When talking recently with a guy friend of mine about my job as editor here at Charm City Wed, he started reminiscing about his own wedding. He said, “I loved my wedding! But if I could go back and do one thing differently, I would have wanted an indoor reception. It was just too hot to be outside for the entire day and into the evening, and a lot of guests left early because they were exhausted from the heat.”

I thought to myself, that’s fantastic advice! And it may be something someone has not thought of. I then thought: it seems as though most of the wedding advice comes from brides these days. Whether it be wedding planning, wedding reflections, or even wedding blogging (guilty as charged), the wedding industry often focuses too much on the view of the brides and not that of the grooms. The wedding industry as a whole is slowly starting to recognize that not only are couples a bride & groom, they are a bride & bride and groom & groom. Furthermore they’re recognizing that it is not just the bride that plans a wedding anymore. Case in point: I love and applaud that WeddingWire changed their annual “Bride’s Choice Award” to “Couple’s Choice Awards” this year!

Photographer: Photography by Brea

So I set out to ask as many grooms as I could the following: If you could go back to your wedding day, and have something be different, or better, what would it be? After many emails, texts, calls, and even a Facebook post later, I’ve compiled a great list of groom’s wedding reflections- what they would change.

“I would drink far less!! Alcohol can make for a great time, but there was nothing worse than embarrassing myself and my bride on the biggest day of our lives.” ~Ty

“Never hire a local limo company the same day as a major at-home football game.” ~Bill

“My wife never got the full-length picture of herself in her wedding dress. That hurts me inside because I know how important that was to her! I wish someone had known to ask for that or make sure that shot was taken, as I wasn’t allowed to see her when those photos were being taken.” ~Brandon

“Put a lot of thought into planning your honeymoon! I knew that my wife wanted to plan our wedding, but I wish I would have given more thought and energy towards planning the honeymoon. Planning both is way too much for one person.” ~Alexander

“Buy a suit instead of renting a tux. Do a First Look. Seriously consider a destination wedding – beach permits are cheap! Photos are more important than food. Always rent a Segway for the getaway.” ~Chad, husband of Editor Serena

“Hire a good photographer. The only thing left from your wedding are the photos and it’s worth it to spend the money on a good-quality photographer!!” ~JD

“Don’t use your friends as your wedding vendors. I tried to hire my friend as our caterer and it blew up in our face. Hiring a professional is the way to go. You don’t want to start your marriage with a mad wife.” ~ Daren

Grooms- we want you to weigh in! I know this isn’t the only advice that can be given to other groom’s-to-be. If you could go back and change something about your wedding day, what would it be?