Let's talk about the groom for a moment.
Weddings tend to revolve around the bride. The dress, the flowers, the makeup, the countless little details. And while all of that deserves its attention, there's another person getting married that day.
You, my friend.
After more than a decade of photographing weddings, I've witnessed just about everything: emotional first looks, unforgettable speeches, unexpected rain, missing rings, questionable dance moves, and yes, a few grooms desperately trying to figure out how to tie a bow tie.
So, from someone who's spent countless hours observing wedding days through a camera, here are ten things I genuinely believe every groom should know before saying "I do."
01. Don't get a haircut on your wedding day.
I know. It sounds obvious. But you'd be surprised. Here's something most grooms don't think about: getting a fresh haircut can leave your skin slightly irritated, sensitive, or even a little red, especially around your neck and hairline. And trust me, as a photographer, those are little details that can become quite noticeable in close-up portraits.
My advice? Get your haircut two or three days before the wedding. Give your skin some time to recover and your hair a chance to settle naturally.
And please, don't decide to experiment with a completely new hairstyle right before getting married.
Trust your usual barber. Stick to what works.
A fresh haircut is great. Freshly irritated skin in your wedding portraits? Not so much.
02. Send flowers to your future bride.
This is one of my personal favorites.
Imagine her getting ready, surrounded by her closest friends and family, when suddenly a beautiful bouquet arrives with a handwritten note from you. I've photographed moments like these, and believe me, the reactions are priceless.
It doesn't need to be an extravagant arrangement or a perfectly written love letter. Sometimes, a few sincere words are more than enough.
It's a simple way of reminding her that, even while you're getting ready in different rooms, you're already sharing the same beautiful day.
03. Bring two or three white shirts.
Consider this your little wedding-day insurance policy.
Between the nervous excitement, the weather, the hugs, the champagne, and everything else happening around you, things can get a little unpredictable.
An extra shirt can save the day.
And as a photographer, let me add something: a fresh, perfectly fitted shirt makes a remarkable difference in your portraits.
It's a small detail. But small details matter.
04. Enjoy the champagne. Just don't overdo it.
I completely understand the excitement.
You're surrounded by your best friends, the music is playing, someone opens a bottle, and suddenly the celebration has already begun.
And that's wonderful.
But remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Have a drink, share a toast, laugh with your groomsmen. Just make sure you're drinking water and eating something along the way.
You want to remember your vows, your first dance, and all those little moments in between.
Not just the hangover.
05. Delegate. You're getting married, not managing an event.
Here's something I've noticed over the years: some grooms have a difficult time letting go of responsibilities.
They're checking schedules, answering phone calls, making sure transportation arrives, and trying to solve problems that shouldn't belong to them.
My advice? Don't.
That's what your wedding planner, your best man, and your trusted people are there for.
If something needs fixing, let someone else take care of it.
You've already spent months making decisions. Today, your most important responsibility is simply to be the groom.
And that's more than enough.
06. Empty your pockets. Seriously.
Your phone, your wallet, your keys, your sunglasses, and whatever else you've somehow managed to carry around.
Hand everything over to your best man.
Why?
Because nothing ruins the beautiful silhouette of a tailored suit quite like a giant phone-shaped rectangle sticking out of your pants.
Believe me, I've seen it more times than I can count.
Besides, you won't need most of those things anyway.
For once, let someone else carry the essentials.
07. Treat your bride like royalty.
And I don't mean making some grand, cinematic gesture every five minutes.
I mean paying attention.
Hold her hand. Help her with her dress. Make sure she's comfortable. Tell her she looks beautiful, even if you've already said it ten times.
One of the things I've learned from photographing couples is that affection often reveals itself in the smallest gestures.
The way someone reaches for the other's hand. A quiet smile across the table. A spontaneous kiss when nobody is watching.
Those are the moments I love photographing.
And more importantly, those are the moments worth living.
08. Something will go wrong. Let it go.
I can almost guarantee that something won't happen exactly as you planned.
Maybe the ceremony starts a little late. Maybe it rains. Maybe the flowers aren't precisely the shade you imagined.
And here's what I've learned:
Most of those things won't matter in the end.
In fact, some of the most memorable photographs I've ever taken happened because something unexpected occurred.
Life doesn't always follow a perfect timeline. Neither do weddings.
Don't allow one small imperfection to distract you from something extraordinary.
Sometimes, the beauty is precisely in what we couldn't control.
09. Stay close to your bride.
This one might be more important than you think.
Wedding days move incredibly fast.
One minute you're finishing the ceremony, the next you're greeting relatives, taking photographs, talking to friends, and suddenly someone announces that dinner is ready.
Before you realize it, you've spent half the reception on opposite sides of the room.
Make an effort to stay together.
Hold hands while walking between tables. Dance more than once. Share a drink. Find a quiet corner for five minutes and simply enjoy each other's company.
You're not just hosting a beautiful celebration.
You're celebrating the beginning of your marriage.
Do it together.
10. Just be present.
If there's one thing I wish every groom could take away from this article, it's this.
Be there.
Not just physically, but genuinely.
Put your phone away. Stop worrying about the timeline. Forget about whether every little detail looks exactly as you imagined.
Look at your bride.
Look at your parents. Your friends. The people who traveled hundreds of miles just to celebrate with you.
Listen to the music. Feel the excitement. Notice the way the light falls into the room.
Take it all in.
My job is to preserve the moments that will eventually become memories. But there's something I can't do for you.
I can't experience them on your behalf.
And that's why I believe the most beautiful photographs are often the result of something much simpler than perfect lighting or perfect posing.
They're the result of people being fully present in their own lives.
The photographs will help you remember how it looked. Being present is what allows you to remember how it felt.
BONUS TIP: Learn how to tie your own tie or bow tie.
Gentlemen, this is a public service announcement.
Please learn how to tie your tie or bow tie before your wedding day.
And no, watching a tutorial five minutes before the ceremony doesn't count as preparation.
I've witnessed the classic scene: five grown men standing around a phone, watching the same YouTube tutorial, while someone desperately tries to figure out which end goes where.
It's funny. It's surprisingly common. And yes, it makes for great photographs.
But trust me, a little practice goes a long way.
Learn the knot, practice a few times, and impress your groomsmen with your newly acquired gentleman skills.
A final thought...
Over the years, I've come to realize that weddings aren't really about perfection.
They're about people.
The unexpected laughter, the nervous hands, the emotional embraces, the imperfect speeches, and those fleeting moments that happen when nobody is trying to make anything happen.
That's what makes every wedding different.
And that's what makes it worth remembering.
So wear the suit. Send the flowers. Learn how to tie the bow tie.
But above everything else, be there for the person you're marrying.
Because one day, long after the music has stopped and the flowers are gone, the photographs will remain.
And I hope that when you look at them, you won't just remember what your wedding looked like.
You'll remember exactly how it felt.
— Bruno Cervera
Your new friend.