring out how to assign seats is a pain in the you-know-what, but it doesn’t have to rest on one person’s shoulders. One of the best Groom duties you can do is to help decide who sits where so you can keep your guests happy.
19. Also, if the guest list is never-ending….
… help trim the guest list without guilt. It takes two to cut down that list!
20. Pick out your wedding ring and help your partner choose theirs
If you pick out a ring you like, you’ll be happier wearing it. Get inspired and pick out unique wedding bands you’ll want to wear.
21. Remind the bride again how awesome your wedding will be
She just needs to hear a little reassurance every now and then.
22. Join the bride on the dance floor all night long.
Plan on dancing at your wedding, if you don’t think you’re a good dancer.
23. Sneak away for a few minutes with the bride at your wedding for some romantic photos.
A few moments alone, or with the photographer to capture a few candids, will be one of the most memorable parts of the day. Trust me on this one.
24. Take charge of transportation
One of the best groom duties you can take on? Transportation! Arrange transportation for you and your bride to and from the reception to the hotel. It’s one less thing you have to worry about, and you’ll enjoy a nice ride to your wedding suite for the evening.
One of the groom roles you can do also includes figuring out a shuttle for guests from the hotel to the ceremony, as well as back to the hotel after the reception (if you’re opting for a shuttle as a part of your wedding budget).
Transportation can also be arranged for the wedding party to the festivities such as a limo or limo bus.
25. Pick out the ceremony readings together
… along with songs and other parts of the order of events at your ceremony.
26. Plan the most amazing honeymoon ever
… so you have something fun to look forward to after the big day!
27. Attend the bridal shower (if applicable)
Help open gifts with the bride, greet guests, thank them for coming, and be my support the entire day. She is likely excited about the shower, but nervous about being the center of attention. Plus, it’s more fun to celebrate together.
28. Tackle the wedding registry together
It’s fun, especially when you know the best wedding registry gifts to add to it. You can make a universal registry to make it easy, adding items from anywhere on the same site. Get a free registry here.
29. Take engagement photos and have fun with it…
…even if you’re not the biggest fan of having your picture taken.
30. Make it to the ceremony on time.
That’s the Best Man’s job, and make sure it happens.
32. Please make sure the Best Man knows what to do.
Here’s a list of what the best man does to help.
33. Greet guests with me at the receiving line…
…or walk around to tables together to thank guests for coming to the wedding. It is one of the things guests love at weddings.
34. Tackle thank you notes after the wedding together.
It shouldn’t be just one person’s job! Here are some tips on writing thank you notes to help. If you each write a bunch of them, it will go so much quicker!
And, of course…
35. Don’t get cold feet.
Wear two layers of socks if you need to, ha!
Groom Roles
Did we miss one of the Groom duties you’d like to add? Tell us in the comment box below.
We hope this list of Groom roles will help as you plan!
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
