You Know a Groom Planned the Wedding When . . .

. . . . instead of tuxedos and bowties, the male wedding entourage shows up in casual Friday attire. And by casual Friday attire, we mean casual Friday at the gym – sweatpants, sneakers, and yesterday’s whiskers. Those with more groomed whiskers may have used their newly acquired shave sets (great groomsmen gifts) and sculpted out some mutton chops or a Fu Manchu especially for the occasion. . . . . to satisfy the bride, the event is decked out in a unifying color theme; a color theme that suspiciously resembles that of the groom’s Alma mater or favorite football team. Another dead giveaway is that beverages are being serving in personalized beer mugs with NFL logos. . . . the sit-down reception dinner has been replaced with a buffet of beef jerky, nachos, pizza and all-you-can-drink beer from a keg, or better from aluminum cans. Many of the guys are enjoying their useful groomsmen gifts, a Joe Six-Pack beer belt which will hold a half-dozen vessels of the precious liquid conveniently on person. … Instead of having the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” playing as the wedding processional, the groom requests AC/DC’s “A Whole Lot of Rosie,” or something else completely awesome but oh-so inappropriate. . . . . rather than passing out traditional groomsmen gifts that recipient’s would take home, the groom offers a standing invitation (much to the bride’s horror) to his wedding attendants to drop by his man cave anytime of the day or night to take shots from their personalized flasks and shooter glasses that will be permanently housed at the newlywed’s home. . . . . wedding invitations are not engraved on heavy cardstock, do not feature fancy salutations, or bear romantic “Love” stamps. In the name of efficiency, a group email or text would be issued a few days before the Big Day. Or maybe just a Facebook status update. . . . instead of after dinner waltzing and assorted line dances, the groom and his buddies will have the dance floor turned into a basketball court, mosh pit or wide open are for some other testosterone-infused entertainment. . . . .rather than throwing rice, birdseed or blowing bubbles as the newlyweds make their getaway, the groom will have planned an impressive pyrotechnics show. Hey, sometimes you have to go big.

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Horse Drawn Carriage Rides for Christmas Wedding

Guys, one of the most romantic things you can do is arrange for a horse-drawn carriage ride as party of the wedding festivities, perhaps after the reception as you make your newlywed getaway under the sparkling lights of the city or twinkling stars of the country. ItÍs even a festive way to make a grand entrance to the wedding with the bride and groom in one carriage and paired up groomsmen and bridesmaids in subsequent carriages. Arranging for a surprise carriage ride also makes a grand gesture as gifts from the groom to the bride and also a good place to pop the question if youÍre not already married. In New York City, the quintessential ride winds around Central Park and will set you back about $150 for a 45 minute ride, well worth it for the memory. But, the Big Apple isnÍt the only place you can be hauled around behind horses, there are usually horse and carriage companies in nearly every big city in the downtown area as well as in quaint, historic smaller towns and even mountain resort destinations. In fact, at some in some of the ski towns, you can actually arrange to have a sleigh pull you around over the snow; canÍt you just hear the sleigh bells jingling?! If you have a destination bachelor party planned, hit the ski slopes by day and then head into down for dinner via carriage and set up the guys with the perfect choice in groomsmen gifts _ personalized flasks filled with a bit of something to warm up with. We have some tips to remember when planning a horse-drawn carriage ride. First, many carriage operators will not take the horses out for rides in extreme weather, youÍre usually safe between 20 degrees and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in the summer, it could get cool in the evening, so bring your own blankets if youÍd rather not use the ones provided (if even provided). DonÍt be loud or act teasingly to the horse and whatever you do, donÍt feed the horse -- remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer fed Beefarino to the horse and the situation got a little smelly?! Bring your camera to have the driver photograph you, and speaking of the driver, donÍt forget to tip him.

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Three Seasonal Drinks for your Holiday Bachelor Party

If you are getting hitched in December or January, it’s time to celebrate. Whether it’s a bachelor party, guy’s weekend away, or the rehearsal dinner, serving up delicious drinks inspired by the winter season are sure to put folks in a festive mood. Forget about the old and overdone drinks, such as eggnog or hot toddies; we have three unique options (and the appropriate glassware) that will have the groomsmen and guests toasting your good tastes. Oh, and here’s a little hint; a set of personalized barware or engraved beer mugs always makes a welcomed choice in groomsmen gifts. Christmas Snow: This drink is rich, creamy and sure to satisfy everyone in the crowd. In a cocktail shaker, add 1 ounce of light Puerto Rican rum, 1/2 ounce Galliano, 1/4 ounce Rose’s unsweetened lime juice, and 1 ounce of heavy cream. Shake well with ice cubes and serve in claret or large cocktail glass. If desired, sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts on top. Three Wise Men: This is a seriously stout drink that will sprout a little more hair on your chest. Not much to mixing this shooter up, just mix together equal parts of Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Johnnie Walker whiskey into a large shot glass and slam. The Royal Winter Martini: Mix together 2 ounces of Crown Royal and 1 ounce of Dry Vermouth in a martini shaker filled with ice. Add lemon zest to a classic martini glass and pour cold martini into barware. Enjoy! To create the right ambiance, hang our martini lounge personalized sign nearby (and give others as groomsmen gifts).

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Aging Whiskey At Home, Worth the Wait

Yo, ho, ho and a barrel of booze! Grooms who enjoy the deep, mellow taste of barrel-aged alcohol and have a 'do-it-yourself' attitude are going to love our latest find, personalized whiskey mini-barrels! Fill 'em up with your favorite spirit such as whiskey, rum, tequila, wine and even plain ole moonshine and then just kick back and wait for the magical process to begin. You'll hardly be able to wait and share your new secret recipe with bachelor party revelers or wedding reception guests. Plus, when given as groomsmen gifts, the guys are literally and figuratively going to be intoxicated by your gesture. Made completely from American white oak (except for the steel hardware), these whiskey barrels 'breathe' to allow the alcohol to seep into the medium charred interior and become infused with the rich, deep flavors and aromas inherent to the timber. Age your liquor as long as you like, anywhere from three weeks to three years is common! If you've heard that some fine whiskies are aged for decades, they are - although Jack Daniels is only aged about four years. However, a nice perk of these mini-barrels is that the aging process is put on fast-forward because there is a higher spirit-to-wood ratio than found in those huge barrels. These groomsmen gifts will give your best man and other wedding attendants something to look forward to once your wedding extravaganza has come to the end. After a pal gets his own personal barrel set up at home (some prep required, instructions included), all he needs to do is pour his un-aged spirit into the barrel and wait. Waiting for these barrels to do their thing may sound like waiting for grass to grow - but, it's actually much more entertaining because there are 'quality control' issues that need attending. Every so often, the contents will need to be tasted and evaluated to determine if the flavor is on target. It's not uncommon for about 25-percent of the whiskey to disappear over the aging process. Professionals call this the 'angel's share' and it is a combination of evaporation, absorption into the wood and, ahem, quality control samples. So, if you're looking for unique groomsmen gifts, these baby-sized barrels (1-liter, 2-liter and 3-liter) are definitely going to deliver full-sized enjoyment. Not only a new productive pastime for the recipient, but when displayed on the included stand, a handsome focal point in a home bar or man cave - especially when burnished with a personalized name, initials or special message. Another groomsmen gift idea to go along with these barrels - a personalized flask to carry his at-home aged spirits wherever he goes!

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A Manly Winter Recipe - Whiskey Barrel Aged Wassail

Colder weather means it’s time for a hot beverage and wassail is a popular choice during the yuletide. This old English drink is historically made from mulled cider along with an infusion of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and other spices. Today’s wassail recipes have evolved, often beginning with a base of wine, juice or ale and punched up with brandy or sherry. Keeping these traditions in mind, http://www.branddepot.com/collections/groomstand/ has a delicious wassail recipe that we’ve created for one of our popular groomsmen gifts (which also makes a great Christmas gift, by the way) – the Personalized Mini Whiskey Barrel. These scaled-down oak barrels with a medium char are made to hold your favorite liquors and mingle them with the flavor of the wood in a fraction of the time that it takes the distiller (thanks to a better liquor-to-wood surface ratio). Our mini-barrels are not just great groomsmen gifts, they also make top-notch gifts for men and are available in 1, 2 and 3-liter sizes, depending on the recipient’s propensity to imbibe. Each comes with a display stand and complementary personalization burnished into the wood. Mini Whiskey Barrel Aged Wassail 1 liter red wine 1 cup pomegranate juice ½ cup brandy 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg 2 cinnamon sticks 18 whole cloves 1 orange sliced and halved, peel on 1 lemon sliced and halved, peel on Combine first 7 ingredients in the barrel (2-liter size). Let mixture mellow for 2-3 weeks, tasting every day for quality control and “doneness.” The mini barrel adds flavor to the wine and the additional ingredients round out the overall taste and ambiance of the libation, it’s time to finish the recipe when you think it tastes rich and well-mingled – it’s totally subjective. Pour mixture over a cheesecloth or fine strainer into a large pot; add orange and lemon slices. Heat wassail on the stove top over medium-low until warmed through (don’t boil). Serve while still hot in mugs.

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Groomsmen Gifts for an Epic Alpine Adventure

Soon the slopes will be in full swing with skiers and snowboarders shredding it up during daylight and partying down in town after hours. An all-guy getaway to the mountains makes the perfect bachelor party; it’s equal parts adrenaline-packed action mixed with no-nagging relaxation. So if you have a winter wedding planned, consider a weekend trip to a ski resort as your final destination as a single dude – there are many awesome resorts in the country that offer a great nightlife scene as well. Don’t forget to treat your pals to groomsmen gifts that fit the occasion, here are a few of our favorite ski and snowboard trip-inspired best man gifts and groomsmen gifts: Personalized flask: You can’t expect a guy to wait until he gets to the lodge to enjoy a little adult libation – if you all are hitting the double diamonds, you can call having a sip of spirits “ liquid courage.” An engraved flask featuring the recipient’s initials makes a quite useful choice in groomsmen gifts and can be tucked into a ski jacket for enjoyment all day. Personalized bota bag: Similar to the concept of carrying around a flask, the bota bag is an old-world style vessel that is ready to hold wine or other alcoholic beverages. A great choice in groomsman gifts for the guy who would rather drink wine than beer. Ergonomically kidney-shaped the strap is meant to be work around the neck and under one shoulder so that it comfortable rests on your side. When your thirst beckons, just take a refreshing swing out of the spigot. Cabin series pokerset: When the bachelor party ends up back at the hotel or cabin, poker or other card games are always an entertaining way to hang out into the wee hours. Present your wedding attendants with their own rustic-look poker set that features a wood-finish exterior customized with the recipient’s name and an outdoorsy design. Inside, all the requisite gear needed to play poker is packed neatly away. Personalized ski lodge sign: Capturing spirit of snow sport enthusiasts everywhere, this vintage-look custom sign features a graphic of a skier catching air straight off the summit. A welcoming touch for any room, especially a cabin, the recipient’s name is personalized on the front with an invitation to warm up. Every buddy will love these home souvenirs from a ski trip that will not be long forgotten!

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Wine-Inspired Gifts for the Holidays

Wine gifts have long been a popular choice for the bride and groom to give their respective wedding attendants as a ñthank youî for participating in the Big Day. Even if your ceremony isnÍt until next season, youÍll appreciate the impressive array of tasteful wine gifts for men and women at Groomstand.com. Recent demographic have shown that the consumption of vino is fairly evenly split among the sexes; the category of ñcore wine drinkers,î with ñcoreî meaning consumer who drink least one glass of wine per week, is 53 percent of women and 47 percent of men. Wine gifts are obviously bound to please connoisseur-type couples and make thoughtful gifts for the host and hostess for all those Christmas, New YearÍs Eve and other holiday parties youÍll be attending. Here are some sensibly sophisticated gifts for men and women, inspired by the great grape: Personalized Wine Box: If you have a favorite vintage of wine and would like to share it with friends this holiday, our wooden wine box makes a classy presentation. Each box holds a standard 750ml bottle of vino and the slide-off lid may be personalized with up to two lines of text such as ñMerry Christmas from the The Smith Family.î Counter Balance Wine Bottle Holder: For an out-of-the-ordinary Christmas gift for wine enthusiast, this seemingly magic accessory sits on the counter and suspends a standard bottle in mid-air. Really itÍs just the simple science of counter-balance, but impressive none-the-less! Crafted from wood with a natural finish, this useful and unique gift for men and women who love wine may be engraved with a single initial. Buono Vino Wine Stopper: For those times the bottle canÍt be drained, this contemporary cap is a fantastic way to seal up and preserve the contents. The silver-coated brass stopper with a rubber bottom pops right in the top of the wine bottle and features a clever indention meant to hold the original cork. For that finishing touch, the recipientÍs three-initial monogram may be engraved on the top. Wine LoverÍs Cufflinks: Wherever he goes, these oenophile-inspired accessories sparkle as tastefully as expensive champagne on his cuffs. Plated in high-shine rhodium, these cufflinks are different by design _ one looks like a wine bottle and other a corkscrew. These wine-themed cufflinks make a tasteful holiday gift that he (or she) will enjoy wearing all the year round.

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Possible Celebrity Weddings This Winter

The summer isn’t the only season for celebrity weddings, late fall and winter are also popular times for A-listers to tie the knot. Of course, the latest big stars to get married are Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel who wed in the Italian countryside in October of 2012. Other engaged celebrity couples who are rumored to be getting married in the near future are Britney Spears and her former manager Jason Trawick, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, and Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb. Looks like quite a few sexy screen sirens are about to be taken off the market! The details of celebrity weddings are often kept hush-hush; often guests and vendors even have to sign confidentiality statements. So, unless a famous guy specifically states what he gave for groomsmen gifts, it’s really just speculation. However, we’ve read that Prince William gave his groomsmen personalized poker sets to honor their friendship, but we’re not sure if this is quite royal enough to be true! Groomstand.com does have a wide array of best man gifts and groomsmen gifts that are classy and cutting-edge enough for a celebrity (and you!) to present to best buds. Ever since the Rat Pack days, engraved cufflinks have been a must-have on the sleeves of those who like to be seen out on the VIP scene. From traditional cufflinks to those more modern, we’ve got just the pair to suit every guy in your wedding day lineup. Another choice for awesome groomsmen gifts includes a cigar humidor, either a more causal one that feature a favorite hobby or sport on the lid or one that is first-class all the way and worthy of sitting on the movie mogul’s desk.

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Personalized Flasks Have Celebrity Fans

By George, weÍll drink to that! Just leave it to those fun-loving celebrities to show us, the thirsty masses, an under-cover way to liven up a potentially boring formal affair. Whether you are walking down the red carpet or down the wedding aisle, carrying the coolest of personalized flasks in your coat jacket will serve you well in so many ways. Not only will you have a pint-sized pour of your favorite beverage on hand at all times, youÍll look quite sophisticated in an A-list sort of way when you so casually and charismatically pull the vessel from your pocket. DonÍt let the party stop in your tuxedo pocket; share the liquid festivities by treating each of your friends to one of his very own groomsmen flasks. A tasteful statement of friendship, especially when you pick out groomsmen flasks that are crafted with the recipientÍs personality in mind. At leather-wrapped flasks, sleek stainless-steel flasks, and even personalized flasks with cigar storage. And, with a classy monogram or name engraved upon each one, you are sure to be the topic of many pre-swig toasts _ ñand hereÍs to the groom who has shown me how to hold my liquorî! But what good are groomsmen flasks if there is nothing inside to send down the hatch? Sure you can top them off with old-school standards such as plain whiskey, rum or gin. But if you really want to make your groomsmen feel like the stars of the night, fill your personalized flasks up with alcoholic concoctions that youÍve mixed up beforehand. Mixing flask cocktails actually has a long history, from the mid-1800s to the 1960s, many popular libations such as gimlets, Manhattans and Sazeracs were sold pre-made in bottles _ today even the Margarita and Mojita come ready to walk out the door in glass bottles. Experienced flask mixologists recommend beginning your drink recipe with 3 ounces of a primary spirit and 1 once of a modifier; depending on your flask size, you can adjust the ratio. With this base you can add other ingredients, if desired such as a flavored simple syrup. A hint though, donÍt use egg whites in your drink, they tend to break down in the flask. In the same vein, citrus juices are not the best fit for a metal flask because you tend to give off that ñtinnyî aftertaste. Since you have a limited amount of room in the flask, experts also suggest not adding too much filler _ go as ñhigh-octaneî as possible!

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What to Stash in a Keepsake Box

Ah, the paradox of time. Time is free, but itÍs priceless. You canÍt own time, but you can use it. You canÍt keep time, but you can spend it. And, once youÍve lost time, you can never get it back. Never do any of these words of wisdom make more sense than when you embark on a new journey in life, especially a groom as he gets married. If youÍve started any of the wedding planning, you must know how much time is a gift for the groom! And, while you canÍt stop time, but you can keep mementoes from special occasions to help you remember the past. This sort of personal collecting will give you a source of joy and a big smile each time you revisit your special things throughout the years. The ideal place to keep such valuable treasures is in a keepsake box. At Groomstand.com, we have quite a few handsome options for your choosing. For example, our personalized cherry keepsake box is made from quality hardwood with a sliver plate to accommodate the engraving of a name and date. And, remember, these keepsake boxes make excellent groomsmen gifts for all the important men in your wedding. This is by no means a defining list, but below are a few ideas of what to store away in a keepsake box. Plane tickets, souvenirs and snapshots from your honeymoon Letters, cards or poems a loved one has given you Ticket stubs and programs from sporting or cultural events Family heirlooms such as photos of ancestors, family keepsakes Important jewelry such as a class ring, a fraternity pin or personalized cufflinks Something a family member handmade for you Items from your childhood such as photos, report cards, special trinkets Important ñguyî collections like baseball cards or beer bottle caps

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Trends in Groomsmen Attire

With all eyes on the bride, many grooms and groomsmen discount the importance of their appearance during the wedding festivities. Even though your eyes might be affixed on your stunning wife-to-be and your groomsmen may be ogling the bridesmaids, donÍt overlook the fact that plenty of other people will be focused on the style of the groom and his wedding posse. Here are some stand-out groomsmen attire trends for your stand-up guys: Bow Tie Be Gone: Many of todayÍs modern groomsmen are opting out of the traditional bow tie when it comes to the formal tuxedo look. Experts in the tux industry say that men are choosing long ties, such as cravats, in lieu of the classic bow tie. A thoughtful choice in inexpensive groomsmen gifts would be to gift each personalized tie clip to wear with their wedding ensemble. Tossing the Tux: In other weddings, grooms have given their groomsmen the exciting news that a tuxedo is not needed for the big day. Instead, a more casual and contemporary look is trending this year such as coordinating everyone in matching khakis and sports jackets and adding a unifying touch such as matching pocket squares, ties or socks. Even snazzy groomsmen gifts that can be worn on your special day and for many years to come. For example, personalized cufflinks engraved with a monogram are the perfect pick for the executives in your line-up who are sure to wear them again to many important business meetings. Plus, if you get cufflinks that suit each recipientÍs personality, youÍll appear to be the thoughtful groom who doesnÍt give one-size-fit-all, cookie-cutter groomsmen gifts.

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Bachelor Party Scavenger Hunt for the Groom

The Bachelor Party Competition If you're looking to kick up the competition on your bachelor party night, a scavenger hunt just may be the answer. However, this isn't exactly the game from childhood that you may be remembering where finding a tame stuff from neighbors gets the win. Instead, create an epic party event that is half drinking game and half search for treasure, a combination that is sure to become stuff of legends with your groomsmen. Incorporate the search items all through the night, from the gathering and dinner to the bar and strip club (if this sort of entertainment is on the agenda). Each item on the list should be worth some predetermined amount of points (and reward shots of alcohol) and the winner gets bragging rights and immunity from having the photos shared. Of course, make sure that you have hired a car service or have a sober, designated driver. Don't forget to tie in awesome groomsmen gifts from GroomStand.com such as a stash of personalized flasks or bachelor party t-shirts. ​ Here are some hunt ideas to get you and your groomsmen started: Each married guest tells the groom most what he misses about being single, biggest sob story wins (let's see who is really being truthful). Find a woman willing to let you do a body shot on her (no pictures please). Find women with first names where the first letter spells out the name of the bride (eg: for the name Jenny find a Julie, Elizabeth, Nora, Natalie and Yvonne). Points for a harmless kiss from each girl). Points for every situation found where a man and woman are arguing. Points for every woman seen breaking a traffic law including talking on a cell phone. Bachelor takes a shot for every woman driver breaking some sort of a traffic law. Shots for any guy who receives a phone call or text from his significant other while out at the party. Points for getting a photographed hug from the most attractive waitress in the restaurant. Points for finding roads, stores and other landmarks that start with the first letter of the bride's name. As the groom, there are just a few things you need to worry about when it comes to your wedding. In order of importance, your groomsmen gifts, the bachelor party and oh, yeah showing up dressed to the nines. So start the planning process for your bachelor party scavenger hunt!

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