Wedding。婚禮

• Order two sets of thank you notes, one that has both of your names on it for gifts you receive
  as a couple, and one personal set for gifts that are given just to you.
  
   
• Send out a hand-written thank you note within three weeks of receiving any gift or contribution,
  (unless you’re on your honeymoon). Be sure to include something about why you appreciate
  the item or how you might use it. For instance, “Thank you so much for the beautiful
  champagne flutes, we look forward to using them on special occasions.”
  
   
• Buy a gift for your Best Man and for each of your groomsmen, to be given at your rehearsal
  dinner or before your wedding. Include any ushers and your ring-bearer if you’re having one,
  and consider getting something special for her father and yours. This is one of those times
  when the presentation matters so have the wrapping done for you if you don’t have time.
  
   
• Don’t forget to find something sentimental for your bride. Write a poem or love note that your
  Best Man can deliver before your ceremony, buy her a bracelet to wear at your reception, or
  pick out luscious lingerie for her to wear on your wedding night. Just be sure whatever you
  choose, it’s ultra-romantic and memorable.

• Start with your birthday suit. The months leading up to your wedding offer the perfect opportunity
  to get in shape. You can easily lose 1 to 2 pounds every week, and put on muscle doing things
  you love to do like hiking, biking, rowing etc… So get up and get out there, you’ll look better and
  feel better.
  
   
• When you’re satisfied with the shape you’re in, (and at least 3 months before your wedding) choose
  a suit or tux that fits like a glove. The old saying “clothes make the man” doesn’t always hold true,
  but having an outfit that’s stylish and well-fitting can boost your wedding day confidence through the
  roof. Remember to set up a final fitting two weeks before your wedding day in case or weight changes.
  
   
• Choose a shirt and tie that fit the style you’ve chosen. Consider buying a second shirt in case of
  unexpected rips, spills or warm weather.
  
   
• A formal tux looks great with a white shirt, silk neck tie or bow-tie, and a cummberbund or vest.
  
   
• A Semi-Formal suit is made to show-off white, colored or lightly patterned shirts and coordinating ties.
  
   
• A casual suit-coat and most other casual or alernative outfits require a shirt that is classy and
  comfortable, and can be worn with or without a tie.
  
   
• Once you have the basics down choose your accessories. You’ll need stylish shoes, socks, and
  cufflinks to pull your look together. Pick up at least two new pairs of socks that match your shoes.
  
   
• Get your hair-cut one week before your wedding, so it looks natural on the big day.
  
   
• Put together an emergency kit with a hair comb, toothbrush, floss, breath-mints, deodorant, stain-lifter,
  and a traveling sewing kit. Give it to your Best Man to keep track of.
  
   

• Start looking on-line and in local magazines and resource guides for articles and information
  on wedding vendors in your area and see what jumps out at you. Tear out or print out relevant
  information.
  
   
• Make two lists, one that includes the people you know who have planned a wedding or been
  part of one in the last two years, and one that includes five of the most highly recommended
  hotels in your area. Then call them and ask for recommendations, you’ll probably hear the
  names of businesses you’re already interested in.
  
   
• Contact the recommended professionals. Ask how long the businesses have been operating
  and how many weddings they’ve participated in. We think professionals need at least two full
  years in business and at least 40 weddings under their belt to be experienced enough to
  save you costly mistakes.
  
   
• Pay attention to how long it takes them to return any messages and how enthusiastic they
  seem about working with you.
  
   
• Ask for at least six recent client references and at least three professional references from
  companies they’ve worked with over the years, then check them.
  
   
• Meet with potential vendors in person when at all possible. See their photos, taste their
  cakes, and get an up-close idea of how you’ll work together. If you’re having a destination
  wedding you’ll need to trust your planner’s expertise or take extra care when checking
  references.
  
   
• Get everything in writing up front. Be sure the company has a plan to provide services in
  case of an emergency and to compensate you if the products or services are not delivered
  for any reason.
  
   
• Look for ways to split up some of the scouting responsibilities with your fiancée and turn
  the potentially fun meetings into dates. Attend food and wine tastings together, go out on
  the town to find DJs and live bands, or make a trial run of the restaurant where you’re having
  your rehearsal dinner. The more fun you have, the more both of you will enjoy the process of
  planning your wedding.

• Plan your bachelor party
• Coordinate with groomsmen so they’re on time and on task for all your important events
• Attend fittings and pay for his own wedding attire
• Prepare a toast

• Field your phone calls
• Keep your rings at the ready
• Stand next to you at the altar
• Sign your marriage license
• Give a toast
• Dance with your bride and your mom
• Remind you to not drink too much
• Give you a ride to your hotel or to the airport if needed

• Deliver gifts to your house and take back rental tuxes if necessary

• Attend fittings and pay for their wedding attire
• Attend your ceremony rehearsal,  rehearsal dinner, bachelor party if appropriate, 
  and other wedding related events
• Be on call to help your Best Man if he needs it

• Enlist yourself as a Project Manager
  Create and maintain a budget spreadsheet, make a guest list with the necessary contact, gift,
  and R.S.V.P. information, and/or design a wedding website that keeps your guests informed
  and entertained from start to finish.
  
   
• Take care of the transportation
  You, your bride, and some of your guests will need to reserve transportation and have 
  directions to go from place to place. Taking over the responsibility for how that happens will
  offer relief for everyone involved, plus if you’ve always wanted to ride in a 1920s Rolls Royce,
  show-up in helicopter, or wave goodbye from the back of a golf cart or the bow of a sailing
  ship, now’s the perfect time to do it! Let your imagination run wild and make your entrance
  and exit in style.
  
   
• Take charge of the bar
  Put together a drink list that your guests will appreciate, from your buddy’s favorite beer to your
  grandma’s favorite lemonade. Have a signature cocktail made for the two of you and keep the
  recipe for your anniversaries.
  
   
• Choose the quintessential play-list of wedding music
  Show off your good taste with an inspired mix of music that takes you from your ceremony to
  your last dance.
  
   
• Dress to Kill
  Don’t just throw on a tux and shiny shoes, put your look all the way together and make a
  personal style statement.

To plan your wedding with panache:

 

• Brush up on the traditional responsibilities that will be expected of you and look for
  creative ways you can contribute more of yourself to your wedding style.
  
   
• Get prepared by getting answers to the little questions that grooms ask the most.
  
   
• Check out our Men’s Fashion section where you’ll find all the inspiration you need to
  stand out from the crowd.

• The average wedding in the U.S. today costs $25,000 and includes 170 people. That’s roughly
  $150 per guest. That may be well within your means or simply make you flinch. Either way, no
  matter the size of your budget, careful planning and creative imagination can help you make
  your wedding anything but average.
  
   
• Keep in mind that summer Saturdays are often priced differently than other dates. Getting
  married in the “off season” on any other day than a Saturday can help reduce your costs.
  
   
• Ensure you get what you pay for. Wedding planning insurance is now widely available, fairly
  cheap, and can be a god-send if you need it.
  
   
• Use a credit card as a last resort. If you need to borrow, look for a home equity line with a low
  interest rate and no pre-payment penalty, and if you end up using a credit card shop carefully
  and choose one that comes with frequent flyer miles or other incentive program.

• Is having a religious ceremony important to you?
  
   
• Do you want to get married in a house of worship?
  
   
• Do you share the same religious faith?
  
   
• Are there specific religious or cultural traditions that you want your fiancée to participate in?
  
   
• Is your partner comfortable with your ideas?