Groom 101: Planning, Prepping, and Enjoying Your Day

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be complicated, but a little thought and preparation can make a big difference. Here are some straightforward tips to help you feel confident, organised, and ready to enjoy every moment.

Get involved in the planning early – it’s your day too

Start by thinking about what you actually want from the day. Big and lively? Relaxed and intimate?

It’s also worth considering the type of ceremony that suits you both. Would you prefer a traditional church wedding, or a licensed venue like Heathy Lea where everything can happen in one place? And if you go down that route, would you choose an indoor ceremony, or make the most of the outdoors?

Getting clear on this early helps shape everything else.

Visit and choose your wedding venue together

Seeing a venue in person makes all the difference. It helps you picture how the day will flow and how it will feel with your guests there.

Many venues host open days, which are a great way to explore the space, meet suppliers, and ask questions. (Heathy Lea’s next open day is on 17th May, it's well worth a visit if you’re considering it.)

Book your suit well in advance and make sure it fits properly

Don’t leave this until the last minute. You’ve got a few options here:

• Hire suits (a popular, cost-effective choice for matching groomsmen)

• Buy your own suit (ideal if you want something more personal or to keep)

• Go bespoke for a fully tailored look

Whatever you choose, allow time for fittings and adjustments—you’ll feel far more comfortable and confident on the day.

Break in your shoes before the big day

It sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked. Wear your shoes around the house beforehand to avoid sore feet halfway through the celebrations.

Support your partner throughout the planning process

Wedding planning is a team effort. Get involved where you can - whether that’s shortlisting suppliers, attending venue meetings, or joining food tastings with your caterers (arguably one of the best parts).

It not only takes the pressure off your partner, but also helps make the whole experience more enjoyable and shared.

Help organise the groomsmen and keep everyone on time

On the morning of the wedding, a bit of organisation goes a long way. Make sure your groomsmen know:

• What time to be ready

• What they’re wearing

• Where they need to be

One of the advantages of a venue like Heathy Lea is having accommodation onsite. It keeps everyone together, removes travel stress, and makes for a much more relaxed start to the day.

Prepare your speech ahead of time – keep it short and genuine

A good speech doesn’t need to be long or overly polished, just sincere.

Give yourself plenty of time to write and practise it, and definitely don’t leave it until the last minute. Especially if you’re making the most of a full wedding weekend, with a Friday night celebration and your groomsmen staying over, you’ll want to be enjoying that time, not finishing your speech!

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready

A relaxed morning sets the tone for the whole day. Build in more time than you think you’ll need so you’re not rushing, and so you’re ready to welcome guests as they arrive.

Trust your venue and suppliers to handle the details

You’ve chosen your venue and suppliers for a reason, let them do what they do best.

At Heathy Lea, Sally and James are on hand throughout the day to keep everything running smoothly, alongside Jessica Sharpe Weddings who supports the planning process. With the right team around you, you can step back and enjoy it.

Take a few quiet moments with your partner during the day

The day goes quickly, so make time to pause together.

You might even slip away into Chatsworth Park for a few minutes, just the two of you, to take it all in, look back at the venue, and see your guests celebrating. It’s often these quiet moments that stay with you the most.

Relax, be present, and enjoy every moment

Try not to get caught up in the schedule. Soak it all in - from the build-up to the celebrations.

And if you’re making a weekend of it, enjoy that too. From Friday evening gatherings to more relaxed Sunday celebrations, it’s all part of the experience.

Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect – no one will notice

Something might not go exactly to plan, and that’s completely normal.

What people remember is the atmosphere, the setting, and the feeling of the day, not the small details. So take it in your stride and focus on what really matters.

Planning your wedding should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Keep things simple, stay involved, and most importantly - enjoy it.