Does Your Groom Know His Responsibilities?

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It comes as little surprise to anyone that a lot of the advice out there when it comes to weddings from the stylistic to the logistical and even the monetary is geared towards brides-to-be. After all, this is the moment most women have dreamed of since they were little girls. While most men will have some of their own thoughts to bring to the table in terms of the ceremony, all will want to do whatever they can to ensure that their princess gets the wedding of her dreams. Yet, this amenability needn’t mean that your groom-to-be should become a passive observer in his wedding planning. While its up to every couple to decide and assign duties when it comes to wedding planning, it behoves a gentleman to know his responsibilities as a groom, no matter how traditional you choose to be (or not be) when it comes to your wedding planning.
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For your convenience, we’ll go through a few here…

Sourcing and paying for the bride’s rings

While many brides-to-be have some creative input in terms of style, metals, stones and cuts used, the rings are traditionally the groom’s responsibility. While traditionally her husband’s wedding ring is the bride’s responsibility, some men may choose to purchase their own.

Dealing with the marriage license and officiant’s fee

These are relatively minor costs in the grand scheme of things, but it is traditionally the groom’s duty to manage the fees and logistics concerning the legalities of the ceremony. A marriage license is obtained through your local county clerk’s office. Bear in mind that a marriage license is not the same thing as a marriage certificate. Here is some information on the differences.

Formalwear and gifts for the groomsmen

The groom traditionally pays for his own formal wear but most grooms choose to pay for their groomsmens’ too. What’s more, it’s the groom’s responsibility to source and pay for appropriate gifts for the best man and his groomsmen (although of course the bride-to-be may also have some ideas and suggestions of her own). These can be anything from personalized oak whiskey barrels from redheadoakbarrels.com for connoisseurs to monogrammed cufflinks. The more personal and personalized the better!

Personal flowers

This is often overlooked, but the personal flowers for all involved are usually sourced by the groom. That means that his bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ flowers, corsages for the mothers / grandmothers of the bride and groom and boutonnieres for wedding party are traditionally the groom’s responsibilities.

Gifts for the bride and parents

Most couples choose to get their parents a little something for their love and support throughout the planning process, although the economic realities of the 21st century mean that few parents these days are expected to fund their children's’ weddings to the traditional extent. Of course, the bride and groom usually get one another a little something as a token of their love on the big day.

The honeymoon

This is also traditionally the groom’s responsibility, although you might want to confer with him before leaving the planning of your honeymoon entirely in his hands.

Being a loving and supportive partner
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Finally, what responsibility is more profound and important than being a loving, patient and supportive partner as you plan your big day together. No matter how great your love may be, the planning of a wedding can be a stressful and uncertain time for both of you. Perhaps your most important responsibility is to be there for one another. After all, that’s what this is all about, right?