Groomed grooms

Groomed grooms

A close shave

Make sure your beard area is as wet as possible with warm water, advises David Waters, the style and grooming editor at Men's Health magazine and author of Grooming Essentials For Men. Use a gel-type foam and shave in the direction of the hair growth and, of course, a fresh blade on the wedding morning.

Nail tatty nails

Keep nails looking good by cutting them short (no, don't use your teeth!) and smoothing the tip with a file. A manicure a day or two before the big day will leave your nails cleaner than you've ever seen them, which is especially wise when doing the ring thing.

Re-schedule that stag night

Don't undo all your good work by overdoing it the night before the wedding. If you really want to look your best, have a glass of warm milk and an early night and get the stag night out of the way long before!

There's a lot more to looking good for a wedding than slipping into a smart suit, writes Peter Baker, author of The MANual: The Complete Man’s Guide to Life. If you don't want the wedding photos to reveal dandruff, dirty fingernails and spots, take action to make sure that every bit of you is in mint condition

Fight the flab

Effective dieting isn't about calorie counting, says Lyndel Costain of the British Dietetic Association. It's about changing your eating habits completely. So tuck into more high-carbohydrate foods (cereals, breads, rice, pasta and potatoes) and have less high-fat foods (cheese, ice cream, red meat and -- sorry -- fried breakfasts). Get into the habit of eating like this all the time and aim to lose one to two pounds a week.

Shape up

David Plummer of The Personal Training Centre in London recommends couch potatoes follow a progressive fitness programme that starts with brisk walking for 30 minutes, three days a week. Gradually increase your level of exercise until you're completing two to three vigorous 20- to 30-minute aerobic workouts each week (eg running, fast cycling). Your fitness should improve dramatically within three months, so the sooner you start the better.

Think ahead

Considering a change of hairstyle for the big day? It may take two to three cuts to get there, so see your hairdresser at least three months before the wedding. If you're thinning on top, you can buy a drug called minoxidil (sold as Regaine) which, when rubbed into the scalp every day, could reduce your rate of hair loss after four to six weeks. Again, be prepared and start the treatment well in advance.

Smoothly does it

One of the most common causes of tired, unhealthy, grey-looking skin is dehydration, both on the surface and within your body, says nutritional consultant Jane Clarke, author of  Body Foods for Life. She advises drinking at least four pints of water a day. Using a moisturiser for a few days before the wedding can also make your skin look less dry and wrinkled. Men now spend some £560 million a year on toiletries and most male celebs take great care of their skin, so don't feel embarrassed about visiting the beauty counter!

Zap your zits

Most spots are best left alone to heal naturally -- if you squeeze them, you run the risk of an infection making matters worse. Try using a concealer from one of the big stores -- ask the counter staff to help you find one that matches your skin colour.

A facial will work wonders on your blackheads and leave you feeling relaxed and grime-free. You might look red-faced for a few hours afterwards, however, so have one a couple of days before the wedding. Full-blown acne needs longer-term treatment. Seek help from somewhere like the Acne Support Group.