January 2008: Nicolas Sarkozy

Marrying Man of January: Nicolas Sarkozy It began with their first date, a fairytale trip to Disneyland Paris. Nine whirlwind weeks later, the supermodel kissed the handsome prez, and he went from "Bachelor President" to married man with a flick of the wand-ok, with a twenty minute ceremony held at the Presidential Office of the Elysee Palace. Bruni wore a gown worthy of France's First Lady, a white gown described as "ravishing as usual," according to the officiant, Paris's 8th Arrondissement Mayor Francois Lebel. He must be the Fairy God-Mayor. The guests were a mix of family, French showbiz elite, and fashion heavy hitters such as the CCO of Prada. No formal honeymoon is currently planned, but considering the high-profile couple spent their courtship jet-setting to Jordan and Egypt, we think a little local love nest time might be in order. What to get for the couple that has everything? These passport wallets make great wedding or groomsmen gifts for the next time wanderlust strikes. Think you've got what it takes? Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month! Or read the other submissions....er competition here

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February 2008: OASIS Singer has WonderWall Wedding to "Saint" Girlfriend

February's Marrying Man of the Month is none other than Liam Gallagher. The swoony British frontman of the band OASIS married his equally lyrical life partner, Nicole Appleton of All Saints girl band in a secret Valentine's Day ceremony this year.   The ceremony took place in London's Westminster Register Office, the same place Paul and Linda McCartney were married. Less than a dozen guests attended this elite event. Those that did were treated to a swank reception at Marleybone's five-star Landmark hotel after the wedding. Stand-out guests included Appleton's sister Natalie and her husband Liam Howlett of The Prodigy.   The pair has been together for eight years and has one six-year-old son Gene.   Congrats to another marriage made in music heaven.The happy couple will need something to contain that champagne supernova, so why not buy them these Personalized Toasting Glasses as wedding or groomsmen gifts.  

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February 2007: Four Across for Love

We've heard of treasure hunt groomsmen gifts, but this is the first time we've heard of a crossword puzzle proposal. Our incredibly romantic Mr. February Andy McCormick crafted a unique Christmas-time proposal for his crossword-loving lady. McCormick's self-created crossword was comprised of nostalgic clues about where the couple met and when they shared their first kiss. What began as a walk down memory lane quickly turned into something more as only four blank spaces remained. The possibility of a walk down the aisle, a shiny engagement ring, and a trove of groomsmen gifts hung in the balance as Mr. February sunk to solve. McCormick completed the puzzle and his proposal when he got down on one knee in the fancy Michigan Restaurant and filled in the final four clues, "Will you Marry Me?" As if this wasn't romantic enough in itself, McCormick's planning and personal touch is really what earned him the title of Marrying Man of the Month. For example, after McCormick found out that his girlfriend thought holiday proposals were too traditional, he arranged a private pre-Christmas celebration for two on Dec. 22 to catch her off guard. He also brought flowers and proposed at a beautiful restaurant called Mcamly Place in downtown Battle Creek. In fact, the scene of the Christmas lights, the cityscape and the happy couple was so romantic that even the waitress cried! Hmm, maybe McCormick will continue the festivities with a Christmas-themed engagement party and groomsmen gifts! This blend of tradition plus a few special touches all his own were enough to prove to us that though McCormick may be a crossword puzzle master, when it comes to romance, he's far from clueless. We've certainly featured elaborate proposals here in the past at Marrying Man, but this month's Mr. February is an inspiration that sometimes the best proposals are simply well-planned and personal. On that note, please check out our great selection of personalized groomsmen gifts.. This real-life proposal was selected from one of our many fine contest entries. Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month.

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December 2007: How to Marry a Billionaire

How to Marry a Billionaire In what can only be interpreted as a challenge for dedicated wedding crashers everywhere, Google co-founder Larry Page is set to wed his girlfriend Lucy Southworth in a top-secret ceremony about which we can only tell you the following things: it takes place the weekend of December 8th, and you'll need an international passport to get there. Guests will include Richard Branson, founder of the multi-billion dollar Virgin conglomerate, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and the only reason Al Gore can't make it is that he's accepting his Nobel Prize that weekend (he will still check in to offer his well wishes via video conferencing). So what are these soon-to-be newlyweds bringing to the table? Page brings business acumen and billions of dollars to this match, with Southworth offering the kind of mind befitting such a partnership - Southworth sports degrees from UPenn and Oxford, and she's currently in the Biomedical Informatics research department at Stanford University. All we ask is that Southworth and Page offset the Spears and Federline offspring of the world with some genius children of their own, and if they take after their pretty blonde mother, so much the better. Will this no-doubt grand affair match the excesses of Google co-founder and June 2008's Marrying Man of the Month Sergey Brin? Only time and tabloids will tell. Until next time, remember: the key to impressing ladies is being an actual genius. Think you've got what it takes? Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month! Or read the other submissions....er competition here

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August 2007: Football Star Scores Touchdown with Cheerleader Bride

Football Star Scores Touchdown with Cheerleader Bride Personalized jerseys as groomsmen gifts anyone? When the love of the game meets the love of your life, a proposal like this results: after coming into the Fiesta Bowl as the running back of the underdog Boise State Broncos, you score two points that win your team the game in the final minutes, clinching an undefeated season, and then you propose to your cheerleader girlfriend right there on national television. If you're Ian Johnson and Chrissy Popadics, this is your life, and a world of athletic-themed reception locales and groomsmen gifts are your oyster. This twosome decided to go traditional however, started out as friends before dating, and recently wedding in a traditional ceremony featuring the lighting of a unity candle and capped with the West African wedding tradition of jumping over a broom to symbolize sweeping away the past and jumping into a new life together. Johnson's Bronco teammates Tad Miller, Bush Hamdan and David Shields were the groomsmen - well, at least finding a NFL logo groomsmen gifts wasn't much of a challenge. Want to follow this sterling example of a sportsman? You don't have to be the star of the team to accomplish this proposal, but you can easily give it your own twist. Simply celebrate your next big accomplishment with your girl and propose while you're riding high, whether it's from a winning score or a brand new promotion. Tip: make sure to give themed groomsmen gifts to commemorate your triumph-and rub it in to your buddies just a little. For location, why not take that spirit of celebration along to a special dinner and pop the question over champagne? Make your next big accomplishment a happy married life - it's not a trophy you can display, but we think it's a pretty nice achievement anyway. Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month, or just shop around to see our great collection of personalized groomsmen gifts..

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April Marrying Man of the Month- Man offers TSA-Approved Marriage Proposal

By now, many men have experienced the minor annoyance of having their Gillette shave gel jacked or their Listerine nicked by unsmiling security forces at the airport gate. But those incidents pale into comparison to the woe of Aaron Tkachuck, whose perfect marriage proposal was foiled when a security guard spotted the diamond solitaire the man had concealed in his sock as he went through the security gate. The British Columbia man had spent months planning his perfect marriage proposal, a romantic Caribbean cruise where he would pop the question to his high-school sweetheart Jennifer Rubadeau on a moonlit walk on the beach on Valentines Day. Awww.It's the stuff romantic movies are made of, but Ashton Kutcher must have been hiding somewhere because the poor guy ended up trading moonlight for fluorescent terminal rays and cold concrete for creamy Caribbean sand as he gamely got on one knee and presented the beautiful white gold, diamond, and ruby ring to his bride right there at the gate, to the applause of airport security and other passengers. "I was going for the classic romance, but it turned out more romantic comedy," the good-humored groom commented. All is well that ends well though, as the proposal was accepted and the happy couple is getting married Aug. 3. Everyone dreams of a perfect proposal, but we like how Tcachuck rolled with the punches and still managed to make his proposal happen. Even though they didn't get lift-off, he still managed to land on his feet. If you're planning a destination proposal of your own, we suggest giving this charming diamond ring paperweight as a TSA-safe decoy, then replacing with the real thing when you reach your proposal spot. Brilliant!

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April 2007: Marriage Proposal in the House

Marriage Proposal in the House When two history buffs find love, only a history-making proposal will do. When Mr. April, east Texan Cody Terry wanted to propose to his girlfriend, he decided to combine the couple’s love of history and government with their love of each other - by giving the first marriage proposal ever in front of the entire House of Representatives. Terry knew only the most special proposal would do for his special lady. "Three days after we started dating, I could sense that she was the one," he said. Our Marrying Man of the Month made his dream proposal happen with a little help from his friends - who just happened to include his boss, Representative Hughes of Mineola, Texas. On the day of the proposal, Terry stood in front of the House of Representatives as Representative Hughes said that Cody had a very important question to ask. The rest, as they say, is history. "I hit the knee, I open the box.and I told her ‘I love you and Kendra, will you marry me?’" Terry recounted. Kendra was surprised, but after she pulled herself together she screamed yes, and House Speaker Craddick announced to the Members that they’d just all witnessed a first in the House. "I wanted her to be able to have a story that was unlike any other," said Terry. The couple weds in June. https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand congratulates them and suggests groomsmen gifts of handsome cufflinks - perfect for the sharp-dressed man with political sensibilities. Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month.

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What is your fortune?

Submitted on June 23, 2006 My proposal blew her and me away! I had the ring in my pocket and was planning on asking her sometime during the evening. We decided to eat dinner at the place we had our first date, P.F. Chang's. I was not planning on asking her at the restaurant, but the fortune cookies decided otherwise. Her fortune read, "Someone is holding a gift from you" and my fortune read, "Stop searching forever, happiness is right next to you". After I read that, I decided to get down on my knee and ask her in front of the entire restaurant. Think you've got what it takes to win the title SMarrying Man of the Month? Submit your story today!

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Weekend Getaway

Submitted on Oct 24, 2007 Written by Sarah (fiance): When I got home from work on Friday, Will had our suitcases packed and sitting by the door. He told me that we were going on a surprise weekend getaway. He had already arranged for the dog to be picked up, so we left about a minute after I got home. We took off driving (I had no idea where we were going), and he said we were going to be in the car for a long time, so maybe we could stop in Nashville for some dinner. So after dinner in Nashville he turned the wrong way out of the restaurant- when I pointed this out he said he was going to turn around, and turned into the parking lot of one of the nicest hotels in Nashville- The Lowe's Vanderbilt Plaza. But instead of turning around he valet parked! He explained that Nashville was the place where we met each other (when I was at Vanderbilt) and so he wanted to bring me back here. He then led me up to one of the best suites in the hotel- I felt like such a high-roller! We even had to enter in a special key card to make the elevator stop on our floor! The suite was awesome! It had a separate sitting room and bedroom, and was one of only 4 rooms in hotel that had a balcony, and of course, ours looked out onto the Nashville skyline! Sitting on the table in our room was a bouquet of calla lilies and roses that Will had delivered. The card read " Je t'aime", which means I love you in French. The special part about this message is that it is the same message that was on the very first bouquet of flowers that he sent me over 5 years ago! He also had champagne and strawberries with chocolate sent up! The next day (Saturday) he had massage therapists come up to our room and give us both massages (awesome!). Meanwhile, everyone in the hotel knew who he was- the kept greeting him by name everywhere we went, and we also had the car brought around to us every time we wanted to go out - It was so cool! That night I was looking for something to wear for dinner and since Will had packed my bag for me, I had nothing nice to wear. So when I asked Will what I should wear, he said that jeans were fine, and I didn't need any makeup. In my head I was thinking "where in the hell is he taking me for dinner??" After driving around Nashville, he pulls up to the South Street Original Crab Shack and Authentic Dive Bar- the place where we had our first date! I understood now why I didn't need to dress up!! So we walk into this totally laid back place where they don't accept reservations and where everyone is dressed in jeans and t-shirts, drinking beer, and eating oysters on their wooden tables. Up on the second floor there was one table that had a fancy black tablecloth on it with Pinot Noir, wine glasses, and candles (all stolen from the nice restaurant next door). About this time, I was beginning to get the sentimental picture- he brought me to Nashville because it was the city we met in, we stayed in the Lowe's Vanderbilt Hotel which is across from the where I lived when we first me, he sent me flowers that had the same message as the first bouquet he ever sent, and now we were at the place of our first date.... I never knew a man could be so thoughtful! Unbeknownst to me, the waitress was in on the whole surprise, and Will had given her my camera..... so while we were walking out of the restaurant and crossing the street, Will stopped in the middle of the road, and grabbed my hand, got down on one knee, pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen and said "I love you, Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes! I was so flustered I forgot to give him my hand so he could put the ring on! He had to remind me to put out my hand! Apparently the waitress had told everyone in the restaurant the plan, so now the entire two floors of the restaurant were cheering for us and clapping. So then the waitress came out with my camera and I realized that Will had arranged for her to take pictures of the whole thing!! :) To top the whole night off, when we got back to the hotel, we went to the lobby bar to celebrate, and Will had arranged with the musicians to let him sing a song, so as I sat down at a table, Will went up on stage and took the guitar from the musician and said "I proposed to my girlfriend tonight, and I am going to sing her a song because I love her" He then sang the song "Forever" by Ben Harper. It was awesome! The next day (Sunday) we were going to have lunch and then head out of town. Will had planned one last surprise and had some of our bridal party that lived in TN meet us for lunch -his sister, Jera (my matron of honor), his brother in law, Kevin (groomsman) and our friend Matt (groomsman)- the guy we met through! It was a fantastic weekend! I am so proud that Will is going to be my husband! It means so much to me that he went through all this planning and trouble to carry out a wonderful weekend! Think you've got what it takes to win the title SMarrying Man of the Month? Submit your story today!

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Street Corner Proposal

Submitted on Nov 5, 2007 I wanted to do something special for our engagement but, everytime I had an idea she would mention it and I would have to think of something else. So I decided to do it when she was least expecting it. It had just happend on a Friday night. I picked her up from the train and brought a huge purple (favorite color) flower arrangement. She just thought I was getting thoes flower for our year anniversary which was the next and which she thought she was going to get the ring. So we went to dinner nothng fancy didn't want to think anything. We got back to her house. I took her out of the car and told her I want to show her something on the corner of her block. I told her that this is were I first saw you and were we met for the first time and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I ask her to marry me. She had a shocking face, with an out of breath yes from screaming so much. Her eyes light up with the sign of the ring. Think you've got what it takes to win the title Marrying Man of the Month?

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Solve The Puzzle

Submitted on Jan 12, 2007 My story goes a little something like this. I knew I wanted to propose around Christmas time but not on Christmas because she had said in the past that she wanted it to be a suprise and on a holiday wouldn't be a total suprise. This past Christmas we had many differnt gathering to attend starting on the 23th through the 25th. So I figured that I would ask her on the 22nd so that we could share the good news with all our friends and family over the following days. So as the week went I was setting up the proposal so that it wouldn't come off as such a suprise. I first said that we should do something the Friday of the 22nd so that we could have some time to ourselves to do Christmas before the family and friends rush of events. We had decided to go out to eat and maybe a video after. I had told her to think of where she would want to go knowing that she wouldn't come up with anything and I made dinner reservations at Porters (a restaurant in the top a Mcamly Place in downtown Battle Creek, MI). Then latte in the week I told her about getting an email that lets you make your own crossword puzzels, because she is a huge fan of them. I didn't recieve any email, I was just setting her up for the proposal. I had went online and made a crossword puzzle that had clues like where did we meet, what was our first date,and where was our first kiss. I had come up with 14 or so clues and words with 4 words not having any clues. Those words being "Will you marry me?" So, as friday arrived I picked up some flowers after work and rushed home to beat her to my place. I hid the flowers so that she would get them after we get back from dinner (just a little something extra). After she arrived at my place we finished getting ready before going to eat. We got to the restaurant a little early so we had drink in the lounge and look over the city at night with all the Christmas lights it was beautiful. Then we had dinner and the moment was upon us. I took out the crossword puzzle and said, "oh here is that crossword I told you about." So she came around to my side of the table and she was working on it, while I was getting the ring ready under the table. After she finished and had the 4 spaces left I asked if she had it figured out? To which she said I think I know, and then I took her hand and asked her to marry me. She freaked out and said "YES," and then I gave her the ring and she freaked out even more. It was perfect, she cried a bit and laughed a bit. Event the waitress cried, the whole thing went perfect. Hope you like my story, Andy McCormack engaged 12/22/06 Think you've got what it takes to win the title SMarrying Man of the Month? Submit your story today!

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Robert Redford is July's Marrying Man of the Month

It's official! Longstanding bachelor Robert Redford is July's Marrying Man of the Month. Redford and longtime partner Sibylle Szaggars have tied the knot in Szaggars' hometown of Hamburg. The reception was held in a luxury hotel in front of a small gathering of the pair's closest friends and relatives. Szaggars is an abstract artist whose paintings have been on display all over the world including notable exhibits in Britain, Germany, and the U.S. Robert Redford made a name for himself in Hollywood early on with leading roles in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. As he developed as an actor, Redford showed himself to be a skilled director and producer. His was eventually awarded an Oscar for his direction of Ordinary People. But the real reason we like Robert is his lifelong devotion to political and humanitarian work. Not only does Redford's Sundance Film Festival give a voice to independent filmmakers around the world, his work protecting the environment and his philanthropic endeavors help empower the disenfranchised. At the 74th annual Academy Awards, Redford received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of these accomplishments. Szaggars is 51 years old, twenty years' Redford's junior. Szaggars moved to Sundance, Utah in the 1990s - the same location where Redford's Sundance Institute is based. The two met at the 1996 Sundance Festival, and had been dating for 13 years prior to their marriage in Germany this past weekend. Groomstand.com wishes Robert and Sibylle only the best in their future as husband and wife. Don't forget to visit Groomstand the next time you're shopping for groomsmen gifts.

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