5 REASONS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR GROOMSMEN

Traditionally, the men in a wedding — groom included — had little responsibility when compared to the women. While a lot of guys may be sad to see nuptial customs fading, it was also tradition to discourage premarital sex, so it’s a case of taking the good with the bad. And really, your biggest job is to prevent glaring mistakes, most of which can be blamed on a plain lack of communication. So if you don’t want to discourage post-marital sex, check out these five points.

1 – The Fodder

The necessary odds and ends of the day—say, for example, the stuffed rabbit you intend to pull out from your bride’s dress in place of the garter—need a safe place for stowing until they’re needed. Confirm that they are indeed stowed, and that the groomsman in question will be available at the right time. Then reconfirm. Some of those bridesmaid’s dresses can be quite distracting.

2 – In-law etiquette

Your men-in-waiting aren’t privy to the subtleties and unspoken rules which you’ve gathered along the way, and as such, an innocent question about Uncle Hank’s unusually red nose could prove disastrous. Your Best Man’s speech may be a particular point of interest; trusting him to carry the rings is one thing, but giving him a mic and releasing him on your in-laws with absolutely zero guidelines may not be the best move.

3 – Who’s on the market

Weddings are notorious hookupaloozas, probably the reason most of your groomsmen didn’t grumble about the tux rental. Take aside those whom you expect to be on the prowl and let them in on the Avoid-at-All-Costs list. You know, the crazy cousin, the evil stepsister, the double-jointed aunt-- well, maybe not that last one. Not only will your friends appreciate the warning, but you’ll dodge the inevitable blame you’ll get for a bad romance and possible tux-cleaning fee.

4 – Seating

Unless you have the luxury of eloping in quaint Hawaii at sunset, a good portion of your family is going to be present, and they’ll be bringing their squabbles along with them. Cueing in your groomsmen on those guests who need a seven-pew buffer can help ensure an easy, comfortable, grandma-slap free ceremony.

5 – Post-reception plans

You may have a party-till-dawn bride; you may have a well-slept-by-dawn bride. Your groomsmen will probably know which one she is, but it’s a good idea to solidify the itinerary with them anyway. The last thing you want is a row of tequila shots standing between your bride and the consecration of your union.

Usher Your Ushers

It’s easy to be lulled into a wing-it attitude when the fairer half of the bridal party takes on the brunt of the duties; but chances are you haven’t broken enough dishes yet to remove all expectations of you. A brief rundown of the game plan with your tuxedoed cohorts can make sure things run smoothly on your end, and perhaps avert outright problems all together. Make them look good enough and you might even get to keep Tuesday night poker!

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