92 Articles
Scarlet Fever - Sexy Star Getting Married
Who is Romain Dauriac and how did the dude get engaged to screen siren, Scarlet Johansson? Inquiring minds want to know, I know I do! First reported by People magazine, the Hollywood grapevine was all atwitter about the pending nuptials of the Avengers star, especially since she has been seen all summer wearing diamond rings on left hand --- although dismissed each one as a fleeting bauble. If you recall, the beauty was previously married to Ryan Reynolds, so this will be her second trip down the aisle. Scarlet is a pretty private lady, so it’s hard to tell if the romance is real. Well, as of September, the engagement has been confirmed, it apparently happened about a month ago. No details as of yet. A source for the couple confirms the question was popped and they are “very happy.” Scarlet and her groom-to-be were out promoting her new sci-fi thriller, Under the Skin, at the Venice International Film Festival. Her vintage art deco ring was on full display as she walked down the red carpet. So, after some quick Googling, it looks like Dauriac is a journalist who has been publically dating Scarlett since November 2012 after attending the premier of her movie Hitchcock together. He is the past editor of Clark, a French magazine devoted to underground urban art and is currently the manager of a creative agency. The rumor is that his tattoo artist introduced the two, as he was the inker also behind Scarlet’s recent horseshoe tat. Even though she looks to be off the market, we still love Scarlet. Here are a few great facts with ideas for groomsmen gifts, best man gifts, and wedding gifts in her honor: She rose to prominence in the 1998 movie, The Horse Whisper, as a young teen. She just got a horseshoe tattoo, so we are making the leap that she digs horses. This is the perfect reason to wear a pair of our lucky horseshoe cufflinks with your wedding tuxedo and get a bunch of extras to give as groomsmen gifts for your fellow Scarlet fans. Scarlet has made plenty of “sexiest” lists, most notably Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire Magazine in 2006 and "Sexiest Celebrity," by Playboy Magazine in 2007. Pretty sure your eyes would pop out of your head to see her wearing our bridal camisole set sparkling with Swarovski crystals. Get this for your bride-to-be, which we’re pretty sure is just as hot. Well, you better think that! In 2011, some hero – I mean, hack – got into her phone account and swiped pictures. The FBI finally caught up with him, charged him with computer hacking and dissemination of nude photos. Looking for groomsmen gifts and best man gifts? Who wouldn’t love one of our personalized iPhone cases that can be monogramed with three letters. We suggest using SIJ – for Scarlet Ingrid Johansson. Is that too stalker-ish? Well known for her curves, Scarlet reports sticking to a strict salmon and kale diet before taking on sexy roles. But, after filming she likes to indulge with her favorite foods, one of which is buffalo chicken wings! This is a girl that would be welcomed in any man cave. In fact, personalize any of our man cave signs to say “Welcome Scarlet,” give them as groomsmen gifts and live vicariously. Are you a Scarlet fan? Tell us all about it and what you think about this engagement in the comments below.
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Scarlet Fever - Sexy Star Getting Married
Who is Romain Dauriac and how did the dude get engaged to screen siren, Scarlet Johansson? Inquiring minds want to know, I know I do! First reported by People magazine, the Hollywood grapevine was all atwitter about the pending nuptials of the Avengers star, especially since she has been seen all summer wearing diamond rings on left hand --- although dismissed each one as a fleeting bauble. If you recall, the beauty was previously married to Ryan Reynolds, so this will be her second trip down the aisle. Scarlet is a pretty private lady, so it’s hard to tell if the romance is real. Well, as of September, the engagement has been confirmed, it apparently happened about a month ago. No details as of yet. A source for the couple confirms the question was popped and they are “very happy.” Scarlet and her groom-to-be were out promoting her new sci-fi thriller, Under the Skin, at the Venice International Film Festival. Her vintage art deco ring was on full display as she walked down the red carpet. So, after some quick Googling, it looks like Dauriac is a journalist who has been publically dating Scarlett since November 2012 after attending the premier of her movie Hitchcock together. He is the past editor of Clark, a French magazine devoted to underground urban art and is currently the manager of a creative agency. The rumor is that his tattoo artist introduced the two, as he was the inker also behind Scarlet’s recent horseshoe tat. Even though she looks to be off the market, we still love Scarlet. Here are a few great facts with ideas for groomsmen gifts, best man gifts, and wedding gifts in her honor: She rose to prominence in the 1998 movie, The Horse Whisper, as a young teen. She just got a horseshoe tattoo, so we are making the leap that she digs horses. This is the perfect reason to wear a pair of our lucky horseshoe cufflinks with your wedding tuxedo and get a bunch of extras to give as groomsmen gifts for your fellow Scarlet fans. Scarlet has made plenty of “sexiest” lists, most notably Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire Magazine in 2006 and "Sexiest Celebrity," by Playboy Magazine in 2007. Pretty sure your eyes would pop out of your head to see her wearing our bridal camisole set sparkling with Swarovski crystals. Get this for your bride-to-be, which we’re pretty sure is just as hot. Well, you better think that! In 2011, some hero – I mean, hack – got into her phone account and swiped pictures. The FBI finally caught up with him, charged him with computer hacking and dissemination of nude photos. Looking for groomsmen gifts and best man gifts? Who wouldn’t love one of our personalized iPhone cases that can be monogramed with three letters. We suggest using SIJ – for Scarlet Ingrid Johansson. Is that too stalker-ish? Well known for her curves, Scarlet reports sticking to a strict salmon and kale diet before taking on sexy roles. But, after filming she likes to indulge with her favorite foods, one of which is buffalo chicken wings! This is a girl that would be welcomed in any man cave. In fact, personalize any of our man cave signs to say “Welcome Scarlet,” give them as groomsmen gifts and live vicariously. Are you a Scarlet fan? Tell us all about it and what you think about this engagement in the comments below.
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Songs Celebrities Play at Weddings
Setting the right tone at your wedding reception is influenced by many factors, the food, the ambiance of the venue and the music. Celebrate your love with a high note by picking the right songs to play at your wedding including the praise-worthy songs played at the chapel to the dance-inspiring songs to play at the reception. Whether you have a live musicians on hand, are using the services of a DJ or have just put together a wedding playlist for your iPod (and why not), make sure your favorite songs are in the musical queue for the evening. Also, make sure your dance debut is as debonair as possible. A swank pair of personalized cufflinks, like our bow tie cufflinks, make a dashing statement in the spotlight. Also, a pair of engraved cufflinks makes a great selection in groomsmen gifts for your tuxedo-clad gang. Check out GroomStand.com for an array of other awesome groomsmen gifts that will have everyone stomping their feet in appreciation. Back to the music! While you surely have your own favorite songs, check out the tunes that various celebrities played at their weddings _ of course, most of the marriages didnÍt last much longer than the songs themselves! Wedding Songs From Celebrity Marriages That DIDNÍT Last: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were serenaded by opera legend Andrea Bocelli. Of course, Tom had to get his microphone time in too, snatching it from Bocelli to sing his rendition of The Righteous Brothers' and a reprise of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," which he crooned in ñTop Gun.î Courtney Cox and David Arquette listened to Paul McCartneyÍs "Maybe I'm Amazed" as part of the wedding ceremony. WhatÍs not so amazing is that this marriage didnÍt last in the celebrity world. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline danced their first dance to JourneyÍs ñCity by the Bay.î Even though K-Fed was a great dancer (she met him in her back up dancer entourage), the marriage waltzed right off into divorce land. Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen cemented their married status with a first dance to "Open Arms" by Journey. With SheenÍs penchant for CRAZY, the two called it quits four years later in one of the ugliest divorce battles in Hollywood history. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony walked down the aisle to VivaldiÍs "Four Seasons." Though the pair had plenty in common including professions and a pair of twins, the classical music couldnÍt spare the fact that the union wouldnÍt last. Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian actually used Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babeî for their recessional. The couple split a year later after Spelling began an affair with her now second husband, Dean McDermott. Spelling and McDermott chose a more classical tune, "Air" from Handel's Water Music. Billy Joel and Katie Lee waltzed their first dance to "Moon River," but not before Joel performed around 20 songs onstage with the wedding band. Joel didnÍt keep his ñUptown Girl,î the pair called it quits after about 5 years of marriage. Songs From Celebrity Marriages That DID Last: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartener: The soundtrack to their love was to the Righteous BrothersÍ ñUnchained Melody.î While they have had some relationship difficulties per the gossip magazines, the couple _who are parents of three kids together _ are still married. Donald Trump and Melania Knauss: Trump married his third wife and incorporated "Ave Maria" into their lavish wedding ceremony. The Donald and his model wife are still together living the fabulous life. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban celebrated their big day to Etta JamesÍ ñAt Last,î selecting the song for their first dance. Unlike Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher who also used the same song, the Kidman-Urban marriage is still going strong. Celine Dion and Rene Angelil went all out at the wedding, hiring a 21-piece orchestra directed by David Foster perform a rendition of ñThe Colour of My Loveî which is, not surprisingly, one of DionÍs own songs. The diva seems to be rooted in her romance, the two met when she was just 12, married in 1994 and then renewed vows in 2000 _ remaining happily wed to this day. Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy finished of their vows memorably, strutting up the aisle to James Brown's "I Feel Good." There is no scandal in this once Desperate Housewives history; the pair have remained married for a long time by Hollywood standards.
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Big Bucks for Big Name Bands at Wedding
About this time last year, I read about a groom who thought he was hiring a music superstar to perform at his wedding and ended up falling prey to a scam. Apparently Brian Valentine, a hot shot executive at Amazon, thought he had booked Tom Petty, the artist behind songs like “Refugee” and “Free Fallin,” to rock out at his wedding reception. The performance was going to be a gift to his fiancée, a major fan of the band that rose to fame in the 1980s. After finding a website that books these types of music transactions, the groom negotiated a price of $330,000 for the performance and wired over half of the funds as a down payment. When the details started to get fuzzy and bogus emails started showing up, the groom contacted Petty’s management company directly only to find out that he had been defrauded. In the end, the FBI was involved and the bad guys were busted – and, if you can believe it, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers showed up as a surprise anyway to play at the wedding reception! Happily ever after ending! So, have you ever thought about hiring a famous band for your wedding reception? It would be a dream come true to have the latest chart-topping artist or a long-time favorite perform for you and your guests. It would be a personal concert without any of the hassles of waiting in line, sitting back too far from the stage or dealing with smoky venues and other nuisances. However, you’re going to need a big wallet and plenty of advance notice! There are many things to consider and it's actually pretty unlikely you'll get a "famous" band to play at your party, even paying their customary fee. Unless you are a celebrity yourself. For example, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day played at Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s wedding and Usher played at Michael Jordan’s no-expense-sparred wedding a few months ago. When hiring a big-name band, you’ll be responsible for all of the “riders” in the contract. This includes thousands of dollars for a "hospitality" rider – those rock stars need their flask full of whisky, energy drinks and finger foods. Lighting, sound equipment, stagehands, first class travel and professional drivers to haul them to and fro are also factored into the fee – as is, lodging (and we don’t think a La Quinta is going to cut it). After surfing around the web, I started to understand just how expensive it would be to hire a hit making band. Cheap Trick goes for about $75,000 while the Foo Fighters are estimated to be in the $400,000 plus range. If this isn’t famous enough for you, Metallica can be had for an estimated $1 million show. Plus expenses. Plus production. Have an endless money clip? The Rolling Stones goes for $2 million minimum. Not only would hiring a famous band be an awesome surprise for your bride (as long as she likes the music), a thrill for the guests, and a gift for the groomsmen and yourself! Hire the band you and your buddies loved to listen to in the glory days! Too bad the original Van Halen wouldn’t get back together for my wedding. Of course, you’ll want pass out great wedding favors (and groomsmen gifts) if having a “concert” at your wedding reception. Our sterling-silver guitar picks make awesome best man gifts and groomsmen gifts and can be personalized to your exact specifications. Another idea for cool groomsmen gifts are personalized beer mugs to commemorate the occasion. Unlike big public venues, your cozy concert can serve up drinks in glass beer mugs – really the only way to drink beer! So, if you had all the money in the world, who would you hire to play at your wedding reception? Let us know in the comments below.
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Adam Levine Marrying Man of the Month
Like many other musicians before him, Adam Levine seems to have a thing for supermodels. You could say that musicians and gorgeous models go together like leather pants and liquid diets or shots of whiskey and cigarettes. The front man for the popular band “Maroon 5,” has officially taken his first steps down the path of, dare I say, domestication by asking is girlfriend, Behati Prinsloo, to get married. I don’t think many fans saw this coming and I’m anointing him Marrying Man of the Month at GroomStand.com. Of course, Ptinsloo is a model , not just any model but a Victoria’s Secret model to be exact! The 24-year old model hasn’t been his first tall, leggy and head-spinning significant other; Levine has a laundry list of exes that include actual models and then a few pop singers and tennis players who are so stunning, they’ve modeled as well. Just some of the names are Nina Agdal, Ann Viylitsyna, Angela Bellotte, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova. Other rockers who have reeled in a cat-walking catch are too numerous to mention. Perhaps one of the most enduring relationships between a musician and his muse is the one between David Bowie and Iman. Married for more than 20 years, the two have outlasted groupies, world tours and other distractions in an environment where these marriages never seen to last. Most music-model relationships fizzle out faster than a one-hit wonder, usually not even making to an engagement let alone a marriage. Other relationships keep the beat for a good while, and then crumble under the stresses of living apart while on tour or assignment and constantly being under public scrutiny. Some that have given it a go, although it didn’t last, include Billy Joel and Christy Brinkley, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Seal and Heidi Klum, Rod Stewart and Rachel Hunter, Rick Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova While you probably aren’t a rocker or are engaged to a supermodel (although trust us, you should act like she is), you can still create an environment that makes you feel like you want to “rock and roll all night and party every day.” First, you’ll want to deck out your tour bus with all the appropriate gear for good times. Oh, wait – you don’t have a tour bus? You can still kick back and relax in any spot in your home, even after your married, as long as you dedicate it as your personal man space. Definitely, you’ll need all the right barware to support drinking in style like a rock star. Shot glasses, beer mugs and martini glasses are all standard gear; our low-ball glasses with shooters also make a cool addition to the bar. Fill up the shot glass with a liquor of choice and drop into the lowballs and slam! Now that is some good, old-school rock and roll fun! Retro-inspired growlers are also great for a party night; the super-sized jugs can be filled up with beer or whiskey and then toted all over town (assuming you have a designated driver). If you’re getting married, barware makes a good choice in wedding gifts to register for as well as groomsmen gifts to give your buddies. If you want to show off your musical style on the wedding day, our guitar cuff links top the charts in style. Whether you like head-banger rock or prefer love ballads, these cuffs links are ready to riff! Engraved cufflinks are great gifts for the groom, but also make a fashionable statement for the entire male contingent of the wedding party. Treat your buddies to a nice pair of engraved cufflinks; we have dozens of pairs that make thoughtful groomsmen gifts he’ll wear on your big day and beyond.
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30 Tips for Crashing Weddings
Crashing weddings has become a sport with some guys. If you havenÍt heard the term or seen the movie, Wedding Crashers, the phrase means attending the wedding reception of a total stranger without an invitation. Crashing weddings is reasonably easy; all you have to do is get out of your sweat pants and put on a sports jacket, grab a few friends, and cruise the ballrooms of swanky hotels or well-known wedding venues on a Saturday night looking for wedding crasher heaven _ an open bar, endless buffet and a bevy of bridesmaids and female guests without dates. You donÍt even have to bring a wedding gift; but, of course, it would be thoughtful if you did! Technically it is not illegal to crash a wedding; however, if it is on private property, you would be trespassing and may be asked to leave if discovered. And, making a nuisance of yourself anywhere could be considered disorderly conduct. Read our rules below on crashing weddings, and, if you dare, try it out. But, really weÍre just having some fun here. Never leave a fellow crasher behind. Never use your real name. Never confess. Blend in by standing out. If anyone asks, youÍre a distant relative of a dead cousin. Offer a toast, with a wine glass in hand, to the bride and groom. If you get outed, leave calmly. DonÍt run. If anyone asks what you gave as a wedding gift, say it is a big surprise being delivered when they get back from the honeymoon. Bring your own emergency rations in a flask, but donÍt over imbibe. A drunken crasher gets caught. Create a buzz word for an emergency situation that your fellow crashers will know. Never overtly flirt with the bride. Always ñbe thereî for the bridesmaids. At the ceremony, sit in the 5th row. ItÍs close enough that youÍll look like an invited guest. If anyone asks, you forgot your invitation in a rush to get to the wedding on time. Make sure all the women there know youÍve just suffered a terrible breakup. Get choked up during the service, youÍll appear sensitive. Always juggle the bride with the groom, do not speak to them while they are together. Dance with the brideÍs grandmother, but not her mother. Work into conversation, ñI made a mint in real estate, but can money really buy happiness?î Keep interactions with parents of the bride to a minimum. Hungry? Tables farthest from the kitchen always get served first. Stay clear of the wedding planner who might recognize you from another wedding. If asked, youÍre from out of town. Large weddings are easier to crash than small weddings. Dress for the occasion, with cufflinks, a tie and the works _ and always use your best manners. Never sit in the back row; youÍll appear to be up to no good. Always let your fellow wedding crashers introduce themselves. Carry an assortment of place cards and make one for the table, if needed. Know when to abandon ship if the crash starts to fail. And, to repeat, never EVER use your real name!
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Wild Nights - Celebrity Bachelor Parties
When you're a celebrity, everyone knows nearly every step you take. You can't go into grocery story without a photo popping up that shows your cart filled with Cheetos and beer. You have to sneak in the back door of your dermatologist in order to keep denying you use Botox. You canÍt take the trash can to the curb in your boxers without appearing next week in gossip magazines. But, not too many regular Joes feel sorry for the A-listers; celebrities get paid handsomely and being in the public eye comes along with the profession. So, as you would expect, a celebrity groomÍs bachelor party is also fair fodder for public consumption. With deep wallets and tons of money to pull out all the stops, celebrity bachelor parties range from memorable, shameful to downright scandalous. We don't know exactly what happened during Prince Andrew's bachelor party, but afterward, Fergie, Duchess of York, and her about-to-be sister-in-law, Princess Diana, dressed up as policemen and waiting at the entrance to Buckingham Palace to 'welcome' him after his big night. Now this is a funny gift for the groom from the bride; at least Randy Andy had a sense of humor. The first marriage of television host, Mario Lopez, only lasted two weeks. Perhaps it was because that he admitted to cheating on his bride-to-be, Ali Landry, during his 2004 spring break bachelor party in Mexico. He was just supposed to be Marlin fishing, but apparently got caught up in the revelry. Apparently, not long after they said their 'I do's', Landry saw an incriminating photo of Lopez and had the marriage annulled. Paris Latsis, Greek shipping heir once engaged to Paris Hilton in 2005, also got dumped for cheating on his bride right before the wedding. At the time, Hilton didnÍt elaborate on her reasons for calling off the engagement, but later hinted that his indiscretion was the reason their whirlwind romance went kaput. We know the guys in his wedding party must have been bummed not to get their awesome groomsmen gifts; the guy is loaded! This may be shocking, but Russell Brand, the actor/musician with a notorious background as a partier, had a reportedly 'civilized' stag party. The recovering addict just said 'no' to drugs, alcohol and other controlled substances. Instead, the agenda for BrandÍs bachelor party was a soccer match viewing followed by dinner in a fancy restaurant. The group did head to an exotic dancing club afterward, but witnesses report that the bachelor party was under control and very well behaved! Before Elton John and his long-time partner, David Furnish, wed, the pair hosted a luxurious, star-studded party that drew the likes of the Ozzy Ozbourne, Josh Harnett, Bryan Adams and Kid Rock. Even Bill Clinton was in attendance via video as he delivered a pre-recorded message of best wishes. Shirtless wait staff served champagne and nibbles and the next day, the flamboyant duo tied the knot in one of the first gay civil unions held in England. One wild bachelor party was the event hosted for Mike Fisher, singer Carrie UnderwoodÍs hockey-playing fianc_. His group of guys hit one of the hottest clubs in Miami for his June 2010 bachelor party. While reports say that Fisher stayed out of trouble, only nursing a couple drinks, many of the other guys in attendance took the revelry over the top. Bachelor parties were memorable, even back in the old days of Hollywood. In 1949, Jimmy Stewart had a scandalous shindig at the famous restaurant ChasenÍs in 1949. Apparently for part of the entertainment, Jerry Maren (who played a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz) put on a baby costume and was supposed to pee on Stewart. Another, little person was hired to call him Daddy. And this isnÍt all of the little pranks, other short-in-stature people jumped out of a silver serving dish to surprise Stewart!
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Kevin Durant Proposes to WNBA Girlfriend
Here at GroomStand.com, we have another Marrying Man of the Month for July. It looks like Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, Kevin Durant, has proposed to his girlfriend, Monica Wright on July 6th. The couple has lots in common, especially shared love for professional basketball. Wright plays the position of guard the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx and the two even met in 2006 after the McDonald’s High School All-American Game. Awww, they’re high school sweethearts but all this time they have kept their relationship fairly quiet! Many of you guys know how awesome of a basketball player Durant is. However, Wright is a superstar in her own right. Standing 5-foot and11 inches tall, the bride-to-be was the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft. This season, she is averaging 9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. Who of you can compete with that? Can you even imagine what sort of basketball dynasty this couple will have if they have children?! So, in honor of this basketball ball playing couple, we’d like to share some of the great personalized gifts we have in stock that honor the sport. Basketball has become such a popular sport in the US, second only to football. That’s why we’re pretty sure that the guys in your wedding party would be very excited to receive a “hoops’ inspired groomsmen gift or best man gift. And, so would junior helpers in your wedding; we suggest giving your ring bearer his own kid-sized basketball to use before and after the ceremony to burn up his extra energy. For fans of collegiate basketball, we have personalized locker room prints that will make any guy stand up and cheer. These school-spirited gifts for groomsmen feature the recipient’s name emblazoned right on the back of a game-day jersey in team colors. What a winning way to thank your friends for standing by your side in the wedding (and throughout all the years). Wherever hung, whether in a game room or man cave, glory days and good times will long be remembered. Our “take a seat anywhere” chair also makes a sure-to-score choice in groomsmen gifts. Buddies will enjoy the style and support these portable chairs offer, the support will make any game-watching experience much more enjoyable. These fold-up seats are fantastic for basketball, but also useful in the bleachers anywhere including little league baseball and soccer games. Plus, with a name personalization, giving these gifts shows that you went the extra mile in making the gesture special for the recipient. For the guys who like to actually play basketball, our personalized sports duffle bag makes a useful groomsmen gift that is likely to be used day in and day out, practice after practice. A separate zippered section partitions shoes from the main cargo area and there are plenty of other pockets for gear. Make these best man gifts and groomsmen gifts unique by having the recipient’s three initials embroidered in contrast thread on the side. So who is your favorite basketball team in the NBA or collegiate sports? Let us know in the comments below.
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Matt Lanter Gets Hitched with The Force
Even if you won’t cop to watching the CW’s ‘90210,' a modern-day remake of the Nineties teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210.” you may be interested to know that one of the series’ actors recently got hitched – and it had an interested twist aside from the dapper dressing with engraved cufflinks! Matt Lanter, who played Liam Court in the television hit, married Angela Stacy this past June 2013 at the Calimigos Ranch in Malibu, California. So, in an entertainment-overload world packed with celebrity weddings, why does this guy’s day catch our attention enough to name him Marrying Man of the Month for http://www.branddepot.com/collections/groomstand/? Well, the actor, who also voiced the character Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” added some touches from a galaxy far, far away to his big day! The bride allowing any reference to Star Wars in a wedding, in our opinion, is an awesome groom gift and great way to kick off an out-of-this world marriage! As the couple walked into their wedding reception, the theme music from “Star Wars” was queued for the big entrance. We think it would have been cool if they walked under a tunnel of upheld light sabers in the style of swords held up at military weddings! Additionally, a mini-battalion of Storm Troopers dressed in full regalia greeted guests at the reception and posed for party pictures at this ultimate alliance of love. While the sci-fi love was in the air, it wasn’t all things Star Wars, from start to finish. While we would have loved to see the guests dance to the beat of the Mos Eisly Cantina and the newlyweds to zip off on their honeymoon in a fully-loaded pod racer, that wasn’t the earthly reality. But, still, we think the wedding is a great example of how a groom can highlight his personality during an event that often focuses on the bride (stuff can get a little feminine, right?). Sources also report that the wedding reception tent had a separate section, away from the frilly-flowered dining tables, that was set up with a lounge. We suspect that the leather couch and ottoman décor was a tribute to the groom and a place where he, his groomsmen and other male guests could hang out for some “guy time.” This “lounge” idea is becoming very popular at wedding receptions and offers the guys a respite from the high-heel, hydrangea bouquet carrying crowd. If you are considering such a manly hangout for your own big day, a groom lounge is the perfect place for you and the groomsmen to smoke a few cigars, throw back a few shots of whisky and banter about the good ole days of bachelorhood. Don’t miss featuring a mini whiskey barrel on the bar dispensing your own personal flavor creation, this oak-infusing incubator for your own bottle of booze will be a huge hit (makes great groomsmen gifts as well). To prevent unsightly ashes and stay in good with the bride on your wedding night, also set out a number of our elegant walnut cigar ashtrays in the groom’s lounge. Of course, it almost goes without saying, these cigar accessories make quite sensible yet still sophisticated personalized best man gifts and groomsmen gifts. Have you ever been to a themed wedding? Or, are YOU having a themed wedding? Let us know the details in the comment section below.
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Take My Wife (Please) and Other Marriage Advice
Getting married? In addition to being bestowed with wedding gifts, I bet youÍve heard your fair share of advice from well-meaning family and friends. From ñItÍs okay to argue, but donÍt go to sleep angryî to ñremember to always put the seat down on the toilet,î most marriage advice is well meaning and on point. Some advice is truly a valuable gift for the groom and heeding it can save you tons of heartache and money! Sometimes a witty piece of advice might stay in your memory longer or a funny joke about marriage _ even though you might not share those exact sentiments about marriage, something in the saying really resonates with you. Here are some of our favorite wedding, marriage and love inspired sayings (some serious, some silly) from celebrities and famous people: Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot. --Groucho Marx I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. --Groucho Max In Hollywood, brides keep the bouquets and throw away the groom. --Groucho Marx A man in love is incomplete until he is married. Then he's finished. --ZaZa Gabor Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love. --Albert Einstein Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can't sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can't sleep with the window open. --George Bernard Shaw Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. --Katherine Hepburn Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century. --Mark Twain Bigamy is having one husband or wife too many. Monogamy is the same. --Oscar Wilde Men always want to be a woman's first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man's last romance. --Oscar Wilde Never marry for money. Ye'll borrow it cheaper. --Scottish Proverb We have a couple of rules in our relationship. The first rule is that I make her feel like sheÍs getting everything. The second rule is that I actually do let her have her way in everything. And, so far, itÍs working. --Justin Timberlake There are two things for a marriage to be good. One is to work hard on it. The other one is to marry above you. And I succeeded at both of those. --Ben Affleck It's confusing. I've had so many wives and so many children that I don't know which hose to go first on Christmas. --Mickey Rooney Marriage is about the most expensive way for the average man to get laundry done. --Burt Reynolds Getting married is a lot like getting into a tub of hot water. After you get used to it, it ainÍt so bad. --Minnie Pearl The man who says his wife can't take a joke, forgets that she took him. _ Oscar Wilde I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. _Rita Rudner My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met. _ Rodney Dangerfield Take my wife. Please. _ Rodney Dangerfield Marriage is an institution, but who wants to live in an institution? -- Groucho Marx Have you heard a great piece of love, wedding or marriage advice? Let us know in the comments below:
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Matt Damon Renews Vows in Wedding Sequel
You may already know that action movie star Matt Damon, of Bourne Identity and OceanÍs Eleven fame, has been married for seven years. But, Damon and his wife of seven years, Luciana, renewed their wedding vows in the middle of April this year. For their original wedding in 2005, the two planned to marry in Miami during the winter holidays in 2005. But, after the event was leaked to the media (thatÍs a terrible gift for the groom and bride), the couple worried that a frenzy of helicopters and meddling paparazzi would ruin the day, so instead they ran off to city hall in NYC. The primary reason the two made the public statement of commitment again was due to their desire to have their respective families hear the vows, not a repeat of wedding gifts as might be my motivation. Although serious about the sentiments, Damon made a light joke of the vows saying that ñIt's nice to say your vows in front of family. That's the point of taking the vows. These are people who will hold you to them. One of my vows was I gave her the side of the bed closer to the bathroom. And if I don't stick to that, I'm gonna hear about that from my mom, brother and father." So on April 13, the pair made sure their plans would remain private by renting out the entire Sugar Island Bead Resort on the island of St. Lucia. For the wedding re-do, Damon and his wife were able to repeat their vows in in the presence of all their loved ones. Jimmy Kimmel actually officiated the ceremony and celebrity friends including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Chelsea Clinton and Chris Hemsworth were also in attendance. We are assuming that Damon and LucianaÍs three daughters along with her daughter from another marriage were also part of the wedding entourage. Vow renewals have become very popular with celebrities and ñregularî people alike. The ceremony is a reaffirmation of the coupleÍs love and commitment to each other that can be shared and celebrated with family and friend. Couples may choose to renew vows only once in a lifetime, perhaps on a landmark anniversary or others may choose to renew vows on a more regular basis. An American couple from Tennessee holds the Guinness Book of World Records for vow renewals, remarrying each other 100 times since their original union in 1982! If you are having an all-out vow renewal ceremony, you may be having groomsmen stand at your side _ either the old originals or new buddies. Regardless of the case, a meaningful choice in groomsmen gifts will show that you appreciate their friendship and support of your marriage. Groomstand.com has a wide selection of groomsmen gifts for gentlemen of all ages and interests, from executive gifts for groomsmen they can display on an office desk to leisure-inspired groomsmen gifts that can be enjoyed in down time. Regardless of the selection, heÍll be reminded of your vow renewal and friendship each time the best man gift or groomsman gift is used. Okay, this is a little off topic, but weÍre movie fans _ what has been your favorite Matt Damon movie of all time? Let us know in the comments below:
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Getting Married in Vegas
Getting married in Las Vegas is a great option for couples looking to get hitched quickly but without the dull ambiance of a hometown justice of the peace. For folks who don’t want a lot of fuss and family, a Vegas wedding is one of the best wedding presents ever! There is no waiting period or blood test required to get a marriage license in Nevada which means that long-time lovebirds or even those who have just recently met can be married quicker than you can say “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.” With more than 315 marriages performed per day, Las Vegas has become known as the Wedding Capital of the World and its booming wedding industry is second only to gambling. Popular places to get married are the Little White Wedding Chapel or the Graceland Wedding Chapel, both with drive-thru options. Even though it’s super-easy to say “I do,” you and your significant other do need to come armed with a little bit of information (and be at least 18 or have written guardian permission). For example, both parties will need to show up with valid, original, certified copies of personal identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued identification card, a birth certificate, military ID, or a passport. The Clerk's Office may also accept student ID cards, prison-issued ID cards, and foreign birth certificates that have been translated into English. If divorced, you will also need to know the details of the final decree including as the exact date and jurisdiction of the divorce; however, you don’t need to have the actual paperwork. You also will need to know your social security numbers to write down on the Affidavit of Application for Marriage and come with $60 to cover the cost of the license. There will be other expenses for the venue, witnesses, an officiant, tuxedo and gown rental and so on but these costs are still extremely cheap when compared to a traditional wedding. For many, getting married in Las Vegas is the cool thing to do, it certainly seems like tons of celebrities have tied the knot here. Now, whether these have been long and lasting relationships is another story. One of the shortest lasting marriages was the one between Britney Spears and her childhood friend Jason Alexander. The two got married on a whim in Las Vegas but ultimately annulled the union 55 hours later. Another marriage that didn’t stick much past a week was the one between Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman, the deal was annulled 9 days later – perhaps because Dennis was the one wearing the dress! Another hookup that lasted less than a season was the marriage of Pamela Anderson and longtime Rick Salomon, they said “I do” at the Mirage Hotel but then decided “We don’t” two months later. Other Vegas marriages that didn’t last include 2 years for Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, 2 years for Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thorton, 4 years for Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, 13 years for Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. Melanie Griffith and Don Jonson actually got married in Las Vegas in 1976 and then called it quits 6 months later only to reunite in 1989 and stay married for another six years. But, believe it or not, some celebrity Vegas weddings have actually had some staying power. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped to Las Vegas in 1996 and remain happily married with children to this day. During the heyday of his heartthrob status in 1989, Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley in Vegas and the pair remains together to this day. But, probably the record goes to Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward who were united in holy matrimony in Sin City and remained together in a loving relationship until his death 50 years later. If you are planning a Vegas wedding, Groomstand.com has lots of memorabilia that will help you commemorate the event. Vegas bachelor party t-shits make a great souvenir for your buddies as you all make merry through the strip on the night before your wedding. Plus, if you get too drunk, these groomsmen gifts “label” each guy with his respective role in the wedding – this makes sure the “right man,” not the “best man” is getting married! Another fun Vegas groomsmen gift idea is personalized prints and signs that feature the iconic welcome sign for this city. If you are getting married in Vegas, let us know in the comments below! Will you “drive-thru” or have a more formal event in one of the hotels?
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