The title of Groom carries certain responsibilities, not many but a few. Use this as a planner to make sure your limited duties are not botched. You will have pre-ceremony, day of ceremony and post-ceremony duties. A simple checklist will assist you in exceeding expectations.

Pre-Ceremony Duties. Reduce the burden of your bride by offering her a typed list of attendees with addresses (refer to our worksheet for groom’s). For invitation purposes this is a must. Place proposed groomsmen in bold letters. Key word – proposed. This one will require bridal input. You will need to make preparations for a bachelor party. Keep these plans rather loose. Batchelor parties never tend to go as planned and create a life of their own. Stay stringent on the morals and relax the details. You will be subject to hearing a host of details regarding parties with the bride as the focal point. In keeping the scales balanced, I recommend you schedule a few parties with your groomsmen focusing on wedding details. The small details that could potentially get overlooked. Host a reception snack-tasting party, a post wedding beverage-selection party possibly a weekend camping trip referred to as potential honeymoon-selection party. Be sure to present your results with ranking and percentages.

Day of Ceremony Duties. Make sure you cover the basics. The rest will fall in place. I recommend you purchase two lightweight, inexpensive, monogrammed canvas duffle bags for you and your bride. This will allow you to group all the necessities for the big day and it will be perfect for short weekend get aways after the ceremony. The basics you need will include tuxedo, rings, and an overnight kit, which packs all your typical grooming items, a change of clothes and envelopes with payment for all those providing wedding services that are on your list to pay. If you are not the wing-it type and need cheat sheets for unrehearsed vows or toasts make sure they come along for the ride. For security measures bring Tums, Rolaids, Pepto-Bismal or other items you may need to keep you calm, depending on how many ex-girlfriends you anticipate showing up uninvited.

Post-Ceremony Duties. Congratulations, as descendants of cave men, you have hunted, tracked, and bagged your prey. Any duties you perform at this point are out of the goodness of your heart. I recommend you make plans for details that will allow each of you to recover from the stress of a wedding. Your attention to thoughtful details will lessen the likelihood of annulment. If your wife loves chocolate arrange for them to be sent to the room unannounced. If she loves flowers pick a few or buy them. Hire the mariachis in Mexico to serenade her off the balcony while you shower. Surprise her with new lingerie or maybe a skimpy bikini.

Enjoy the wedding trail. Your approach will define the results. Be thoughtful and creative. Expose to your mate all the thoughts that occurred lying in bed, thinking of the blissful day you would be able to call her your wife.

Myles Castello