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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Green Gets the Fox

Marrying Man of the Month has been busy keeping up with all the celebrity wedding and engagement news that has been buzzing about. Most recently, Us Weekly magazine reports that actress Megan Fox is engaged to her long-time, on-again-off-again boyfriend, Brian Austin Green of " Beverly Hills 90210" fame. The news has been confirmed by the actorsÍ reps and Fox teasingly told E! Entertainment News tonight that the two will marry when ñthe stars align.î The now-happy couple had been engaged for 2 years before, breaking it off in 2009. So, hopefully the second time is a charm and the two lovebirds will stick it out all the way to the chapel. But, first they need to find the engagement ring! Witnesses to the proposal at the Four Season Hualalai hotel on the Big Island in Hawaii reported that although they saw Fox giddily jumping up and down in response to the big question, Green apparently lost the 2-carat bauble sometime before the romantic event. After staff spent hours searching in the sand and around the venue, it never turned up. Make sure losing the engagement or wedding ring never happens to you by presenting your fianc_e with a pretty and practical gift for the bride that she can use to safely hold the ring when itÍs not being worn _ if she ever dreams to take it off! A little leather travel case, silver keepsake jewelry box or soft, drawstring pouch personalized with her initials are all great choices in gifts from the groom for the bride.

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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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Is it Halo Heaven? A Video Game Wedding

Just because youÍre getting married doesnÍt mean that you have to give up on your favorite hobby. And, if youÍre anything like the typical guy, you love video games. According to the Entertainment Software Association, a video game player is typically male and is, on average, 35 years old -- playing for the last 13 years! So, itÍs shouldnÍt be surprising to learn that some die-hard video game fans are incorporating a love for this type of entertainment into the biggest day of their lives. From the family-friendly Mario franchise of video games to the more combat-oriented genres, video game themed weddings are sure to get guests talking. If fact, one couple in Orlando, Florida recently planned their whole marriage around the explosion-filled video game, Halo. While the couple wore traditional wedding garb, the man uniting them in a matrimonial bond was outfitted in green amour and a helmet, just like the gameÍs hero -- Master Chief. The couple feels that ñlife should be funî and decided that a video game wedding was definitely for them. After the unusual exchanging of vows, the couple was introduced as ñteammates for lifeî and the guests partied all night at the ñRock Bandî video band jam. The event, largely paid for by a video game development festival called Otronicon, also featured a Halo-inspired wedding cake and the theme music from the soundtrack of this wildly popular pastime. As wedding gift, Halo developers from creator Bungie Studios, presented the newlyweds with a virtual gift for the groomand bride, the ultra-rare Recon amour that is coveted by game-players everywhere. Cool, dude!

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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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Eat, Drink and Get Married (Especially Drink)

Attention, grooms. Speak up and be heard about your preferences on the most important part of your wedding reception _ the adult beverages. If the bride has taken charge of the wedding cake details down to the last dark-chocolate-with-raspberry-filling detail, then by all accounts of fairness the selection of liquor should be appointed to the groom. Just like the cake and the reception food, the choices you pick for beverages reflect on the overall style of your wedding. ?xml:namespace> Beer: This is always the go-to choice for the groom who is no-frills. Beer can be incorporated into the menu and is sure to quaff the thirst of your wedding attendants and old college fraternity brothers _ toss in personalized beer mugsand it can be your groomsmen gifts! Consider using local beers that capture the spirit of your location for out-of-town guests. But, unless you are having a wedding reception where beer universally fits the mood, such as at a BBQ or the groomsmen are wearing Lederhosen, it is probably best to include other libations. ?xml:namespace> Champagne and Wine: It is traditional for the bride and groom to be toasted during the reception with a glass of champagne served to each guest. For the guests that choose not to consumer alcohol, it is always a nice gesture to have a sparkling juice available so that they do not feel left out of the festivities. Wine is also an expected choice for weddings, but can also be used in an unexpected way. Consider having a wine-tasting area set up at the bar where guests are served small portions of several various types of wine. ?xml:namespace> ?xml:namespace> Signature Drinks: Creating a signature cocktail a fun way to show your personality and tie in the theme of the event. It can be a tried-and-true drink, like a hot toddy with monogrammed swizzles, or a completely new recipe. Think of a fun name for the drink and serve in fitting barware, even personalized glasses that can be taken home as a wedding favor. For example, a drink made with Blue Curacau could be served in a hurricane glass and called ñSomething Blue.î Or, a white chocolate and vodka concoction could be poured in a cocoa-rimmed martini glass and named the ñNow Married-tini.î With so many choices and so little time, you may want to start your taste testing now!

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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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ñSeriously?! You Bought Me THAT Ring?!î

By Jewelry & Style Expert Michael OÍConnor Just when you think that everything is going right, life can throw you a curve. You found the girl and you want to spend your life with. You found the perfect time and place to pop the question and youÍre down on one knee. You hand her the box and summon up courage to ask those words ñWill you marry meî. SheÍs shocked, happy, starts to cry. She opens the box. The expression on her face changes to utter horror! She purses her lips. Dude, you got the wrong ring! Laugh or not, itÍs not unrealistic. In fact many women say the ring they got was not the one they hoped for. Why? Two reasons. The guy didnÍt listen to all those hints sheÍs been carefully leaving or he didnÍt view the ring as the most important symbol of their life together and he ñcheaped-outî. When buying an engagement ring there are two ways to avoid a major mistake. Listen to her. You may not think sheÍs hinting, but she is. Listen to how she describes the rings of her friends of others who are recently engaged. You will hear what she likes. Listen to what she says about the center stone, itÍs size, shape and color. Round shapes are most popular followed by princess. And colored diamonds and gems like sapphire are becoming very popular. Understand that this is the most important piece of jewelry that she will ever own and will wear it every day. As such it needs to be durable and made of a precious and pure metal like platinum. It may be a slightly more expensive, but worth it! Platinum will stand up to daily wear better and hold your center stone more securely, itÍs one of the most precious and rare metals and usually 90-95% pure, making it most appropriate for this important symbol of love and commitment. For help in buying the best rings within your budget always choose a reputable jeweler. Visit www.preciousplatinum.com and find one near you.

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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!

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How to Hire a Band For Your Wedding

After hearing that ultra-conservative talk-show host, Rush Limbaugh, hired way-more liberal musician, Elton John, to perform at his June 11th wedding in Florida got me to wondering "how do you pick o ut a band for your wedding reception?" Unlike choosing floral arrangements and tablecloth colors, picking reception entertainment is an area that many grooms want to have a voice. In fact, if there is a band that you really must have and it is a little out of the budget, it could even be a gift for the groom from parents and family. While Rush and Elton certainly sound like an odd pairing, we're pretty sure that the reported $1 million dollar fee probably set free any proverbial elephant in the room. Even though you might not have the big bucks to attract world-famous entertainment, there are still important steps to follow when selecting a band to play at your wedding according to MusicMates, an online musician referral service. Select a musician to fit the audience, not your own interests. While the reception should reflect your personality, you also want to take into consideration the musical tastes of your guests if you want to keep them dancing all night. If you've got a lot of elderly relatives on hand, go with something more easy to the ears than a metal band. Or, if you have a room full of urban, socialite types, country music might fall flat. Discuss the "playlist" with the band. When meeting with the band, inquire about what songs they plan on playing at your wedding. You don't want to be disappointed if your favorite tune of all time is overlooked. Also, are they willing to learn a special song that is near and dear to your heart or go corny and play "The Chicken Dance?" Get written references and recommendations. Just because they play awesome music doesn't necessarily translate into great gigs. Follow up on their written references and recommendations to see how the other brides and grooms felt about their performance. Visit a live performance before hiring. Even if you love the bands music that you've downloaded to your iPod, make sure to view a live performance to get a vibe for their stage presence. Do they have short sets and long breaks, that may not work if your guests plan to whoop it up non-stop on the dance floor. Are they too "wild", gesticulating or encouraging a mosh-pit, grandma wouldn't like that. Have the band pre-sign copies of their CD that you can give as groomsmen gifts. Get a back-up plan. Even though the band's references may be top-notch with past grooms saying that they showed up on time and didn't bale, you still want to have a plan "B". Things happen ---car accidents, sicknesses, band breakups -- and you need to have alternate entertainment lined up in the unlikely event that the band doesn't make it. You can put another less-experienced band on stand-by, or line-up a DJ to act as a substitute. Feed the talent. Invite the band members to partake in the wedding buffet, even if they're not the starving-artist types. This gesture shows hospitality on the part of the bride and groom and the feeling that you really want to include them in your special day. Satisfied stomachs should result in a pleasing performance!

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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.

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Weird Places to Wed and Groomsmen Gifts to Match

To some brides and grooms getting hitched in a chapel is just so predictable. Why marry in a place where you spend so little time (insert lightening bolt strike), when you can take your vows in a place where you feel more at home. We've recieved reports of some wild and wacky places to get hitched, as uncommon and unique as the couples themselves. Plus, wouldn't you love to shake it up for your buddies, the groomsmen who are usually bored to tears in a traditional ceremony? Pick one of the weird places to wed and treat your wedding party to our coordinating suggestions in groomsmen gifts. Hamburger Joint: Your wedding guests are going to flip for a ceremony and reception combo in the local hamburger joint. After your I-do's under a canopy of checkered tablecloths, your friends and family can chow down on burgers, fries and frothy shakes served up in those red plastic baskets. For groomsmen gifts, the guys will appreciate their own stainless-steel spatula engraved with the details of the day. Zoo: Get hitched in front of the Love Bird exhibit; the guests will be a flutter with the aviary ambiance. Or, go savannah style with your wedding, lions sunning themselves in the background. Whatever section of the zoo you choose (please, not the snakes), it's going to be hot and sticky. Quaff the thirsts of your buddies by presenting pre-filled flasks as your groomsmen gifts. Airport: Maybe you're a pilot or a flight attendant -- or a jet-setting traveler. Tying the knot at the airport is unusual, but has a unique benefit. You'll be just that much closer to making the signature bride and groom getaway - just hop straight on a plane and head toward your honeymoon. Travel accessories will make fitting groomsmen gifts, from personalized passport covers to dopp kits Brew Pub: The nerves of an anxious groom will definitely be soothed if he is wed near the production of beer. While it's not okay to get married under the influence, there's no reason to teetotal afterward -- celebrate with the suds! Your friends will be high-fiving you all night, wondering how you pulled this venue off. Of course, personalized beer mugs or tavern signs make toast-worthy groomsmen gifts for the pub wedding.

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