By Guest Blogger OneWed.com

As a groom, you’re spared a lot of weird wedding news. But over on the bridal side of things we get exposed to all sorts of wacky ideas. For example, I recently heard about women injecting Botox into their underarms to prevent themselves from sweating on their wedding day.

Let’s break that down. There are women so obsessed with having a “perfect wedding day” that they are willing to inject a toxin into their underarms to prevent a perfectly natural bodily function that actually keeps them healthy.

I can almost guarantee you that almost NO ONE starts off their wedding planning thinking it’ll result in a painful injection, but the more you read and plan, the more the idea of “perfect” takes hold. That’s why it’s your job as the groom, as the guy less exposed to this sort of nonsense to keep a close eye on the quest for perfection.

If your bride says something is “perfect,” feel free to agree with her. However, if she starts rejecting things as “not perfect” gently remind her that as long as the two of you get married, it will be perfect. Don’t belittle her quest for a fabulous, wonderful experience, just keep an eye on the “perfect talk.”

photo - Alex Gibbs Photography

By Guest Blogger Ben the Groom.

If you’re reading this post, you’re probably patting yourself on the back, congratulating yourself for being better than most grooms. Enjoy it now, because regardless of how many engagement battles you’ve conquered so far, you haven’t won the war until you’ve made it through your wedding day.  Maybe that’s a little dramatic, but seriously, you could spoil all your hard work if you decide to selfishly upset the bride days before or worse, day of the wedding.  So here are a few tips to be the best groom you can on the wedding day.

Expect to have fun. You will be surrounded by your family, best friends and your bride. This will be one of best days of your life, so enjoy it!  Don’t worry about getting cold feet, or being overwhelmed with anxiety, just try to relax and have a great time with everyone who has traveled to see you.  If you’re excited and having a great time, the wedding will be a blast! Your energy will add to the festivities and your bride will love you more for it! You don’t have to be the life of the party, just bring life to the party.

Expect to be the Best for your Bride. The day before and day of is when your bride will need you the most.  It is your job to make sure, as much as is groomanly possible, that she has the best day ever.  If she needs you by her side, you better be there.  If she needs you to go put out parking signs the night before, you better go do it!  But mostly, be prepared to be there for her in ways she probably won’t even notice.  For instance, if your groomsmen are acting like fools at rehearsal, it’s your job to get them in order.  If you see family members or vendors in her face when you can tell your bride needs a second to breathe, step in and  handle the situation.  After months of witnessing your bride handle the wedding extravaganza, you know her better then anyone so be alert and be there for her! Being the best groom on your wedding day doesn’t mean you have to do a lot, but it means you’re ready to do just about anything!

Expect the Unexpected. Hopefully everything goes right, but as you know everything could go wrong, so be prepared.  If things start going wrong, make sure you don’t escalate the problem. Instead, act like it’s not a big deal.  After the wedding, get busy telling her all the reasons why the “disaster” actually added to the wedding. For example “I bet the rain will make the pictures look incredible” or “even though it rained it was so neat having everyone together in that room… it didn’t feel to crowded in there at all.”  You get the idea.

Expect it to be a Blur. I realize now that the primary purpose of wedding photos is to let the bride and groom actually enjoy their wedding and all its glory.  You’ll be surprised by how many details you missed, how many people you didn’t talk too, and how fast everything happens.  For example, just yesterday I was informed by my wife that we walked out together to a Coldplay song.  There is so much happening at once, your emotions are being pulled in a million directions, it’s almost impossible to focus.  So enjoy the ride and fill in the details later.

I think the secret to a successful wedding is: Love your bride, expect the best from yourself, and surround yourself with good people.  I know all the work and build up of a wedding can get extremely tiresome, but it’s worth it! You’ll really believe me when you see her walking down the aisle.

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Read  more from Ben the Groom over on his blog.

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin

There is so much to try to remember on your wedding day.  Most of this stuff should be handled by your wedding planner, but I want to talk about the stuff you, as the groom need to do.  It seems pretty straight forward and common sense, but you have no idea how many guys just don’t think of this stuff…we’re not really known for being the greatest thinkers, so I’m gonna help you out.

Wake Me Up, Before She’s Gone, Gone!

Everyone gets out of bed in the morning.  If you’re like me you hit the snooze button a few times.  I have even missed a few wake up calls that have made my trips to the airport quite stressful.  So here be my advice.  When you’ve called down to get that wake up call, call down again and get another.  After you’ve done that, set the alarm clock in the room, and set it LOUD.  After that, grab your cell phone and set the alarm on that.  The last thing you want to do is sleep in and be rushed or late to your own wedding, or even worse…miss the whole thing.  I always include a “groom wake up service” that I carry out personally; I will come to your room and bang on that door till you get up.  Any good planner should be doing this.

If You’re Not Hungry…Eat Anyway!

This starts with breakfast of course.  After your 4 alarms go off and I have banged on your door, head down and eat a good breakfast.  Wedding days are hectic and you don’t know when you’ll get another chance to eat a meal before dinner.  Have some sort of food on hand throughout the day as well.  This probably won’t be a meal, but get some protein bars or shakes to get you through the day.  Always try to eat whenever possible.  Have the photographer bring some sandwiches so you and your bride can grab a quick bite while other people are having their pictures taken.  Or maybe have shots taken of you and the groomsmen all eating hotdogs (this will work for the entire wedding party as well).  Plus, this way you’ll have some food in you when you hit the cocktail hour.

Hydration Not Libation

Don’t get all boozed up before the ceremony.  And don’t let your guys get hammered up either.  Some officiant’s will call the whole thing off if they even get a whiff of alcohol on any of the wedding party’s breath.  So don’t take the chance.  Do drink other stuff though, Gatorade and the like are good, they at least put some of the nutrients back into your body.  If you’re outside in July in a tux, dude, you’re gonna sweat.  So keep yourself hydrated.  Stay away from Red Bull, Rockstar and that crap, if you need an energy drink to get through the day (I use them for weddings) go for the little 5 hour energy shot.  Sure they don’t taste all that great, but they don’t have that crash at the end.  When the ceremony and speeches are done, now you can head to the bar.

5 Hour Energy: Wedding Day Breakfast

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Make sure you take care of yourself on your wedding day.  You want to be able to enjoy it to the fullest and God knows you’ve put a lot of thought into it.  People will be bombarding you all day, shaking hands, taking pictures…you’re gonna be “on” for at least 10 hours that day.  So keep hydrated, fed and leave enough time so you’re not stressed and rushed.

Two more quick things if I may.  While you’re getting ready and enjoying your tasty sports beverage, send some flowers or a gift over to your bride.  Have your best man, or a hotel employee walk it over.  This will put a smile on her face and that’s always good for you.  And lastly…write down your thank you’s for your speech.  Even if you don’t write out the whole speech, make sure you know who you need to say thank you to and don’t forget anyone.  And above all, take time to point out how great the bride and her bridesmaids look.  Guess that was three.

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin of GutsyGroom.com

All the planning is done, the guests have arrived, the menu is chosen, the DJ is booked and it’s the big day.  A lot of planning has gone into this day, but it’s not over yet.  On the wedding day the bride gets hair and make up done and is gushed over by the photographer and all her bridesmaids.

But the groom always seems to get left out…when was the last time you saw photos of the groom and groomsmen getting ready???  This doesn’t have to be the case, you’ve been involved in the planning process and now you deserve all that other good stuff on your wedding day.

Simon wonders why it is you never see photos of the groom and groomsmen getting ready together

I’ve compiled a list of a few do’s and don’ts for you, some of these are common sense, but after doing as many weddings as I’ve done…Trust me, as straight forward as some of these seem there’s always that one guy.

Make A Timeline And Stick To It!!!

We always include an extremely detailed itinerary for our couples and we do all we can to stick to it.  That being said I have been standing at the groom’s hotel door banging on it because he missed breakfast.  Getting up on time is key.  For more than the obvious reason, if you start the day on time you’re not playing catch up all day and your stress level will be lower.  I suggest not only setting the alarm clock, but get a minimum of TWO wake up calls and then make sure you have a friend come to the room and bang on the door until you answer it.

Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Once you’re up and about it’s time to get some food in ya.  Make time for breakfast, I say this because you’ll be very busy all day and may not have time to eat another real meal until you sit down to dinner.  And that is a long way off.  BUT…Don’t order room service.  Have breakfast with your parents, or your groomsmen, if you eat breakfast with your groomsmen you know they are up as well, and that they haven’t overslept.

Treat Yourself To A Little Something

This may seem like a no-brainer, but no matter how nice it is outside and how your buddy says you have plenty of time…don’t try to squeeze in 18 holes before the ceremony.  From experience, please trust me on this one.  Not to say you can’t do anything but sit around the room.  Book a massage, get a facial, warm towel treatment and straight razor shave.  The photographer is gonna want pictures of the rings, so maybe get a manicure the morning of the wedding, that way the nails will be in top form for the photos and all that hand shaking you’ll be doing later.

Don’t Forget Your Bride

While you’re having your massage and getting shaved, don’t forget about your bride.  Make a plan with your best man for him to take over the wedding day gift you got for her.  Have him take it directly to her room, but make sure she’s awake and dressed etc.  I found a good time to do this is when you know the photographer will be there, you know she’ll be up and have all her friends around, so it’s the perfect time to deliver the gift.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Don’t be afraid to indulge yourself on your wedding day.  You deserve it.  Do things that relax you (although I would steer clear of the bar) and make you feel good.  Don’t forget to eat whenever you get the chance, even if you think you’re not hungry.  If your groomsmen are coming to your room to get suited up, have the photographer there as well, most photogs bring a second shooter so grab that guy and have him take your pre-wedding shots.  But while doing all of this, don’t forget about your bride.  The great thing about hiring a planner is that you get to do all the good stuff on your wedding day and the planner makes sure it all runs smoothly…giving you the time to enjoy that massage you’ve booked for yourself.

Tuxedo: Check

Wedding vows: Check

Pitching wedge: Check

You golfing grooms out there should definitely keep this checklist handy for the wedding morning. We know that the main focus of the day is obviously the nuptials. However, one of the traditional rites of passage for men is playing a round of golf on the morning of the wedding.

Furthermore, including your friends and family in this activity is also a great way to get them involved in wedding activities and spend a little extra time with them before you officially take the plunge. If you’re going to have a large group, we recommend calling a few months in advance to reserve tee times.

The one day where they have to let you win...

Here are some options for hitting the links on the wedding day:

Dads only

Invite your father and future father-in-law out for an early morning round. Not to get too mushy, but it will be a special moment for the three of you. If you’re feeling extra generous, include brothers as well.

Scramble

If you’ve got a bigger group interesting in playing, divide up even teams and play a scramble tournament. If you’re not familiar, scramble (or best ball) style is when all members of one team tee off, choose the best shot, and all then hit from that location on the next shot. This is a great way to even the playing field and let everyone compete evenly.

Groom’s side vs. bride’s side

If it’s blood you’re after, then pitting the groom’s friends and family against the bride’s side may be just the ticket. If the bride is a golfer (and you’ve agreed to see each other before the ceremony) it might be fun to get the girls involved as well..

GroomsAdvice Recommendation: If you’re a golfer, you should strongly consider getting out and playing a round on the wedding day. It may be the last chance you get for awhile…