Will Work For Groomsmen Gifts

By Bob Strange how things happen. I've been dating my girlfriend - Jane - for about six months now. We're in love - not the nasty eye-fluttering kinda love. It's more the we-both-like-the-same-movies and she doesn't care too much if I leave my underwear on the floor kinda love. So last week, I proposed. She said yes. Then she went insane. My girlfriend - oh, wait, fiancee - is totally crazed, running around, reading about 200 pounds of wedding magazines a week. What happened to the kick-back girl I fell for? Yesterday I got home when she pounced. I had my hand in the fridge, about to grab a beer. I didn't stand a chance. "Have you picked out groomsmen gifts yet?" she asked. "You have to pick out groomsmen gifts, quick. The wedding's coming up!" "But, honey, the wedding isn't for eight months. I don't even have groomsmen picked out yet, let alone the groomsmen gifts..." I winced. Wrong thing to say "You don't even know who your best man is yet?! I picked my bridesmaids and maid of honor out the day you proposed." She waved a magazine at me. I dodged back. "When are you going to do all this stuff?!" I tried the nice guy tack. "Baby, you're stressed. Relax. We've got lotsa time." I gave up on the beer and tried rubbing her shoulders instead. "OK, but look at this." She dragged me over to the computer. Note: I should tell you a little bit about us: Jane's a total geek. She lives for computers. She even writes a blog, whatever the heck that is. Me, I'm a college grad. That's all I can say. I fix rich people's cars and motorcycles for a living. But the only thing I can do with a computer is e-mail. When Jane wants me to see the computer - a fancy black thing that vibrates like a Ducati when she starts it up - it must be pretty important. So here I am, and I see she's got a web site up on the screen: Groomstand.com. "Oookaaaaay." I say. Jane gets going. "I want you to start picking out groomsmen gifts. Ben would really like a wallet. Jerry is a hiker so a compass seems like a good idea. And John is into baseball, right? So get him an engraved bat or something....." Waddaya know - I have picked out my groomsmen. And the gifts, too... I'm going to keep writing you guys. Hopefully it'll keep me from going insane... Signed, —Groom Bob

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Good Valentine's Day Proposal Ideas

For many, Valentine's Day, the national holiday of love, seems like the perfect time to propose. The day's already reserved, the anticipation is already building... Then again, there is an implicit pressure in trying to combine to momentous romantic occasions into one. The key is to let the natural romantic ambiance of Valentine's day work in your favor, while adding some unique touches to create a personal proposal. The first thing to do, since you've already selected a traditional date to propose, is to avoid any traditional sweet-but-cheesy proposals. So, no chocolate script on the restaurant dessert plate, no skywriters, and no fortune cookies! Groomstand's unbeatable Valentine's Day Proposal Guide will get you from bended knee to "will you marry me?" with superb creativity and aplomb. Simply take one of our suggestions, wait for the ecstatic "Yes!" and then come back later to pick out groomsmen gifts! THE PROPOSAL: QUIZ 'O' LOVE Secretly type up a Valentine's Day Trivia Quiz. Start with general questions (i.e. "Is Valentine's Day a pagan or religious holiday") but make sure they are all yes or no questions. Have the last question be, "Will you marry me?" HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Tell your lady you're exhausted from work and you just want to have a low-key night in. If she's a worth it woman, she'll be dissapointed, but agree. Get her to sit down next to you on the couch, then casually pull out a Valentine's Day trivia quiz you've typed up in advance. Pull it out of the newspaper and pretend it was an ad. Say, "Hey honey, I know you're bummed about spending Valentine's day in. I'm just going to jump in the shower, but why don't you take this Valentine's Day quiz to get in the spirit of things?" While she's taking a quiz, rush into the other room, where you will have stored the ring, flowers, and wine (bonus points for presenting it in our romantic personalized wine box - hey, it works for more than just groomsmen gifts). When you hear the tell-tale scream, rush back in the room, get on one knee, and propose. THE PROPOSAL: YOU PUT THE STARS IN MY SKY Okay, I know we said no skywriters, but that's because we have a better idea. Have a star named after your intended, only with her first name and your last name (or your last names hyphenated, if you prefer.) HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Take her to a scenic vista with plenty of star-gazing spots. Give her the document to open, then say "I want to spend the rest of my life star-gazing with you. Will you marry me?" Spend the rest of the night picking out "your" star. (For liquid courage along the way, just pack our travelin' flask) THE PROPOSAL: GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEMININE SIDE We know it's not macho, but women do stuff like this all the time. Drop in on your local craft circle and get some knitting tips. Embroider "Will You Marry Me?" on a table cloth. Bonus points for multiple languages. HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Invite her to an intimate dinner for two at home. When she gets up to go to the bathroom, switch your old everyday table cloth for your handcrafted masterpiece. Wait and see how long it takes her to notice. When she does, pull off dinner plate cover to reveal ring box. Say, "Honey, now you know that when I said I'd do anything for you, I really meant anything. Will you marry me?" If this feels too out of character, begin by using our men's manicure set to slowly get in touch with your metrosexual side. You'll be swapping crochet tips in no time, and you might even like the feeling enough to pass those out as groomsmen gifts! THE PROPOSAL: SAIL AWAY WITH ME, HONEY If you two are sailing sweethearts, a romantic moonlight sail is your perfect Valentine's Day proposal. HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Wait until the moonlight is just right, then tell her you have a Valentine's Day present for her. Give her this beautiful silver compass and tell her "With you, I can never lose my way. Will you marry me?" Have the compass engraved with a special message for a perfect proposal memento. Bonus points if she wears it on the wedding day. NOTE: If you don't sail, another idea is to take her on a drive and pretend to get really lost. At the last moment, pull into a romantic spot, give her the compass and say, "I'm never lost as long as I'm with you. Will you marry me?" THE PROPOSAL: BUTTERFLIES IN FLIGHT Make the location of your Valentine's Day Proposal a huge surprise! Take her to a tropical butterfly museum for an exotic proposal she'll love re-telling. HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Get on one knee and say "Honey, you've given me butterflies since the moment I met you. This is my chance to give some butterflies back to you. Will you marry me?" THE PROPOSAL: YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO YOUNG... Especially if you have been high school sweethearts or together for a long time, this Valentine's Day proposal is a sweet gesture. Plan a kid-themed day of amusement, ending with a timeless proposal. Spend a day swinging on swings, picking apples at an orchard, wading in a creek, and flying kites. At the end of the day, surprise her with either a grade-school style valentine that says "Will you Marry Me?" or even more classic, a simple folded "Will you Marry me? Check Yes or No" note.

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A Groom's Shower: Not Just a Prenuptial Bathing Ritual

In the age of increasing equality of the sexes, wedding traditions are also experiencing a healthy dose of affirmative action. These days, bride and groom often split the costs of the wedding equally, the bachelor party is a joint affair, and groom takes on increasing responsibility in the wedding planning. So it's only fair grooms get some of the added benefits as well! One positive trend lightening the groom's increased load of heightened invitation licking, flower sniffing, and choosing groomsmen gifts, is the fad of groom showers. Since grooms have a lot more responsibility these days than just skating down the aisle with a tux and smile, it is only just that they get their fair share of celebration, and groom's showers are designed to do just that. But since this is a relatively new trend, here is a brief guide to giving a groom's shower (hint: it's exactly like planning a bridal shower, but with guy stuff). To begin planning a groom shower, you may want to choose a theme. Bridesmaids bored with the traditional cookie-cutter bridal showers have been livening things up by picking a bridal shower theme-such as the honeymoon destination or bride's favorite pastimes-to freshen the fun. Groom's showers should do the same. Here are a few fun groom shower themes to consider: A Sports Theme: Okay, it's a no-brainer, but just as most bridal showers feature a lot of lingerie, a groom's shower will generally have a healthy share of sports. Like bra shopping for women, sports are a time-honored male bonding tradition. If the groom you're planning the shower for is a total sports nut, don't be afraid to go all out with a sports-themed groom's shower. One good way to honor a sports-themed groom's shower through the gifts. Perhaps when shopping for your groomsmen gifts, he saw a few things he might like for himself. Find out if any particular groom's gift caught his eye, then ask groomsmen, family, colleagues, or whomever you've invited to bring a sports-related gift to enhance the theme of the groom's shower. Hint: For practical purposes, it sometime helps to narrow the theme to the groom's all-time favorite sport. On this note, if the groom is a baseball fan, how about purchasing him an engraved hall of fame baseball bat or personalized baseball and holder? If he's a golf-lover, leather can caddies or a personalized putter make the perfect gift. Sports-related groom shower gifts are special because the groom will think of the giver every time he uses them. Another good way to incorporate the groom's shower theme is through the food. If you're having a SuperBowl-themed Shower, recreate the joy of this Blessed Event with bowls of potato chips, cold beer and nachos. If you're feeling ambitious, a backyard grill or roll-your-own tacos go great with a side of every man's favorite sport. Finally, just as with a bridal shower, the games and activities of the groom's shower should also reflect the theme. For a sports theme, put NFL Instant Replays or ESPN on the TV. Set up an indoor golf green, or hit the backyard for an informal game of tackle football. Whatever activities you choose, a sports-themed groom shower is bound to be a fun memory for everyone involved. An Executive Theme: If you're groom has a high-pressure job that consumes a lot of his time, an Executive-Themed Groom's Shower to show your support for your hardworking pal is a nice idea. For gifts, buy him a leather mouse pad, a desk clock, or a classic Bentley pen. Chances are it's lonely at the top, so buying your buddy gifts for his office will remind him every day at work that he does have a network of supportive friends in his personal life. Just as with groomsmen gifts, the idea is to remind the groom what a great buddy he's been over the years. For the food, serve liquor-laced Perrier and Cappuccinos, and serve yuppie foods like cold cuts and crackers, mini sandwiches, and chicken salad. A dessert tray or champagne also makes a festive touch for an executive-themed groom's shower. For activities, get creative. Sit the groomsmen around the table boardroom style while the best man acts as CEO, pacing the room and firing questions about the grooms weirdest habits, most embarrassing moments, and bizarre trivia at unsuspecting victims. Make a PowerPoint of pictures, quotes, and moments honoring the bride and the groom. This may seem cheesy, but showers are meant to honor the wedded couple, and the groom is sure to bloom from this affirmation just as much as a bride does. And, just in case things get too Lifetime Television for Women, throw in a few pictures of your pal from childhood, teenage years, or other awkward times, just to make sure the groom doesn't get off too easy. A Poker Night Theme:Take this timeless tradition to the next level by planning an ultra-classy Poker-themed groom's shower. Far from the playing cards around the gas lantern in the garage, a groom's shower is a chance to take poker night to Vegas-style proportions. For gifts, since cigars and poker go together like beer and potato chips, why not instruct the groomsmen to bring cigar- themed groom shower presents? A cherry wood humidor, a cigar/flask combo, or a Zippo lighter are all thoughtful gifts that take poker night to a new, elegant level appropriate for a groom's shower. For food, finger foods again take the cake.(What can we say? Men are simple creatures.) Chicken fingers, BBQ wings, and coconut shrimp help stimulate the strategy session going on behind each poker face. And, much like in Vegas, make sure to keep the booze free flowing all night long. For activities, here is another opportunity to up the ante by buying the groom a professional poker set. That's right, with real chips and high-quality cards, this groom's shower will feel like the real deal, and there is no better way to set the tone than with a deluxe poker kit. For ambience, put Celebrity Poker on in the background, and later in the night, bring in some showgirls that put Vegas to shame. Your groom will love this thoughtful and entertaining party. These are just a few ideas of how to chart the course where few men have gone before, but will begin rushing just as soon as they hear the tale of your own adventures. We call the groom's shower one small step for mankind, and one hell of a good time for guys everywhere.

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GroomBob 5.0: What's in a (Sur)name?: The Ultimate Name Change Packet and the New Man

By Bob It happened somewhere between government document seven thousand, and form five thousand sixty-one that I suddenly threw my hands up in the air and demanded of my fiance, "This sucks! It's tediously, unbelievably boring! What the heck! Why are you changing your name anyway?" Jane, the calm one, the collected one, looked up from her itemized piles with a cool eye. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Isn't that what you want?" Wasn't it? Was it just my innate natural hatred for paperwork that had started this train of thought, or was there something deeper, something more important tugging at my mind? I'll never know, but as the night wore on my distress grew, and finally my fiance and I put aside the paperwork, grabbed a bottle of sauvignon blanc, and settled on the couch to seriously contemplate that age-old question the bard himself put best, "What's in a (sur)name?" Additionally, what's in a hyphen? I couldn't sleep that night. My mind was whirring. Was Jane taking my name simply tradition, or did it symbolize the relinquishing of her identity? Was her identity truly synonymous with her surname, which had served her for many faithful years before I came along to snuff its life out? And does a hyphen, one minor little dash between words, really usher in a marriage of compromise and enlightenment unattainable to non-hyphenators? A legacy of respect to pass onto your children? But not necessarily grandchildren. The whole thing was just too confusing. "Well," said Jane, again looking at the practical side of things, this time over breakfast. "We've already registered for several monogrammed items featuring our new initials." "But they're not our initials," I protested, feeling suddenly sure about what I was going to say. "They're my initials. You have a perfectly good pair of initials already; you don't need mine too." "Are you serious about this?" Jane asked. "I mean, I honestly just hadn't given it that much thought." "Thought?" I bellowed, barely knowing where it was coming from. "What's there to think about? You already have a name, a name that's suited you just fine for the past twenty odd years of your personal and professional career. You are Jane Graham, high school skate star, Phi Kappa Si member, Internet consulting extraordinaire! How could I take all that away from you? Think about it! If someone googled you post- name change, half your life accomplishments wouldn't even show up!" Jane remained mute, looking at me in shock. "Well," she said, "I guess it would be kind of a pain to change all my business cards." "Change your business cards!" At the thought of another paperwork-related chore, my mind was made up. "Jane," I said firmly, "You are keeping your last name, and that's final." "Wow Bob" Jane said wryly "for all this new found feminism, you sure are putting your patriarchal foot down." Okay, so maybe I had a ways to go in my 'New Man' theology. But despite my faulty feminism, my fiance agreed to walk down the aisle with current surname in tact. She retained her identity, I embraced my new enlightened mentality, and we had a romantic evening, paper shredding form after form of name change paraphernalia. But, just a word of advice to couples out there who might be opting for conventional nuptial rituals; there is an easier way to deal with name change chaos than simply having a nuclear meltdown. There's a handy kit called the Ultimate Name Change Packet, which includes all the information, government documents, and forms you need to change names on driver's licenses, Social Security cards, IRS, passports... See what I mean? Who knows whether the New Man in me would ever have emerged if I had stumbled on this nifty name change packet earlier, but for better or worse, the new me marches on, one meltdown closer to marital bliss. Here's hoping- —GroomBob

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Ladies, Get Your Baseball-Addict Fiance Interested in your Spring Wedding

Baseball-themed Groomsmen Gifts, Wedding Cakes, and More With spring fast approaching, the buzz of baseball will once again consume the hearts and minds of grooms and groomsmen across the nation. The spring season's warmer weather is also a popular time to get hitched. The concurrence is enough to strike fear into brides-to-be everywhere. Will he forget to get those groomsmen gifts because he's too busy glued to the television? It's a possibility. But don't lose hope! His devotion to his ball club doesn't mean he's not devoted to you and the wedding planning. He'll eventually remember those groomsmen gifts! Still, no form of shock therapy, no amount of clever distraction will be successful in getting him to forget about his club. America's favorite pastime is part of his genetic makeup, like that unusual birth mark on his back or his inability to pick up on those subtle social cues you're constantly throwing his way. Instead of tricking your groom into forgetting his second love(you will fail), make the game a part of your wedding. This doesn't mean you have to make every wedding activity related to baseball - just the groomsmen gifts and maybe the cake. Adding the sport into your wedding can be as extreme or as minute as you wish. What kind of fan is your mate? Scars from childhood attempts to tattoo his team's name into his arm or if he proposed to you at a home game are a sign you'll need to do a little more with baseball to keep him engaged in the wedding. If a baseball-themed wedding is too much to swallow, then consider having the wedding cake include his team name. A baseball wedding cake would not only please your partner, it could also lighten the moods of your guests. Check out our baseball wedding cake hall of fame for a real feast for the eyes! A quieter and classier way of including the game in your cake could be in those cute baseball-themed bride and groom cake toppers. Or consider planning a baseball game as before the wedding or suggest the idea for his bachelor party. This can be a great way to get everyone attending the wedding acquainted, allow others to relax or unwind, all the while adding baseball to the your weddings docket of events. You'll need engraved baseball bats, leather mitts, and some baseballs. GroomStand Hint:These items make great groomsmen gifts. Check out other baseball-themed groomsmen gifts available at GroomStand all season long!

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Gifts and Your Wedding Budget

Sure, you want to give your boys the best, but they don't want you to go overboard anymore than you do. They're your friends, but if you're trusting them to stand up with you, you can probably trust they'll be your friends still if you get them groomsmen gifts from the lower end of the price spectrum. It works just as well on the other side, too - if you have a higher budget, then get them the very best you can afford. They'll only be your groomsmen once, after all. First, figure out your budget for each of your groomsmen gifts. You should keep it about the same for each groomsman, maybe slightly higher for your best man. It's best to get individual groomsmen gifts for all of your boys, considering they're all different guys with different interests, but there's no harm in getting the same gift personalized for each guy. Here are a few suggestions for groomsmen gifts on each budget. More options available by clicking each link! Under $20: Even if you're not rolling in money, you can still make your groomsmen feel like they are by giving personalized money clips as groomsmen gifts. A money clip always looks sleek pulled out of a suit pocket, and it's a great alternative to pricier wallets. For the businessman or the guy who never has a pen handy to write his checks with, offer a personalized ink pen. $20 - $50: Have a little more to spend? This amount gets you groomsmen gifts like leather wallets and rhodium cufflinks. For the true class acts, try grooming kits. These are groomsmen gifts for the real gentlemen you know - if your boys fly first class and are never seen with a five o'clock shadow, they'll definitely be able to use gifts like these. $50 - $80: For the MacGyvers you know, make sure they're ready for everything with high quality personalized pocket knives. They'll be prepared for anything from taped up boxes to overly long cables. Are your boys more likely to be spotted on the green than in the warehouse? They'll like personalized putters as groomsmen gifts. $80+: Nothing's too good for your groomsmen! When money isn't an issue, offer up groomsmen gifts like leather office accessories, whether you want to give personalized notebooks and portfolios or classic saddlebag briefcases. Your fellow executives will get good use out of them, and they'll last forever, too. Above all, keep in mind the power of personalization. Even if you get your groomsmen all cufflinks as groomsmen gifts, if those cufflinks are personalized they'll still mean more than any random set from the men's store. No matter your budget, it's easy to say thank you for standing up at the altar with you. Groomsmen gifts are the best way to remind them of your appreciation long after the ceremony's over.

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Will You Marry Me? Five Dazzling Holiday Proposal Ideas

Once She Says "Yes," Come Back for Those Groomsmen Gifts! Shopping for groomsmen gifts when you haven't even popped the question? Shame! 'Tis the season for proposals. Glittery snowflakes, whimsical elves, marriage and merriment -- it's the perfect time to pop the question. Yule time? No, it's jewel time. Before you propose, pony up and get a ring (proposing with an empty box like in "Knocked Up" is so not cool). Despite what that jewelry salesperson tells you, a giant rock doesn't guarantee a "Yes." No matter how dazzling the ring, if your proposal flops, she'll have to fib to her family, friends, and grandchildren for 50-plus years. No woman wants to make up a proposal story. Take our holiday proposal tips and once she says yes (she will) come back and see us again when its time for groomsmen gifts. The GroomStand Take on Five Classic Holiday Proposals: You'll need personalized wine glasses for the celebration afterwards, and possibly a rose and tuxedo. Holiday Proposal 1: Buy personalized Christmas ornaments (those glittery globe ones) and have the message in the ornament read "Will you Marry Me?" Wrap it up and as she opens it, get down on one knee, ring in hand. GroomStand's Romance Scale: 5/10. She's likely to say yes, but only if you're wearing a tuxedo and have a rose between your teeth. Holiday Proposal 2: Take her on a drive to look at Christmas lights around town. When she's ready to go home, say "I have one more thing to show you." Take her to the top of a hill (if you can find one) where you have Christmas lights that spell out "Marry me." Great idea. But we've never known anyone capable of spelling out words with Christmas lights. You could end up tangled in the lights like Clark Grizzwald. And this proposal takes a cheesy turn once the the groom-to-be writes out "Merry Me." GroomStand Romance Scale 8/10. There are too many factors that could foil the plan. What if an annoying younger cousin begs to go on the ride? Or some mean neighborhood kids take down the lights? But if you can pull this one off - it's nearly perfect. Holiday Proposal 3: Hang the ring box like an ornament from the tree. After she opens the last present, tell her there's one more she needs to find on the tree. When she finds it and opens the box, be down on one knee. GroomStand's Romance Scale 7/10. This proposal lacks a little creativity. She'll know what's up as soon as you say, "there's another present hiding in the tree." And what if the cat decides to swipe the ring-box ornament? Or what if it simply disappears within the evergreen branches? You do realize millions of ornaments go missing in trees every year. And do not use this idea to present an earring set or necklace. If she sees a small gift box in the tree, she's going to assume it's a proposal. Holiday Proposal 4: If your long-distance lover plans to travel to your place for the holidays greet her with a proposal. Have friends and family hold up signs spelling out "Will You Marry Me?" as she waits in baggage claim. You should hold the "me" sign. GroomStand Romance Scale 4/10. Sure, it sounds romantic. But most people don't want to be greeted with a surprise proposal after they've been in flight for the last four hours. She wants to look her best in those proposal photos and would rather not be caught on camera with drool or eye boogers. If you're going to to do an an airport proposal like this, leave the camera at home. Holiday Proposal 5: Write down your most memorable moments with your sweetie - choose about five or six (hopefully you have that). Get a gift and write a sentiment that reflects each one. Arrange for a different person to deliver one present to her every few hours (Santa Clause, some Elves, an estranged uncle, future groomsmen - use your imagination). Deliver the last gift (duh, the ring) yourself and say: "these gifts symbolize the memories we've already made. This next gift marks the promise of memories yet to come." GroomStand Romance Scale: 9/10. It's a lot of work, but this proposal practically guarantees a yes! And you can give it your own personal twist with the gifts. Congratulations on your up coming engagement (fingers crossed). If you use any of these ideas, let us know how it went over. And when the time comes, shop for personalized groomsmen gifts at Groomstand.com.

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When Groomsmen Gifts Met Groomsmen Gaffes: Ultimate Wedding Mishaps

After seeing that cake yesterday we decided to go find some other laughable wedding clips. Enjoy! Oh those silly Brits.. Bitty Wedding - Little Britain - For more amazing video clips, click here ...make me smile... Teeth - The funniest home videos are here ...at wedding mishaps and humor. Great Moments in Weddings - More amazing video clips are a click away

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Weddings-Go-Healthy?

Apparently Korea is having a little revolution on wedding gifts, or more specifically the alcohol that they gift. The popular drinks to consume, and thus gift, are/were whiskey and soju, a hard liquor distilled from grains and potatoes, but with people looking to show a little more class and make a healthy drinking alternative they are shifting over to wine. It is making a huge upsurge in corporate and wedding gifts and has even become popular enough that a gas and energy company is offering a free bottle of wine for every 650,000 won ($690) they purchase. This increase in wine doesn't stop in Korea though, it is a global increase. Perhaps it is because of better harvests or maybe just an increase in people's attitude of sophistication. Whatever the case wine is being drunk and there is sure to be groomsmen that wouldn't mind a nice personalized gift to do with that vine candy. Maybe a glass or a whole set or as a really nice groomsmen gift you could try a picnic accessory, a wine presentation case. However you go about your gifting make sure to keep in mind that wine is the classy drink, extend that class.

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Wedding Traditions You Can Leave at the Alter

What makes your wedding day special? Think about it. What was going through your mind when you thought me + cute girl = awesome wedding? (Trust me on this one; it's still a good idea... I'm going a different direction). Hopefully, you came to the conclusion that your wedding is a day to celebrate your commitment to the one you love. But sometimes it's not all celebration. Sometimes you get bogged down with all of these antiquated wedding traditions. It's as if we are spoon fed all our lives the idea of what a wedding should be - which is a valid point of view. While weddings are a set of century old traditions, our values and priorities change over time. We don't want to stomp all over wedding traditions; we just want you to think about what's most important for your special day. Father giving away the bride The best example of antiquated wedding traditions is the father giving away the bride. Obviously, this tradition started before women had rights. Then Boom! Women's suffrage hit (which doesn't sound like a good thing, but totally was), and now women are not just property traded from the father to the groom. Here are some options for your own traditions: No one gives away the bride. If she's in her early twenties, she's probably been doing her own thing for a while. Plus, no one gives away the groom. Now it's even. Give a nod to both parents. It's true that this tradition recognizes the passing of the bride into a family of her own, so why not acknowledge both parents for making the bride into who she is today. Bride and groom walk the aisle together. Maybe you're hell bent on the bride walking with someone. Since many couples live together way before marriage anyway, walking down the aisle together can symbolize the new family bond. Paying for the wedding Mommy wow, you're a big kid now. If you're big enough to get married, you should be big enough to pay for the wedding, groomsmen gifts, venue, tux and all. This is a great rule to live by because when you're paying for it, you call the shots. If the parents or in-laws want to pitch in, by all means, let them. Be forewarned, the more they spend means the more they get to vote with their dollar. Make sure you make clear boundaries so no one oversteps your special day. Wedding food If you're going to hold a day-long party, you should have some food. However, food shouldn't have to break the bank. Maybe your favorite dates with the fiance were at the local Mexican joint. No one will criticize you for serving your favorite food at the reception (although you should keep presentation in mind when it comes to the enchilada). If you're not cake people, go with pie instead. Invitations Sending out wedding invites is a big hassle. With all of its tissue paper, tassels and RSVP compartments, there is a good possibility that the only thing you understand is the price. This is weary territory for the frugal. If the hand-crafted wedding invitations are a must, figure out who is most likely to save your invites for years to come. Otherwise, know your audience, and try online Evites as a free invitation option for your age-appropriate friends. Your groomsmen will not be heartbroken. They might even thank you when they can pull up the details whenever they want on their iphone. Choosing the best man Dude, you can do what you want when it comes to this category (see Can Fido be Your Best Man?) If you don't want to single out one buddy over another, say they're both best men. In fact, the best tradition you should stick with is grabbing great groomsman gifts from https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand/ Your groomsmen are planning a sweet bachelor party and they're shelling out some dough to rent a tux, the least you can do is set them up with a stainless steel flask with cigar holder for all their trouble. Remember, wedding traditions are a right of passage, but that doesn't mean they're set in stone. Some people believe it's good for the bride to rip her dress and get a pin prick by a bridesmaid. I guess sometimes it's bad luck to believe in silly superstitions. Make your wedding day special by borrowing or invent traditions as you see fit.

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Top 10 Over-Played Wedding Songs

A few weeks ago, I received a Labor Day wedding invite. Along with the RSVP, the couple asked for a song I'd like to hear at the wedding. What an awesome democratic idea! One problem: I received this invite on June 26th. The day after Michael Jackson died. Since I couldn't stop 'till I got enough, I made my tribute to the King of Pop... along with every other guest attending the wedding. Now we've all stopped. We've definitely had enough. And this Thriller of an idea went Bad in a hurry. Thanks to this wedding's theme of overplayed popsongs, here's a tribute to the top 10 over-played wedding songs. Top Ten Over-Played Wedding Songs YMCA by The Village People Why... are we still doing this? If you want to look like a hairy dope, just start spelling out words with your arms. Fun Village People Factoid: Some of the Village People are actually married. But no woman could tie down our good friend Chewbacca! Shout by the Isley Brothers Totally effed out. Compared to anything we hear nowadays, this sounds like half a song. I could care less about all of the crowd interaction. Get down, stand up... do the hookie pookie and turn yourself around - I could care less, and so should you. Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle Talk about gag. The song stirs up sob emotions during the father/daughter dance. This cliche snoozefest is the equivalent of the Zamboni song at a hockey game -- it's a terrible song but it corners the market, so it always gets a play. Great for old folks with no taste or the hearing impaired. Celebration by Kool and the Gang The best songs allude to how you feel, they don't repeat the action that you should be doing at that very moment. Yes, we're celebrating, but I don't feel the need to shout "celebrate good times, C'MON!" every time I'm happy. That's like singing, "I like food" every time I eat. Macarena by Los Del Rio You don't know what they're saying. You don't know why you're sticking your arms out. Who thought this was a good idea? Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks It works as a karaoke song, but I you listen to the lyrics, it's about a estranged-ex-turned-cowboy wedding crasher. Major league bummer when it comes to wedding songs. Groomstand hint: Got friends in low places? Give your buddies groomsmen gifts like tavern signs or beer steins. Stayin Alive by the BeeGees A curse is put on John Travolta's right arm. The only reason we still play this song is he makes it so easy to dance to... but it's totally not. We all look like dorks. Fun Saturday night Fever Factoid: The sequel aptly named Staying Alive was directed by Slyvester Stalone. Apparently Travolta's Saturday Night Fever was still burning, which sounds like a God awful STD. The Electric Slide by various artists This is the only hope for our rhythmically-challenged friends to get on the dance floor. I don't know what's worse: the people who take this dance routine seriously because they practice every Wednesday night at the ole log cabin tavern, or the unwilling suckers who don't know the steps. Just the thought of line dancing makes me shudder. Hot, Hot, Hot by Buster Poindexter Even though Buster was a pseudonym for David Johansen, he looked like a d-bag, and so will you when you're rockin' out to this irritating song. When you start your conga line, play something that doesn't sound like skinning a cat. Thriller by Michael Jackson News Flash: It is no longer awesome for groomsmen to do the Thriller Routine. If you don't take it seriously, then you look like a drunken mess. If you do take it seriously, you look like an obsessed weirdo trying to dance to a 20-year-old music video. Give up the dream. This bride and groom should have.

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The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner: Another Excuse to Party

Not everyone has a rehearsal dinner before the wedding, but there are few reasons to skip it. Normally, the rehearsal dinner is an informal gathering the night before the big day. It gives an opportunity for the wedding party to mingle in a low key setting, and also serves as the podium for the bride and groom to thank everyone involved with the wedding planning. Here are some tips from GroomStand so you make the most of the opportunity. Who plans the wedding rehearsal? If you're going the traditional route, the parents of the groom normally pick up the bill for this shindig. To take it a step further, the mother of the groom is the person on point to plan the party. If her taste doesn't match with yours, or especially the brides, it's OK. Most people know that the bride and groom have enough going on, and since this is normally an informal event, the only thing people will be worried about is having a good time. Sit down with Mother to let her know what you'd like the day to be like, and make sure to give your mother a gift of love for all her hard work with a Personalized Heart Compact Mirror. Since practice makes perfect, most people use the rehearsal as an opportunity to make a run-through of the wedding (think of Jr. High school play dress rehearsal). To keep a lighter mood, it's not uncommon for wedding parties to plan a theme around the day. Awesome wedding rehearsal ideas: BBQ Hoedown - Have some knee slappin' fun in the backyard with a barbecue and fiddle music. This is a super-de-duper informal approach, and if money is tight, there is always an option to make it a potluck. Since you're all outside, this is a great chance to pull out your groomsmen gifts of the Personalized Chrome Plated Flask w/ cigar holder and light up a stogy with your best buds. Bowling party - Skip the party setup by throwing a strike at the local bowling lane. Rent a party room, and if they don't sell their own food, cater it with whatever you like. If you're still trying to keep it swanky, some bowling alleys like Lucky Strikes have a dress code to maintain a posh and upscale atmosphere. To the winner of the first annual whatever-your-last-name-is tournament, hand out a personalized bowling pub sign with your name on it. Rock out with roller skates - Renting out a skating rink isn't that expensive. Just like a bowling alley, they have the same party facilities and should be pretty relaxed about bringing in catered food. Although this is probably the coolest idea on the list, double-check your guest list to make sure everyone is able body enough to skate around with a disco ball shining in their eyes. Casino Night - Find out how lucky you are with a casino themed party. While this might take some extra room, setting up tables for poker, craps or bingo will allow your wedding party to mingle with each other at their own pace. To set the mood for the night, send your wedding party personalized poker playing cards as invitations to your wedding rehearsal. Wine tasting - Class up your back yard with an outdoor wine tasting. As a way to save money, have your guests bring one bottle of a wine of their choice to the party. This will give you the best chance of providing a wide variety of colors and flavors. Have your groomsmen see our posting on How to Pop the Cork, and set them up with a Personalized Wine Accessory Gift Set as great groomsmen gifts for helping the wedding party open their bottles. No matter what kind of wedding rehearsal you choose, a well planned one can be just as memorable as the wedding without breaking the bank. Have a great time, and keep that party rolling into the next day.

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