A Puff of Paradise - Cigar Stations

It’s a trend that’s taking over the reception, some think it “stinks” others think it’s a little puff of paradise – I’m talking about a cigar bar. Cigar bars have been spotted at weddings everywhere, from casual West coast beach events to hoity-toity hotel ballroom receptions in the East coast. A number of celebrity grooms have made sure that there is a fully-stocked cigar station at their A-list event and the coolness factor has trickled down to use regular, working Joes. So, what should you do if you want to have a cigar bar at your wedding? It’s really not a hard thing to throw together, but if you’re really stressed there are actually companies that will “cater” the event for you! But, if you’re handling it yourself (and in reality, who isn’t?), then check out our tips to make sure that the night goes smoothly – not up in smoke. Get your Permissions in Order: First, you’ll want to make sure your bride is okay with having tobacco at the wedding. Some may be entirely opposed and insist that you keep the dirty little habit at guy’s poker night. If she hesitates, say it can be her obligatory groom gift! Other brides may be in there smoking cigars right by your side! Also, if you’re not underwriting the wedding expenses yourself, you may want to check with the hosts – e.g., her parents or yours. Sometimes there is a sensitive family issue from the past that may make the alleged “glamorization of tobacco use a no-no. Check with the Venue: If you have the green-light for a cigar station from your bride, make sure that you’ve notified the venue and been told it’s allowable. Because laws regulating smoking in public places and establishments vary from place to place, you’d had to have blown some cash on celebratory cigars only to find out they can’t be legally smoked. Order and Store the Cigars: For a larger order of cigars, you will want to give some advance notice so that the retailer can have enough of your favorite stogies on hand – and fresh too. Ask for a full-box discount to help stretch the budget and check over all the loot before you leave the store to make sure none are broken or damaged. Since you probably don’t have a humidor large enough to store a party’s worth of cigars, you can just wrap them in cellophane to keep them fresh for a day or two until the wedding reception. Just make sure to keep the cigars out of direct sunlight and from extreme temperatures and humidity. Also, large zip-top style bags can make impromptu stand-in for a humidor. Gather Needed Cigar Gear: Make sure you have all the supplies needed for cigar aficionados to enjoy the cigars. This includes cigars, of course, but also cigar cutters, matches or lighters, ashtrays and a comfortable spot to kick back and relax. And, a nice glace of whisky served in a lowball always pairs will with a fine cigar. Make it Personalized: Add a unique touch to your ceremony by having custom paper bands to wrap around your cigar, this will really impress guests. You can also order personalized match books with printed with “Mr & Mrs. Whoever” along with other personalized cigar gear like cigar cutters, ashtrays and such. Tie into the Theme of Groomsmen Gifts: As long as you have the cigar thing going, you might as well tie the theme into your groomsmen gifts. A personalized humidor makes an excellent best man gift or perfect to give as groomsmen gifts. At Groomstand.com, we have selections to fit every taste and budget from top-of-the line executive humidors to smaller, travel-sized humidors featuring a design of his favorite hobby. Or, hook up the guys with a double-delight choice in gifts for groomsmen, a personalized flask with a special hiding spot for cigars Whoa!

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Pinterest for Grooms

Guys, have you been on Pinterest.com? You know, that social media site your girlfriend is probably totally into and creating all sorts of wedding boards. If you are a total Pinterest newbie, the idea is that people “pin” images or videos to their “boards” – it’s like a virtual visual scrapbook right on your computer. All the images link back to their original source so you can just click through to get the entire dose of information whenever you want. And, if you’re into being popular on social media (come on, I know you secretly want a million followers), the beauty of all stuff that you pin is that it can be “re-pinned” by others and get you exponential exposure as it gets repined and repined. Brides-to-be seem to love Pinterest as a way to organize their ideas for a dream wedding, from photos of bridal gowns and hairstyles to examples of cakes and floral arrangements. Believe it or not, if you type in “groom ideas” into the search bar, a lot of really cool pictures come up. Now, some of these photos are pinned by actual men, although many are woman-generated images as in “Honey, this is what you’ll be wearing on the wedding day – hope you like it.” If you weed through the girly stuff, you may actually find some useful ideas that will make your wedding day unique from a groom’s perspective. Here are some ideas for grooms I found on Pinterest that I think are well worth sharing: A Stitch in Time: Commemorate the day, month and year of your wedding by having the date embroidered onto your wedding day attire. Many brides also do this with their wedding gowns. I’m not talking about embroidered with big letters on the front of your tuxedo, but rather discretely under the back collar of your suit (hidden where it folds down) or on the same spot of your dress shirt. You can be ultra-conservative by using the same thread color as the garment or pay tribute to your bride’s theme by using the official wedding color. And, yes – there will be an official wedding color! If you are looking for great groomsmen gifts and best man gifts, consider purchasing (instead of renting) each man’s dress shirt and doing the same for him! Not-So-Basic Boutonnieres: The arrival of a wedding day means a lot of accessorizing, more than most males have ever done – personalized cufflinks, tie clips, lapel pins . . . . and that newest accessory, the wedding ring! The majority of guys might not even realize that they will have a flower pinned onto their lapel until the last minute, when it’s too late to have a say so in the matter. I don’t know how many carnations and rose bud boutonnieres there have been in the history of weddings; I’m sure many millions. Why not try something unique, inspired by Pinterest, such as paper origami flower boutonnieres, boutonnieres made from dried pods, bark and other manly outdoor materials, or steampunk-inspired boutonnieres whirly-gigging with brassy gears and gadgets. I’m sure that most of your buddies will appreciate your unique spin on a boutonniere – you could almost consider it a gift for groomsmen. Man Tags: Everyone knows you and the groomsmen are men – we hope! However, long-lost relatives and random acquaintances may not know who is who in the groom’s party. A “man tag” is a useful way to label the guys as ushers, groomsmen, father-of the bride, groom and so on in an ice-breaker sort of way. It’s kind of like the bachelor party t-shirt idea, but more appropriate for the sanctity of the ceremony. Very discrete lapel pins can be made that spell out the man’s role in the wedding at it can be worn under the boutonniere, on the lapel or shirt pocket. Pair with some engraved cufflinks and you have the perfect groomsmen gifts.

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Grooms, Are You Ready For Some Football?

The moment many men have been waiting for is about to kick off -- football season is here! If you have a wedding planned between NFL pre-season games (the first four as scheduled for August 8th) through the Super Bowl at Meadowland Stadium in New Jersey (February 2, 2014) you really should make a plan on how to comingle your love for the two. With hopes set on elegant chandeliers, classical music and rose-covered trellises to walk under (not goal posts), most brides are going to give their grooms a thumbs down on a gridiron-inspired wedding ceremony. However, if you sell yourself right (or have a sporty, football-loving bride), you may get to incorporate this-and-that’s from your favorite franchise at the wedding reception. The wedding reception is a good place to let the guy’s personality and interests show through and one of the most “tasteful’ ways to do this is with a groom’s cake. Just surf around the internet or consult with your local bakery to find some amazing, show-stopping groom’s cakes that can be decorated in the team colors or made to look like a replica of a football stadium. You know your bride is a keeper if she agrees to have the wedding theme colors match those of your beloved team. Or, maybe she will even compete with you to have the colors be from HER favorite team – now that’s a dream wife. How about yellow and green a la Green Bay Packers? Can’t you just picture all the flower bouquets, cummerbunds, bridesmaid’s dresses, tablecloths, groomsmen gifts and more done up in these colors of molding cheese? It would be a sight to remember. Speaking of groomsmen gifts, a sure-to-score way to incorporate football into your wedding (especially if you have a very short leash) is to give the buddies standing at your side on the Big Day football groomsmen gifts. An awesome groomsman gift or best man gift would be tickets to see his favorite home team play; however tickets to NFL games can be very expensive. For the 2013 season, the average price for an NFL home game, across the entire league, is $186 on the resale market. At the high end, the Chicago Bears have an average price of $446, while the Browns have the lowest price at $109. If this is out of your budget, you can check into tickets for some spirited college football – or just plan a bachelor party or guy’s night out where you just tailgate in the parking lot and enjoy each other’s company under the glow of the stadium lights. If going the frugal parking lot route, make sure you have all the right tailgate gear on hand for immediate use and to gift as sporty groomsmen gifts. Check out GroomStand.com for a huge inventory of not-so-standard-issue groomsmen gifts that can make the party fun, from Joe six-pack belts to drink cooler lawn chairs. And, if you’re looking for gifts for groomsmen that can be enjoyed at home, send them off with asset of custom glass football tumblers, a personalized canvas football print for their man cave, or a personalized NFL emblem money clip Enough talk about wedding stuff. Who will you root for during the 2013 football season? Give your favorite team a shout out in the comments below.

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Worried About Mixing & Mingling at Your Wedding?

Looking forward to marrying your fiancée, but not so excited about the public nature of the wedding festivities. Perhaps you’re a bit of a hermit or get nervous around crowds of people; this can be a problematic during the many social events leading up to and during the wedding. Good manners for the groom don’t just involve the traditional tasks like buying personalized flask filled with and make a fool of yourself, relax and worry less – we have some good tips to help alleviate your pre-wedding anxiety. Pre-wedding events: Holding a get-together before the big day allows you to get to know your guests better. For weekend weddings, planning events to fill some of the time between the rehearsal dinner and actual wedding is a good idea. You can host a golf tournament, a picnic style brunch or a sight-seeing tour so that out-of-town guests can see more of the city. Because you’ve now made some memories with these people, you’ll have a guaranteed topic of conversation at the reception. Hello my name is: The use of name tags give you one less thing to worry about, now you instantly can recall everyone’s name! It can also be a good idea to have guests write an extra nugget of information under their name, such as “cousin of groom” or “college friend of bride”. If room is available, the name tags can also have a fun triva fact such as “marathon runner,” “single,” or “just got back from a ski trip.” While these facts will help you start a conversation, you can pass off it off as an icebreaker for everyone. Have a task in mind: If idle chit-chat makes you sweat and feel sick to your stomach, consider incorporating a “task” into the conversation. For example, you could have them sign a guest book or pose for a photo. This strategy brings a purpose to your mingling and gives you a valid excuse to move on to the next table if you begin to get nervous. Team up: If your new bride is the outgoing one in the relationship, team up and let her take the lead in socializing. She can make the introductions and keep the conversation rolling along; you can jump in whenever you feel comfortable. Hopefully the reassurance of having her there will make you more relaxed and you’ll have plenty to say. Take a break: If your anxiety level gets too high during the reception, allow yourself to take a five minute break. Slip away to the restroom or take a walk out into the lobby for a quieter change of pace and chance to press your reset button. At GroomStand.com we have one less thing for you to worry about – and that is finding awesome groomsmen gifts. With a wide array of classic gifts like engraved cufflinks and personalized beer mugs – plus unique gifts for groomsmen like personalized man cave signs – you don’t have to fret about finding a conversation piece to give the guys who are standing by your side on the wedding day. Have you ever been at a loss for words in a social setting or totally stuck your foot in your mouth? Let us know your stories and how you overcame the situation in the comments below!

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Pull it Together, Man! Get Cufflinks

A little bit of bling, that’s not too over-the-top is the perfect way for grooms to show their individuality and style. Some about-to-be-married men might opt for a snazzy necktie or pocket square to add a pop of color to a dark suit, others prefer a personalized tie pin or pair of distinguished engraved cufflinks. Well-chosen accessories can help a groom and his groomsmen stand apart from the dozens of others who also wearing a similar dark suit or tuxedo. Today, we’re talking about the cufflink. Personalized cufflinks and novelty cufflinks are great choice in groomsmen gifts for many reasons. First, the small little fasteners offer straightforward function for the dress shirt by bringing together the cuff ends of a French cuff shirt. Depending on the style of fastener the cuff link is designed with, a guy can finish getting dressed to the nines with these classy alternatives to buttons. Second, personalized cufflinks add a fashionable touch to the shirt sleeves, so much more than a plain button can offer. When a gentleman prefers a classic, round cufflink or an unusual novelty cufflink, the little glint of metal on the cuffs adds a dashing style point peeking from the jacket sleeves. Third, when gifting a man with a pair of custom cufflinks, as in the giving of groomsmen gifts, the recipient will feel genuinely touched with the personal nature of the gift. By taking the time to have an engraved monogram, initials, a special message added – or even to pick out novelty cufflinks that speak to his unique personality, shows that you put a lot of thought and effort into your groomsman gift gesture. Traditional cufflinks have a classic face, often round or square, that offer a conservative look with dark suits and tuxedos. A pair of traditional cufflinks might remind you of the sophisticated spy style of James Bond. Can’t you just picture him pulling up to a hotel casino, jumping out of his sports car and ordering a martini “stirred, not shaken” – all while his exquisite cufflinks say “I am a man of means and mystery,” without ushering a word. Who knows, maybe James Bond even received his cufflinks as a groomsmen gift somewhere along the way. Novelty cufflinks, however, can be divisive. Some people love them; others think they’re not appropriate for certain formal dress situations. If giving a pair of novelty cufflinks as gifts for groomsmen, such as a set featuring a skull and crossbones or pair of dice, make sure the cufflinks fit the personality of the recipient – this ensures they will be worn time and time again. Now some novelty cufflinks are so crazy that they’ll start a conversation anywhere. For example, tech lovers will appreciate the iCufflinks I found while surfing around the internet. Designed to look just like the glowing standby-symbol on an Apple MacBook, these LED accessories are so nerdy, they’re cool. Other unusual cuff links include tiny lighters that actually produce a flame, timers that will allow the wearer to check how many seconds it takes for friends and co-workers to say “wow, how cool” when they see them. One of the weirdest sets of cufflinks ever made was created from some guy’s gallbladder stones. Please don’t give those best man gifts or groomsmen gifts! So which do you prefer, traditional cufflinks or novelty cufflinks? Let us know in the comments below.

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Songs Celebrities Play at Weddings

Setting the right tone at your wedding reception is influenced by many factors, the food, the ambiance of the venue and the music. Celebrate your love with a high note by picking the right songs to play at your wedding including the praise-worthy songs played at the chapel to the dance-inspiring songs to play at the reception. Whether you have a live musicians on hand, are using the services of a DJ or have just put together a wedding playlist for your iPod (and why not), make sure your favorite songs are in the musical queue for the evening. Also, make sure your dance debut is as debonair as possible. A swank pair of personalized cufflinks, like our bow tie cufflinks, make a dashing statement in the spotlight. Also, a pair of engraved cufflinks makes a great selection in groomsmen gifts for your tuxedo-clad gang. Check out GroomStand.com for an array of other awesome groomsmen gifts that will have everyone stomping their feet in appreciation. Back to the music! While you surely have your own favorite songs, check out the tunes that various celebrities played at their weddings _ of course, most of the marriages didnÍt last much longer than the songs themselves! Wedding Songs From Celebrity Marriages That DIDNÍT Last: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were serenaded by opera legend Andrea Bocelli. Of course, Tom had to get his microphone time in too, snatching it from Bocelli to sing his rendition of The Righteous Brothers' and a reprise of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," which he crooned in ñTop Gun.î Courtney Cox and David Arquette listened to Paul McCartneyÍs "Maybe I'm Amazed" as part of the wedding ceremony. WhatÍs not so amazing is that this marriage didnÍt last in the celebrity world. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline danced their first dance to JourneyÍs ñCity by the Bay.î Even though K-Fed was a great dancer (she met him in her back up dancer entourage), the marriage waltzed right off into divorce land. Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen cemented their married status with a first dance to "Open Arms" by Journey. With SheenÍs penchant for CRAZY, the two called it quits four years later in one of the ugliest divorce battles in Hollywood history. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony walked down the aisle to VivaldiÍs "Four Seasons." Though the pair had plenty in common including professions and a pair of twins, the classical music couldnÍt spare the fact that the union wouldnÍt last. Tori Spelling and Charlie Shanian actually used Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babeî for their recessional. The couple split a year later after Spelling began an affair with her now second husband, Dean McDermott. Spelling and McDermott chose a more classical tune, "Air" from Handel's Water Music. Billy Joel and Katie Lee waltzed their first dance to "Moon River," but not before Joel performed around 20 songs onstage with the wedding band. Joel didnÍt keep his ñUptown Girl,î the pair called it quits after about 5 years of marriage. Songs From Celebrity Marriages That DID Last: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartener: The soundtrack to their love was to the Righteous BrothersÍ ñUnchained Melody.î While they have had some relationship difficulties per the gossip magazines, the couple _who are parents of three kids together _ are still married. Donald Trump and Melania Knauss: Trump married his third wife and incorporated "Ave Maria" into their lavish wedding ceremony. The Donald and his model wife are still together living the fabulous life. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban celebrated their big day to Etta JamesÍ ñAt Last,î selecting the song for their first dance. Unlike Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher who also used the same song, the Kidman-Urban marriage is still going strong. Celine Dion and Rene Angelil went all out at the wedding, hiring a 21-piece orchestra directed by David Foster perform a rendition of ñThe Colour of My Loveî which is, not surprisingly, one of DionÍs own songs. The diva seems to be rooted in her romance, the two met when she was just 12, married in 1994 and then renewed vows in 2000 _ remaining happily wed to this day. Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy finished of their vows memorably, strutting up the aisle to James Brown's "I Feel Good." There is no scandal in this once Desperate Housewives history; the pair have remained married for a long time by Hollywood standards.

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Big Bucks for Big Name Bands at Wedding

About this time last year, I read about a groom who thought he was hiring a music superstar to perform at his wedding and ended up falling prey to a scam. Apparently Brian Valentine, a hot shot executive at Amazon, thought he had booked Tom Petty, the artist behind songs like “Refugee” and “Free Fallin,” to rock out at his wedding reception. The performance was going to be a gift to his fiancée, a major fan of the band that rose to fame in the 1980s. After finding a website that books these types of music transactions, the groom negotiated a price of $330,000 for the performance and wired over half of the funds as a down payment. When the details started to get fuzzy and bogus emails started showing up, the groom contacted Petty’s management company directly only to find out that he had been defrauded. In the end, the FBI was involved and the bad guys were busted – and, if you can believe it, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers showed up as a surprise anyway to play at the wedding reception! Happily ever after ending! So, have you ever thought about hiring a famous band for your wedding reception? It would be a dream come true to have the latest chart-topping artist or a long-time favorite perform for you and your guests. It would be a personal concert without any of the hassles of waiting in line, sitting back too far from the stage or dealing with smoky venues and other nuisances. However, you’re going to need a big wallet and plenty of advance notice! There are many things to consider and it's actually pretty unlikely you'll get a "famous" band to play at your party, even paying their customary fee. Unless you are a celebrity yourself. For example, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day played at Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s wedding and Usher played at Michael Jordan’s no-expense-sparred wedding a few months ago. When hiring a big-name band, you’ll be responsible for all of the “riders” in the contract. This includes thousands of dollars for a "hospitality" rider – those rock stars need their flask full of whisky, energy drinks and finger foods. Lighting, sound equipment, stagehands, first class travel and professional drivers to haul them to and fro are also factored into the fee – as is, lodging (and we don’t think a La Quinta is going to cut it). After surfing around the web, I started to understand just how expensive it would be to hire a hit making band. Cheap Trick goes for about $75,000 while the Foo Fighters are estimated to be in the $400,000 plus range. If this isn’t famous enough for you, Metallica can be had for an estimated $1 million show. Plus expenses. Plus production. Have an endless money clip? The Rolling Stones goes for $2 million minimum. Not only would hiring a famous band be an awesome surprise for your bride (as long as she likes the music), a thrill for the guests, and a gift for the groomsmen and yourself! Hire the band you and your buddies loved to listen to in the glory days! Too bad the original Van Halen wouldn’t get back together for my wedding. Of course, you’ll want pass out great wedding favors (and groomsmen gifts) if having a “concert” at your wedding reception. Our sterling-silver guitar picks make awesome best man gifts and groomsmen gifts and can be personalized to your exact specifications. Another idea for cool groomsmen gifts are personalized beer mugs to commemorate the occasion. Unlike big public venues, your cozy concert can serve up drinks in glass beer mugs – really the only way to drink beer! So, if you had all the money in the world, who would you hire to play at your wedding reception? Let us know in the comments below.

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Adam Levine Marrying Man of the Month

Like many other musicians before him, Adam Levine seems to have a thing for supermodels. You could say that musicians and gorgeous models go together like leather pants and liquid diets or shots of whiskey and cigarettes. The front man for the popular band “Maroon 5,” has officially taken his first steps down the path of, dare I say, domestication by asking is girlfriend, Behati Prinsloo, to get married. I don’t think many fans saw this coming and I’m anointing him Marrying Man of the Month at GroomStand.com. Of course, Ptinsloo is a model , not just any model but a Victoria’s Secret model to be exact! The 24-year old model hasn’t been his first tall, leggy and head-spinning significant other; Levine has a laundry list of exes that include actual models and then a few pop singers and tennis players who are so stunning, they’ve modeled as well. Just some of the names are Nina Agdal, Ann Viylitsyna, Angela Bellotte, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova. Other rockers who have reeled in a cat-walking catch are too numerous to mention. Perhaps one of the most enduring relationships between a musician and his muse is the one between David Bowie and Iman. Married for more than 20 years, the two have outlasted groupies, world tours and other distractions in an environment where these marriages never seen to last. Most music-model relationships fizzle out faster than a one-hit wonder, usually not even making to an engagement let alone a marriage. Other relationships keep the beat for a good while, and then crumble under the stresses of living apart while on tour or assignment and constantly being under public scrutiny. Some that have given it a go, although it didn’t last, include Billy Joel and Christy Brinkley, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Seal and Heidi Klum, Rod Stewart and Rachel Hunter, Rick Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova While you probably aren’t a rocker or are engaged to a supermodel (although trust us, you should act like she is), you can still create an environment that makes you feel like you want to “rock and roll all night and party every day.” First, you’ll want to deck out your tour bus with all the appropriate gear for good times. Oh, wait – you don’t have a tour bus? You can still kick back and relax in any spot in your home, even after your married, as long as you dedicate it as your personal man space. Definitely, you’ll need all the right barware to support drinking in style like a rock star. Shot glasses, beer mugs and martini glasses are all standard gear; our low-ball glasses with shooters also make a cool addition to the bar. Fill up the shot glass with a liquor of choice and drop into the lowballs and slam! Now that is some good, old-school rock and roll fun! Retro-inspired growlers are also great for a party night; the super-sized jugs can be filled up with beer or whiskey and then toted all over town (assuming you have a designated driver). If you’re getting married, barware makes a good choice in wedding gifts to register for as well as groomsmen gifts to give your buddies. If you want to show off your musical style on the wedding day, our guitar cuff links top the charts in style. Whether you like head-banger rock or prefer love ballads, these cuffs links are ready to riff! Engraved cufflinks are great gifts for the groom, but also make a fashionable statement for the entire male contingent of the wedding party. Treat your buddies to a nice pair of engraved cufflinks; we have dozens of pairs that make thoughtful groomsmen gifts he’ll wear on your big day and beyond.

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You Can't Dodge the Bullet Forever - Wild West Weddings

Have a hankerin’ to get hitched in the Wild West? Today, in several venues around the country you can plan a wedding with the rustic vibe of life in the untamed 19th century. And, there is no threat highwaymen dropping in to steal the wedding gifts or the bride’s Pa breaking up the ceremony with his sawed off shotgun. A guy really had to have true grit and be in true love to tie the knot back during this time; most men where perfectly happy to be footloose and traveling the trails in search of found fortune. But, when a man was ready to settle down on his own piece of land, he’d need a good woman to cook up good grub, keep his shirts starched and listen to his grand plans of raising (or rustling) up a herd of cattle and a family before one day riding off into the sunset. So where’s a fitting location to get hitched? Well, Boothill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas is happy to host weddings and will transport you back to the untamed times of the 1800s. A large stagecoach makes the perfect backdrop for your vows and the bride can even rent a prairie-style wedding dress. Old Trail Town in Cody, Wyoming is another popular spot for couples who want to add some centuries-past style to their ceremony. This spot looks like a ghost town but is actually a collection of historic buildings that were lovingly transported from the abandoned nearby hills. The 1890 River Saloon, a nice spot to say “I do,” is decked out with the original flooring and bullet holes. Folks in California can head over to Knott’s Berry Farm to seal the deal with a Wild West theme; pick from a menu of era-specific options including stagecoaches rides and faux robberies. So, what should you give as groomsmen gifts if planning a Wild West wedding? One of our favorite gifts for groomsmen is a steak branding iron, especially if you’re serving up some ribeyes or T-bones for guests to enjoy at the reception. At GroomStand.com, you can find steak irons in a wide assortment of styles including single initial, multiple letter and pictorial designs. Another fine choice in best man gifts and groomsmen gifts is a personalized poker set. It’s nearly impossible to envision after-hours entertainment during this era without thinking of a bunch of rowdy men sitting around a saloon table playing poker. This idea is definitely worth recreating for your bachelor party! Don’t forget to give the bride’s parents a small token of your appreciation to be included into the family. It’s a well-known fact that in-laws don’t like outlaws, so a thank you gift that shows your domesticated side will be a winner. Try a nice personalized photo frame featuring you and the bride or a set of our photo coasters. Also, in addition to procuring groomsmen gifts, you’ll want to rustle up something respectable enough to wear on the Big Day. A western-themed wedding does not require a tuxedo; in fact you probably shouldn’t wear one! Try a pair of cowboy boots, a long duster coat or frock-style coat and a string tie – and don’t forget the hat! For the groom, a pair of personalized cufflinks will dress up the casual style without looking too fussy. GroomStand.com has a huge selection of engraved cufflinks and novelty cufflinks that will fit with whatever wedding day attire you select. What are your ideas for a Wild West or modern-day western wedding? Please share in the comments below.

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30 Tips for Crashing Weddings

Crashing weddings has become a sport with some guys. If you havenÍt heard the term or seen the movie, Wedding Crashers, the phrase means attending the wedding reception of a total stranger without an invitation. Crashing weddings is reasonably easy; all you have to do is get out of your sweat pants and put on a sports jacket, grab a few friends, and cruise the ballrooms of swanky hotels or well-known wedding venues on a Saturday night looking for wedding crasher heaven _ an open bar, endless buffet and a bevy of bridesmaids and female guests without dates. You donÍt even have to bring a wedding gift; but, of course, it would be thoughtful if you did! Technically it is not illegal to crash a wedding; however, if it is on private property, you would be trespassing and may be asked to leave if discovered. And, making a nuisance of yourself anywhere could be considered disorderly conduct. Read our rules below on crashing weddings, and, if you dare, try it out. But, really weÍre just having some fun here. Never leave a fellow crasher behind. Never use your real name. Never confess. Blend in by standing out. If anyone asks, youÍre a distant relative of a dead cousin. Offer a toast, with a wine glass in hand, to the bride and groom. If you get outed, leave calmly. DonÍt run. If anyone asks what you gave as a wedding gift, say it is a big surprise being delivered when they get back from the honeymoon. Bring your own emergency rations in a flask, but donÍt over imbibe. A drunken crasher gets caught. Create a buzz word for an emergency situation that your fellow crashers will know. Never overtly flirt with the bride. Always ñbe thereî for the bridesmaids. At the ceremony, sit in the 5th row. ItÍs close enough that youÍll look like an invited guest. If anyone asks, you forgot your invitation in a rush to get to the wedding on time. Make sure all the women there know youÍve just suffered a terrible breakup. Get choked up during the service, youÍll appear sensitive. Always juggle the bride with the groom, do not speak to them while they are together. Dance with the brideÍs grandmother, but not her mother. Work into conversation, ñI made a mint in real estate, but can money really buy happiness?î Keep interactions with parents of the bride to a minimum. Hungry? Tables farthest from the kitchen always get served first. Stay clear of the wedding planner who might recognize you from another wedding. If asked, youÍre from out of town. Large weddings are easier to crash than small weddings. Dress for the occasion, with cufflinks, a tie and the works _ and always use your best manners. Never sit in the back row; youÍll appear to be up to no good. Always let your fellow wedding crashers introduce themselves. Carry an assortment of place cards and make one for the table, if needed. Know when to abandon ship if the crash starts to fail. And, to repeat, never EVER use your real name!

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Wild Nights - Celebrity Bachelor Parties

When you're a celebrity, everyone knows nearly every step you take. You can't go into grocery story without a photo popping up that shows your cart filled with Cheetos and beer. You have to sneak in the back door of your dermatologist in order to keep denying you use Botox. You canÍt take the trash can to the curb in your boxers without appearing next week in gossip magazines. But, not too many regular Joes feel sorry for the A-listers; celebrities get paid handsomely and being in the public eye comes along with the profession. So, as you would expect, a celebrity groomÍs bachelor party is also fair fodder for public consumption. With deep wallets and tons of money to pull out all the stops, celebrity bachelor parties range from memorable, shameful to downright scandalous. We don't know exactly what happened during Prince Andrew's bachelor party, but afterward, Fergie, Duchess of York, and her about-to-be sister-in-law, Princess Diana, dressed up as policemen and waiting at the entrance to Buckingham Palace to 'welcome' him after his big night. Now this is a funny gift for the groom from the bride; at least Randy Andy had a sense of humor. The first marriage of television host, Mario Lopez, only lasted two weeks. Perhaps it was because that he admitted to cheating on his bride-to-be, Ali Landry, during his 2004 spring break bachelor party in Mexico. He was just supposed to be Marlin fishing, but apparently got caught up in the revelry. Apparently, not long after they said their 'I do's', Landry saw an incriminating photo of Lopez and had the marriage annulled. Paris Latsis, Greek shipping heir once engaged to Paris Hilton in 2005, also got dumped for cheating on his bride right before the wedding. At the time, Hilton didnÍt elaborate on her reasons for calling off the engagement, but later hinted that his indiscretion was the reason their whirlwind romance went kaput. We know the guys in his wedding party must have been bummed not to get their awesome groomsmen gifts; the guy is loaded! This may be shocking, but Russell Brand, the actor/musician with a notorious background as a partier, had a reportedly 'civilized' stag party. The recovering addict just said 'no' to drugs, alcohol and other controlled substances. Instead, the agenda for BrandÍs bachelor party was a soccer match viewing followed by dinner in a fancy restaurant. The group did head to an exotic dancing club afterward, but witnesses report that the bachelor party was under control and very well behaved! Before Elton John and his long-time partner, David Furnish, wed, the pair hosted a luxurious, star-studded party that drew the likes of the Ozzy Ozbourne, Josh Harnett, Bryan Adams and Kid Rock. Even Bill Clinton was in attendance via video as he delivered a pre-recorded message of best wishes. Shirtless wait staff served champagne and nibbles and the next day, the flamboyant duo tied the knot in one of the first gay civil unions held in England. One wild bachelor party was the event hosted for Mike Fisher, singer Carrie UnderwoodÍs hockey-playing fianc_. His group of guys hit one of the hottest clubs in Miami for his June 2010 bachelor party. While reports say that Fisher stayed out of trouble, only nursing a couple drinks, many of the other guys in attendance took the revelry over the top. Bachelor parties were memorable, even back in the old days of Hollywood. In 1949, Jimmy Stewart had a scandalous shindig at the famous restaurant ChasenÍs in 1949. Apparently for part of the entertainment, Jerry Maren (who played a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz) put on a baby costume and was supposed to pee on Stewart. Another, little person was hired to call him Daddy. And this isnÍt all of the little pranks, other short-in-stature people jumped out of a silver serving dish to surprise Stewart!

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You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Regardless of whether you love ïem or hate ïem, we have another bride and groom dancing video gone viral on Youtube.com. Since the video sharing site was created in 2005, people have uploaded every kind of clip imaginable, from laughing babies to firework fails. One type of video that always seems to go viral is choreographed dances at a wedding, either by the bride and groom or by the groom and all his groomsmen or the bride and all her bridesmaid. WeÍve yet to see a video of a preacher moonwalking yet. Post to the comments if you find one! This video features a cute bride and groom in very causal wedding attire, heÍs wearing khaki shorts and an untucked button-down and sheÍs wearing a white sundress and bare feet! With guests looking on the newlyweds start off their ñfirst danceî to a traditional slow song. Everything seems normal; the pair is making ga-ga eyes at each other and seem to be whispering sweet nothings. But, then it happens. The music changes to a medley of shoes, ñEverybody Dance Nowî by C+C Music Factory, the seemingly mandatory wedding dance song ñThrillerî by Michael Jackson, ñItÍs Not Unusualî by Tom Jones, ñFootlooseî by Kenny Loggins and more. It was a crowd please and the dancing duo seems to be having a really great time. In the video notes, the bride and groom mention what a fun experience it was to choreograph and practice the dance before the big day; it really took some of the stress out of all the wedding planning. So, there you go. Another day, another viral wedding video. I think some couples seem to find it mandatory to come up with something they can video and upload to Youtube or Vine. If you are more of a private person and putting yourself out there on social media isnÍt your thing, no worries! You can still have a great wedding experience without trying to get as many hits on your YouTube channel as possible. If you do want to make a video, make it memorable! DonÍt try to make a carbon copy of someone elseÍs idea, be creative and let it reflect your personality as a couple. Grooms, if you have all the groomsmen doing a dance for the ladies, hook them up with some dashing groomsmen gives like engraved cufflinks, funky argyle socks or fedora hats. Great dance routines need great accessories! Even one of our very distinguished groomsmen gifts, an extra-long brass and mahogany shoe horn, could be used like a baton! After showing off your moves, youÍre probably going to be thirsty. First, rehydrate with cold water waiting in one of our personalized canteens. Then feel free to take some sips of the hard stuff out of an engraved flask, you deserve it! Both of these items also make welcomed gifts for groomsmen. Long after you wedding reception these best man and groomsmen gifts will be used at many events, from tailgating and camping to keeping thirst quenched at the gym. So, what do you think of choreographic a dance to perform at your wedding. ñYes,î ñMaybe,î or ñNo Way.î Let us know in the comments below.

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