Gentlemen, if you thought wedding planning was better left to the ladies then think again! Men are on the rise in the world of wedding planning, with an uplift in male interest in all aspects of weddings from the venue and decor to the attire and accessories. If you want to start out your marriage in the sweetness of wedded bliss, then follow these simple tips to become an integral part of the wedding planning process:
1. Make it your business to choose to the right ring: This is where the gears of the entire wedding process are set in motion - a romantic mood, a ring and those four little words: 'Will you marry me?'. Don't underestimate the importance of the ring - she may tell you it doesn't matter if its zirconia and not diamond, or that the stone is lovely (even though it's a little small), but don't let that fool you. Not. for. one. darn. minute... it matters, and it matters lots. Spend time getting to know your wife-to-be's tastes. Take note when she comments on friends or families engagement rings. Does she like solitaires or cluster rings, diamonds or emeralds, is her eye drawn to marquise or princess cut stones? As with everything in life, the devil's in the detail and the more prep you put in the more you'll get out.
2. The Groomsmen are your responsibility: this cannot be emphasised enough. Your wife-to-be has enough on her plate without having to organise the grooms party. Initiate a chat with your partner where you can decide the fundamentals together: the style of the groomsmen's attire, the colour scheme (preferably to match the bridesmaids), and the budget for this. Contact your friends and make sure they are fully aware of the plan and whether they are bringing their own clothes or whether these are being provided for them. If your plan involves hiring suits then take the reins on this, dealing with any necessary appointments / collections / returns.
3. Organise the honeymoon: Once you and your fiancee have hashed out a general plan, offer to be in charge of booking the honeymoon. Researching and booking online can take up hours of time, so use this as an opportunity to really show your wedding planning worth.
4. Liaise with your venue: After that initial visit and walk-around, this one is so often left solely to the ladies. Being organised here is crucial as you want your day to run as smoothly as possible. Make sure that you have a calendar with key dates recorded in bold - dates for payments for the wedding venue, booking the catering company and hiring evening entertainment. Recording things as you go will really help, lest you revisit a task a few weeks in and have to repeat it over as you have forgotten where you started.
5.Organise gifts / thank yous for the day (and maybe throw in a little something for your 'new' wife too): This one score high for Brownie points. There are often so many people to thank during the speeches, that preparing even small thank you gifts can feel like a mammoth task. Discuss the gifts needed and take control. On my wedding day my partner stepped in and had gifts ready to hand out (hidden under a table) which made everything flow beautifully. I was truly grateful.
Added together, all these ingredients add up to a happy Bride, and in my experience, a happy Bride often equals a happy Groom too. Over to you to get that wedding off on the right foot.