Your groom may not realize that there's more to good grooming than a haircut and a shave. To ensure that your groom looks his best on your wedding day forward these grooming guidelines from The Groom's Instruction Manual.
Hair
Many women will have their hair professionally styled on the day of their wedding, so that every strand is perfectly placed. But men who visit their barber on the day of their wedding will look like they just got a haircut. To look your best, visit a barber approximately one week before the big day. And, if possible, make sure this person is familiar with your hair and the style you prefer. This is not the time to test drive a new look.
If you're bald, calculate the number of days prior to the wedding that it will take to achieve optimum stubble level, and proceed accordingly. Take your time with the razor to prevent wedding day gouges.
For facial hair, you're best off trimming it about 3-5 days before the wedding, depending on how fast your mustache, beard, and/or sideburns grow. For other visible hairs--nose, ears, anywhere else--be sure to trim them accordingly some two to three days before your wedding.
Nails
Although your wife will be showing off her ring, and hence her nails, far more than you will, your hands and fingers will still play a large role in the wedding, so make sure your nails are looking good. You can get away with cutting them as much as a week in advance. If you "cut" your nails by gnawing on them, try as hard as you can to give it a rest in the weeks leading up to your wedding.
Body
Take a shower and clean yourself like you would when preparing for a date, if you can remember what that's like. Use soap, dumbass, but don't think that you need to scrub yourself down until you're red.
Face
If you don't already own a good razor, this is a good time to spring for one. Shave like you normally would, and if you plan to wear any scented aftershave and/or cologne, do so to your fiancee's liking rather than your own. Chances are she'll prefer less aroma, no matter how manly, while you're saying your vows (our anxious perspiration could trigger a stronger smell).
Nose
Blow it at the last possible occasion that makes sense. If you're standing tall and your fiancee is shorter than you are, she may have a clear shot up your nostrils, so make sure they're as well-groomed as the rest of you.
Mouth
Avoid onions and garlic on your wedding day--you're about to spend hours talking to people, not to mention all the times you'll be kissing your bride. Brush your teeth as part of your overall get-ready process. Also consider mouthwash and gargle it for the full 30 seconds. You should also stash a supply of mints in your pocket that will get you through the day. But make sure they're removed from any plastic or metal containers so you don't make any jingly-jangly noises when you're walking down the aisle.
Armpits
Coat those bastards with deodorant/anti-perspirant to your liking, keeping in mind that your nerves and formal dress might cause you to sweat more than normal. You should also consider wearing a light cotton undershirt if you don't already make a habit of it. You'll be walking and talking a lot and the extra layer, while making you slightly hotter, will keep you from sweating all the way through your button-down shirt.
Bladder
You're going to be nervous and you'll probably reach for anything that will quench your dry throat, but don't reach so frequently that you can't make it through the wedding ceremony (approximately 30 minutes for most, though some can run longer).
Digestion
Watch out for anything before the ceremony that could send your bowels into overdrive. Nobody likes a gassy groom.
Excerpted from The Groom's Instruction Manual by Shandon Fowler. — 2008 Quirk Books.