Groom grooming: 7 tips for the wedding day

How to get your groom’s grooming right, step by step

Planning the right groom’s grooming routine is just as important as finding the right suit. Here’s our step-by-step guide

1. Hair

Get a haircut a few days before the wedding. Perhaps you fancy a change? Find inspiration in magazines and online, and feel free to take a picture of a hairstyle you like to the hairdresser, or ask the hairdresser what sort of hairstyle would suit you.

2. Waxing

If you have hair in places you’d rather not be seen at the wedding, it might be worth having a wax, either at a salon or at home.

3. Smile

There are some things you can’t control at your wedding, but your smile isn’t one of them. Make sure your teeth look fresh in the wedding photos – you don’t want to be immortalised with yellowed teeth. Buy whitening toothpaste, or have your teeth whitened at a clinic, at home or at the dentist’s if you need a more thorough treatment.

4. Lips

You can’t share your first kiss as a married couple with chapped lips. A bit of lip balm on the day won’t be enough; ideally, start using it a week beforehand so they have time to become nice and soft.

5. Hands

Dry hands with cracked cuticles – not something your future spouse should have to see when you’re exchanging rings. Use hand cream several weeks beforehand, and on the wedding day, clean under your nails and trim them short.

6. Beard

Have you had enough of being mistaken for Father Christmas? Here’s how to get rid of your beard with great results: Comb your beard with a fine-toothed comb and trim off as much hair as possible – this makes shaving easier and prevents skin irritation. Massage in a little shaving oil (baby oil works too) and then shave in the shower or afterwards, as hot water opens up the pores.

When shaving, it’s ideal to use a shaving brush to apply the shaving foam in circular motions! The brush lifts the hairs and removes dead skin. Do choose a shaving foam that contains aloe vera or vitamin E. Afterwards, opt for a moisturiser rather than an alcohol-based aftershave.

Whether you’re going for a classic fade or a well-groomed beard, you can find inspiration in GQ’s comprehensive grooming guide, which covers the latest international trends.

7. Trimming

Facial hair is all well and good, but perhaps not thick tufts sticking out of your nose and ears, or hanging over your eyes. An easy way to trim your facial hair is to buy a trimmer specifically designed for the eyes, ears and nose. The procedure itself is quick and painless compared to using tweezers! Keep using the trimmer even after the wedding to maintain a smart look.

Recommendations for 8 products (subject to availability in shops):

– Wooden shaving brush, approx. 159 kr, thebodyshop.se

– 100% waterproof nose, ear and eyebrow trimmer. From Philips, approx. 295 kr at netonnet.se

– Lip balm with organic ingredients and a lovely liquorice flavour from Hurraw. Approx. 49 kr, jordklok.se

– Organic shaving foam, ‘Homme for Mens Shaving Foam’, which also cleanses and minimises skin irritation. From Florame, approx. 185 SEK, florame.se

– ‘Kistna Aftershave Balm’ with aloe vera, approx. 195 SEK, thebodyshop.se

– ‘Aquapower’ is a moisturising gel from Biotherm Homme, to be used daily or after shaving. Approx. 279 SEK, parfymonline.se

– Organic lemons from Sicily and prebiotic oligosaccharides protect hands and nails against bacteria. “Citrus Limonum Prebiotic Hand Cream” from Ren, approx. 295 kr, e-beautyshop.com

– “Organic Shaving Oil” by Spiezia is alcohol-free and contains jojoba oil. Can also be used as a moisturiser after shaving. Approx. 315 SEK, hudochkosmetik.se

Summary: Your checklist for groom grooming

Achieving the perfect groom’s grooming routine ultimately comes down to good planning and using products suited to your specific skin type. Start in good time, don’t try out any new, strong products just before the wedding, and make sure you enjoy your time in the barber’s chair – it’s your day too.

By following these steps for groom grooming, you’ll ensure a look that not only looks fantastic in photos, but also lasts all the way from the wedding ceremony to the early hours on the dance floor.

Once you’ve got your groom’s grooming sorted, don’t forget to have a look at your wedding suit as well.