Modern grooms play as much of a part in planning a wedding as brides do - and even help choose the flowers, research has revealed. Experts found modern men are more hands on than ever before, shattering the old stereotype of the 'let me know what time it is, I'll be there' generation.
The study found more than half of men now have the final say in the date of the big day, while 56% chose the venue.
One in twenty even had a say in the floral arrangements - formerly the bride's sole domain - and a third helped their wife-to-be choose the cake, the report by Austin Reed found.
A spokesman for Austin Reed wedding hire-wear said:
''This research shows most couples tackle the arrangements for the big day jointly.
''There has always been an assumption that it's brides who call the shots regarding the big day, but due to the huge cost of weddings now it makes sense the responsibility is shared.
''Naturally there are going to be elements of any wedding which are more suited to the bride or groom - nobody expects the groom to get fully absorbed in discussions about the bridesmaids hair for example - but it's important there is room for the groom to stand out on his big day too.''
Other jobs grooms took it upon themselves to organise included hiring the band, picking out suits for the best men, ushers and dads, and choosing the wedding car.
One third of grooms were also in charge of haggling with suppliers to get the best prices.
The study also found some traditions are still alive, with 52% of brides saying their parents contributed to their wedding- but 44% of grooms' parents also helped to pay for some of the big day.
However, the majority of the bill is now footed by the bride and groom themselves.
But even grandparents will make a contribution, with one in twenty paternal grandparents coughing up and one in ten maternal grandparents offering to help financially.
Fortunately, three quarters of newly married couples said they do not regret the money they have spent on celebrating their marriage, and said their wedding was the happiest day of their lives.
Nearly 60% of couples said grooms were much more hands on in wedding planning than they were years ago- of those, 58% said they take much more planning now due to the sheer scale and cost of a modern day wedding.
In fact, a quarter said men are 'out to impress' friends and family just as much as their female counterparts.
The poll also found that a brave 42% of those questioned think men are just as competent as women at planning a wedding.
Of those polled, 59% of newlyweds openly admitted organising their wedding completely took over their life, and 25% said they did lots of the planning in work time.
A third of the 2,000 adults who have been married in the last five years said they took control of what concerned them the most, and 41% had specific areas they were in charge of.
One in five men said the most important element of a good wedding was getting everyone tipsy, but a more sentimental 52% said it was having all their friends and family in one place.
One third of females however said having a 'knock-out dress' was the most important aspect of a wedding to remember, while a similar number said it was having the sun shining.
The spokesman for Austin Reed wedding hire-wear added:
''It makes sense for the bride and groom to take tackle things as a team and keep each other in the loop.
''One third of women want a knock out dress as their main priority but it is a priority for the groomsmen to stand out and look great at their wedding too.''
