Groom

Traditionally the husband-to-be’s only jobs include the marriage proposal, selecting his best man and paying for the honeymoon - but things have changed and men are becoming more hands-on in planning their big day.



It used to the bride’s mother who would go along with her to view flowers, look at venues, pick out stationery and organise the reception seating plan.

But tradition has faded somewhat over the decades, and the husband-to-be is becoming much more involved with the organisation of the big day.

With many couples now paying for weddings themselves rather than turning to their parents, and many setting up home together before the wedding, it’s easy to see why the men are so much more involved.

Wedding planner Anna Jackson says: “It’s amazing how many grooms come to all the meetings with the bride now - we even find the men are grooming themselves more.

“I have them booked in to get their hair and nails done, teeth whitening, diet club - you name it.”

Part owner of Emersons Menswear in Southport, Steve Emerson says: “Lots of men are happy to wear what they are told to wear and go with the flow - but more grooms than ever are insisting on what they like and what they don’t.

“Highland wear has been very popular this year - but the amount of times men have walked into the shop saying ‘I’m not wearing a skirt’ - I’ve explained the theory behind a kilt so often, then most people try it on and look and feel a million dollars.”

Steve agrees that men are becoming much more involved and do tend to pamper themselves more.

“We get so many suits back with make-up or fake tan on the collar - but why shouldn’t the groom make sure he looks and feels his best? Why should all the emphasis be on how the bride looks? It’s really great to see that men are making such an effort with their appearance.”

The most popular suits in the shop are the three-quarter length jackets. “They are a kind of compromise between tails and a regular dinner suit.

“Tails are really smart, but lots of men just don’t feel comfortable wearing them, so the three-quarter length suit is great. It will carry on any size, shape or age - from children to granddads.”

As with the bride, grooms should pick an outfit to flatter their figure and make sure they feel comfortable on the day. For example, men with larger waistlines should avoid drawing attention to them with a cummerbund and opt for a more slimming vest.

Shorter men should avoid double-breasted suits and long jackets, as these will not be flattering.

So there you have it gents - groom yourselves for your wedding day - take some spotlight off the dress. // My Wedding Planner