Usually everyone is eyeing the bride on the wedding day but that doesn’t mean the groom should not put his best self forward when it comes to grooming on one of the most important days of his life. He’s the long awaited prince that’s to accompany his beautiful princess.
Every bride I’ve ever known or heard of spends countless hours at the gym, bridal boutiques, hair salons, makeup artist studios, and aestheticians’ parlour to look her best on the wedding day, deciding on the dress, hair, makeup, nails, prepping her skin, body, to name but a few tasks in preparation for the big day.
Grooming Needs
Gentleman, it is of utmost importance you show up looking more than dapper, sharp and ready to sweep her off her feet (yes just like in the movies). Review into your entire look which includes what you wear in addition to your grooming (hair, nails, skin and cologne).
To give you a head start on thinking about your grooming for the wedding day, here are some do’s and don’ts for grooming the groom from some experts, c0-founders of The Groomsman Suit, Diana Ganz and Jeanne Foley.
Planning Your Appointments
Planning is key. Whether it’s a facial, manicure, teeth whitening session, or haircut, do not push off booking your grooming appointments until the last minute.
Hair
The last thing you want to hear right before your wedding is that your barber is booked and you’re going to have to entrust arguably the most important haircut of your life to someone who doesn’t have experience with your hair.
Book your appointments at least one month in advance and schedule each appointment the appropriate number of days in advance of the wedding as directed by the professional.
Facials
Facials should be done a few days before the wedding, don’t do it on the last day. depending how your hair grows, you may not want to shave your beard or moustache on the wedding day because of possible skin irritation. Do it a day or so before your wedding (if you can) to let any cuts or ingrown hairs fade.
Invest in Good Products
If you don’t already have specific regimens and products in place for your hair, skin, nails, fragrance, do some research a few months out from the wedding day.
Fragrances
For fragrances, I suggest you check in with your soon-to-be wife what she likes.
As a woman, there are smells that draw me intensely to my husband and those are the ones I want him to wear. They remind me of him every time I smell the seatbelt on his car, or enter the house after he’s just left, or smell his shirts when I am putting clothes away. It’s a very sentimental thing and one that stays with you.
Even when exploring new scents, your soon-to-be wife will always be nostalgic to the scents that reminded her of you. Keep that in mind :).
Facial Products
Using the right companion products during your skincare, shaving or hair styling routines can eliminate common grooming woes.
Investing in a good facial cleanser, facial moisturizer, and a pre-shave oil to soften hairs before applying shaving cream (and ensure a smoother glide and less ingrown hairs).
A post-shave balm can moisturize your skin, minimize rashes and irritation and help cuts heal faster.
Hair
As for your hair, if you have straight hair, use a styling wax to smooth flyaways and cowlicks with minimal shine and a good hold. If your hair is curly or textured, a styling cream highlights your hair texture while taking care of frizz.
Going to a Pro
If you prefer not to perform your facials, hair, and shaving services at home, then hire a professional.
Hairstyles
Consider testing out different shave types and hairstyles. It’s the time to do it since your hair will grow a few time between then and the big day.
By hiring a professional you won’t have to worry about any self-shave mishaps and you’ll be able to pay close attention to how your skin reacts and how fast your hair grows after so you can time your hot-towel shave perfectly right before your wedding day.
Cologne
Give some consideration to wearing cologne. If you are not so sure on what to do or purchase or want to surprise your better half, ask a professional. Head over to a local department store or cosmetics store and ask for some assistance.
If you’re too shy, check out reviews or blogs but you will need to test some physically to see how the chemistry works between you and the scents.
Familiarize yourself with fragrance notes and spending budget and surely the professionals will be able to guide you towards the best fragrance.
Avoid Drastic Changes
Now’s not the time to be innovative and try something new. Remember, you and your partner want to cherish your wedding photos for years to come. You want to look like yourself on your wedding day, just polished to the max. That doesn’t mean you need to be clean shaven, if people are used to seeing you in a beard, keep the beard.
Practice Makes Perfect
Should you decide to DIY your way through this, get some practice time in before the wedding day. Practice the timing and technique of your shaving routine and haircuts to see what looks best. Nail down the beard or moustache shape and length. Begin testing out your skincare products to make sure there are no unexpected skin reactions or irritations.
Notes For Gifts
The new wedding season is giving rise to anti-trends that are more personal, one-of-a-kind and independent of past traditions, according to William Henry, a top luxury brand known for crafting fine jewelry and accessories. Many couples don’t want to follow someone else’s rules, and want something to reflect their own stories and sense of self.
Engagement
Don’t – Gender specific gifts, designed for “his and hers”
Do – Which is his, which is hers and which is theirs…and why have to choose? Make a bold statement yet are equally unique and personal. A personalized Montblanc Heritage Rouge & Noir Special Edition Brown Ballpoint with gold-coated fittings and precious resin cap, would be perfect for couples destined for a well-equipped future.
Men’s Wedding Bands
Don’t – Plain gold or platinum bands, tattoo rings
Do – Today’s bands of commitment are breaking boundaries with statement pieces that are closer to the heart. Couples are banishing redundant ring bands for bolder choices, such as this 14k white gold engravable bar pendant necklace. This stunning piece worn around the neck is simple and subtle enough for every day, while serving as an everlasting reminder of shared dreams and intertwined futures.
Groomsmen
Don’t – Engraved flasks or barware
Do – Handcrafted luxury keepsakes that convey individualism and utility such as this camel bone handmade Damascus steel folding pocket knife. It’s a striking piece that’s impressive yet useful and a symbol of true-blue love and friendship.
Anniversary
While you may have some time for this one since you won’t need to think about it until you’ve gotten married, it’s good to get ideas so you aren’t scrambling last minute.
Don’t – Impersonal gifts that symbolize the march of years through the use of traditional materials
Do – When celebrating a life intertwined, anniversaries should never forgo unique individual histories and stories that each side brings to the equation. Meteorite jewellery offers simple and stunning designs that allow you to coordinate without overtly matching. Made of sterling silver links and meteorite pendants, this billions of years old material can be stylistically unique to appeal to either partner and functional enough for daily wear.
The Gist of it
Guys, be prepared, it’s not just the bride that has to be ready, you’ve got some work to do when it comes to your look, style and pizazz and one of the most important days of your life. The list above gives you a good grip on what to do to ensure good grooming practices for the big day. Ultimately, give yourself enough headway. Don’t leave your hair, shaves, nails, facial products appointments, trials, or testing rounds to the last minute. Like anything, having a plan is essential.
What are some grooming tricks you’d suggest to grooms?
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