Big Blazing Bachelor Party Idea - BBQ Lessons

It’s time your buds took the big plunge – no not getting married, that’s a little situation you’ve gotten yourself into. We’re talking about learning how to cook (at least outdoors) and fending for oneself so that those bachelor bellies won’t have to depend on mama’s spaghetti or the drive through at the local burger joint. Teaching you buds how to cook is a hands-on idea for your gifts for groomsmen, one they can use forever. A fun and frankly quite practical bachelor party idea is to fire up the grill for ‘Basic BBQ Training’ for the boys. We’re talking hunks of meat marinated, rubbed and grilled up to perfection, not fussy recipes that have weird ingredients that have to be measured and mixed up with precision. But, take some fire, raw meat and a little beer, salt and pepper for seasoning and you really can whip up a man-handled masterpiece! There are outside party-planners that can bring in master chefs to teach your BBQ bachelor party, you can even possibly reach out to your state’s Beef Council for some free tips and training. Fire up the grills before the training so they’ll be raring hot to go. Have the guys learn all about the different cuts of meat, how to marinated and season, and how to tell when dinner is done (a meat thermometer registers about 145 F degrees or passes the finger test for doneness). Also, show them how to mark their territory with a steak brand – also a fitting choice in groomsmen gifts at a barbeque bachelor party.

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Three Valentine's Day Proposal Tips Guys Will Love (Okay, Like A Lot)

If youÍ'e planning to get down on bended knee and ask that special girl to get married, ValentineÍs always a romantic day to pop the question. You'll be in good company; more than 10 percent of engagements take place on February 14th, itÍs the busiest month for love. Celebrities are also included in the February engagement frenzy, much to the delight of fancy diamond jewelry stores on both coasts. Famous guys like resident ER television doctor Noah Wyle to famous shock-jock Howard stern have both become engaged on ValentineÍs Day along with numerous other stars. Stern, never one to use discretion, announced his engagement to model Beth Ostrosky on his Sirius Satellite Radio Show and let us in on all the details including the strip show, the sex, and the diamond ring (it must have been a big diamond, thatÍs all we can say). For us regular Joes who are just scraping together enough for a decent-sized engagement ring and hoping that she doesnÍt blow the budget by ordering the ïsurf and turfÍ for dinner, there are lots of considerations to plan for when proposing on ValentineÍs Day. Here are three tips to keep on your radar before for the event. Expect to Pay A Premium. Restaurants and florists are sure to boost up their fees on Valentine's Day, youÍll need to work this into your budget, especially if you are counting pennies or have splurged on the big diamond ring. An alternative is to prepare a home-cooked meal and surprise her with the proposal when sheÍs least expecting it. A fun idea; use a monogrammed steak brand featuring her future married initials (like the steak irons we sell for groomsmen gifts) and see if she gets the hint when she cuts into her steak. If your words are half as dazzling as the ring, she wonÍt even notice that youÍve taken the frugal route. Wine and Dine Wisely. If you do decide to cough up the bucks for dining out on ValentineÍs Day, make sure to secure your reservations long in advance. On February 14th and even the nearest Friday and Saturday nights, the wait to get into a hip and happening spot can take hours, if you can even get in at all. If she has a favorite dessert, entr_e or drink that youÍre planning to incorporate into the proposal, make sure that the restaurant will be serving it that night. Often, a special menu will be offered with no variations. Now, if youÍre planning to put the ring IN her dessert or champagne glass, beware! WeÍve heard too many stories of emergency room trips to retrieve a ring out of hungry girlÍs gut. Another warning; if you do indulge in wine, champagne or other spirits; make sure to have a safe ride home. Getting pulled over for drunk driving is no way to start ñhappily ever after.î Celebrate with a Surprise Party: After youÍve intimately popped the question over dinner on ValentineÍs Day, really win her over with an impromptu gathering of family and friends _assuming that you know sheÍs going to say ñyesî! After dinner, tell her youÍd like to go to a dessert bar, coffee shop or back to your house where youÍve set up a surprise engagement party. ItÍs a sweet way to include the other people she loves into the memorable life event. SheÍll be thrilled to share the good news (and show off her new rock) and youÍll win points with her parents in the process. So, help a fellow out, share your proposal ideas for ValentineÍs Day. We want to hear everything, from the cheesy jumbo-tron proposals to your thoughts on reciting poetry. Let us know in the comments below.

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Alec Baldwin Engaged to Yoga Instructor

Looks like Alec Baldwin has made a bold move, and we’re not talking about playing ‘Words with Friends.’ Reps for the mouthy, trash-talking celeb have confirmed that the just turned 54-year-old 30 Rock actor popped the question to his 27-year-old girlfriend, Hilaria Thomas. Yes, they are getting M-A-R-R-I-E-D and that’s worth at least 9 points. While it’s the first marriage for Hilaria, it’s the second for Alec who famously divorce Kim Basinger in 2002. Thomas, who grew up in both Boston and Spain and is now owner of a yoga studio in New York, hooked up with Baldwin last year. So far, no wedding date has been released. As the oldest of the Baldwin brothers – Daniel, Billy and Stephen, all actors, we’re betting that Alec will have at least one, if not all, stand up for him in the wedding as best man and groomsmen. What would a clan of acting brothers enjoy as groomsmen gifts? Since they were all born and raised in Long Island, New York perhaps a personalized sign from a favorite New York area professional sports team – we know the elder bro is a die-hard fan of the Yankees. Check out our Personalized Yankees Locker Room Sign for your own enthusiasts. If we were picking other groomsmen gifts for the event, some stylish engraved cufflinks would look awesome peeking out from under the tuxedo jackets – they’ll need to be personalized with a monogram so we all know who is who, these Baldwin brothers all look alike you know! Another idea for awesome groomsmen gifts is a miniature whiskey barrel, probably something even the guy who has everything doesn’t have!

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Where-Oh-Where to Wed

Choosing a wedding venue can be a stressful decision, maybe not as life-altering as actually popping the question, but a decision of significance for the groom nonetheless. If youÍve followed convention when it came to asking her to be your wife, youÍve most likely already made challenging decisions about the perfect engagement ring and the ideal wedding date. Since itÍs typically the brideÍs thing to spend countless hours picking out the dress, flowers and other fussy touches, thereÍs not too much else for the guys do than pick out the perfect groomsmen gifts for their buddies and plan a respectable rehearsal dinner to bring the two families together. However, there is another important decision that the groom should be involved in, and that is helping to decide ñwhere to wed.î When deciding on a wedding venue, it would be nice to have the bank account of a movie star. You could get hitched anywhere in the world and not have to worry about sparing any expense or detail For example, when Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner got married in 2005, they were able to seclude themselves in luxury at the Parrot Cay Resort in Turks and Caicos. It was an idyllic island wedding with a ñno flyî zone to keep the paparazzi helicopters away. But, since most of us guys donÍt have those kind of deep pockets and wonÍt be hiding out from a throng of crazed fans (unless you have some past girlfriend stalkers), weÍre just typically looking for a nice, respectable place to host family and friends for a special event. There are plenty of places to hold a ceremony and reception, and with a little advance-planning, youÍll be able to book a venue that will impress all the future in-laws. Wedding ceremony and reception locations fall into a few categories, each with their own pluses and minuses. Religious Venues:Many couples having a traditional wedding opt for securing a house of worship for their ceremony (with a reception often held elsewhere). Allow plenty of time to book a church or temple, because this can often be an ordeal if you are not already a member. I was fairly new to my city when I got married and hadnÍt yet established myself as part of a religious congregation, although I had been a member of a church elsewhere before I moved. While I was not required to become an official member of the church where I married, I was required to have a long-standing member vouch for me and also undergo a 6-week marriage class. While the financial expense was minor, the commitment was just greater than just booking a hotel ball room. Outdoor Venues:Nature-centric couples always jump at the chance to have an outdoor wedding. If this sounds like itÍs for you, make sure you understand all the variables at play. As beautiful as it is, any outdoor space will require set-up and tear-down of chairs, tables, dance-floors, tents and the like. Serving food will be harder for the caterers without an indoor kitchen (although food trucks are becoming a trendy option). Also, donÍt forget about the biggest factor at play in an outdoor wedding, the weather! YouÍll need to be monitoring the forecast and have a back-up plan for any weather situations that go awry. Hotels and Event Locations:The great thing about booking space at a hotel or event location is that they are extremely familiar with hosting wedding receptions; they will even allow you to have the ceremony on-site as well. This means that choices in d_cor, food, and music may all fall under the umbrella provided by the location rather than the bride and groom having to seek out each vendor individually. Many of these venues even have a designated employee to serve as the wedding planner, making the whole experience easier. Even ñpublicî places like museums, libraries and historic buildings are all often used as ceremony and reception spots. Make sure to scout out and secure your location early, many of the popular spots can be booked a year or more in advance. Destination Locations:Do you dream of an exotic beach wedding or a snow-capped soiree? Destination weddings are becoming more popular as couples choose to combine the wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon all into one spot. The drawbacks to this type of location can be the hassle of getting the guests there. Will you be footing the travel and hotel bills, or will they? You could consider the wedding attendantsÍ expenses part of a generous gesture in bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts. Yes, the tab can quickly add up, but if you are loaded like a Hollywood A-lister, why not enjoy this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you could choose to get married anywhere and expense and logistics were of no consequence, what spot would you pick? From the swanky Plaza Hotel in New York City to your own backyard, we want to hear what you think in the comment section below.

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Best Baseball Movies For Bachelor Event

Major League Baseball will open with pre-season games on May 28th and fans are buzzing about what the year holds. If you have a late spring or summer wedding planned, maybe you can get the guys together for one last hurrah at your favorite ball field before the Big Day. Even if the home team isn’t in town, you can still have a fun bachelor’s night focused on friendship and baseball flicks! You don’t have to be at the ballpark to break out the peanuts and Cracker Jack. In fact, you may want to break out the beer and serve it up in personalized MLB beer steins honoring the team of your choice. Give them groomsmen gifts or at least mark the occasion with really cool party favors; may we suggest mini replica baseball bats or awesome personalized MLB signs that can be displayed in the man cave or spot of sports watching. Now that the question of groomsmen gifts is solved, it’s time to choose movies. There are so many great movies about baseball, it’s hard to decide on just one for your bachelor baseball night. Read through our top list and pick a few for your party. Moneyball – This recent movie starring Brad Pitt is about a washed up player turned team general manager who looks to win on a budget using a computer-generated analysis of what players to recruit. Field of Dreams – Another baseball movie featuring Kevin Costner, this movie romances baseball with the famous quote “If you build it they will come.” Portraying a farmer, Costner hears voices that tell him to build a diamond on his property which will eventually be used by the Black Sox. The Rookie – The true story Jim Morris, played by Dennis Quaid, is about a high school baseball coach who follows his dreams to pitch in the big leagues and makes the roster for the Tampa Bay Rays at the old age of 35. Major League- This comedy about a hodge-podge team of players assembled with the goal of losing so that the owner can legally move the team to another state. But, against all odds, the players achieve the impossible and become a winning team. Bad Nears Bears or The Sand Lot – Either of these light-hearted movies would be great if you’ve got any little leaguers in the house, past or present. The Natural – Starring Robert Redford, the plot follows baseball prospect Roy Hobbs who is shot by a serial killer targeting athletes. While he survives, his career takes 16 years to get back on track. In the final scene, Hobbs hits a home run into the lights, sparks flying down as he rounds the bases, one of film’s most recognizable sports scenes. Bull Durham –This is one of the three baseball-themed movies Kevin Costner starred in over his career, and arguably the best. Realistic yet still entertaining, this flick focuses on the life of guys in the minor league.

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Get-Fit Groom Plan

With the holidays coming to a close, many men are looking to get fit for the New Year, especially the grooms out there! If youÍve spent the last month overindulging on eggnog, fudge, and tenderloin with all the trimmings, it might be time to make a new healthy game plan so that you look and feel your best on the wedding day. ThatÍs right, itÍs not just the brides who are worried about showing themselves off in the best light to their prospective spouse and wedding guests, the guys are worried too these days. Whether you have one month or six months left before that walk down the aisle, itÍs time to get after it and do some hard work _ the results will be well worth it. ItÍs a gift for the groom that only you can give to yourself. HereÍs a straightforward plan to get you started. Eat less, eat healthier. Take a good look at what youÍre eating and donÍt kid yourself _ is it really healthy. Low-carb, high-protein, low-fat, Paleo, The Zone, plant-based, whatever; there are a million diets out there and weÍre not advocating a specific one. But, just be mindful about what youÍre putting into your body versus how much energy you are expending. Just because you are working out, doesnÍt mean you can reward yourself with tons of extra food, especially if your goal is to lose weight. Also, remember to drink plenty of water; not only is it hydrating but can help turn off your hunger signals between meals. Carry around one of our personalized water bottles; also a great choice in groomsmen gifts. Burn calories with cardio three to five times per week. Whether you are running, cycling, boxing or jumping rope, do some form of cardiovascular exercise every other day for 30 minutes, at a minimum. And no, golf really isnÍt an endurance sport. If this seems like a chore, enlist the help of your buddies to keep you company and pass the time away while you are pounding the pavement. Pick up our sports bag for yourself and to give as groomsmen gifts; itÍs a great way to pack your gear if you are heading to run or bike after work.

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Budget Friendly Groomsmen Gifts

Between the rumors of gas reaching 5 dollars a gallon by summer and the expensive tastes of the bride-to-be quickly draining the wedding budget, whatÍs a poor groom (literally) to do? YouÍve booked the wedding venue and sheÍs bought the dress, but now all those little essential ïextrasÍ are starting to add up. One of your remaining obligations is to purchase groomsmen gifts for the guys who will standing by your side on the big day. Even though most of your buds arenÍt expecting a gift, either they arenÍt aware of the tradition or just think itÍs a bit fussy; you donÍt want to skimp over this gesture of appreciation. The good news is finding great groomsmen gifts donÍt need mean youÍll have to sign-away your first born son into indentured servitude. Places like GroomStand.com offer plenty of inexpensive groomsmen gifts that look anything but cheap _ your friends will be impressed and your wallet wonÍt be stressed! One of the easiest ways to transform an inexpensive groomsmen gift into a posh-looking purchase is to add a special personalization. Not only does this make a 20 dollar gift look like a 100 dollar gift, it also increases the sentimental value to the recipient exponentially. From embroidery and engraving to debossing and etching, there are many styles of making a special mark on your chosen gifts for groomsmen. Leather gifts such as wallets and money clips look luxurious when marked with the manÍs monogram. Barware, including beer mugs, can be engraved with a gentlemanÍs name, an event date or role he played in your wedding such as best man, groomsmen or ring bearer. Even a multi-function tool or pocket knife becomes a cut above the ordinary with a special personalization on the handle or case. At GroomStand.com personalization is always free on every item we carry. So, donÍt let the worries of your wallet keep you from shopping for awesome groomsmen gifts. Groomstand.com has plenty of options, many even under 20 dollars, that make a grand gesture of generosity well beyond their actual cost.

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Hef is a Groom Again

Still chasing the girls like a young whippersnapper, the 88-year-old Hugh Heffner is once again set to tie the knot with his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Crystal Harris. This makes “The Hef” our Marrying Man of the Month, although we’re not entirely sure the nuptials will go off without a hitch. You see, Heffner and the 26-year-old playmate are engaged to each other for the second time around; the first engagement was broken off by the bolting bride-to-be just days before the wedding which was originally set for 2011. However, in recent months, Harris has moved back into the Playboy Mansion and the two have reportedly been spending more time together. Despite the 60+ year age disparity, Harris has mentioned in the past that “she is the one keeping up with Hef.” Sources confirm that the May-December romance will culminate with a wedding at the Playboy Mansion this New Year’s Eve with family and close friends in attendance. So, if Hef were to have a posse of groomsmen, what kind of groomsmen gifts do you think he’d give? Here are our top picks: Personalized Zippo Lighter: This is such a classic, old-school personalized groomsmen gift. We could totally see a smoking-jacket-clad Hefner passing these out to the guys. Plus, it’s pretty symbolic – the flame is guaranteed to never go out. Cigar Humidor: Think back to the days of the old Playboy Clubs; the sophisticated members would all be sitting around drinking their martinis and enjoying fine stogies. The aficionado of cigars will really appreciate having a fine-looking and highly functional storage spot to keep his smokes fresh and crush-free. Engraved Barware: We know the Hef drinks, we’ve seen him shuffling around many times with an adult beverage in hand, probably trying to self-medicate over the stress of juggling so many women. He’s done ads for Stoli and Bavaria, so he must like both vodka and beer. Presenting groomsmen gifts like engraved flasks, sets of shot glasses, or even retro cocktail shakers would be oh-so sophisticated in that rich, wrinkled, “I’m an octogenarian player” sort of way.

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Best Groomsmen Gifts Ever

You can’t flip through a magazine or surf the web without being bombarded with some type of “The Best Of” list. From the best places to live, the best barbershops, the top universities and premier pizza shops, it’s always reassuring to know that you’re making a solid choice, a pick that other people validate by some criteria or another. When a newly engaged couple starts planning the Big Day, the quest for “bestness” is magnified exponentially. Typically, the bride, who sees the wedding as the culmination of all her romantic, knight in shining armor dreams, is the one pushing for perfection. If it was up to most guys, wearing jeans, eating barbeque and skipping the floral arrangements would be just fine for a wedding scenario. But, in the end, the usually bride gets her way and the couple joins together to put their best foot forward in an effort to impress guests with their fine taste and hospitality. One of the tasks of the groom will be to seek out and purchase the groomsmen gifts, please do not leave this up to the bride unless you want your boys to be blessed with smelly spa baskets (she’ll say, ‘men need bath salts and facial masks, too’) or fussy photo frames (undoubtedly filled with a photo of the recipient looking uncool). Instead, we have compiled a list, yes a ‘best of’ list of the five best-selling groomsmen gifts that your friends will actually appreciate. Personalized Shot Glass: Tequila, rum, vodka, scotch – a guy can never have too many shots or shot glasses to hold ‘em all in. Just call a taxi if you’re drinking away from home. Personalized Beer Mug: Enthusiasts of ale will find favor with a great big beer mug engraved territorially with their name. Multi-Function Tool: Loaded to the max, these sporty groomsmen gifts will satisfy the inner outdoorsman of any guy. Pop the top off a beer or saw off your own arm if caught under a bolder. Engraved Cufflinks: Not as fussy as you’d think, most guys don’t even own a pair and have been secretly wishing to give off the dashing double agent vibe. Personalized Mini Whiskey Barrel: Wow your buddies with a completely unique pick in groomsmen gifts. Scaled down in size, but not usability, this awesome way to age spirits will make anyone feel like a master distiller.

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When a Groomsman Goes Feral

In any big group of groomsmen, it always seems like thereÍs one who stands out as the loud, obnoxious drunk. Maybe he was this way in college, and you should have thought twice about asking him to be in your wedding. Or, maybe heÍs turned into a kinda-funny, yet still slobbering stupid fool later in life and you didnÍt see it coming. Either way, itÍs too late to yank his groomsmen credentials once the wedding is in play. The only thing you can do is deal with the situation like the grown up he isnÍt. DonÍt reward him with attention. Keep the groomsmen in question away from the microphone at all costs. A few minutes before it is time for best man and groomsmen speeches, divert this guyÍs attention elsewhere in the venue. For example, have the hotel lobby page him out of the ballroom and up to the front desk. DonÍt let him hog the dance floor, badger the bridesmaids or slobber all over your new mother-in-law. Do whatever it takes to make sure he doesnÍt take center stage! Try to limit the amount of his alcohol intake. If you give him that go-to groomsmen gift (an engraved flask), make sure it isnÍt filled with the hard stuff! If things havenÍt completely gotten out of hand yet, secretly ask the bartender to pour him weak drinks. You really canÍt effectively police a grown manÍs alcohol intake, but you can remind him of times heÍs overindulged and made a fool of himself. Hopefully that will slow down his rowdy behavior. If possible, offer him a place to sit down and enjoy a coffee or glass of water; heÍll thank you in the morning, everyone will thank you tonight! A great idea is to replace his drink with a personalized canteen filled with water. Get the other groomsmen to help. You have a ton of responsibilities on the wedding day; dealing with a tanked friend will take away from meeting all the other guests, like your new great Aunt Myrtle. YouÍll never hear the end of it from your bride if you are tending to a plastered friend; in fact, there may be some guilt by association. Make sure to thank the responsible friends who have stepped up to chaperone your ñgroomsmen gone wildî with extra nice and thoughtful gifts for groomsmen such as engraved cufflinks or a fine leather wallet.

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Cool Couple Justin and Jessica Getting Married

An on-again, off-again Hollywood couple has decided to make it official . . . soon. According to reports, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, became engaged during the recent winter holidays and are planning a summer wedding. While you guys aren’t going to be impressed at all with the frilly bride-to-be details, like the rumored designer of her wedding dress or the history behind the vintage-looking engagement ring, there is one ‘cool dude’ aspect of the engagement to date – the pair became engaged in Jackson Hole, Wyoming while shredding up the slopes on snowboards. In our opinion, that sure beats popping the question to your girl wearing a stuffy suit in some fancy restaurant. That Jessica is one cool chick! It’s too early sniff out any insider information on what Justin might give his buds as groomsmen gifts. Honestly, we’ve seen too much ‘Saturday Night Live’ and would be suspicious of anything Timberlake gave to us in a box! But, because Justin is such a snappy dresser (he actually has a clothing line name ‘William Rast’ with best friend Trace Ayala), we think Justin might go the engraved cufflink route for his groomsmen gifts. You know the guys in his posse will look good strutting down the red-carpet wedding aisle in a pair of personalized cufflinks. Groomstand.com has a wide selection of hip and stylish cufflinks that will help your best man, groomsmen and other important men involved in the Big Day get their celebrity swagger on. From classic engraved cufflinks that can be personalized with the recipient’s initials to novelty cuff links that capture the spirit of a favorite hobby or interest, you can’t go wrong giving these men’s accessories as gifts for groomsmen. Our pick for Justin to give the guys is our dashing dollar symbol cufflinks!

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Can I Have More Than One Best Man?

A question that comes up more frequently than you’d think is whether it is “okay” to have more than one best man in your wedding. Most guys are too embarrassed to come right out and say they are having trouble picking between their buddies, assuming that having multiple best friends is kind of girly in a “like OMG you’re one of my BFFs” sort of way. So, before you down your which-guy-to-pick stress with the help of a flask, we’ll set the record straight. While it is “traditional” to have one best man, there is no reason why you can’t have multiple best men in this day and age. Heck, some guys even have women as “best men.” Just remember, that if you really do have more than one best man, you’ll need to give them all the duties and honors that go along with it (including presenting nice groomsmen gifts), otherwise, they’re really just still be groomsmen. There are reasons why you might want to have more than one main wingman buttoning up his best man cufflinks in your wedding. For example, imagine that you became friends with a group of two or three guys at the same time (such as grade school, college or wherever) and each has provided the same level of friendship to you over the years. It would be too awkward to delegate one to become a mere groomsmen; pick them all. Or, imagine that you are super tight with your best friend, but you also have a brother. He could be a pesky little brother or a controlling older brother. While you may not have the same friendship with your brother, family ties last forever. So it’s a good idea to put him in the spotlight alongside your friend. This leads to another question. If you have multiple best men (and this even pertains to the groomsmen), how do you line them up? You could choose the coveted spot right at your side by a coin toss, or in terms of “seniority.” This means, the first person standing next to you should be the person you’ve known the longest; this is undoubtedly going to be a brother, if you have one. If you have more than one older brother, you’ve known them both the same amount of time – since birth! Give the oldest of the older sibling seniority. Next, younger brothers and then friends in the order of how long you’ve known them can be lined up. Another twist is when the bride wants her own brother to be one of your groomsmen. If you’re not buddy-buddy, stick him at the end, but make him feel important by carrying your note cards or something. Don’t forget to give each an important role and responsibility in the wedding and thank them with a token of your appreciation, such as with personalized best man gifts suited to the personality of each.

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