Groom John Huff and bride Amy Vining listen as the Rev. Mike Broadwater reviews their vows during their wedding rehearsal at Curtis Baptist Church in Augusta.Road leading to the altar is full of responsibilities for groomsMICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

Popping the question is just the beginning.

After forking over their life savings for a diamond ring, future grooms find themselves with more wedding responsibilities than they bargained for.

After making his trip down the aisle, former college football player John Mitchell wrote a groom's ``playbook,'' designed to coach guys through the wedding process.

In What the Hell Is a Groom and What's He Supposed to Do? he says: ``In this game of wedding planning, you're not the quarterback. ... You're the kicker and, therefore, will only be called in a few times during the wedding-planning game.''

Most brides have dreamed about their wedding day their entire lives, leaving little room for the future husband's input.

But there are a few traditional responsibilities that require the groom's opinion and his money.

Before getting started, Mr. Mitchell suggests keeping a folder or ``playbook'' of all the information acquired during the planning process.

``I had `Honey-Do' lists made for me every day,'' said recent groom John Huff III of Dallas, Ga. ``They really helped me remember everything, and, believe me, there was a lot to remember.''

After agreeing on the time, date and place of the wedding, the next big tasks are deciding on the wedding party and who will be invited.

THE GROOMSMEN.

Choosing the best man and groomsmen is the first big decision the groom must make.

``I picked 11 groomsmen for our wedding, and I easily could have picked 12 or 13,'' said Scott Beach of Augusta. ``Narrowing it down was tough, but to me, getting the invitation list down was the biggest pain.''

THE LIST.

Mr. Mitchell suggests that the groom make a list with the bride of every person they could possibly invite. Also, ask both sets of parents to compile lists. Depending on the size of the wedding, the list will probably need to be cut down.

The best way to allocate wedding guests is to allow one-third for the bride and groom, one-third for his parents and one-third for her parents, according to Mr. Mitchell.

THE TUX.

The bride will most likely provide fashion tips, but it is the groom's job to pay for his tuxedo.

WEDDING BANDS.

John Huff (left) shares a laugh with his best man, Matt Pollard, at wedding rehearsal at Curtis Baptist Church. For many couples, choosing the wedding party and paring down the guest list are the toughest decisions to make. MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

That's right, more rings. The bride usually helps with the shopping, but it is the groom's responsibility to purchase the wedding bands at least three months before the wedding.

THE HONEYMOON.

The groom's favorite job. It is the groom's responsibility to plan and pay for the honeymoon.

``Most grooms have the honeymoon thing planned well,'' wedding coordinator Elizabeth Castleberry said with a laugh. ``They want to make sure they get that right.''

If the destination is outside of the United States, a passport or raised-seal birth certificate will be needed.

Mr. Beach's honeymoon trip to St. Martin with his bride, Meredith, was slightly hampered when he brought only a copy of his original birth certificate.

``It was horrible. They wouldn't let us board the plane until my dad brought my original birth certificate,'' he said. ``We caught a plane the next day, and everything was great. But I recommend getting a passport well in advance of the wedding.''

THE REHEARSAL DINNER.

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally planned and paid for by the groom and his family. This is the groom's chance to get really involved.

``The wedding is exactly the way the bride wants it, so I did something kind of different for the rehearsal dinner,'' said Mr. Beach, who planned his dinner menu to suit his friends. ``I know a lot of girls don't like wild game, but we served stuffed quail, venison and salad topped with chunks of alligator. We loved it.''

BLOOD TEST AND WEDDING LICENSE.

Georgia requires that a $31 blood test and a $30 cash-only marriage license be obtained at least 30 days before the wedding. The groom pays.

FLOWERS.

This tends to be the biggest surprise for the groom. His responsibilities include paying for the bride's bouquet, her going-away corsage, corsages for immediate members of both families and boutonnieres for the groomsmen.

GIFTS.

It's tradition for the groom to give a special gift to his groomsmen. ``I recommend getting a useful gift they'll remember you by and not just stick in the closet,'' said Mr. Beach. He suggested a monogrammed shaving kit.

A gift for the bride is a nice gesture, but optional.

OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS.

The groom and his family should prepare for and pay for their out-of-town guests. Mr. Beach suggests blocking off hotel rooms and planning activities for guests.

``Everyone wanted to play golf,'' he said. ``It was hard working everyone in.''

Another good idea is to provide information packets for guests at their hotel, including directions to restaurants, the church and reception, Mr. Beach said.

CLERGY FEE AND TRANSPORTATION.

The groom must pay the minister's fee, if there is one, and the cost of the limo or other means of transportation from the church.

Now, all that's left for the groom to do is show up at the church on time, looking his best (the bachelor party should be held at least a week before the big day), and smile!

And everyone thought he was just supposed to stand where he was told.

Groom responsibilities

• Chose best man and groomsmen.
• Make a list and get addresses of guests you wish to invite.
• Pay for your tuxedo.
• Buy the wedding bands.
• Plan and pay for the honeymoon.
• Plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner.
• Pay for blood tests and marriage license.
• Pay for bride's bouquet, corsages for immediate family members on both sides and boutonnieres for groomsmen.
• Buy gifts for groomsmen and bride.
• Make arrangements and pay for accommodations for his family's out-of-town guests.
• Pay for clergy and transportation from the church.