Looking and feeling your best on your wedding day should not be a cause of additional stress. Between finding the perfect bouquet color, figuring out where to seat your guests, and making sure your bride feels beautiful, the groom has a tendency to forgo his own self care. Luckily, we’ve created a “Grooming for the Groom” checklist, which will make the groom look radiant on his big day, too.
- Skin
When it comes to skincare, diligence is key. Most men shave daily, which is a great way to exfoliate. However, shaving so often can cause long-term damage if the skin is not properly cared for. The positive effects of a skincare routine can take some time to become noticeable, so it’s best to create a regimen as soon as you’ve set a wedding date.
Men should wash their faces with warm water and a gentle face wash. The warm water softens hair follicles and opens up pores, which will give you a much closer shave. Be sure you’re changing your razor regularly and investing in well-made products, as old and dull blades can leave cuts and infections on your face. Even if you’re not a regular shaver, you still want to use warm water and face wash, since they both remove regular dirt and oils that cause breakouts. Follow up the cleansing step with a moisturizer made exclusively for faces. It can be tempting to just lather on whatever is in your bathroom, but most body lotions contain chemicals like fragrances or sulfates that can irritate your face.
- Body
We’ve already covered the importance of getting fit and finding ways to relax for your big day, but the little details are also important when it comes to looking and feeling your best. While men may not typically spend a lot of time caring for their nails and eyebrows, your wedding day is a good time to break that habit. However, you don’t have to go all out at a spa. There are lots of eyebrow tutorials for men online. Even simply trimming your eyebrows can make them look neater. If you’re not comfortable doing anything yourself, ask your significant other for some assistance.
You also want to make sure your hands look wedding-ready. Since you’re exchanging rings, there’s a good chance your hands will be the focus of at least one photo. You’ll want to make sure your nails are trimmed and filed, and free of any dirt or grime. You should also try to start moisturizing in the weeks before the wedding, to help minimize hangnails and dry skin.
If you drink coffee or tea more than twice a week, ask your dentist if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening treatments. There are lots of different ways to get a whiter smile (including do-it-yourself treatments that start around $30), however you don’t want to do anything that could harm your teeth long-term.
- Hair
Your wedding hairstyle requires some forethought. If you plan on going for a new style, it’s best to do a “trial run” at least 4 months before the wedding. You want to be sure your hair has time to grow out in case it ends out not being the look you were hoping for. Even if you plan to get the exact same haircut you’ve always had, be sure to take pictures of it at your next haircut appointment. You never know what situations could arise before the wedding, and if you end up needing a new barber, it’ll be easier to replicate if there are photos for reference. After you get your trial haircut, it’s a good idea to test run any products you plan to use. Weddings are an all day affair, and you don’t want to pause halfway through to re-do your hair.
