How To Roast a Groom Nicely

If you're reading this, you've probably been asked to be a buddy's "best man" in his wedding and are starting to sweat a bit about the "best man toast" traditionally given during the reception. Or, you could also be a type-A groom who is gathering research on "best man speeches" for a best man who is infamously known as a procrastinator. Whatever the situation, your set aside your fears for creating the perfect best man toast - really all the guy needs to do is stand up, give a few personal anecdotes about the groom, insert a few jokes or one-liners and then close with a heartfelt sentiment.Really, that's all! If your knees are still knocking, read on for a few tips that will make sure the best man's speech will go off flawlessly and hopefully score you a pat on the back and awesome choice in best man gifts from groom. The speech doesn't need to be a super-serious monologue; however you don't want to be too irreverent or crass considering the mixed company andfeelings of the bride and her family. Mention one or two anecdotes about the time you first met the groom and why you became such great friends. Throw in some sweet stuff about how he was whipped once he met the bride - that's sure to score you points in her court. Make a few jokes if you like, the best man is often known for loosening up the crowd into party mode. Just don't get too wild or foul-mouthed, there are always grandmothers in the room. If you don't have good jokes of your own, you can always borrow from the famous and not-so-famous: "Keep your eyes wide open before the wedding and half shut afterward." - Ben Franklin "Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight." - Phyllis Diller "In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen." - unknown And we are always here to help you with your wedding toast.

Read more

How To Pack More Football In Your Wedding

Football season is gearing up - how about your wedding plans? If you have a wedding planned between NFL pre-season (August 8th) through the Super Bowl (February 9, 2011) you really should consider how to marry your love for the two! While the bride is not likely to give you're the gridiron-inspired wedding reception that you've been dreaming of (yeah, right), but she may throw you a pass to show off your love of the sport with a football-inspired groom's cake. If she's a real keeper, the bride might even go for picking her "wedding colors" to coordinate with the uniform tones of your favorite team. How about aqua blue and orange a la Miami Dolphins - nice! Probably the best way to incorporate football into your wedding plans is to plan a football activity with your groomsmen. There are many great football-friendly ideas, from organizing a touch-football game for all the guys on the wedding weekend (bride's guys against groom's guys) to planning a pre-wedding event where you treat your buddies to a home game and beer at the sports bar afterward. You might have played Pop Warner together as kids or just hung out in the fan stands during college; football is one thing that you'll still have in common -- even after sign the contract of your life. Don't forget to thank your buds for being on the team and being your "most valuable players" by presenting them each with groomsmen sports gifts such as NFL barware or pub signs emblazoned with their favorite franchise.

Read more

Tuxedo Guide: How To Tie a Bow Tie

Men about to get married need to know how to tie a bow tie - and so does their posse of groomsmen. Tying this men's accessory into a dapper, little bow isn't really as hard of a task as it appears. But, because men rarely wear this type of neck embellishment except at formal events, this may be your first time tying one on! If you are a newbie to bow tie tying, never fear. Just check out this video from GQ style correspondent Brett Fahgren and Howdini's Jennifer Morris, and you'll be wedding-ready in mere minutes. Steps To Tie a Bow Tie 1. Lay the bow tie around your neck so both ends fall evenly on your chest. 2. Cross the right end of the bow tie over the left end. Next, loop the right end under to form a simple knot. 3. Tug on the tie so that the knot is fashioned snuggly against your neck and rest the top end on your left shoulder. 4. Pick up the other end of the bow tie and fold it across the knot. Now it is starting to look like this could actually turn into a bow tie! 5. Take the top end (that is resting on your left shoulder) and pull it down in front so that it crosses the center of the bow shape. 6. Firmly set your left finger on the front of the bow tie to keep it securely in place and reach behind with your right index finger to find the hole where the free end of the bow tie will slip through. 7. Important: do not thread the tip of the free end through the hole. Rather, use your left index finger to push the part that is closest to the center of the bow through the hole. 8. Initially, it may feel like the whole bow tie is going to fall apart, but it won't. Pull enough through to make even with the opposite side and adjust as needed. 9. The process is almost complete. Pull the bow down towards the front and tighten, tidy up and flatten as required to look sharp. If your bow tie doesn't look perfect, don't worry. Run and get the wedding planner and she'll surely be able to fix you up quick! Before you walk down the aisle, give your wedding attendants any help they may require with your newly acquired skills. To complete the dashing look that a bow tie brings, give your buddies a pair of cufflinks as groomsmen gifts that will complement their tip-to-tail formal flair.

Read more

ñSeriously?! You Bought Me THAT Ring?!î

By Jewelry & Style Expert Michael OÍConnor Just when you think that everything is going right, life can throw you a curve. You found the girl and you want to spend your life with. You found the perfect time and place to pop the question and youÍre down on one knee. You hand her the box and summon up courage to ask those words ñWill you marry meî. SheÍs shocked, happy, starts to cry. She opens the box. The expression on her face changes to utter horror! She purses her lips. Dude, you got the wrong ring! Laugh or not, itÍs not unrealistic. In fact many women say the ring they got was not the one they hoped for. Why? Two reasons. The guy didnÍt listen to all those hints sheÍs been carefully leaving or he didnÍt view the ring as the most important symbol of their life together and he ñcheaped-outî. When buying an engagement ring there are two ways to avoid a major mistake. Listen to her. You may not think sheÍs hinting, but she is. Listen to how she describes the rings of her friends of others who are recently engaged. You will hear what she likes. Listen to what she says about the center stone, itÍs size, shape and color. Round shapes are most popular followed by princess. And colored diamonds and gems like sapphire are becoming very popular. Understand that this is the most important piece of jewelry that she will ever own and will wear it every day. As such it needs to be durable and made of a precious and pure metal like platinum. It may be a slightly more expensive, but worth it! Platinum will stand up to daily wear better and hold your center stone more securely, itÍs one of the most precious and rare metals and usually 90-95% pure, making it most appropriate for this important symbol of love and commitment. For help in buying the best rings within your budget always choose a reputable jeweler. Visit www.preciousplatinum.com and find one near you.

Read more

How to Hire a Band For Your Wedding

After hearing that ultra-conservative talk-show host, Rush Limbaugh, hired way-more liberal musician, Elton John, to perform at his June 11th wedding in Florida got me to wondering "how do you pick o ut a band for your wedding reception?" Unlike choosing floral arrangements and tablecloth colors, picking reception entertainment is an area that many grooms want to have a voice. In fact, if there is a band that you really must have and it is a little out of the budget, it could even be a gift for the groom from parents and family. While Rush and Elton certainly sound like an odd pairing, we're pretty sure that the reported $1 million dollar fee probably set free any proverbial elephant in the room. Even though you might not have the big bucks to attract world-famous entertainment, there are still important steps to follow when selecting a band to play at your wedding according to MusicMates, an online musician referral service. Select a musician to fit the audience, not your own interests. While the reception should reflect your personality, you also want to take into consideration the musical tastes of your guests if you want to keep them dancing all night. If you've got a lot of elderly relatives on hand, go with something more easy to the ears than a metal band. Or, if you have a room full of urban, socialite types, country music might fall flat. Discuss the "playlist" with the band. When meeting with the band, inquire about what songs they plan on playing at your wedding. You don't want to be disappointed if your favorite tune of all time is overlooked. Also, are they willing to learn a special song that is near and dear to your heart or go corny and play "The Chicken Dance?" Get written references and recommendations. Just because they play awesome music doesn't necessarily translate into great gigs. Follow up on their written references and recommendations to see how the other brides and grooms felt about their performance. Visit a live performance before hiring. Even if you love the bands music that you've downloaded to your iPod, make sure to view a live performance to get a vibe for their stage presence. Do they have short sets and long breaks, that may not work if your guests plan to whoop it up non-stop on the dance floor. Are they too "wild", gesticulating or encouraging a mosh-pit, grandma wouldn't like that. Have the band pre-sign copies of their CD that you can give as groomsmen gifts. Get a back-up plan. Even though the band's references may be top-notch with past grooms saying that they showed up on time and didn't bale, you still want to have a plan "B". Things happen ---car accidents, sicknesses, band breakups -- and you need to have alternate entertainment lined up in the unlikely event that the band doesn't make it. You can put another less-experienced band on stand-by, or line-up a DJ to act as a substitute. Feed the talent. Invite the band members to partake in the wedding buffet, even if they're not the starving-artist types. This gesture shows hospitality on the part of the bride and groom and the feeling that you really want to include them in your special day. Satisfied stomachs should result in a pleasing performance!

Read more

How to Write Great Wedding Vows (Without Using Mad Libs)

If your bride-to-be is anything like the multitudes of women who demand nothing less than the dream wedding, the wedding she has kept meticulously journaled in her Polly Pocket diary since elementary school, chances are she has taken care of everything. Location? Check. Invitations? Check. Caterers, seating arrangements, DJ playlist? Check, check, check. You may have at one time been responsible for procuring the ring, but chances are she took over that too, slipping subtle hints of cut and color, maybe even sketching out a diagram and putting it in your wallet (if not, check out some helpful suggestions for buying engagement rings from the groomsman gift experts). Uh oh. If she is marrying you for any other reasons than your wily wit with words or your ability to wax poetic at a moment's notice, this may seem a daunting task. Fear not! Following a few helpful guidelines might make the difference between snores from the guests and the future Mrs. You's tears of sentimental joy. Four Steps To Tear-jerking Wedding Vows Start now. Right now, if not yesterday. Or the day before. Putting off the vows may be the point of conflict in many a sitcom, but don't count on inspiration striking as you walk down the aisle and then winging it. This is not a suggestion to start crafting draft upon draft of prose, but start jotting down some points you would like to make. Having a bank of phrases, moments, and memories to drawn from will be crucial as you start constructing your final draft. Hint: "I love you so much" is a good place to start. Your vows should be unique, personal, and customized to your relationship. It doesn't matter how nice it sounds, if the climax of the speech is the romantic sunset you two shared on a beach, there is nothing stopping her from removing you from the memory and inserting Rick or James or Paolo from two summers ago into the same idyllic setting. Idyllic is not the basis of your marriage. Share the points that you love about her and your relationship that are specifically yours. Beaches are not yours. They belong to every new couple ever. Maybe you can make a promise that in married life you won't come to bed angry. Share an anecdote about the first time you noticed how she held a pencil or cut up her cucumber and then fell in love. By all means avoid When Harry Met Sally as your muse, but ask yourself: "What defines our love?" When you have your answer, you have your vows. Keep your audience in mind, especially if the wedding consists of any guests beyond two witnesses and a priest dressed as Elvis. Filling your vows with quirky inside jokes might mean a lot to your lady, but this wedding isn't only about the two of you (no matter what anyone may say). You have your whole future to spend just the two of you. Right now you have Grandma Sue in the front row, and you need to make sure that she, as well as your bride, is clear on what is being said. Sprinkle your vows with anecdotes and memories, but make sure they are the types of things Grandma Sue can at least imagine being a part of. There is nothing more alienating (and therefore boring) than not knowing what is going on. Practice. Practice, practice, practice. Do it once more for good measure. You don't need to memorize what you want to say, but it is worth it that you don't stumble over the words you so painstakingly put together. Better yet, practice in front of one person who is a better writer and public speaker than you - perhaps a poetic groomsman. He will be able to help you think of ways to really wow, be it with comprehensibility, language, or a tricky section of alliteration. Treat him to a fabulous groomsman gift as your way of saying "thanks!"

Read more

Engagement Ring Tips: How To Pick a Good One

It could be one of the most memorable moments in your life. You pull an engagement ring out of your pocket and ask the love of your life to be your wife. You desperately want her to say yes... and to fall in love with her ring. But how do you make sure that happens? Guys who have successfully navigated this step in their relationship share some tips. Use a Fake Ring Mike Vietti, of Washington, D.C., wanted his fianc_e's engagement ring to be a complete surprise, but had no idea what she would like. So he decided to use a fake one for his proposal and take her shopping later. "I thought it was brilliant," said Emily Vietti. "I love surprises, but I couldn't imagine wearing something for the rest of my life I didn't love. It was the perfect solution." Consider Her Taste and Style Make sure the ring fits her existing jewelry collection, said Kevin Saghy, of Chicago. "I realized all of my fianc_e's jewelry is very clean and simple, like one large pearl on a string or a clean trail of diamonds on a necklace, so I chose a three-stone engagement ring that looks simple but impressive. It has gone over really well." Get A Little Help from Her Friends "My wife found a drawing of the kind of ring she would like and gave it to a friend to hold - under the condition that the friend would not tell her when she gave it to me," said Andrew Brown, of Detroit. "She was totally surprised the day the exact ring she wanted was given to her." Shop Together Randy Holmes, of Atlanta, was overwhelmed by the number of options he faced when he started to shop for his fianc_e's ring, so he asked her to join him. "It was great to have Lauren involved," he said. "It was romantic and took a lot of pressure off." Do Your Homework Erik Mason, of Boston, did a "ton of research" on diamonds before he even set foot in a jewelry store. "I think most guys believe as long as they're familiar with the 4Cs, they're all set," he said. "I was surprised to find that was only half the story you should be thinking about." Mason spent almost five months learning about the 4Cs - color, cut, clarity and carat weight - and how that translated to his budget and girlfriend's taste. He used online resources, visited retailers and flipped through fashion magazines to get a sense of what she liked. "I got a great learning experience and another connection to our marriage through a spectacular piece of symbolism I understand inside and out," he said. You can learn all about diamond engagement rings and the 4 Cs at the Gemological Institute of America, and you'd better bone up! Because after the engagement comes picking groomsmen gifts. We'll be here when you're ready.

Read more

How To Deal With Groomsmen Who Hate The Bride

One of the most frustrating things a groom like you might have to deal with in your life is a best friend or good buddy that doesn't like your girlfriend. That's understandable, of course - girls come and go, but you'll always have your friends, right? That's all well and good right up until the time you decide to get married to the woman that one or more of your buddies just never quite clicked with, or maybe even openly dislikes. This puts you in the awkward position of refereeing between them, or even constantly defending one to the other. Frankly, though, your buddy is just going to have to deal. This is one time when it's not a competition; he can't win this one, because you're not going to marry him. Even if he's reluctant to say exactly why he dislikes your future wife, that's information you need to get out of him. The reason could be anything from a remark she made that he didn't like, to an argument they had, the way he thinks she treats you, or the simple fear that he won't see you as much after you get married. Once you've isolated the problem, talk to him about it. You don't have to have a big dramatic sit-down chat or anything, but next time you're out having a beer, buy a round and bring it up. Ask what he needs in order to help this wedding go smoothly; bribe with groomsmen gifts if you have to. Maybe she can get into his good graces by introducing him to one of her pretty bridesmaids, or just having a conversation with him herself - after all, there's nothing quite as reassuring as her telling him straight up that you'll still get your poker nights and you can still come over to watch the game. Sure, we don't like to admit that we're insecure about stuff like that, but sometimes a guy just needs to know his buddies will still be around, and it's an understandable fear that marriage might change that. You should have a chat with the future wife, too - don't ask her to change (just don't), but if there's something in particular that your wife does that offends your groomsman, let her know. Use your best judgment on this one, of course. If she makes catty remarks about your buddy's clothes or girlfriend, it's within reason to ask her to cool it down when he's around so as not to be rude. If it's something like that your groomsman can't stand her annoying laugh, though, keep it to yourself. Your goal is make peace, not encourage more fighting. If you've got the time and the willingness to tackle the potentially sitcom-y situation of making them bond with each other over a shared interest, it wouldn't hurt to try. If they just spend some time hanging out, maybe they'll find out that they really can like each other! Hey, it works in the movies. Just make sure it doesn't work too well - poker nights with your best buddy and the Mrs. might get a little awkward.

Read more

When To Give Gifts

We're here to give you the advice you need on the right groomsmen gifts to give to your buddies, and by this point, we trust that you've chosen the absolute most fitting and perfect groomsmen gifts for all your friends. Now you're just looking for the right occasion in which to offer up these sterling examples of A+ gift giving, but when are you supposed to give them out? Giving gifts without the excuse of a major holiday is awkward enough for guys, but now you don't even have a Christmas tree to throw them under. But not to worry, GroomStand to the rescue! If you're still racking your brain trying to think of the perfect time to give out your groomsmen gifts, just consult this short list of events at which giving groomsmen gifts is acceptable: A pre-wedding guys' night out. No, not the bachelor party. That's a whole different kettle of fish, and hopefully you'll be too busy getting lap dances to even think about giving out your groomsmen gifts. What you should do is pick a date a few weeks before the wedding to do what you always do with your friends, whether that's going out drinking or going to see a game or having a poker night. Take this time to reassure your guys that you won't be chained inside once you're hitched, and you're not giving up your nights out with your buddies. With everyone in "aww" mode, hand out your groomsmen gifts, you big sap. Give them to each guy individually. If a guys' night out isn't feasible, giving out your groomsmen gifts when you see each guy is acceptable and let's face it, a lot easier. Sure, it might mean driving around with a trunk full of flasks (no really, officer, they're for gifts.), but if you can get to each guy and give them one at a time to your groomsmen who are coworkers, golfing buddies, or brothers, then go for it. Note: this one depends heavily on how mushy your groomsmen gifts are. Since giving really personal groomsmen gifts to your buddies on a one-on-one basis could get a little overly emotional (not for you, of course - just them, you know), if you've hand-chosen each gift to relate to a great experience you both shared, then maybe you want to choose a different time to give them all out. Unless you're up for awkward hugs and back-patting - hey, we're not here to judge. The rehearsal dinner. This works especially well for groomsmen gifts they can take to the ceremony, so if engraved cufflinks are your gifts of choice, pass them out the night before at the rehearsal dinner. Try and coordinate this one with your future wife, too, if she wants to give out her bridesmaid gifts at the same time. It's a great time to say thanks for all their help, and after a few glasses of wine a manly hug or two isn't so unacceptable.

Read more

How to Talk to your Fianc_e about Money

Since money is the number one cause of marital discord, according to Dr. Howard Markman, Co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, a mutual financial plan is vital to the success of your marriage. Many engaged couples get so caught up thinking about groomsmen gifts and bachelor parties that they lose sight of the post-wedding party portion: the marriage, and its monetary realities. Though you may be reluctant to broach the subject of money for fear of upsetting your fiancée, head off arguments with a sit-down discussion about money management style, financial expectations, and the economic background behind each person's financial views. Trust us; before you start picking out groomsmen gifts and wedding china, have this one simple talk that could save your marriage. The decision whether to get a prenup, have joint or separate accounts, or life insurance options are all based on personal preferences. But here are a few broad guidelines for how to make a successful financial plan for the future: Tell no secrets, tell no lies. When it comes to money, honesty is not only the best policy; it's the thing that keeps couples out of debt, out of jail, and out of divorce court. It sounds harsh, but hidden debts or secret spending can deplete a financial fund irreplaceably-and damage a marriage permanently, so if you find yourself disguising how much money you're spending on groomsmen gifts, take that as a warning sign. Before you get married, talk honestly about any debt or expenses you have. Similarly, define your terms for "luxury" and "necessity." It's fine for a couple to agree they want to spend 70% of their wedding funds on necessities and 30% on luxuries, but if she considers oxygen facials to be luxury bridesmaid gifts, and his idea of luxury groomsmen gifts is McDonald's coupons, therein lies a problem. Not an insurmountable problem, but an issue that requires pre-marriage resolution. Timing is everything. As with any other hot topic, be sensitive about when you approach the money discussion. Is your fiance exhausted from an early morning meeting, or bummed out about an argument with a friend? Now is the time to keep mum on the M-word. A hot-button discussion under these kinds of circumstances will only lead to explosions. Spend a fun day shopping for groomsmen gifts or honeymoon resort wear. Afterwards, time your talk for a quiet dinner out, where you are both relaxed and romantic, as well as obligated to remain calm and couth. By gently working money talk into your romantic routine, you will demystify finances and not fear future discussions. There are limits however; you might do well to ban money talk from the bedroom! Debt is the Devil. Make getting and staying out of debt a priority during your wedding planning. If your fiance has her heart set on a princess wedding, take a second job or petition relatives, but don't max out your credit card on groomsmen gifts and wedding favors. One day, no matter how important, is not worth the months or even years of debt that can result from wedding planning. Similarly, work out a plan to pay down student loans and individual debt so that it doesn't carry over into the marriage. If necessary, postpone the wedding until these debts are paid off. It may sound extreme, but baggage of any kind should be dealt with in advance in order to have a happy, stress-free marriage. Also, the less debt you have, the fewer bills there are to bicker over later. Common Goals are Key. Money talk shouldn't be all depressing. To engage your fiance in money talk, maybe after a day out shopping for bridesmaid or groomsmen gifts, start out the conversation by asking about her dreams or goals for the future. Get excited talking about your dream home, a fantasy vacation in Greece, or owning your own vineyard. Then bring the discussion down to reality by saying, "Cool, let's figure out together how we can accomplish these dreams." Now is the time to talk about putting away ten percent, investing in an IRA, cutting down on dinners out, 86ing the gold-encrusted cufflink groomsmen gifts, or whatever it will take to help you get to those goals. Don't Discount Childhood. Not to be too Freudian, but since different spending habits have the potential to hurt our partner or be taken personally, its important to get a perspective on where your fiance gets their money management style from before you have a blow-up argument over the groomsmen gifts budget. For example, it may irritate you that your fiance constantly nags you about paying bills. You're a grown man. Of course you're going to pay them! But one simple talk may unlock the fact that when her parents divorced, there was no guarantee the bills would be paid, and so what you perceive as nagging is just your fiance's way of reassuring herself that her future is stable. Similarly, if you spend money like its going out of style, she may learn you have insecurities about your looks or status that could be resolved in other ways, like working out together or just more compliments from her. Taking a look at childhood could also help you to make better financial choices and build a stronger relationship. Using these tips to talk to your fiance about a financial plan for the future could save your marriage, so be sure to have this chat before you splurge on reception halls and groomsmen gifts. Don't let dollar signs get in the way of "till death do us part." Being open and honest will lead to a happy and secure life together. Some information taken from Ladies Home Journal

Read more

Wedding Toasts

Studies have shown a majority of people would rather have a root canal than speak in public. Getting up in front of a room full of friends, family and total strangers can reduce even the strongest of men to a quivering and feckless dolt. The same flatulent windbags, who can natter on endlessly about sports or alleged sexual conquests, all of a sudden turn into public flatulent windbags. At one point in your life, you may be called upon to deliver a wedding toast. This is a skill too few men possess, yet, is one every man should have in their arsenal. Fear not. There is no reason any man shouldn't be able to deliver moving, intelligent, heartfelt wedding toasts in exchange for nice groomsmen gifts. Follow my advice, and in a short while, you'll be toasting and roasting with the best of them. GOOD IDEA: Preparation Pre-wedding preparation is a good idea - no, it's a must! Do not jot down some random notes while taking a dump the morning of the wedding! Give yourself a few days and organize your thoughts. Writing them down is always recommended. You may even want to practice. I realize standing in front of a mirror holding a wineglass may make you feel like a schmuck, but remember you were selected to give the toast. It is an honor! Remember, you're getting decent groomsmen gifts out of this deal, so don't screw up. CRAPPY IDEA: Winging It "Hell, I'll just wing it." There is nothing quite as painful to watch as the "off-the-cuff guy" yammering on in a semi-coherent manner about some random adventure he and the groom took when the entire fraternity ventured off to the Bambi Club in Tijuana. Review above: Preparation. MOVING IDEA: When Boy Meets Girl Tell the guests the story behind how the Bride and Groom met. Every couple has an amusing story of their early courtship, and this is the perfect opportunity to share it. You're guaranteed to get plenty of "aahhs" from the group as well as a hug from the bride and a pat on the back from the groom. ADDED BONUS: If you're a single guy delivering the toast, the likelihood of shagging one or more of the bridesmaids after the wedding goes up exponentially with the increased sensitivity of the toast. If your groomsmen gifts were great, consider this a bonus gift of sorts. SORDID IDEA: The Groom's "Little Black Book" Stories Don't tell the assembled how the Groom nailed three woman on that Spring Break trip to Cancun. Obvious as this may seem, I've been at several ceremonies where the wedding toasts included references to the Groom's sexual escapades. This kind of information is not for public consumption. That is what the bachelor party is for. Groomsmen gifts are sort of like a bribe to keep quiet. While we're on the topic of "sordid," wedding toasts should be kept as "PG" as possible. Again, I have been at weddings where vulgarities, slang, and expletives were liberally sprinkled throughout the toast. Keep in mind, this is a wedding not "Def Comedy Jam." Grandpa and Grandpa are present. Read this word twice - D-I-S-C-R-E-T-I-O-N. Now exercise some. DRY IDEA: No Tequila Shots Before You Begin Lay off the booze until after the toast. What worked for Dean Martin will only make you a babbling idiot. WELCOME IDEA: Mr. & Mrs. Always remember to speak of the Bride. Two people are getting married. If you are a family member, welcome her into the family. If you're a friend of the groom, talk about how she's made him a better person, or how they've grown together. It may seem sappy, but after all, this is a wedding. Sappy is what the crowd is looking for. SHORT IDEA: Get To The Point Don't ramble on. A few well-chosen words will suffice. 'Nuff said. FUNNY IDEA: "Did I Ever Tell You The One About..." It's not open mike night at the Laugh Factory, and, more importantly, you're probably not as funny as you think you are. Humor is always appreciated in wedding toasts, when it's done in good taste. Cracks about the "end of your life," or "the old ball and chain," are about as fresh as a Dudley Moore flick. Jokes are not always appropriate. BOTTOM LINE: With a little practice and some simple common sense, your wedding toast can be one of the wedding highlights. Remember a lot of weddings today are video taped, and embarrassing wedding toasts will come back to haunt you for years to come - and aren't your groomsmen gifts worth more than that? Cheers!

Read more

Buying an Engagement Ring

For the average guy, popping the question is hard enough. You worry about whether you'll sweat too much, your voice will crack, or your special occasion tux pants from the junior prom will split when you get down on one knee... There are a million things to worry about when plotting the big proposal. The ring shouldn't have to be one of them. But for many non-metrosexual men out there, to whom jewelry is a foreign concept in the first place, buying the ring is one of the hardest parts. Like, what's the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring? And when do you buy each ring? How much should you spend on a ring? And how do you know which ring is better than another ring? With all these questions swirling around, buying a ring can seem really confusing, so here's a few pointers on the particulars of engagement rings, wedding rings and ring buying in general. And don't forget to consult friends and married groomsmen for advice - they've done it before, so they'll be glad to help you out, just promise great groomsmen gifts in exchange. The engagement ring and the wedding ring are two different rings. Pre-proposal, the groom is only technically responsible for buying the engagement ring. This one is the big, sparkly salary-busting rock that is supposed to make her scream "I do!" so spare no expense when picking the perfect diamond engagement ring. We recommend most grooms just stop there in terms of solo jewelry shopping. Though one-stop shopping is tempting, and there are bridal sets out there that include an engagement ring and matching wedding band, we do not recommend this course of action. For one thing, bridal sets are not like Big Mac Value Meals. There's usually no discount for buying the combo, so it's just as well to wait and go ring shopping with your bride, rather than risk buying two rings when she hasn't even said yes to one. Plus, it is our experience that most women dream of ring shopping for wedding bands since they are little girls, so why deprive them of the experience? This trip is also a good chance for the bride to have her engagement ring sized, and ahem, re-selected if your particular rock wasn't exactly to her liking. If she does exchange it, don't take it personally. The engagement ring is being evaluated as a gesture on the groom's part, not for the jewelry itself, so as long as she says yes to the gesture (your proposal) it's her prerogative to amend the jewelry to her liking. Nevertheless, you are obligated to give engagement ring shopping the old college try (the whole gesture thing again). So in order to get an A for effort at least, here are some tips for buying the perfect engagement ring. Bring a friend. Not yours, hers. A girl's best friend is an invaluable ally when facing the puzzling world of platinum and pear shapes. Chances are, your fiance has already had countless conversations with her friends about what kind of engagement and wedding ring she wants, maybe even flipping through magazines or pointing rings out in store windows. Trust us, you may be clueless as to what your lady might like in terms of jewelry, but if you innocently go for the oval diamond, rest assured her best friend will be right there, protesting emphatically "No, no Patricia's much more of a Princess cut." The mystery of these words needn't matter to you at this point. All that counts is that you are buying the perfect engagement ring for the love of your life. Snoop. This is a risky one, but could help you hit the jewelry jackpot. Many women keep their secret wedding wishes filed away in a journal, memory box, or desk drawer, so some (cautious) pawing around in your lady's personals could give you clues to her jewelry preferences. To avoid being too invasive, just shake her journal to see if any pictures or clippings fall out, and thumb through drawers to see if any ring-like depictions catch your eye. We know it's a bit invasive, but imagine flipping through her diary and coming to a page labeled "My dream wedding ring" with a corresponding magazine clipping detailing the price, location, and diamond details. Bingo! You get to sneak off, buy her dream engagement ring, shock your fiance with your taste and style, and convince her once and for all that you two are totally perfect for each other! Size matters. The stealthy acts continue with your attempts to secure her ring size. This can call for some serious James Bond type maneuvers, but they will only add to the clandestine pleasure of the ring-buying mission. Some tried-and-true capers include filching one of her other rings and indenting it's shape into a bar of soap, or tracing the shape of the ring onto a piece of paper to bring to the jeweler. Another method is to push the ring down on your own finger and make a dot with a pen where it lands on your own hand. These stealthy acts will have a big payoff when you deliver your fiance's perfectly sized ring. Nothing kills the proposal buzz quicker than an awkward ring finger tug-of-war. Haggle. Of course one obstacle on a potential groom's mind when buying an engagement ring is the price - after all, hopefully you'll need to save money for the wedding and groomsmen gifts. Buying a quality engagement ring is a costly and significant investment, and needs to be carefully considered. But if you're sure she's the one, rest assured, most modern brides don't require the old 'two month's salary on a ring' rule. If you have that kind of cash stashed, go for it, but if you don't, it is possible to get quality jewelry at a more reasonable price. One way to do this is haggle. It can be intimidating going into a fancy jewelry store, but remember, jewelry salesman are just like drug dealers, but with diamonds. They're out to make a profit, they know making some money is better than making no money, and they're willing to cut you a deal if you look like you got street cred. But even if you don't, you can fake it. Throw around words like "color, cut, clarity and carat" and you'll be in the inner circle in no time. In the jewelry world, the sticker price is just the starting off point for negotiations; so don't be intimidated to haggle for a lower price. This isn't being a cheapskate, its just being a good businessman, and surely your drug-we mean diamond- dealer, will understand that. Do a background check. All diamonds are not created equal, and neither are all jewelry stores. To avoid getting hustled, go to a trusted family jeweler, or someone recommended by a friend. If you have no such connections, just make sure the store you buy from is accredited by the Jewelers of America or the American Gem society. Otherwise, the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau may have pertinent data about the jewelry store in question. Go with your gut. Research aside, if the jeweler seems like a sleaze ball, take your business elsewhere. The jeweler's attitude toward the staff, the customer service quality, and the company's return, repair and replacement conditions are all things to look for when deciding whether to shop at a particular store. If you're still unsure about a certain ring, reserve the right to get an independent appraiser's opinion. Any bona fide jewelry store should have no problem with that. Making the grade. For high quality diamonds (one carat and larger) you should receive a diamond-grading report. This report will include all the details of the diamond, from the four C's, to the ring's designer, to whether it was handcrafted or custom made, anything that affects the quality of the ring. This report is a certificate of authenticity and worth, and is as important as a show puppy's pedigree papers. Now that you have memorized these ring buying pointers, there's nothing left to do but conquer your fears and start shopping! Remember, your fiance has no doubt put herself out for you on many occasions, venturing into the world of car parts, sporting equipment, and possibly even electronic gadgets in order to make you the devoted man that you are today. Do your part by purchasing her the best diamond ring you possibly can, knowing it will all be worth it when you open that box and make her the happiest woman on earth! Some info taken from theknot.com and askmen.com

Read more