Beer Flights Take Off

So many beers, so little time. Did you know that beer is the third most widely consumed beverage in the word over water and tea? The Chinese alone drink more than 45 billion liters a year! From pale ales, stouts and lagers, it’s hard to decide on just one type of beer let alone which brand to guzzle among the seemingly endless array of suds pumped out by major and micro-breweries. No doubt if you’re serving alcohol at your wedding, the bride has agreed to let you serve your favorite beer. Now pull the beer theme into other aspects of your wedding with beer-inspired groomsmen gifts. Here’s a novel beer gift idea. A new trend in restaurants and brew pubs around the country is to offer the indecisive beer drinker several types of beer at once, served in smaller glasses. Often called a ‘beer flight,’ this is a scaled down solution that allows you to sample a variety of craft beers without committing to finishing off full-sized servings (and possibly getting drunk in the process). It’s similar to a ‘wine tasting’ and many establishments serve the beer flights with flair – a progression of beers in smaller glasses lined up from lightest to darkest. A beer flight is a great way to start off your bachelor party festivities, or even to present as tasteful groomsmen gifts that the guys are bound to use with gusto in their own homes. We’ve found a really awesome, handsomely crafted beer flight sampler that will provide your buddies a means to enjoy a four-fecta of ales. The natural-finish wooden paddle has carved out spots to hold four 5-ounce pilsner-style beer glasses and can be personalized with two lines of text. A refreshing choice in groomsmen gifts and perhaps a set of beer mugs that your friends have not even yet seen the likes of. One, two, three, four beers for your boys!

Read more

You Know a Groom Planned the Wedding When . . .

. . . . instead of tuxedos and bowties, the male wedding entourage shows up in casual Friday attire. And by casual Friday attire, we mean casual Friday at the gym – sweatpants, sneakers, and yesterday’s whiskers. Those with more groomed whiskers may have used their newly acquired shave sets (great groomsmen gifts) and sculpted out some mutton chops or a Fu Manchu especially for the occasion. . . . . to satisfy the bride, the event is decked out in a unifying color theme; a color theme that suspiciously resembles that of the groom’s Alma mater or favorite football team. Another dead giveaway is that beverages are being serving in personalized beer mugs with NFL logos. . . . the sit-down reception dinner has been replaced with a buffet of beef jerky, nachos, pizza and all-you-can-drink beer from a keg, or better from aluminum cans. Many of the guys are enjoying their useful groomsmen gifts, a Joe Six-Pack beer belt which will hold a half-dozen vessels of the precious liquid conveniently on person. … Instead of having the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” playing as the wedding processional, the groom requests AC/DC’s “A Whole Lot of Rosie,” or something else completely awesome but oh-so inappropriate. . . . . rather than passing out traditional groomsmen gifts that recipient’s would take home, the groom offers a standing invitation (much to the bride’s horror) to his wedding attendants to drop by his man cave anytime of the day or night to take shots from their personalized flasks and shooter glasses that will be permanently housed at the newlywed’s home. . . . . wedding invitations are not engraved on heavy cardstock, do not feature fancy salutations, or bear romantic “Love” stamps. In the name of efficiency, a group email or text would be issued a few days before the Big Day. Or maybe just a Facebook status update. . . . instead of after dinner waltzing and assorted line dances, the groom and his buddies will have the dance floor turned into a basketball court, mosh pit or wide open are for some other testosterone-infused entertainment. . . . .rather than throwing rice, birdseed or blowing bubbles as the newlyweds make their getaway, the groom will have planned an impressive pyrotechnics show. Hey, sometimes you have to go big.

Read more

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides for Christmas Wedding

Guys, one of the most romantic things you can do is arrange for a horse-drawn carriage ride as party of the wedding festivities, perhaps after the reception as you make your newlywed getaway under the sparkling lights of the city or twinkling stars of the country. ItÍs even a festive way to make a grand entrance to the wedding with the bride and groom in one carriage and paired up groomsmen and bridesmaids in subsequent carriages. Arranging for a surprise carriage ride also makes a grand gesture as gifts from the groom to the bride and also a good place to pop the question if youÍre not already married. In New York City, the quintessential ride winds around Central Park and will set you back about $150 for a 45 minute ride, well worth it for the memory. But, the Big Apple isnÍt the only place you can be hauled around behind horses, there are usually horse and carriage companies in nearly every big city in the downtown area as well as in quaint, historic smaller towns and even mountain resort destinations. In fact, at some in some of the ski towns, you can actually arrange to have a sleigh pull you around over the snow; canÍt you just hear the sleigh bells jingling?! If you have a destination bachelor party planned, hit the ski slopes by day and then head into down for dinner via carriage and set up the guys with the perfect choice in groomsmen gifts _ personalized flasks filled with a bit of something to warm up with. We have some tips to remember when planning a horse-drawn carriage ride. First, many carriage operators will not take the horses out for rides in extreme weather, youÍre usually safe between 20 degrees and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in the summer, it could get cool in the evening, so bring your own blankets if youÍd rather not use the ones provided (if even provided). DonÍt be loud or act teasingly to the horse and whatever you do, donÍt feed the horse -- remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer fed Beefarino to the horse and the situation got a little smelly?! Bring your camera to have the driver photograph you, and speaking of the driver, donÍt forget to tip him.

Read more

How to Balance Bowl Games and your Bride

Guys who love collegiate football as much as their lovely brides-to-be (errr, almost as much as their brides-to-be), typically find themselves in a conundrum if wedding festivities are scheduled in late December and early January. From the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on December 20th to the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TX on January 4th (and 33 other bowl games in the lineup), whatÍs a die-hard fan to do?   1) Steer clear of wedding festivities on the biggest bowl game days, December 31st and January 1st. Or, boldly declare these two days your bachelor party weekend, gather up the guys and go on a football-watching binge! Gear up your viewing party with college football accessories to give as groomsmen gifts such as this NCAA logo steak iron, a sizzling way to show your team affiliation.   2) If at all possible, create a football-themed wedding. Yes, itÍs been done and the two of you lovebirds will look sensationally sporty walking down an aisle of green Astroturf. Of course, a gridiron groomsmen cake, bowties and cummerbunds in the teamÍs colors, and football gifts for groomsmen are all sure to be big-time winners. For the groomsmen gifts, check out our personalized collegiate football signs that will make your wedding attendants feel like MVPs.   3) Or, make a deal with your bride. For every hour of football watching during the lead-up to your December or January wedding, you will double the time to put towards chores on a ñhoney-doî list. Or, tell her that your football time is a way to distress and keep your feet from getting cold; who knows, maybe sheÍll even join you for the football festivities.

Read more

Paul McCartney's Ticket To Bride

Paul McCartney has a ïTicket to Bride,Í yeah; heÍs got a ticket to bride! On Sunday, October 9, 2011, the former Beatle married heiress Nancy Shevell in a civil ceremony at Old Maryelbone Town Hall in London. This is Sir PaulÍs third marriage, the first, ended sadly when his wife Linda died from breast cancer in 1998. The second ended scandalous in divorce from Heather Mills who slung plenty of mud and demanded a massive settlement. While it was a small affair, the guests were notable including Ringo Starr and Barbara Walters, the brideÍs cousin. No groomsmen to speak of, but that got us to wondering what would make great groomsmen gifts for fans of the musician and even the guys who are musicians themselves. Remember, weÍre not talking about what Paul himself would give groomsmen, which could be literally anything since heÍs reported to be worth $730 million in 2011! Looking for awesome groomsmen gift ideas for the guys who love music, look no further. A simple choice for your groomsmen and best man gifts, yet one filled with endless possibility when put into action, is a sterling silver guitar pick that can be personalized with a name or message up to 6 characters. For the singer-songwriter types in your wedding line up, how about giving groomsmen gifts that allow him to brainstorm lyrics? Our personalized leather portfolios offer a stylish way for him to put pen to paper, the start of a chart-topping song. Finally, a wallet or money clip makes a useful pick in groomsmen gifts, perfect for organizing bills, credit cards and receipts on your wedding weekend and when heading to a concert.

Read more

Three Seasonal Drinks for your Holiday Bachelor Party

If you are getting hitched in December or January, it’s time to celebrate. Whether it’s a bachelor party, guy’s weekend away, or the rehearsal dinner, serving up delicious drinks inspired by the winter season are sure to put folks in a festive mood. Forget about the old and overdone drinks, such as eggnog or hot toddies; we have three unique options (and the appropriate glassware) that will have the groomsmen and guests toasting your good tastes. Oh, and here’s a little hint; a set of personalized barware or engraved beer mugs always makes a welcomed choice in groomsmen gifts. Christmas Snow: This drink is rich, creamy and sure to satisfy everyone in the crowd. In a cocktail shaker, add 1 ounce of light Puerto Rican rum, 1/2 ounce Galliano, 1/4 ounce Rose’s unsweetened lime juice, and 1 ounce of heavy cream. Shake well with ice cubes and serve in claret or large cocktail glass. If desired, sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts on top. Three Wise Men: This is a seriously stout drink that will sprout a little more hair on your chest. Not much to mixing this shooter up, just mix together equal parts of Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Johnnie Walker whiskey into a large shot glass and slam. The Royal Winter Martini: Mix together 2 ounces of Crown Royal and 1 ounce of Dry Vermouth in a martini shaker filled with ice. Add lemon zest to a classic martini glass and pour cold martini into barware. Enjoy! To create the right ambiance, hang our martini lounge personalized sign nearby (and give others as groomsmen gifts).

Read more

Funny Laundry Label Bad Advice For Grooms

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes . . . . a wife to take care of your laundry. What?!!! We just couldnÍt believe our eyes (but had a good chuckle anyway) to find this care label on the inside of a menÍs shirt. YouÍve probably done the drill before, ïMachine wash in warm water with like colors. Tumble dry on medium. Medium hot iron.Í But read on a bit further and the care label gives you the option to ïGive it to your wife. ItÍs her job.Í ItÍs hard to believe that in the 21st century that such a sexist statement could be uttered, let alone embroidered and sewn into the inside collar of a shirt. These days, especially with both spouses working, it can be up to either of the couple to get the laundry done. In fact, grooms, itÍs a good show of sensitivity to go ahead and offer to do the laundry when you get married. The bride will think that youÍre the most helpful husband, and that pays off in so many ways that outweigh the drudgery of sorting and folding your own undershirts and socks. In fact, you can get started practicing with our bachelor party t-shirts, always top pick in groomsmen gifts for your guysÍ night out. We know youÍd give these stand-up guys the shirt off your own back, but please do get them their own! Deck out the stags in your party with these wearable gifts for groomsmen and watch them go wild. ThereÍs just something special about having everyone advertise your upcoming adventure by wearing the details printed across the front. If you have the luxury of bachelor partying during the entire weekend, grab up the already worn shirts you passed out as

Read more

GroomÍs Checklist for a Winter Holiday Wedding

While everyone else is decking the halls, holiday shopping, and fa-la-la-la-la-ling, a guy who is getting married in the months of December or January has much more on his to-do list. Many couples choose to get married at this time of year, not because the winter landscape creates a beautiful backdrop for a white wedding but also extended family members are usually already gathered together. In the hustle and bustle of the season, don’t let the following details slip by you before the big day approaches. 1) Don’t forget to select a wedding gift AND a holiday gift for your bride. While you may think the proximity of the two occasions makes it acceptable to give one gift; believe us, your fiancée will certainly be expecting two gifts, so check out our life-saving selection of gifts for the bride. 2) Order your groomsmen gifts early, to avoid the hassles of holiday mail delivery. In a pinch however, https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand offers a variety of shipping options (including overnight delivery) to suit your situation, even for people with procrastinating dispositions. 3) Consider holiday-themed groomsmen gifts. A unique idea for groomsmen gifts is to take our traditional engraved photo ornament, insert a fun picture of you and your groomsman having a great time (perhaps from the bachelor party), and tie it around the neck of his favorite bottle of scotch or whiskey. Your good name is sure to be toasted until the bottle of booze is drained. 4) Make a contingency plan in case the weather turns severe during your wedding ceremony and reception. Consider how guests will travel home safely or if the venue will allow you to stay longer if needed. In either event, our personalized leather auto utility kit, personalized fleece blanket, and umbrellas make useful wedding favors and groomsmen gifts. So do personalized flasks if the weather turns really, really bad and everyone is stuck inside for days!

Read more

Aging Whiskey At Home, Worth the Wait

Yo, ho, ho and a barrel of booze! Grooms who enjoy the deep, mellow taste of barrel-aged alcohol and have a 'do-it-yourself' attitude are going to love our latest find, personalized whiskey mini-barrels! Fill 'em up with your favorite spirit such as whiskey, rum, tequila, wine and even plain ole moonshine and then just kick back and wait for the magical process to begin. You'll hardly be able to wait and share your new secret recipe with bachelor party revelers or wedding reception guests. Plus, when given as groomsmen gifts, the guys are literally and figuratively going to be intoxicated by your gesture. Made completely from American white oak (except for the steel hardware), these whiskey barrels 'breathe' to allow the alcohol to seep into the medium charred interior and become infused with the rich, deep flavors and aromas inherent to the timber. Age your liquor as long as you like, anywhere from three weeks to three years is common! If you've heard that some fine whiskies are aged for decades, they are - although Jack Daniels is only aged about four years. However, a nice perk of these mini-barrels is that the aging process is put on fast-forward because there is a higher spirit-to-wood ratio than found in those huge barrels. These groomsmen gifts will give your best man and other wedding attendants something to look forward to once your wedding extravaganza has come to the end. After a pal gets his own personal barrel set up at home (some prep required, instructions included), all he needs to do is pour his un-aged spirit into the barrel and wait. Waiting for these barrels to do their thing may sound like waiting for grass to grow - but, it's actually much more entertaining because there are 'quality control' issues that need attending. Every so often, the contents will need to be tasted and evaluated to determine if the flavor is on target. It's not uncommon for about 25-percent of the whiskey to disappear over the aging process. Professionals call this the 'angel's share' and it is a combination of evaporation, absorption into the wood and, ahem, quality control samples. So, if you're looking for unique groomsmen gifts, these baby-sized barrels (1-liter, 2-liter and 3-liter) are definitely going to deliver full-sized enjoyment. Not only a new productive pastime for the recipient, but when displayed on the included stand, a handsome focal point in a home bar or man cave - especially when burnished with a personalized name, initials or special message. Another groomsmen gift idea to go along with these barrels - a personalized flask to carry his at-home aged spirits wherever he goes!

Read more

A Manly Winter Recipe - Whiskey Barrel Aged Wassail

Colder weather means it’s time for a hot beverage and wassail is a popular choice during the yuletide. This old English drink is historically made from mulled cider along with an infusion of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and other spices. Today’s wassail recipes have evolved, often beginning with a base of wine, juice or ale and punched up with brandy or sherry. Keeping these traditions in mind, http://www.branddepot.com/collections/groomstand/ has a delicious wassail recipe that we’ve created for one of our popular groomsmen gifts (which also makes a great Christmas gift, by the way) – the Personalized Mini Whiskey Barrel. These scaled-down oak barrels with a medium char are made to hold your favorite liquors and mingle them with the flavor of the wood in a fraction of the time that it takes the distiller (thanks to a better liquor-to-wood surface ratio). Our mini-barrels are not just great groomsmen gifts, they also make top-notch gifts for men and are available in 1, 2 and 3-liter sizes, depending on the recipient’s propensity to imbibe. Each comes with a display stand and complementary personalization burnished into the wood. Mini Whiskey Barrel Aged Wassail 1 liter red wine 1 cup pomegranate juice ½ cup brandy 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg 2 cinnamon sticks 18 whole cloves 1 orange sliced and halved, peel on 1 lemon sliced and halved, peel on Combine first 7 ingredients in the barrel (2-liter size). Let mixture mellow for 2-3 weeks, tasting every day for quality control and “doneness.” The mini barrel adds flavor to the wine and the additional ingredients round out the overall taste and ambiance of the libation, it’s time to finish the recipe when you think it tastes rich and well-mingled – it’s totally subjective. Pour mixture over a cheesecloth or fine strainer into a large pot; add orange and lemon slices. Heat wassail on the stove top over medium-low until warmed through (don’t boil). Serve while still hot in mugs.

Read more

Some Weird Wedding Superstitions

For most men, the act of getting married takes a giant leap of faith that everything is going to turn out for the better. Compounding the 'cold feet' that lots of men experience before the big day is the seemingly never-ending list of wedding superstitions. So many of these 'old wives tales' foretell a negative outcome for your marriage, it's enough to make you take an extra swing out of your personalized flask! Even if you pride yourself on rational thought and consider all of this mumbo-jumbo, it's probably a good idea to heed these superstitions just in case! It is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other on the day of the wedding up until the ceremony starts. This idea harks back to the era of arranged marriages where parents would be nervous that the couple might bolt once they got a good look at each other! The mere sight of a pig or a hare in general or a lizard running across the road will bring bad luck to your marriage. Stay away from zoos, farms and desert landscapes as a preventative measure! If the groom drops the wedding ring on the ground during the ceremony, matrimonial happiness is doomed. Probably a good idea to keep the ring with the best man or ring bearer until the last minute. Then, when it's time to receive the ring and slip it on the brides finger, you might want to think about coating your fingers with an adhesive spray if you think you'll be extra jittery. Whichever newlywed goes to sleep first on the wedding night will be the first to die. If you canÍt bear the thought of seeing her go first and have the luxury of a chauffeured get-away car, just catch a short nap on the way to the honeymoon. Don't get the bride a pearl engagement ring; many believe that the bauble will bring bad luck because the stone is similar in shape to a tear drop. Diamonds are a girl's best friend!But don't worry too much about these superstitions and old wives tales, many a groom has ignored them out of ignorance or disbelief with no ill effect on the relationship. But we do have one wedding detail you should be worrying about, if you haven't already done so _ groomsmen gifts! It is tradition for the groom to present his male wedding attendants with either groomsmen or best man gifts as a way to show appreciation for the friendship and support. Classic choices include personalized flasks and engraved pocket knives, but don't be afraid to address the personality of each guy and present them with unique groomsmen gifts.

Read more

Groomsmen Gifts for an Epic Alpine Adventure

Soon the slopes will be in full swing with skiers and snowboarders shredding it up during daylight and partying down in town after hours. An all-guy getaway to the mountains makes the perfect bachelor party; it’s equal parts adrenaline-packed action mixed with no-nagging relaxation. So if you have a winter wedding planned, consider a weekend trip to a ski resort as your final destination as a single dude – there are many awesome resorts in the country that offer a great nightlife scene as well. Don’t forget to treat your pals to groomsmen gifts that fit the occasion, here are a few of our favorite ski and snowboard trip-inspired best man gifts and groomsmen gifts: Personalized flask: You can’t expect a guy to wait until he gets to the lodge to enjoy a little adult libation – if you all are hitting the double diamonds, you can call having a sip of spirits “ liquid courage.” An engraved flask featuring the recipient’s initials makes a quite useful choice in groomsmen gifts and can be tucked into a ski jacket for enjoyment all day. Personalized bota bag: Similar to the concept of carrying around a flask, the bota bag is an old-world style vessel that is ready to hold wine or other alcoholic beverages. A great choice in groomsman gifts for the guy who would rather drink wine than beer. Ergonomically kidney-shaped the strap is meant to be work around the neck and under one shoulder so that it comfortable rests on your side. When your thirst beckons, just take a refreshing swing out of the spigot. Cabin series pokerset: When the bachelor party ends up back at the hotel or cabin, poker or other card games are always an entertaining way to hang out into the wee hours. Present your wedding attendants with their own rustic-look poker set that features a wood-finish exterior customized with the recipient’s name and an outdoorsy design. Inside, all the requisite gear needed to play poker is packed neatly away. Personalized ski lodge sign: Capturing spirit of snow sport enthusiasts everywhere, this vintage-look custom sign features a graphic of a skier catching air straight off the summit. A welcoming touch for any room, especially a cabin, the recipient’s name is personalized on the front with an invitation to warm up. Every buddy will love these home souvenirs from a ski trip that will not be long forgotten!

Read more