"Tips to Enhance the Groom's Impression: How to Make People Think You've Married a Cool Person♡"
2020.12.23 published
KEEP!!!! The wonderful appearance of the groom ♡
On the day of the wedding, brides tend to be very mindful of how they look in photos and how guests perceive them, focusing on their line of sight and gaze. But what about the groom??
Surely, there are not many men who can (or want) to control "how they appear."
Perhaps because of this, at weddings, it seems that there are more occasions where "the bride's posture, expression, and behavior are beautiful, but the groom... is not quite right. He looks almost the same as usual, or maybe he's having fun as if he’s at a festival..."
It's sad to think that the person you've chosen as your soulmate might be perceived that way by guests during the wedding. Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the "behaviors and mindsets that grooms should pay attention to in order to make a good impression on wedding day!"
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day① Avoid looking at cue cards as much as possible
First and foremost, it’s best to avoid cue cards.
☑ Welcome speech
☑ Toast
☑ Groom's thank-you speech
Among others. There are many occasions where the groom will be speaking at the wedding.
If the groom finds it difficult to speak in public or is nervous about forgetting what to say, he might be thinking of preparing cue cards... While using cue cards isn't absolutely forbidden for etiquette, in a formal setting and at a party that the couple is hosting, it’s preferable to speak while facing the guests without looking at cue cards. It’s ideal to come prepared, firmly memorize what you want to say, and have the mindset of "I will have cue cards ready but won’t look at them! It’s just insurance for emergencies!" Recently, there's been a trend where grooms prepare large paper printed with "My cue card" to elicit laughter from guests and ease their own nerves, but this may only work with close friends. It’s more of an entertaining performance suitable for informal after-parties. At a proper wedding reception with bosses and family present, it’s more impressive to sincerely and confidently express gratitude to those who have come to celebrate.
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day② The way to hold the microphone
The way to hold the microphone during speeches is also something to be mindful of.
There are two patterns of using the microphone.
《Using a microphone stand》
If a microphone stand is provided, the staff will set it up to the appropriate height beforehand, so you can start speaking right away.
(Obviously) the microphone is turned ON, so there's no need to test the microphone with "uhh" or tap it with your hand.
While it’s understandable to want to reach for the microphone like a singer, the correct method is to either keep your hands together at your sides or naturally clasp them in front of you.
If holding cue cards, holding the paper with both hands will make the microphone stand an obstacle, causing your gaze to drop, so it should be held with one hand. It’s natural to look at it at a height just beside the microphone stand.
《Holding the microphone in hand》
If the microphone is handed to you, fix it just below your mouth (about two fist-widths down).
Be careful that if the microphone is too close to your mouth, your voice may sound muffled, and if it’s too far away, it might not be heard at all. If you notice this after starting to speak, adjust the height as needed.
Here are some points to keep in mind when holding the microphone:
☑ Do not point the microphone vertically (it will look like karaoke....)
☑ Do not raise your pinky finger
☑ Do not hold the upper part of the microphone (it will look like karaoke....)
☑ Do not hold too low on the microphone (it will resemble Tamori....)
When looking at cue cards, prepare and open them in advance before the microphone is handed to you, and accept the microphone with one hand while holding the cue card with the other.
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day③ Groom's Thank-You Speech
The ideal length for the groom's thank-you speech is about 2 to 3 minutes. It’s common to prepare what you want to say in advance and memorize it verbatim.
However, saying "I want to share the feelings and thoughts I have after actually holding the wedding!" in an improvised manner can also be dramatic and wonderful.
Just be aware that it often leads to getting emotional and the speech becoming long-winded.
You need to be careful not to:
☑ Repeat the same points multiple times,
☑ Make it a disjointed narrative,
☑ Bore the guests with an extended talk.
If you are not accustomed to speaking freely in front of a crowd, it’s wise to avoid improvisation as much as possible.
It is recommended to keep it to just one final line.
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day④ Let go of the meal
Furthermore, during the wedding, the groom and bride need to be mindful of the timing of their meals.
Since you will be giving speeches, listening to them, taking photos with guests, and performing various acts, there usually isn’t much time to eat.
When food is laid out in front of you, it’s easy to think, "It costs money, so I should eat!" However...
Eating while speeches or performances are taking place is absolutely NOT okay. This should be common sense, but.... eating while trying to watch or listen is disrespectful.
The person giving the speech and even the guests might think, "Wait, is this person really eating right now during this situation?"
The only times it is acceptable to eat during the wedding are:
☑ During casual conversation when there are no speeches, performances, or videos.
☑ When guests are not at the main table.
This is the only opportunity. There might be times when guests approach the main table so much that you end up not eating even a single bite...! You might feel it's a waste, but there’s no helping it. Enjoy priceless moments with your guests over the food.
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day⑤ Attitude while Listening to Speeches
During the wedding, there will frequently be speeches from honored guests and friends.
It’s pretty obvious, but while someone is giving a speech, it’s normal to face them with your whole body, actively listening.
To not appear unpleasant, keep a slight smile, maintain an upward gaze, and sit up straight for a relaxed impression. Additionally, it’s okay to laugh if there are amusing parts during the speech.
(In fact, laughing shows a kinder impression.)
Reiterating once again, it is NOT okay to eat while listening to speeches!
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day⑥ Messages to Friends
Next, regarding the guests invited to the wedding.
While you may want your friends to enjoy themselves and drink a lot...
If your friends tend to get rowdy, heckle, or engage with strangers, it’s important to be cautious.
There’s a saying, "Birds of a feather flock together," and the behavior of your friends can often be equated to your own evaluation on this occasion.
If your friend engages in:
☑ Hitting on the bride's friends,
☑ Heckling during speeches or the bride's letter,
☑ Breaking multiple glasses due to drunkenness,
☑ Forcing the groom to drink via calls,
☑ Loudly cutting loose at the guest table,
☑ Being overly familiar with staff,
☑ Taking off clothing during performances,
People might think, "If the friend behaves this way, they must be similar to the groom" or "He must have married someone of questionable character."
Therefore, if you have friends who might get too excited, I recommend telling them beforehand, "Please enjoy yourselves without getting too rowdy!"
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day⑦ Posture while Sitting
When seated at the main table,
☑ Avoid slouching or
☑ Leaning back against the chair,
And keep your back straight and your core engaged.
Slouching can give a sloppy appearance, and leaning back can convey a too relaxed impression.
While you may be able to sit up straight at the beginning of the reception, as time goes on, it’s easy to relax and lose posture. Until the very end, maintain your composure and remember that you are the main character of the wedding, sitting proudly!
What Grooms Should Keep in Mind on the Wedding Day⑧ Awareness of Photogenic Moments
Lastly.
Grooms should also heighten their awareness about how they appear in photos.
While many women are often accustomed to being seen or photographed, even if they aren't models, men tend to be less aware of these things, so it's important to remind them to be conscious about their photo presence!
Pay attention to the position of your hands, gaze, and mouth corners.
Sharing proper posing techniques will help create beautiful photos.
(Especially, beware of the proposal shots!)
➡ Learning from overseas proposal videos! Tips for looking good when having the groom kneel down*