Groom Trends, What's Hot in 2014

Grooms are no longer taking second seat to the brides. Everywhere you look it’s groom this and groom that. While it may be your fiancée’s ‘Big Day,’ isn’t it a landmark day in your life too? Yes it is, so why not man up and take charge! If you want to make wedding planning and the entire wedding planning experience more ‘equal opportunity,’ then check out these trends that men who are getting married in 2013 can’t stop talking about. Groom Blogs: Guys are coming out of the woodwork, men who aren’t ashamed to say that they enjoy the wedding planning process. Some love it maybe even more than the bride-to-be. From the selection of the bands (both rings and musical entertainment) to the styling the fashion profile of the groomsmen, these sites can be useful to gather practical tips and enjoy laughs as well. While there is admittedly a fine selection of groom blogs out there, we’re partial to this blog at http://www.branddepot.com/collections/groomstand/. Bourbon Bars: You can tell a man has had a hand in the reception planning if you see a bourbon bar. It’s becoming increasingly popular to designate a drink station serving the groom’s favorite bourbon, scotch or whiskey. Arrange for comfortable upholstered chairs to be set up in pairs and small groupings to encourage conversation and lounging. Serve full high-balls of bourbon on the rocks or offer several samples of various whiskies in shot glasses. Our mini whiskey barrel creates the ambiance of the aging cellar in a distillery; set several out on the bar filled with different varieties of the spirit. You can treat your friends each to their own as tasteful groomsmen gifts. Socks: In 2012, fun and flashy ties were all the rage. This year the party has moved downward to the feet – socks! Not just for preventing ‘cold feet,’ socks are a way for grooms to make a fashion statement when wearing a conservative suit or tuxedo. Women shouldn’t have all the fun with accessorizing. Add a little zing with socks in bright colors with strips, polka-dots or other novelty looks. Make sure to gather up the groomsmen for a group photo where all the guys are pulling up their pant legs to show off the fun! Co-ed Bachelor(ette) Parties: It almost sounds unheard of, but many of today’s couples are merging the bachelor and bachelorette parties into a single mega event. Organizing a boy-girl group event such as a dinner party, camping weekend, wine-tasting tour or pool party will give a chance for the bride’s party to meet and bond with groom’s party. Who knows, maybe a new engagement will come out of the cross mingling. Some of the best groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts will be having everyone together – of course, you’ll want to treat them to a personalized gift from the event as a remembrance. Male Engagement Rings: Even though many might dismiss the male engagement ring trend as a marketing ploy put forth by jewelers to rake in more money, there is some sound reasoning behind the idea to wear one. If the woman is wearing a ring to symbolize her dedication to her fiancé, why shouldn’t the man? If you are the kind of guy who is not comfortable wearing jewelry on the hands, another special piece of jewelry could be substituted like engraved cufflinks personalized with a special message. Do you plan on incorporating any of these groom trends in your wedding planning? Let us know in the comments below.

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The Ultimate Wedding Crasher

What would you do if the President of the United States showed up on your wedding day? Well, this exact thing happened to a more-than-surprised Iowa bride and groom recently. Apparently, the leader of the free world, none other than President Barak Obama, crashed their reception to the amazement of friends, family and, especially the bride and groom. It all went down Sept 1 at the Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. Oops, the venue had planned a wedding and a campaign rally both on the same day! While the rally actually ended before the wedding started, there was some overlap time as the two different events took care of pre and post party details. In a gesture of kindness, the President left a wedding gift for the couple that is sure to become a conversation starter in newlywed’s homes for many, many years to come. The prized present was a handwritten notecard signed by Obama saying “Congratulations on your wedding. Michelle and I hope you enjoy your life together.” Also, included with the sentiments was a silver-plated cup and small tray personalized with the presidential seal and his engraved name. Good to see that the President knows how thoughtful personalized gifts for the groom and bride can be – put usually these wedding gifts are engraved with the newlywed’s names! I’m sure an exception to etiquette can be made in this instance. To top it off the classy bride and groom gifts, everything was delivered in a handsome blue gift bag straight from the White House. While the President and First Lady probably aren’t going to drop by your wedding, you can still receive an official greeting from the power couple by sending an invitation to the Greetings Office at the White House. For weddings, the request should be made after the event occurs (I guess to see if you really go through with it) and the wait for a reply can take several months. Send your invitation or letter with specifics to: The White House, Greetings Office 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500

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Beard or No Beard, That is the Question

Thinking of wearing a beard on your Big Day? You’re not alone in this fascination for facial hair; beards seem to be enjoying a revival of sorts. Beards, it’s said, are making a comeback and GroomStand.com is behind a guy’s choice to wear or not wear facial hair. The furry face look is found on hipsters, folksy musicians and even celebrities -- Brad Pitt wears that goat-like beard with no apologies. More often than not, these beards are sported Sasquatch-style, the days of the subtle five-o’clock shadow has come and gone. Even the once clean-shaven star, George Cooney, was spotted recently at the Oscars sporting a silvery beard. So what’s behind this fad that’s covering handsome chins and cheeks with wild and wooly whiskers? Some say its Man rebelling against corporate conformity other’s say it’s guys embracing a whole new “retrosexuality.” Before you either start sprouting whiskers or shaving them off, here are some hairy issues to take into consideration: Pros: Sun Protection: Wearing a beard is especially handy if you are planning a tropical honeymoon. No need to shave, you’ll already have that man-deserted-on-an-island look. Some research has even indicated that beard-wearers live longer because they have a lower incidence of skin cancer on their faces. With this in mind, perhaps you should stop waxing your back. Warmth: While man has evolved from our hairier ancestors, you can’t deny the fact that wearing a beard is like wearing a ski mask over your face. It’s provides a level of insulation that can keep frost-bite away and if especially long can even be wrapped around the neck like a scarf. Also, a beard will keep moisture locked in, meaning skin stays actually quite baby soft under there. Save Time and Resources: Even the shaggiest beards will require some grooming. But, over a lifetime, the hours saved from the daily grind of lathering up and shaving count up to be weeks or months that you could be spending doing something much more interesting (although using a fancy shave set makes the chore much more tolerable). Aside from saving time grooming, growing a beard also prevents 5 gallons of water going down the drain each day – that saves both the planet and the bills in all you guys’ wallets and money clips. Cons: Backlash from the Bride: Your betrothed may not be as impressed by your ability to grow hair and may start issuing ultimatums so that your “don’t mess up the wedding photos.” She’s sure to tell you that if you wear a beard, it sets a precedent for all the groomsmen to “go all ZZ Top” and embarrass her in front of her family and friends. You say, “Don’t worry, honey. I got them all retro shave sets as groomsmen gifts and we’re taking them off after the bachelor party.” That’s a reasonable compromise. Suspicion in the Eyes of Bride’s Family: Even if your fiancée is embracing the beard wholeheartedly and not even complaining when you make out, her love alone may not be enough to win over her family. With a beard, her extended family and friends, those you don’t know very well like Great Aunt Edna and her BFF from church camp, may find the look a little off-putting – or worse. Heck, with a big, bushy beard you could be some sort of wacko survivalist, pot-smoking hippie or hardened criminal. Hygiene: Let’s face it, with a beard there is always beard hair in your food and food on your beard hair. It’s a no-win situation. There’s a reason why beards are nicknamed crumb-catchers, soup moppers and food savers. And, if you stop taking care of your beard with shampoo, conditioner and grooming implements, you could be mistaken for a homeless person when you stop to enjoy the day on a park bench. So, what’s a guy to do? Ultimately it comes down to personal choice and sometimes compromise. Let us know if you’ll be wearing whiskers to the wedding in the comment section below.

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Marrying Man of the Month: Ryan Reynolds

Congratulations are in order on many levels for actor and now groom, Ryan Reynolds. Not only did he tie the knot with the lovely actress Blake Lively; perhaps, more impressively, he pulled off a celebrity wedding right under the nose of the unsuspecting paparazzi. The surprise ceremony took place on Sunday, September 7, 2012 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant. Interestingly, this is the same location where “The Notebook” was filmed in 2004. It wasn’t until five days later that the two filed for a marriage license in Charleston and were legally married the next day, September 14th. So why have the ceremony before the legalities? We’re assuming this was part of their covert plan to get hitched under the radar. Of course, filing public documents before the wedding would alert the press. Sources say that the “Green Lantern” actors demanded complete privacy and that most of the wedding vendors, such as the cake decorator, were kept in the dark about the duo’s identity. The 70 guests and other people associated with the shindig were required to sign non-disclosure agreements before attending the nuptials. Also, cell phones were taken up at the door to prevent unauthorized wedding photos. This was Reynolds second time at the altar; he was previously married to actress Scarlett Johannson. It seems that People Magazine’s “2010 Sexiest Man Alive” has a type -- pretty blondes. A friend of the couple, Florence Welch of the band Florence and the Machine put on a show for the newlyweds and guests at the top-secret reception. Another detail to note is that Reynolds wore a Burberry suit with leather suspenders and cufflinks. It seems he’s bringing these accessories so popular in past fashion. No word on who were his groomsmen or what was given as groomsmen gifts, although we’re sure something extremely cool.

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Re-Tying the Knot - Vow Renewal Ceremonies

Looking to say “I do” again with the same woman? The trend for vow renewal ceremonies is has been on the rise in the last 10 years with some wedding vendors reporting that these recommitment ceremonies represent between five and 10 percent of their total business. A vow renewal is a great way to honor a landmark anniversary (such as 5, 10, 25 or 50), as a reaffirmation after a rocky road, or just a good excuse to celebrate your spouse and a healthy relationship. Celebrities have also popularized vow renewal ceremonies, remarrying each other in spectacular, over-the-top style. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon renewed their vows after four years of wedding bliss, in Paris atop the Eiffel Tower nonetheless. Reality star Khloe Kardashian and her basketball playing husband Lamar Odom said “I do” again on their one year anniversary and hip-hops royal couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z kept the beat going with a wedding redo. Supermodel Heidi Klum and husband, singer Seal, were famous for their multiple vow renewal ceremonies. Each year they would have a themed party; one year it was a white trash wedding and another it was a beach wedding. But, alas, despite the high number of nuptials, the couple called it quits in 2012. The world record for the largest number of vow renewals (with the same person) is held by Lauren Lubeck Blair and David E. Hough Blair who have married each other 101 times. The lovebirds originally got married in 1984 and have been getting renewed in different locations around the world, breaking the original Guinness World Record Book of 65 in 2001. Now each time the get re-married, they are resetting the old record they previously set. If you are planning a vow renewal, the ceremony and party can be whatever you want it to be. It can be just the two of you of at favorite destination, a small casual gathering, or a large fancy affair. Some couples like to go all out on the vow renewal, especially if they now have plenty of money to celebrate in a grand fashion. You know, break out the fancy champagne, caviar and golden groomsmen gifts. Luxury cigar humidors and executive leather goods (like our Napa leather business card case) are two of our favorite gifts for groomsmen. Other couples will find it more fitting to have a laid-back event where their children or grandkids will feel comfortable. Other couples will parlay a recommitment ceremony into a vacation, check out Las Vegas, cruise ships and island resorts for easy-breezy package deals. Vow renewal ceremonies are a great way to incorporate your family into the special day. Seeing their parents reaffirm their love in a public way will set a firm foundation for their future marriage union. If still in touch, it is meaningful to include as many as the “old” wedding attendants as possible including your best man and groomsmen. How fun it might be to invite the original ring bearer and flower girl and effuse about how they are now all grown up. You may now have gained new friendships that you’d like to include in the big day. Now grown into adults or older children, your sons may ever serve in the capacity of groomsmen. Don’t forget to thank all of your attendants with groomsmen gifts to show them how special they have been all these years. GroomStand.com has an impressive selection of gifts for groomsmen that will make wonderful keepsakes of this important day. Are you considering “re-tying the knot,” how many years has it been since the original wedding day? Let us know in the comments below.

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Mix and Match Wedding Attire for the Groom

Note to the groom and groomsmen, the bride and her bridesmaidÍs donÍt hold the exclusive right to set the tone and vibe for wedding day attire. Men, this is your time to speak up and get in on the ñnon-uniformî trend that is going on in weddings all over creation. For the past decade, non-matching attire has been acceptable wear for the bridesmaids, and now itÍs time for the guys to literally follow suit. A reasonable groom knows that not all men have the same personality; so why make all the groomsmen dress up in carbon copy? Give your buddies an intangible but oh-so welcomed groomsmen gift, the opportunity to be unique! Today it is completely okay to mix and match the wedding attire for your groomsmen, but there are some ground rules to follow to keep ñstyleî from running amok. In order to prevent a hodge-podged posse of pals, you need to stick keep things somewhat related. For example, when it comes to suits, use the same color family but different cuts or vice-versa. Or, for accessories such as ties, go for ñthemesî such as all bright colors, all earthy colors, monochromatic colors, and so on. Here are some ideas on how you and your groomsmen can get in on the mix: Mix up colors or styles of vests Wear different novelty or engraved cufflinks Mix up colors of ties in same pattern family (all polka dots, all plaids, all collegiate stripes) Wear unique boutonnieres Wear different hats in the same theme (fedoras, newsboy, cowboy) Wear different suits but all in the same color Wear socks in a theme, but each with a different pop of color (stripes, argyles, solids) Wear unique striped or plaid shirts that work well together Mix up footwear, each wears favorite pair of cowboy boots or skater shoes

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Mind-boggling, Budget-busting Wedding Records

There is something about human nature that makes us want to “one-up” each other. From SAT scores and the square-footage of homes to the numbers of push-ups and zeros on our paychecks, people – especially guys – like to compare and compete. For goodness sakes, this is how the Guinness Book of World Records came into existence; man needed a way to record random accomplishments and set the bar higher and higher for the next guy to bust his butt achieving. Well, you will be happy (or horrified) that the details of your wedding are not immune to this drive to climb to the top of the heap and get noticed for being bigger, better, more expensive or some other sensational superlative. Here are some record book wedding achievements that will make your jaw drop and your bank account shudder. You may want to keep your bridezilla away from this list! Imagine what the crumbs cost? The most expensive wedding cake was created by a bakery aptly named Cake. The eight tiers of buttercream and spongy goodness will bring grown men to tears; the cost is a whopping $52,700,000 dollars thanks to the 4,000 real diamond embellishments. The typical cost for a wedding cake, as reported by The Knot, is just $540. So you do the math? Would you rather have one consumable cake and life in a trailer park or an “average” cake with an additional $52,999,460 for the fabulous mansion of your dreams. Either way, you need to get yourself a “rich-looking” leather wallet and several more for groomsmen gifts. A single slice would suffice! Now, most men we know would be more interested in the size of the wedding cake rather than the actual design. Who cares if it is encrusted with diamonds, edible gold, intricately basket-woven frosting and delicate candy flowers. Just how big is that bad boy? The world record for the largest wedding cake is held by the chefs at Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Connecticut. It weighs in at 15,032 pounds and could feed a literal army. Until death do you part. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, a pact to stay together for better or worse as long as you both shall live. In some unfortunate situations, spouses die an untimely death rendering the marriage shorter than expected. In other situations (that some men might also describe as unfortunate), the spouse just keeps on ticking as in the case of Herbert and Zemura Fisher who were married for an amazing 86 years, 9 months and 16 days! They must have married very young. On the other hand, if you get married older, you probably won’t be married as long -barring unforeseen medical breakthroughs. The oldest combined age of a couple on their wedding day goes to a 95 year-old bride named Lillian Hartley and a 98 year-old groom named Allan Marks. This puts their combined age at nearly 194 years! Their progeny will be basketball stars. The tallest married couple on record goes to Anna Hanen Swan (measuring in at 7 foot 5.5 inches) and Martin Van Buren Bats (7 foot 2.5 inches) for a combined height of 14 foot 8 inches. We heard a rumor that the groom hates it when she wears heels because it makes him feel “so short.” Okay, we made that part up. And by the way, check out our basketball inspired groomsmen gifts. So, are you feeling the need yet to make your claim for fame when it comes to getting married? First look at your obvious physical attributes. If the two of you have 12 toes AND mismatched eyes (one blue and one brown), you may have something to lead with. Second, look at your bank account and decide if you can afford the most expensive pair of engraved cufflinks, a super-ultra-luxury bachelor party or even outrageous groomsmen gifts. Or third, assess your talents to see if you have an aptitude, skill or the stamina to get you into the record books. For example, do you think you could juggle your way through the whole ceremony and reception? Or, how about literally making a 100-meter dash down the aisle in less than 9 seconds? Let us know your prospects for making wedding history in the comments below.

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How to Handle a Drunk Wedding Guest

It’s happened at almost every wedding I’ve ever attended – the intoxicated wedding guest. Whether it is a rowdy groomsmen or notoriously boozing uncle, there is always one guy (or gal) in the crowd that sees the open bar as his invitation to overindulge. Even if you are serving limited drinks at your wedding, you can still find yourself with a guest two sheets to the wind. Consider offering plenty of non-alcoholic libations to keep over-drinking at bay. Read on to find tips on handling a wedding guest that has had too much to drink. Notify the wedding planner or venue coordinator immediately. This person is versed in hospitality issues of all kinds, good and bad, and most likely has experience handling an inebriated person. The groomsmen and bridesmaids can also help out a tanked guest of the respective gender. Remove the drunken guest to a less crowded part of the party, from the back of the room to the lobby. If they need to lie down, many restrooms in nicer hotels have couches and lounges that will be out of pubic sight. This keeps the attention off the antics of the guest on rightfully on the bride and groom. Offer the guest food and water. Getting a little food in the stomach can help to slow down the absorption of alcohol and water will help counterbalance dehydration. But don’t push him to gorge, it may backfire. Immediately escort the guest to the restroom if they appear to be nauseated. A bride is not going to be happy seeing her reception splattered with vomit. Take the intoxicated guest’s car keys and try to find the people he or she came with, if applicable. Suggest the person call a taxi or stay overnight in the hotel. Hosts of the wedding should be aware that guests who cause a drunken accident after leaving the event can be held liable for damages, not just the driver. For more tips for your wedding day (and plenty of awesome choices in groomsmen gifts), check out Groomstand.com.

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Mixing Drinks with Speed and Cocktail Shakers

There are many skills a guy should have and one of the most essential is being able to mix up a mean drink. Most men pick up this absolute must-have ability during their bachelorhood, such as in college or in the early work years. Nothing imparts sophisticated swagger and attracts the women more than being able to mix up a wide range of adult beverages. It’s a win-win; not only are drinks made, but women are met! Perhaps it’s even how you charmed your significant other! Making one drink at a time is just fine, but making multiples is even better. Whipping up loads of libations will make you the host with the most when inviting family over for a dinner party, putting on poker night, or having the guys over to watch the big game. It’s always a nice touch to make drinks for your fiancé or new bride when she has the girls over for book club, bunko or baby showers. You’ll seem like the most handsome, charming and useful boyfriend/fiancé/husband ever to live! A guy who really wants to improve his drink-making speed should take lessons from Sheldon Wiley, a mixologist from New York City. This wizard behind the bar recent set a Guinness World Record for the most cocktails made in one hour. If you think he made about a hundred (which would be well over one per second), think again. This lightening-speed spigot slinger made 1003 cocktails within one hour to break the previous achievement of 937. And, no, it’s not solely about speed. The bartender said that he also “wanted exemplify the integrity and craft of cocktails. According to regulations, and confirmed by an on-site Guinness adjudicator, the drinks had to be make one at a time and include a minimum of three ingredients. Wiley to his craft seriously and went above and beyond the requirements, making all of his drinks with four ingredients. Dozens of fruit juices, eight vodka flavors, and an assortment of gourmet flavored syrups were the tasty tools in his rainbow-colored arsenal of beverage making. We don’t even think he had a brigade of barkeeps on hand to uncork bottles and provide clean glasses. This superlative server was flying solo! And talking about glasses, he must have exhausted the establishment’s entire supply of barware, from pilsners to beer mugs and martini glasses to shooters. But, surely there were plenty of volunteers to help consume the drinks at the end. We wonder if he had enough time to use a cocktail shaker like Tom Cruise in the 1988 movie, Cocktail ? A cocktail shaker is the classic way to both blend and chill ingredients for a drink at the same time. Thanks to the ice inside and metal exterior, the contents become icy cold after being shaken and strained into the barware of choice. Probably the most iconic drink to be whipped up in a cocktail shaker is the martini – shaken, not stirred, of course! A cocktail shaker makes a unique choice in groomsmen gifts, gifts for the groom, or special presents for men who fancy themselves master mixologists. From the classic shaker to the novelty shaker (like our penguin cocktail shaker), one of these groomsmen gifts will sit like a symbol of style and sharp skill on a guy’s home bar. And, when in use, a cocktail shaker helps ensure that a drink is made with the finest craftsmanship – enjoy! How many drinks do you think you could make in a hour? Have you ever used a cocktail shaker? For what drink recipe? Let us know below!

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Bachelor Party Scavenger Hunt for the Groom

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

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Flash Mob Dance and Marching Band Proposal

When a guy orchestrates a public proposal, he certainly has to be sure that the object of his affection is not going to turn him down. Just think of how embarrassing it would be to get a rejection on the Jumbotron at a basketball game or, worse yet, on a reality television show. Spoiler alert, this viral video we found on youtube.com has a happy ending -- the girl says ñyes.î So, apparently on June 9, 2012 a young man proposed to girlfriend in Bryant Park. It wasnÍt the typical proposal one might expect in a park, like asking ñwill you marry meî after a romantic picnic lunch or stroll around the flower gardens. It was a proposal with a lot, a LOT of pomp and circumstance. It was a dancing flash mob, whoohoo! The groom-to-be invited his girlfriend to meet him for an alfresco lunch; he said why you donÍt bring your best friend along too. So, as the two young ladies arrived at the park, an unfamiliar woman ushered them to a patio table on the square decked out for the event with a table cloth and small bouquet of roses. This was the first sign that something unusual was up. Then, the girl moved into the grassy area and started to dance. I bet the bride-top-be was mortified, was the beginning of some sort of strip show? Thank goodness, dozens of other men and women joined into the choreographed dance routine to Michael JacksonÍs ñThe Way You Make Me Feel.î It was a moving, grooving love poem. It was an early gift from the groom to the bride. Take a look for yourself! Wow, what is going on! As the flash mob dance ended, an entire marching band from Port Chester High School came bounding down the lawn playing ñHey Baby, I Wanna Know if YouÍll Be My Girl.î Trumpets, trombones, tubas, snare drums and all! We think there may have even been a harmonica! At the same time, hidden in the vicinity of the park, all of the bride-to-beÍs friends and relatives revealed themselves and joined in the spectacle. You could tell she was putting two-and-two together just as her boyfriend revealed himself _ as the uniformed drum major! He got down on one knee and asked the fateful question _ thankfully as we mentioned earlier, she said ñyesî and he popped the top on the engagement ring box to reveal the bling. The credits at the end of the video list ñKusturiss Jewelersî as part of the day. WeÍre wondering if this showman arranged a trade-off _ a ring for publicity! This is not a bad idea. Approach a jeweler and say, IÍm planning a viral video and hoping for 2 million hits (which is about what this guy got), why donÍt you give me a mega-buck diamond ring and IÍll mention your name. If you have great video skills, an outgoing personality and what it takes to make internet video connoisseurs flock to your clever clip, this might be an excellent way to fund an elaborate and over-the-top wedding. You could approach all types of vendors for ñproduct placement,î not just for the engagement ring. What about wheeling and dealing for the honeymoon, the tuxedos, the groomsmen gifts, or heck, that new red sports car youÍve had your eye on! Are you planning on bartering like this for any of your wedding-related expenses? Give us tips in the comments below.

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The Beer Run Bride

Peanuts and crackerjack! A Montana manÍs wedding proposal nearly struck out at Wrigley Field in Chicago this summer. On July 30th, Greg and his girlfriend Erica headed out on a much-needed vacation with special plans to attend their first-ever Cubs baseball game. But watching baseball wasnÍt the only thing Greg had planned for the day. In razzle-dazzle style, he had called ahead to make arrangements for the Jumbotron to flash his marriage proposal during the fifth inning. But, when the fateful time came, the scoreboard lit up with ñErica, will you marry me?î while the cameras flashed to the coupleÍs seats. But, the woman of the moment was nowhere to be found. Nowhere. Where, oh where, could she have wandered off too and, the bigger question, why did the prospective groom let her leave her seat knowing what was about to happen?! Apparently the girlfriend left to score some icy cold beers at the concessions window, leaving poor Eric to look like a jilted lover to the rest of the stadium. But we donÍt think he cared. When she finally returned, the fieldÍs camera revisited the lovebirds and did capture Greg slipping the ring on her finger, while on bended knee and all. At first we wondered why he didnÍt make up an excuse to get her to stay. But, then we realized what was driving GregÍs patience and desire to marry this girl; sheÍs the one that makes the beer runs! If you love baseball, beer or both visit GroomStand.com for all your wedding planning needs, from groomsmen gifts, best man gifts, gifts for dad and more! After all, arenÍt (baseball) diamonds a guyÍs best friend?

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