To Beard or Not To Beard?

That is the question for some alternative grooms. Should they shave their beards for their wedding or leave them? There are a few different things to consider when dealing with this question. Your wedding's theme and your reasons for having your beard are a couple things to keep in mind.
If your wedding has a pretty formal theme and you have a super intense mountain man beard that will cause a pretty big contrast. If you're looking for contrasts on your big day then a beard will be perfect, but if you want every detail to maintain a constant feel throughout then a large beard might not fit in with the day. Sometimes, a bearded groom works out perfectly, though. Here is an example from the photography team, The Parsons:




I think this picture comes across wonderfully and the groom's beard fits in perfectly with the wedding atmosphere. To view more photographs from this wedding, and the impromptu pool party that occurred, click here.
The most important thing to consider while deciding whether to keep your beard for your wedding, in my opinion, is why you have your beard. Was this beard born out of laziness? Then it might be time to pick up a razor, even if just for one day. If your beard was grown out because you wanted to be awesome then you should consider whether you will want your beard in your wedding pictures in ten years. Will it still be awesome to you then? Fashion changes and you probably will make fun of some part of your wedding down the road, but try not to let that give you a license to have a trendy wedding and wedding style that will have no sentimental value or reasoning when you're older.
This is your wedding day. It's one of the most important days and decisions you will make. You don't have to do anything a certain way and you don't have to fall into any pressures, but make sure you're doing things your way.