Groom’s Wedding Checklist

Four to six months before the wedding

* Select invitations and think about who you want to send them to. Yes, you have to send them to your future in-laws.
* Select the wedding rings with your bride, and have them engraved with both of your initials and the wedding date.
* Purchase wedding rings and mentally prepare for the receipt figures.
* Pick out entertainment.
* Choose a caterer.
* Reserve rental equipment like chairs and tables.
* Confirm locations for your triple-threat: the wedding, the party and the rehearsal dinner.
* Plan where the honeymoon will be.

Three months before

* Send invitations to those on the final guest list. Friendly reminder: exes do not make the cut.
* Go to your first tuxedo fitting
* Plan and order wedding day transportation.
* Write your vows or go over the traditional ones. Avoid using the nick names you have for each other.

Four to eight weeks before

* Get your marriage license.
* Get your lady a wedding gift to calm her nerves and remind her why you’re so lovable.
* Buy some gifts for your parents and the groomsmen.
* Pick up your wedding rings and put them in a safe place.

Two to three weeks before

* Bachelor party!
* Recover from bachelor party.
* Make a song list for the DJ or band. Be considerate of your multi-generational guests because grandma only has so many hip-hop dance moves.
* Write a speech that includes thanking the special people in your life- your bride, best man, parents, in-laws…

One week before

* Pre-arrange for someone you trust to return any rentals.
* Get a hair trim from your usual barber and let him know it’s for the big day.

Two to three days before

* Go for your second tuxedo fitting and bring your new duds home. To keep them in good condition, refrain from playing James Bond around your apartment.
* Tell your best man to make sure all your guys go for their second fittings too, because we know at least one of your friends would end up going to the ceremony in cargo shorts and flip-flops if his tuxedo didn’t fit right.

The night before

* Give your best man the ring and make the appropriate threats to ensure he won’t lose it.
* Remember to give two very important things to give your officiant – the marriage license and payment.
* Attend the rehearsal dinner with your family and friends. This is a good time to give them the gifts you bought because while it shows you are grateful, it also acts as a bribe for them to behave well the next day.
* Last but not least, go to bed at a decent hour. After all, the rest of your life starts tomorrow.