Groom's Getting-Ready: The Perfect Start to the Wedding

Let’s imagine the cliché of a wedding morning: The bride is super excited and, even while getting her hair and makeup done, is already squealing like Heidi Klum on helium along with her friends. The groom, meanwhile, is totally cool. For him, it’s a day like any other. He skillfully ties his tie to perfection, casually throws on his jacket, and with a deft tug at his cuffs, he finishes getting ready for the wedding.

But snap back to reality—oh, there goes gravity … your heart, dear groom, will be pounding in your throat with excitement too , and with a little luck, you might just manage to button your shirt into the right buttonholes on your second try. But don’t worry! We’ve put together some tips to help you make your own getting-ready routine so relaxed that you won’t realize just how excited you really are until right before you say “I do.”

Plus, your future wife will surely follow our tips for the bride's getting-ready routine and, instead of falling into the cliché, will have a wonderful morning with her favorite people.

The Boys Are Back in Town

Even if we’re wrong in our assumption and you’re actually cooler than Mr. Freeze in a freezer on your wedding day, we recommend gathering your best man, siblings, and friends around you. Whether they’re officially there for moral support, to pass the time, or just to do a final check on your tie knot doesn’t matter. The main thing is that they’re there.

Your Wedding, Your Music

Just like the bride, you should have a playlist for your getting-ready session. Songs that instantly put you in a party mood. It doesn’t matter whether you put it together yourself or ask your best man to do it—the main thing is that you keep Barney Stinson’s wise words in mind: “People think a mix like this should have highs and lows, but that’s wrong. A mix like this should only have highs, baby!”

Schedule and Leisure Activities

Admittedly, the chances that you’ll be pressed for time are next to none. At very few weddings does the groom take anywhere near as long to get ready as the bride. But don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if that’s not the case for you—quite the opposite. Go all out! Be a diva. Enjoy a manicure, a pedicure, have your hairstyle perfected until it’s worthy of being a historic landmark, and slip into a suit that would make James Bond look like a homeless person. If you still finish getting ready faster than your bride, your bridesmaids and groomsmen will surely help you pass the time until the ceremony.

Joyride

You probably aren't planning to drive a Fiat Multipla to the wedding ceremony—you've likely rented a nice wedding car instead. But who says you can't take it out for a little spin beforehand? Take a drive around town with your friends, and don't forget the playlist!

Drinks

After your little drive, you could treat yourself to a drink. But we’re not talking about a drinking party—we mean a drink with style: a glass of whiskey, an Appletini, an espresso martini, or whatever else takes your fancy and helps you unwind.

Entertainment While Getting Ready

Getting ready is also a great opportunity for a quick multiplayer game. Bring a console to your hotel room and treat yourselves to a round of FIFA, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Tekken, Rocket League, or whatever takes your fancy. If video games aren’t your thing, catch a Netflix comedy special together. Basically, anything goes as long as it takes your mind off things without distracting you so much that you lose track of time and arrive late for the wedding ceremony.

Taking Photos While Getting Ready

It’s also a good idea to have your wedding photographer capture the morning of your wedding. Sure, he’ll probably take more pictures of your fiancée’s getting-ready session, but you can take him along on your joyride—and besides, you’ll definitely want a photo of your spectacular FIFA victory on your wedding day.