How to Run a Great Locker Room
Two-Minute Drill by Joe Karsonovich
She's got a getting-ready suite with champagne, flowers, a playlist, and a photographer capturing every moment. Every one of her bridesmaids understand the customs and traditions of the "cutesy getting ready time".
You've got a hotel room and four guys who went too hard last night. Not exactly the best vibes... at first.
That's not a pre-game Locker Room. That's a scene from The Hangover.
Here's how to fix it.
Set the environment before anyone arrives (Maybe assign this to a Team Captain (Best Man) or Team Mom (Groom's Mom))
Get there first. Lay everything out. Snacks, water, Gatorade, coffee. If someone needs to recover, make it easy for them to do that quietly without becoming your problem two hours before the ceremony.
Control the playlist (Don't forget the speaker)
This is underrated. Music sets the tone for the entire morning. You want energy without chaos. Think pregame, not postgame. One person controls it and that person is you (or a trusted aux guy).
Have a timeline printed and on the wall
Not in a group chat. On the wall like coach did back in the day. Photographer arrives at 10. Dressed and ready at 10:30. First look at 11. Everyone can see it, nobody has an excuse.
Assign one guy to be your logistics person
Best man, groomsman, whoever is most reliable. His job is to make sure nobody is missing, nobody is still in their pajamas when the photographer walks in, and nobody has lost their boutonniere. Bonus points if they're good at some iPhone content for the memories.
Bow ties go on last
Right before photos. Not an hour before. Trust me.
The bride spent months planning her getting-ready experience. You've got one morning. Make it count.
From the sideline,
Coach Karso
PS
If you want me to run the Locker Room for you on your wedding day, that's exactly what I do. Book a 30-minute call at https://calendly.com/joe-dobetterweddings/30min or shoot me an email at joe@dobetterweddings.co with your date.
PPS
The energy I'm trying to create at my next Groom Wrangling gig...
Me, walking into the Locker Room to fire up the Groom's side.