Groom Wedding Day Checklist: Tips for a Smooth & Photo-Ready Morning

Groom Wedding Day Checklist from a New Jersey wedding photographer who has seen it all. One of the biggest keys to a relaxed, stress-free wedding day is helping the groom prepare ahead of time. While most wedding prep tends to focus on the bride, let’s not forget: grooms deserve a great start to their wedding day too!

If you’re a bride reading this, here’s a helpful guide to gently pass along to your groom — a wedding day checklist for grooms that covers everything from what to pack to what to expect when the photographer arrives. It’ll help him feel confident, organized, and excited for the morning ahead.

---

Groom Wedding Day Checklist: One Week Before

Have your groom prep these things ahead of time, so the morning runs smoothly and photos look great:

Pack a Groom’s Details Box

Let him know the photographer will take flatlay photos of his details, just like yours! These tell his side of the wedding story and look amazing in the final gallery.

What to include in his details box:

• Tie or bowtie
• Cufflinks
• Watch
• Cologne
• Belt or suspenders
• Wedding shoes
• Vows or letter to the bride
• Gift from/to the bride
• Full wedding invitation suite
• Personalized details (flask, socks, cigar cutter, etc.)

Pro Tip: Have him put everything in a shoebox and set it near his suit so the photographer can start shooting right away without interrupting the flow of the morning.

---

Morning-of: What Grooms Should Know Before the Photographer Arrives

Here’s where you can help your groom know what to expect — and what will help him look and feel his best for photos:

• Be showered and have hair styled before the photographer arrives
• Be in dress pants and shirt (tie, jacket, and shoes off for now)
• Have his details box ready to go
• Have a space near a big window or door with ample light for his photos.
• Keep the getting-ready space tidy (ask the guys to move clutter to one area)
• Have breakfast — no one wants a hangry groom

---

What Happens During Groom Getting Ready Photos

As a photographer, I love capturing candid, relaxed moments that reflect who your groom is and the relationships he has with his crew. Here’s how it usually flows:

Candid Moments with the Guys

Whether it’s toasting with bourbon, sharing a laugh, exchanging gifts, or even a morning golf round — make sure the groom knows to enjoy it! Those relaxed, unscripted moments with his groomsmen make for some of the best photos.

Let him know he can:

• Plan a simple toast or cheers
• Exchange groomsmen gifts
• Share a cigar break
• Put on a playlist for good vibes

Getting Ready Assistance

These are the moments where we slow down and get intentional for storytelling. Ask your groom to pick someone meaningful to help with:

• Putting on his tie or bowtie
• Buttoning his jacket
• Securing cufflinks
• Pinning on his boutonnière (this one’s a favorite for dads or moms!)

These aren’t just tasks — they become emotional, candid storytelling moments that add depth to your final gallery.

---

Letters or Gifts from the Bride

If you’re exchanging letters or gifts, this is the perfect time. Let your groom know when and where he’ll receive your letter, and that the photographer will guide him through the moment naturally.

These quiet, heartfelt photos are always client favorites — real emotion, nerves, and the buildup to that big first look or ceremony moment.

---

Groom Portraits Before the First Look or Ceremony

The photographer will grab a few solo portraits of your groom once he’s fully dressed. These usually take place:

• Inside, using soft natural light when available
• Outside, just before the first look (or heading to the ceremony)

Let your groom know that these portraits are quick, relaxed, and meant to highlight how incredible he looks before the main event.

---

If There’s NO First Look: What Your Groom Should Expect

If you’re skipping the first look, there’s still plenty to capture before the ceremony begins:

• Group photos with the groomsmen (everyone together, then each groomsman individually)
• Photos with the groom’s family (parents and siblings)

This helps save time after the ceremony so you can enjoy more of cocktail hour together — and less rushing around.

---

Final Groom Tips for a Smooth Wedding Morning

Help your groom be ready and excited for his best day ever with these final reminders:

• Hydrate and eat something real! (A bagel and coffee are your friend.)
• Remove tags, stickers, and packaging from all outfits and accessories
• Keep your phone out of your pockets during photos
• Hand off your phone to your best man or groomsman so you’re fully present
• Just relax — the day goes by fast, enjoy every second

---

Capturing the Groom’s Story — Because He Deserves It Too

Your groom’s wedding morning matters. It’s the beginning of the day you’ve both been dreaming of and it deserves to be documented with care, joy, and storytelling. With just a little prep and planning using this groom wedding day checklist, your guy can have an awesome start to the day, meaningful photos, and an experience he’ll actually enjoy.

---

Looking for more wedding planning tips or photo timeline help?

Check out more resources HERE