JESSICA MARTIN

THE KING Scentof

Both natural scents and formulated fragrances are said to evoke memories of one's childhood, the smell of a person, or the memory of an experience. Choosing the right cologne might be one of the most important, yet difficult things a man can do. The scent you choose says so much about who you are as, not only a man, but as an individual. You can either turn a few heads, or the entire room. There is such a thing as putting on too much fragrance, so when choosing a cologne for myself, I always make sure to go for the subtle scents that still making a statement. The scent a man wears is important because it can introduce you before you are seen or heard. A memorable fragrance can be the first thing people notice and the last thing they remember about you, so choose wisely and make a great impression.

IT’S YOUR WEDDING TOO; GET INVOLVED

WORDS BY WESLEY OAKS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANKLIN THOMPSON

Gentlemen, your soon-to-be wife has been thinking about her big day for some time now. She’s going to have a lot on her plate, such as planning the wedding, picking out color schemes, and all the minor details that are going to bring this special day together.

Your role is to help make this job easier for your soon-to-be wife. There are some things you’ll only help with and other tasks the groom takes over completely. This is the perfect time to show your support and show that you’re involved.

WEDDING PLANNING FOR GROOMS

The groom’s duties before the wedding are all about providing support. You want to make sure to show your wife that you’re ready to do this and that you’re committed right from the start. This period is about getting yourself in the proper state-of-mind. You’ll want to take charge of your share of pre-wedding planning.

Things like helping refine the guest list, picking your groomsmen, and picking out a first dance song that’s unique to you and your wife are just a few things where you should be involved.

One of the most important pre-wedding activities that need your attention is the rehearsal dinner. This is your time to connect with people closest to you and give them special attention. Remember, during the actual wedding, it’ll be more difficult to give attention to absolutely everyone.

THINGS TO TACKLE BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Remember, there are quite a few things you may have to manage. And, with so many things to think about and do, it’s easy to forget something. To help you with your pre-wedding activities, we’ve put together a few bullet points for your pre-planning.

We know that every wedding is different, but this list should give you a starting point:

#1 GETTING TAILORED – It’s easy to rent a suit and just go with it, but don’t be that guy. Put the time into getting tailored and getting a suit or tuxedo that’s going to make you stand out. Don’t forget, you’ll want to take your groomsmen and make sure they’re just as tailored as you.

#2 FACIAL HAIR – Decide who’s keeping the beard and who’s shaving. It is highly recommended to complete this the day before your wedding, that way you’re not bleeding or sporting small cuts in your wedding pictures. If someone’s keeping a beard, this is the time for them to groom it.

#3 YOUR NAILS – Nails are often forgotten, but it’s something you want to schedule for the bride, bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen. #4 HONEYMOON GROOMING – I’m talking about trimming below the belt. Grab yourself any budget electric trimmer and cut down the bulk of your hair. You can stop with a trim or grab your razor and go full bare. Either way, make sure to do it a couple days ahead of your honeymoon so you’re not itching!

#5 GET THE GIFTS – Create your list and don’t forget to purchase your groomsmen’s gifts early. Especially if you’re having something custom made or with engraved names. Some unique gift ideas could be sporting tickets, 6-month subscriptions to services like Hulu, Netflix, or Spotify, or something like a Man Crate.

WHAT TO DO ON THE BIG DAY

The day of the wedding may be a little stressful, and you may be nervous. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, but the one thing you want to double check for is to be certain you have both rings, and that they are in a safe place that you will remember.

Other than that, focus on your personal attire. Have someone give you a look-over and fix any mistakes. Don’t rely on just yourself and a mirror—don’t be afraid to ask a friend for assistance.

Here are the parts of your attire to focus on to stand out:

#1 COLLAR STAYS – Having a nice, straight collar makes a big impact on appearance. Use collar stays to keep the tips of your collar straight.

#2 CUFFLINKS – No matter how relaxed or how fancy your wedding may be, always wear cufflinks with those French cuffs. It’s a small piece to add to a suit, but it makes a big difference in the way it looks. #3 SHOES & SOCKS – Always make sure your shoes are nicely shined. Shined shoes are like the icing on the cake. Match your suit with a nice pair of socks and your footwear will be on- point.

#4 AVOID THIS – As the groom of the wedding, you want to avoid having anything in your pockets. Completely empty them. Also, avoid wearing your sports watch. They can be difficult to match with a suit or tux, so you may be better off not wearing it at all (this may be a great time to invest in a classic timepiece).

Everything else is about making sure your wife feels special and has assistance for her every need. This is a big day for you both, and the focus remains on you two.

WHEN IT’S ALL OVER

The only thing to do when the wedding is winding down is to give a toast. This will typically be the very last speech of the night. You don’t have to do anything fancy. Just make sure to use this time wisely by thanking everyone who made your wedding possible, including the people who drove a long distance to be there.

After your toast is complete and you’re heading out, you can finally take a deep breath—you’ve made it! You’re officially a married man and have a promising future ahead of you.

Please feel free to do all the cheesy stuff, like carrying your new bride indoors, jumping a broom, or making a flight to your honeymoon destination. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to relax, enjoy yourselves, and have a great time.

All the hard work is over and it’s now time to begin your life’s journey together.