IN the run-up to a wedding, it's quite often easy to forget that it's not just the bride who's getting married.

Grooms, too, need to think about how they're going to look on those wedding photographs.

OK, the outfit might not take quite so long to design, make and/or buy but - and let's be honest here - how many of us have seen pictures where we thought the bride looked radiant but her groom could have benefited from a pre-ceremony beauty treatment!

If you need to shed a few pounds, or just generally want to tone up, it's never too late to start exercising but if changing your appearance means a haircut make sure you do it about a week in advance so that it can 'settle in'.

It's not a good idea to go for a completely new look either - it may not suit you and those wedding photos live on for a lifetime!

Get a manicure. Yes, a manicure. It's not a female preserve anymore and they're not going to paint your nails bright pink unless you ask them. Just get them clipped, cleaned and buffed up.

Avoid a bright red shaving rash (remember those long-lasting photos) by indulging yourself at the barber's. If that's not an option put a brand new blade in your usual razor and swap the foam for shaving cream.

Use lots of hot water and shave the way the hair lies. Follow that up with an alcohol-free aftershave. If you're dry skinned, make sure it's an aftershave balm.

To really go for it on the face front, have a facial on the day. It'll do wonders for your skin, make it look great and give you a superb chance to relax - a good end to all those preparations.

Spend plenty of time trying on suits as you'll be uncomfortable in an ill-fitting one - assuming you're not going for made-to-measure.

Don't stint on the cash with the shirt either: pure cotton will solve any embarrassing sweat problems.

You don't want to yawn your way through the ceremony having spent the night pacing the floor with nerves - because you won't be stupid enough to have your stag night just 24 hours beforehand of course.

Help yourself to plenty of zeds by putting a few drops of lavender oil in a hot bath or on your pillow.

Avoid any caffeine-laced drinks before retiring, don't drink and make sure you're tucked up in good time, before midnight at least.

If you wear glasses and want to wear contact lenses, make the change well in advance so that your eyes have a chance to get used to them. You'll need at least a month to find out whether they're for you.

1. Grey tweed jacket, waistcoat, Grey Spirit kilt and black sporran. Moss Bros Hire.

2. White jacket. Moss Bros Hire.

3. Black broad stripe fine wool flannel jacket with trousers £275, white cotton stripe jacquard shirt £60, navy and chocolate fine dot silk tie £22. John Rocha Men's Suiting from Debenhams.

4. Black Argyle jacket and Modern Robertson trews (choice of four tartans). Moss Bros Hire.