How to: sweet surprises for your groom

1. Have ‘I love you’ embroidered on his shirt collar or cuff (try ctshirts.co.uk, hilditchandkey.co.uk or duchamplondon.com) or get his initials jewelled onto the soles of your shoes at elegantsteps.co.uk.

2. Ask his mates to form a guard of honour making an arch with cricket bats, golf clubs or symbols from any other hobby that floats his boat (but if it's fishing, watch those hooks on your vintage lace!).

3. Keep an engagement diary to give him (gloss over any disagreements) or buy a My Beautiful Groom book and record your feelings under headings like The Funniest Time You Said I Love You and How I Knew You Were My Soulmate (ohsocherished.co.uk).

4. Ask your photographer to bring props and spring them on your groom: letters in your initials, hearts in different shapes and sizes and chalkboards to write your own messages on.

5. Unleash your inner poet and text him a few romantic lines when you wake up on the day. Pen your own (find tips at poemofquotes.com) or steal from the masters (try lovepoemsandquotes.com).

6. Tip off the best man, so while your groom’s getting ready he just happens to hear your romantic radio dedication to ‘my future husband and my best friend’.

7. Make an impromptu speech and bring a tear to his eye by telling everyone how happy he makes you.

8. Treat collectors to the ultimate prize. If he’s a sports fan, try memorabilia signed by his favourite sporting personality (sportsignings.com) or, for a bookish type, buy a first edition of his favourite book (jonkers.co.uk).

9. If you dismissed his suggestion for an Elvis impersonator or a bouncy castle, leave him ‘all shook up’ by arranging something he secretly wanted.

10. From James Bond to Batman, starcarhire.co.uk offers a range of vehicles that will really rev his engine.

11. Make him a coupon book he can redeem after the big day: breakfast in bed; a massage...it's up to you!

12. Ask your DJ to play his favourite band or hire a tribute act. For soundalikes from the Kings Of Leon to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, check out fakebands.co.uk

13. Surprise him with a high-octane honeymoon experience – from driving a sportscar through Italy (dettaglio.co.uk) to bungee jumping in Nepal (adventuresportsholidays.com). Treat him to some stylish shorts (try hackett.com) and tuck the gift details in the pocket.

14. Keep it simple and sexy with embroidered silk lingerie (elleandcee.co.uk). Lettering ideas include Just Married, Mrs New Name or an intimate nickname only you know.

15. Arrange a dedicated Blokes’ Bar, complete with Cuban cigars, bottles of scotch and a real ale keg: watch and marvel as you win Coolest New Wife award.

Next, why not consider how to: get guests mingling?