Hello, soon-to-be Mr.! This post in the series is the only one that is directly written for just you =) I know how much you loathe photos — that’s okay! My own husband lasts about 20 minutes before he begins to question how much longer until we are done with photos.

Most of the wedding day will be about your future bride. However, the groom getting ready process can be a really fun time with you and your groomsmen, as well as your immediate family — your parents and siblings. Below I’ve broken down every step of the photo process as well as given you some tips on how to make this time even better.

Thank you for taking the time to read this — you have no idea how much it means to your future spouse!

Pro Tip

Before the getting ready process — spend some time making memories with your groomsmen! If that looks like playing a round of golf, shooting skeet, or simply grabbing breakfast together, make the most of your time with the guys.

The Wedding Accessories

Gather This Before the Wedding

The Wedding Accessories are any details you will be wearing on the wedding day, plus any additional heirloom items you’d like to incorporate into photos. I’ll be photographing these details at your bride’s getting ready location the morning of the wedding BEFORE you arrive — so I’ll need you to give them to your bride the day before the wedding. Here’s a list of everything I need:

Bouttonierre (I’ll grab this from the florist for you)
Ring + Box
Socks + Shoes
Belt
Bowtie/Tie/Suspenders
Cufflinks
Watch
Cologne Bottle (to remember the scent you wore on your wedding day)
Glasses
High school, college, or military rings that are special to you
Any heirloom items that match the wedding aesthetics — this could be your grandfather’s watch, mom’s pin to be fastened onto the boutonniere, a military pin, or even a vintage bottle of brandy your dad put aside special for this day.

Examples of Groom Wedding Accessories

Pro TIp

The bridesmaids have matching robes — so what about something for the guys? Add some fun by showing up wearing matching outfits like custom T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, or even your favorite sports team jersey.

Groom & Groomsmen Get Ready

This is the first step of the day — getting ready with your groomsmen. Because it takes a minimal amount of time for you to get ready in comparison to the bride, I suggest that you get dressed at the ceremony location if there’s a room available. More often than not, it’s a choir room or tiny groom suite at the venue that’s quite stuffy.

Helping Each Other with Your Ties / Bowties / Suspenders

Once you all have your pants, shoes, and shirts on, I’ll join you in the getting-ready room or bring you guys to a better location with natural light. I’ll get you to tell me funny stories from the bachelor party as you help each other with your ties or suspenders. Nothing scares me — I hear all sorts of stories, so let loose and have fun!

I love to focus on your best man as he helps you get ready, so I may ask him some specific questions about how you guys met or fun memories you have together.

Casual Group Photo without Jackets

After everyone is ready with their ties/bowties/suspenders on, then I’ll do a quick group photo that’s very relaxed with arms around each other, smiling at me. This is very similar to the bridesmaid’s photos with their robes — so I like to give you a more casual photo without your jackets in the morning.

Special Gifts

If you have anything special gifts like custom bourbon glasses or cigars, I can then get a photo of you guys enjoying the gifts together! I love to finish out this time of the day by asking the guys to tell stories or give toasts so that you can make memories alongside your images.

Final Getting Ready Touches

After you’ve had some fun moments with your groomsmen, I’ll very nicely kick them out of the room and invite your parents (or parental figures) to join as you finish getting ready.

Individuals of The Groom

I’ll start with closeup details of any accessories you have like your cufflinks, buttoning your shirt, or even fastening your suspenders one last time (these are also great shots for a videographer)! I’ll remind you to start thinking about how you’re becoming a husband and that your parents have prepared you for this moment.

Parents Help You Finish

After I’ve done some photos of just you, I’ll turn to your mom and dad and address them…

“These are your last few moments with your son before he gets married. I want you to take advantage of this moment and be a part of his getting ready process! If it looks like prayers, tears, or encouragements, go for it! You won’t get this time back =)

Immediate Family Portraits

After both parents have finished helping you get ready, we can incorporate your siblings if you’d like. I usually do a regular portrait, as well as one that encompasses what your relationship was like growing up — sometimes I get fake fighting and sometimes just big hugs =)

Gifts

To make sure we don’t get behind on the wedding timeline, I normally suggest that all gifts take place at the rehearsal dinner. However, if we plan in advance knowing that they need to be somewhat quick, this is a great time to receive or give gifts to your parents.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of moving pieces to the groom getting ready process. We usually only gave 30 minutes to accomplish all of these moments, so as long as everyone listens and is ready on time, we can get it done quickly!

I know guys don’t like the photo process a ton, but I’ve found that when you are surrounded by friends and family, it helps it go by quickly and painlessly. I hope that you remember every special moment of your wedding day! Next up… let’s get you married!