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.

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Robot Says, "You May Now Kiss the Bride"

The bride was blushing in white, the groom quite dapper in his formal, black tuxedo, and the official joining the two in holy matrimony -- a robot! This recent wedding, held in Tokyo, Japan, was typical in so many ways except for the 4-foot robot named "I-Fairy" which helped the happy couple say their "I do's". According to manufacturer Kokoro Company, this was the first time that a robot has conducted a marriage; and we bet not the last in robot-happy Japan! Those Japanese seem to always be one step ahead when it comes to all things high-tech, they have some of the most advanced robotic and artificial intelligence technologies in the world. With robotic research typically supported by the government, robots are common in factories and, in the last decade, becoming more and more present in peoples every day life. Honda has a small human-like robot and recently teddy bear and pet robots have been designed to provide companionship for the elderly and children. So, why not an I-Fairy for your wedding?! According to the Kokoro spokesperson, she has 18 degrees of motion in the arms and can repeat pre-programmed movements and sounds. Not the most advanced robot on the market by any means, she will come dressed for the event, wearing a wreath of flowers around her head. However, don't think you'll be saving money by cutting the services of a human minister or justice of the peace out of the event -- I-Fairy will set you back $68, 000! That's the price of an awesome wedding experience including the groomsmen gifts and bachelor party; so unless she cooks, cleans, irons and walks the dog, we're passing!

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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

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Embrace Your Inner Groomzilla

Who says guys donÍt care a flip about weddings? Wedding planners across the country say they are seeing an increase in the number of discerning and demanding soon-to-be husbands out there and, for a lack of a better name, are calling them ñgroomzillasî after the so-old-news-theyÍre-out ñbridezillasî that have taken the wedding industry and media by storm. If a guy can be a ñmetrosexualî, totally straight yet concerned with the aesthetics of everything, then why wouldnÍt this logically apply to planning a wedding as well. Aside from wanting to express personality through style and fashion, there are other reasons why a normally mild-mannered guy might turn into a groomzilla. ThereÍs that whole ego, competition thing that guys have with other guys. If a buddy had two meat carving stations at his reception, then the one-upper groom may insist on three or more. Suddenly 100 guests and a DJ on the dance floor don't sound as grand as a party for 500 with a performance by the hottest band in town. WhoÍs footing the bill may also have something to do with a guy going all groomzilla during the wedding planning. According to the Fairchild Bridal Group, nearly one-third of newlyweds paid for their wedding in 2005 instead of a parent. Traditionally, when the femaleÍs mother and father are paying, then the bride is the final authority on all wedding purchase, but when the groom is financially responsible or the couple is chipping in together then the man has a much larger role in decision-making. So, if you feel like selecting the font for the wedding invitations, picking out both the groomsmen gifts and the bridesmaid gifts, or tasting each and every filling for the cake, donÍt be afraid to stand up for yourself. ItÍs the biggest day of your life, too! So get out of the way, Miss ñitÍs all about meî _ groomzillas are here to get their fair share of the spotlight.

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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!

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Go Wild - A Fishing Bachelor Party

June, the month filled with the most weddings of the year, is also home to National Fishing and Boating week -- June 5 through 13 in 2010. Just think how genius it would be to combine all these wonderful events into one! Even though you are admittedly a good catch, the bride may not be so big on having the wedding ceremony in a boat with the sea air ruining her hair and makeup. However, your groomsmen and buddies are sure to be up for a bachelor party filled with fishing, friendship and a cooler full of beer. Whether you choose to grab a couple poles put the bass boat out on the lake or are planning a destination deep-sea fishing charter in hopes of reeling in a big one, the point of the fishing and boating bachelor party is just to relax, unwind and bond with your buddies before the big wedding day. Plus, youÍll come back with a good tan which will look great in the wedding portraits! It doesnÍt really matter how many fish you bag, but you will want to have your camera on hand to prove that your fish tale is legit when you come home! DonÍt open a can of worms by forgetting to treat the guys to groomsmen gifts based on the fishing theme. Splurge on new gear such as a top-of-the-line pole or multi-pocket fishing jacket or make a thoughtful gesture with personalized groomsmen gifts such as a rustic cabin sign carved with a big trout and the recipientÍs name.

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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.

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Get a Kick Out of the Groom's Cake

Offering a groomÍs cake at your wedding is not a requirement for a good marriage, but certainly a tasteful way to get it off on a good start. The groomÍs cake is a way for the man to get his way (for once) in the wedding planning process. Not to stereotype, but the brideÍs cake will probably look like a tall tower of fluffy white frosting and flowers _ not exactly what a guyÍs guy has in mind. A cake for the groom is a way for him to express his personality, hobbies and passions _ no wonder these creations of sugar and butter usually involve chocolate! We say, invite your groomsmen to join you in a cake-tasting session at your preferred bakery. Chocolate with truffle filling, check! Chocolate with raspberry filling, check! Chocolate with espresso ganache, check! Sure, the bride could come along, but she doesnÍt really need to since the cake creation you choose is all about you! Plus, if she stays home, more samples for you and the buddies. If youÍve ever watched a cake reality show on television (admit it), youÍve no doubt see all sorts of groomÍs cake wonders. From huge fish-shaped cakes to hip-shaking Elvis cakes, there really isnÍt anything you canÍt get a cake baker, err artist, to whip up. In particular, we have a fondness for football and have gotten a kick out of the football stadium cakes. Just let the bakery know your favorite collegiate or pro team and they can cook up a totally detailed stadium complete with a scoreboard, gridiron and thousands of tiny seats. Coordinate your groomsmen gifts to the football theme and hook each up with a stadium printthat has been personalized with his name, a message and the date.

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KISS Lothorio Quite Possibly Engaged

Hard to believe, but KISS bassist Gene Simmons may actually settle down and marry his long-time steady, Shannon Tweed. Reports from the Daily Mail are saying that the 61-year old rocker is finally ready to wed his girlfriend and mother of his two children after a 28 year relationship! The proposal was filmed for the final episode of “Family Jewels,” the reality television series that follows his antics. This guy, who has claimed to have hooked up with at least 4,600 women, actually got down on a bended knee to ask the former Playboy playmate to get hitched. Whether publicity stunt to generate interest for next season or sincere gesture of commitment, we certainly hope they tie they do tie the knot – nothing quite like a platform booted, kabuki makeup wearing groom! If you’re a huge fan of the band, why not have a KISS inspired wedding for yourself – or at least a wild bachelor party where you rock and roll all night (and party every day)! There will be nothing quite as memorable as having the best man and groomsmen dress up as the other characters worn by band members such as the Starchild, the Spaceman, the Catman or the Fox and perform to the karaoke machine – this will be great for blackmailing videos! Even if you’re not going to get this KISS-crazy, rocker-inspired groomsmen gifts will still make your bachelor party rock. If your buddies are actually musicians, our personalized guitar pick makes a great choice in groomsmen gifts that he can use at his next gig – with every riff, he’ll think of you! A personalized harmonicawill also hit a high note in best man giftsthose talented wedding attendants. Finally, nothing says rock-and-roll more than a skull-and-crossbones and a pair of edgy engraved cufflinks bearing this design will toughen up the dress shirts worn by your groomsmen.

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Hey, Jude Law _ June's Marrying Man of the Month

Jude Law, Academy Award-nominated actor and scandalous playboy, is engaged to Sienna Miller (again) after rekindling the relationship this past December on a Caribbean beach getaway. Readers of gossip magazines may recall that the two began their on-again, off-again relationship on the set of Alfie, co-starring in what turned out to be a real-life romantic comedy. Engaged the first time on Christmas Eve 2004, the two called it quits in 2006 when Law was caught nuzzling and more with the nanny of his children from a previous marriage. The couple has been pretty hush-hush about the engagement, but Miller has been seen around town wearing the exact vintage diamond bauble that she received when the question was popped the first time. WeÍre surprised it wasnÍt thrown away after the nanny-gate fiasco! According to Daily Mail, a British newspaper, the pair will marry this summer in a ñbohemian-styleî ceremony in Gloucestershire, England. Miller is hinting that she has some other big news _ perhaps a baby bump? If so, it would be the 5th biological child for Law who has 3 school-aged children with first wife, Sadie Frost, and a new baby daughter from a brief relationship with model Samantha Burke. Although itÍs hard to imagine this player being settled down, a more mature-sounding Law recently reported to Parade magazine that ñMy daughter made me realize if thereÍs anything thatÍs going to make a man of you, itÍs having your will broken by a little girl. Eventually you have to grow up.î All of us here at Groomstand hope that it works out this time for the love birds.

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Guy Wedding Registries: Ask & Ye Shall Receive

While the wedding to-do list may seem like a chore for most guys, there is something that may just grab your attention more than picking out centerpieces or talking about up-do hairstyles -- and thatÍs wedding registries. WeÍre not talking about wedding registries where you aimlessly follow your betrothed around in the kitchen and linens section of a department store and where the only thing you have to look forward to is the little scanner gun. Think bigger, better and let out a caveman grunt and make your own wish list at a store that stocks home improvement, electronics, and even outdoor recreation items! While youÍre shopping around, you also may just find the perfect something to give as engraved pocket knives, or even an exotic vacation is another way to get what you really want.

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Searing Steak With Style _ Groomsmen Gift Suggestion

The entire month of May is dedicated to sizzling up good food on the grill, itÍs National Barbeque Month! According to a consumer poll by the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association, enjoying the company with family and friends (94%) combined with the desire to be outside (22%) is the reason why barbeque season heats up this time of year. And really, the launch of the outdoor cooking couldnÍt be better timed considering how many soon-to-be-married couples are launching their pre-wedding entertaining schedules for all the important members of the wedding party. If you are hosting a bachelor barbeque this month, youÍll want to check over your gear and supplies to make sure everything is in order. Pull off the cover under which your grill has been hibernating all winter and give it a look-see to determine whether is still up to the manufacturerÍs safety guidelines. Anything rusty or wobbly needs to be repaired or replaced. Also, youÍll need to stock up with a freshly filled propane tank or plenty of charcoal briquettes along with all the other consumables you plan on grilling up. This year, why not break with tradition and try a new marinade or dry rub to shake up the taste buds of your carnivorous friends and family?! For the men at your backyard cookout, it is always a thoughtful idea to bring along personalized groomsmen gifts, especially BBQ gifts, to show your appreciation for their willingness to eat, drink and be merry at your upcoming wedding. Sure to make a searing impression with your groomsmen is a steak iron which can be used to make a personalized mark on beef, chicken, pork _ even tofu! There are many styles of steak brands to choose from including steak irons forged with the recipientÍs monogram letters or a sports team or military logo held near and dear.

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