Okay, gentlemen, your wedding day has arrived; and whether or not you were in the Boy Scouts growing up, now’s the time to be prepared. When the ceremony starts, you want to be impeccably dressed and groomed, fresh breath and all, ready to say those vows. To help make sure you have everything you need on the day, we’ve put together this checklist for a groom survival kit. Give the list to your best man and make sure everything’s taken care of for the big day.

  1. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Floss: You don’t want to knock the bride over with buzzard breath as you’re saying your vows. And you don’t want her happy memory of the day to be tainted with the visual of her groom smiling with something stuck in your teeth. Take a few minutes to brush and floss up before you put on your suit coat (wouldn’t want to get toothpaste on the tux).
  2. Razor: Sure, as the groom, you’re going to shave at home before you head to the venue. But if you miss a spot in your haste to get ready, you’ll regret it all the way through the reception. Take your razor with you in your survival kit for touch-ups just in case.
  3. Electric groomer/trimmer: While we’re talking hair…before the ceremony, trim your nose and ear hair so you’ll look your best. Guys frequently get fairy forests growing up in there and don’t notice.
  4. Lint roller: You may not usually use a lint roller in your day-to-day routine–but you also don’t wear a black tux in your day-to-day. Those things pick up lint, pet hair, and dust like nobody’s business. Have your best man give the whole tux a once-over before you walk down the aisle.
  5. Nail clippers and file: Make sure your nails are cut short and filed before you say your vows. Your bride’s going to hold the hand of her groom while she puts the ring on, and she’ll notice if you put in the extra effort to make them look nice.
  6. Deodorant: Every groom is really nervous on the big day. You might need an extra swipe or two of antiperspirant before the day is done.
  7. Extra pair of black socks: dress socks are notoriously flimsy, and dude’s toenails are notoriously sharp. You don’t want to walk down the aisle with one toe poking out of a hole in your sock, so grab an extra pair.
  8. Cufflinks: Cufflinks are small and easily lost, so we recommend bringing along an extra pair just in case.
  9. Band-Aids: With all the filing and shaving and nervousness, you may need a little first aid before your preparations are done. Always keep some bandages in your survival kit.
  10. Snacks: There’s usually a decent stretch of time between getting to the venue and the part of the reception where you can finally eat something. Make sure to have some snacks (something that won’t stain clothes or your teeth) on hand to keep your blood sugar up.

With the proper groom survival kit, you’ll be fully equipped to roll up to the ceremony without a hair out of place. Oh, that reminds me–you should bring a brush or a comb in your groom’s survival kit, too.