How Should the Groom and His Groomsmen Get Ready on His Wedding Day?

The "getting ready" photos are exactly that. The photographer would like to capture you by putting on your wedding day attire and sharing a few moments with the groomsmen and other family members. Click below for guidelines on what to expect on the day.

Getting Ready Location

When selecting a location for the guys to get ready, look for a spot with good natural light – avoid getting ready in a dark, small space where you might feel cramped or rushed on the morning of the big day. 

Suppose there is an empty space available (a room at the wedding venue, the bright and airy hotel lobby where the girls get ready, etc.). In that case, the photographer can always do the groom's final touches on the shots there, instead of in a typical hotel room.

Another option is that the groom + groomsmen (or just the groom) can simply meet at a nearby, prettier location before the First Look for a few quick details + getting ready photos – and the getting ready photos will fit so much better with the rest of the wedding images this way!

Groom and Grooms Be Photo Ready - Including Shaved and Showered

The groom and groomsmen should all be in their shirts and pants by the time a photographer arrives. All the morning shaving and showers should be complete at this point, and everyone should be just about ready to rock!

Wedding Morning

Photographers love to capture details, so below is a list of things they may want to photograph in a certain way before you put them on. Groom details generally include:

●       Shoes – yes, even rental shoes!

●       Socks with personality (if relevant)

●       Cologne

●       Cufflinks

●       Tie/bowtie

●       Boutonniere

●       Watch

●       Belt

●       Pocket Square

●       Sunglasses

●       Any sentimental pieces being worn on the day of the wedding

Maintain Photography Zone Free of Clutter for Clean Photos

Keep the space in front of the windows, and the room itself as clutter-free as possible. It can be tough in a small hotel room, but even storing suitcases and bags underneath the bed or in the closet can help clear space for a photographer to capture those getting-ready photos.

Keep your Pants Pockets Empty as Far as Your Suit or Tux is Concerned

Empty your pockets! Even still, for the groom and groomsmen. If you need to have your wallet, cell phone, etc. with you on your wedding day, tuck them into your back pockets or between your jacket liners. Keeping pockets empty will prevent your photos from having bulgy bumps.

Food on Hand for Groom and Groomsmen at Photo Shoot

Before you put on any more clothes, you need to eat something! You need to keep in mind that you won't be eating again until dinnertime, so whether it's a platter of sandwiches delivered while you're all getting ready, it's essential to sort that out.

Go to the Restroom before the Photographer Arrives

Using the facilities before the photographer arrives may sound a little odd, but many grooms and groomsmen tend to forget to make a pit stop one last time on the way out for photos!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this outlined instruction and guide to getting ready photos look like the morning of your wedding is helpful.  Now you know what to expect when the photographer comes knocking.