Oh my dear, handsome Groom:
It’s your day, can you believe it? I’m sure a part of you is just relived that it is finally here, that the countdowns can end and the wedding nightmares that wake your bride up in a cold sweat can stop. I’m sure a part of you is a little nervous, a bit giddy, and a tad exhausted from all of the hustle and bustle surrounding your “big” day. Well, I’m here to tell you that it has arrived and you are safely here to celebrate. First things first, you look sharp. Boy, do you ever clean up nicely! Your bride is going to be thrilled when she sees you in your perfectly tied bow tie and your fun striped socks… seriously, she won’t believe how handsome you look (and trust me, I totally agree!) I’m sure people have given you all kinds of advice leading up to this day and I won’t begin to pretend that you have been dreaming of it since you were a little chap, but I want to shed a little light on how this day is going to go and how you can blow everyone away with how amazing you are.
First things first, (don’t hate me for this one) don’t go out all crazy after your rehearsal. The last thing you want is a massive hangover on your wedding day. Let’s face it: we aren’t as young as we once were and staying up until 4AM with the boys isn’t always the best idea before a day where you are expected to look awake, alive, alert, and enthusiastic. (You just sang that part, didn’t you?) By all means, enjoy the company but don’t take ten tequila shots and expect to jump out of bed – I will personally promise I’ll make sure you get something good to drink at the reception! Get a good nights rest and sleep in as long as your eyes can stay shut because your wedding day is about to be one massive blur! Secondly, be on time. I can not stress this part enough! If you are late, she will stress and the whole day will start off in a panicked sort of way! If the schedule says to be dressed and ready by 2, by all means youtube how to tie your bow tie and fold your pocket square and wiggle those hips into your tux because we need you at 2 and not a minute late…. speaking of late, your bride will probably run a bit late. Don’t stress her out, instead just know that she is probably applying one more coat of mascara or making sure her dress looks perfect for the moment she gets to see you! (Sidenote: she is just as nervous as you are, so don’t worry about those butterflies in your stomach, unless of course you are hungover in which case I will say “I told you so!”)
You’re about to see her for the first time. I want to take every ounce of pressure off of those broad shoulders and tell you that you can react however the hell you want to. I really hope she isn’t expecting tears (and if you do cry, it’s totally okay!) but don’t worry. Just react however feels natural, soak in the fact that she is finally a bride and that you get to be together for a few calm moments before the amazing wedding storm begins. Hug her, tell her she looks beautiful, and just take it in together. You don’t need to fist pump or pick her up and spin her around, you don’t need to cry like a baby, just do you. She is, in fact, marrying you because she likes the man you are. Now, we are going to take a few photos – I know, I know, no man wants to be in a photo shoot. All I need for you to do is relax, laugh at my awkward jokes, and flirt with the woman you are about to marry. If you do these three things, the photos will be painless and your girl will be happy and all will be right in the world. Okay? I hope you planned a few things to whisper into that ear of hers and I know you will find the perfect moments to make her laugh, we are on the same team!
Now I know you want to appear all strong and macho around the dudes but I need some help here! If you help them think that taking photos are cool, I will love you forever and the process will move so quickly it will be done in the blink of an eye. Just let them think that I am the coolest photographer around and we will take some cool photos of you guys and move on! I promise it will be painless, just help me out, because I know you are awesome! You know how everyone always says the day is about the “bride.” Well, I think that’s bogus information and I really hope that you do to. Sure we want her to be happy and have the day that she has dreamed of since a little girl, but any couple that books me really knows that the day is about you, too. It isn’t just a little fairytale story, it’s a story about two imperfect people who found love and want to say promises in front of the people they love and admire. Today is just as much about you and I want you to know that… you are half of the equation, half of this story, and I want your part to shine just as much as her’s does. Don’t believe the wedding industry when they say it’s only about the bride, they lie.
Today is going to be a great day for you! You get to see all of the friends you love, your frat brothers, college friends, work buddies, and second cousins. You get to drink and toast and dance the night away (and show off your classic college dance moves!) I want you to be as present as possible, stick by your brides side as much as you can, and to enjoy the moments. It’s a total blur and I want you to soak in just as many moments as your mind can contain. It’s a really cool day, a whirlwind at best, and it’s only fair that you celebrate with a beer (or three) as you “cheers” to a life of happily ever after! If you can just take a deep breath, allow yourself to realize that you are marrying a beautiful woman, and soak in a day that is all about you, you will be just fine! I’ll be there to pin on your flower, help your grandma to her seat, and rally up your rowdy groomsmen – don’t worry, I’m on your team! We’ve got this! Now let’s make this an unforgettable day, shall we?
Love,
Me
