For a very long time, weddings, though equally meaningful for men, were largely seen as the bride’s day. Brides would plan every detail for months, choosing elaborate outfits, pairing them with statement jewellery, and finishing the look with carefully done hair and makeup. Grooms, on the other hand, kept it simple: wake up, wear their outfit, fix their hair and beard, and call it a day.
That narrative is slowly changing. Today, men are putting just as much thought into how they look on their wedding day. Not only have their wardrobes become more experimental, but they are also increasingly opting for professional grooming and makeup to feel confident and polished throughout the celebrations.
After all, it’s their big day too, and many want to look just as glamorous as their better halves, both on camera and in real life.
All about the craze
Celebrity makeup artist Vibha Gusain tells India Today that earlier, grooms just had to look decent, presentable, and clean. But now, since weddings have become such big events and everything is photographed, grooms too feel the need to look more camera-ready.
“Brides and grooms have their own hashtags, separate social media teams making reels, and even new Instagram accounts where all their wedding content is posted. Because of this, grooms also want to look more confident and fresh.”
What are grooms opting for?
Getting makeup done for grooms can be tricky. Men wearing makeup is still considered a taboo in our society (save the disagreement for another day), and many beauty influencers have faced trolling for it. So while grooms are increasingly inclined to look flawless on their D-day, they still don’t want the makeup to show.
Gusain mentions that when it comes to requests from grooms, most of them just want to look natural.
“They don’t want to look made up. Usually, they ask to hide dark circles or cover acne marks. They also don’t want any shine on their faces, so we mostly do matte makeup for men. We set their beard, style their hair, and overall just make them look like a polished version of themselves and camera-ready.”
Now, coming to the cost, groom makeup tends to be priced higher than regular makeup sessions, much like bridal makeup. Depending on what you opt for and the artist you choose, it can range anywhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000.
Pre-wedding beauty treatments for men
Interestingly, grooms are not just opting for a makeup refresh on the wedding day; many are also signing up for pre-wedding routines, tailored especially for men.
Dr Shireen Furtado, senior consultant – medical and cosmetic dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, mentions that they are seeing a growing number of male clients, particularly grooms-to-be, coming in for beauty services.
“Most of them are opting for facials, hair treatments, skin brightening, and grooming packages. Some also choose body treatments such as anti-tan therapies or slimming sessions.”
Salons and clinics are now offering more male-focused packages, which makes men feel more comfortable seeking professional care. Many prefer expert guidance for concerns like acne, pigmentation, or dry skin instead of relying on home remedies.
Dr Furtado goes on to share that many clients book multiple sessions in the weeks leading up to the wedding to ensure their skin and hair are in the best possible condition.
“This reflects a broader shift in society, where male grooming is becoming normal and widely accepted. Men today are more open to spending on self-care and seeking personalised treatment.”
The MUA further mentions that grooming culture plays a big role as well. Men are now into skincare, facials, manicures, pedicures, beard styling, hair styling, and hair treatments. Many even ask about supplements like glutathione, Vitamin C, and collagen. Everyone wants to look like the best version of themselves. Self-care for men is no longer strange, and makeup is just an extension of that grooming.
“And when a groom is confident and doesn’t want makeup, the bride often suggests a little touch-up so he looks good in photographs and videos,” says Gusain.
Final touch-up
So, if you are a groom confused about whether to get makeup done for your wedding or not, remember this isn’t about looking “made up” or trying to steal the spotlight. It’s simply about feeling confident, comfortable, and like the best version of yourself on a day you’ll remember forever.
If it makes you feel good and more confident, that’s reason enough. After all, it’s your big day too, and you deserve to enjoy it without second-guessing how you look.
