826 Articles
Would You Wear A Male Engagment Ring?
Recently, a guy friend of mine came to me in a quandary of such that I had never heard before. Apparently, his newly-minted finance, a lovely and thoroughly modern girl, had responded to his popping of the question and presentation of a diamond engagement ring with an unexpected twist. No, she didnÍt turn his proposal down, quite the opposite. After he slipped the sparkler on her finger, she ran off to the bedroom and came back with a little hinged box for him _ a male engagement ring. While the ring was subtle and not at all gaudy, a simple band of gold similar to an actual wedding ring, it seemed completely contrary to his traditional way of doing things _ including a man wearing any type of jewelry except for a watch. With lovey-dovey eyes, she said that it was a choice in engraved cufflinks? Not knowing what to say, I told him to wear the darn thing, he was essentially off the market anyway. And, for the ñfinger irritationî he was claiming to be caused by the ring, I explained that over time, the body just gives in and accepts the shackling --- you just build up calluses or let go of some manliness, or a little of both. So, would you wear a male engagement ring? Experts in the wedding jewelry industry have noted a rising trend, saying that more and more grooms-to-be are sporting this type oof betrothal bauble. A few years ago, a major jeweler in the U.K. introduced a titanium ring embedded with a small diamond and specifically marketed it as a menÍs engagement band and the popularity for a ñmangagment ringî has hopped over the pond. Actually, a male engagement band has been around for quite some time in some other countries. For example, in Brazil, both the groom- and bride-to-be wear a plain ring on the right hand while engaged and then move it to the left hand after the wedding. So, if you find yourself having to deal with the ring thing, just give her the finger. Please, not the offensive gesture though! Find comfort knowing that you are not the first man to wear an engagement band, nor the last. Acclimate to the experience by wearing it a few days a week (and always in her presence) or just dive in for full-custody. If you need to find peace with the whole guys-wearing-jewelry thing, then consider getting your buddies some bling as early
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Thumbs Up for Multi-Function Tools _ Manly Groomsmen Gifts
Men werenÍt given opposable thumbs for nothing. Thumbs are called opposable because this digit can be moved around to touch the other fingers, enabling the grasping mechanism. YouÍve enjoyed the use of your opposable thumbs for many worthy tasks, popping the lid on a beer can, holding your golf club, and snapping to your favorite tune. However, the most important event you can thank your thumb for is using it to flip open the lid on the velvet ring box when you made the big proposal to your fianc_. You groomsmen are also sure to be quite pleased with the physical adaptation provided by the thumb. WeÍre not saying the guys are monkeys or anything, but they couldnÍt peel a banana if it wasnÍt for this first-rate finger. Chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans also all have opposable thumbs just like your loveably knuckle-dragging buddies. One choice in groomsmen gifts that is sure to get a round of Tim Allen-eque grunts and groans of admiration is a multi-function tool. Like a pocket knife but better, these must-have implements are outfitted with lots of gear such as a blade, a screwdriver, a serrated saw, a corkscrew, a flashlight and more. A total thumbs-up for groomsmen gifts, your friends will enjoy keeping a multi-function tool on hand for DIY projects, emergency situations and all those other unexpected times when you need a special gadget.
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Make Mine Moonshine
Gather up the guys and celebrate the end of your bachelorhood the good old-fashioned backwoods way; passing around a jug of moonshine. Whether you call it Moonshine, White Lightning, Mule Kick or any other number of clever code names, the spirit is all the same recipe, an un-aged whiskey distilled from a yeast-fermented sugar source. Although around for several hundred years, this home-cooked concoction rose into popularity during the Prohibition era when folks were forced to whip up illicit batches in their basements. Despite the fact liquor had become illegal, bachelor parties were forced to take on a more clandestine nature, being celebrated at home or in the nearest Speakeasy. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, moonshine continued to quench many thirsts, stereotypically so in the Deep South. ItÍs almost goes against the rebel nature of bootlegginÍ, but you can actually purchase mass-marketed moonshine at your local liquor store! There are a handful of legal distilleries on the up-and-up that sell the spirit. Those who have partaken in a swig of the hard stuff report that it is actually quite quaffable. Pack a little high-proof punch to your bachelor outing by stocking up on a few bottles of the ruckus juice to get the party started. If you want to check the proof the way men did years ago, just fill up a teaspoon and light it on fire; if it flames, you know the stuff is strong. Present great looking flasks engraved especially for each bachelor party guest; the guys will appreciate this choice in groomsmen gifts that is sure to find its way into the proverbial boot leg.
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Personalized Flasks Have Celebrity Fans
By George, weÍll drink to that! Just leave it to those fun-loving celebrities to show us, the thirsty masses, an under-cover way to liven up a potentially boring formal affair. Whether you are walking down the red carpet or down the wedding aisle, carrying the coolest of personalized flasks in your coat jacket will serve you well in so many ways. Not only will you have a pint-sized pour of your favorite beverage on hand at all times, youÍll look quite sophisticated in an A-list sort of way when you so casually and charismatically pull the vessel from your pocket. DonÍt let the party stop in your tuxedo pocket; share the liquid festivities by treating each of your friends to one of his very own groomsmen flasks. A tasteful statement of friendship, especially when you pick out groomsmen flasks that are crafted with the recipientÍs personality in mind. At leather-wrapped flasks, sleek stainless-steel flasks, and even personalized flasks with cigar storage. And, with a classy monogram or name engraved upon each one, you are sure to be the topic of many pre-swig toasts _ ñand hereÍs to the groom who has shown me how to hold my liquorî! But what good are groomsmen flasks if there is nothing inside to send down the hatch? Sure you can top them off with old-school standards such as plain whiskey, rum or gin. But if you really want to make your groomsmen feel like the stars of the night, fill your personalized flasks up with alcoholic concoctions that youÍve mixed up beforehand. Mixing flask cocktails actually has a long history, from the mid-1800s to the 1960s, many popular libations such as gimlets, Manhattans and Sazeracs were sold pre-made in bottles _ today even the Margarita and Mojita come ready to walk out the door in glass bottles. Experienced flask mixologists recommend beginning your drink recipe with 3 ounces of a primary spirit and 1 once of a modifier; depending on your flask size, you can adjust the ratio. With this base you can add other ingredients, if desired such as a flavored simple syrup. A hint though, donÍt use egg whites in your drink, they tend to break down in the flask. In the same vein, citrus juices are not the best fit for a metal flask because you tend to give off that ñtinnyî aftertaste. Since you have a limited amount of room in the flask, experts also suggest not adding too much filler _ go as ñhigh-octaneî as possible!
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Grooming with Jewelry
By Michael O'Connor, Jewelry and Style Expert It may be the bride's day, but the groom should look good for his wedding, too. Although no one is fussing over the guy issues, many men today are not afraid to show emotion (the room might get a little dusty when he gives out his groomsmen gifts). Whether he's a jeans-and-T-shirts man or a "wouldn't be caught dead sweats" guy, the wedding day is a time to show a more polished side. Jewelry can be a subtle way of making a strong personal statement. Men's Jewelry Trends Men are more open to jewelry these days, opting for platinum that offer a masculine look, feel and weight while providing durability, lasting luster. Because platinum jewelry is generally 95% pure, unlike 18k-gold that is only 75% pure, it is hypoallergenic. In the past few years, jewelry designers step increase their collections for men by giving them more options to express their personalities. This extensive gent's line from Precious Platinum has a timeless selection of in handsome and masculine finished platinum including tie pins and rings, pendants, and cufflinks. The tie accent is a simple way to make your tie pop with any suit you wear. When it's time to pick out your groomsmen gifts, don't overlook designer dog tags, cuff bracelets, and belt buckles. Resurfacing a quarter century past its heyday, the ID bracelet is back, but in personalized versions engraved with names, dates or mantras that mean something special to the groom and his buddies.
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We Solve a Cufflink Conundrum
Dear Groomstand: I am treating myself to a pair of engraved cufflinks to wear with my tuxedo and also to present as groomsmen gifts to my good buddies. With so many styles, IÍm confused about picking out a perfect pair that will look great at both the wedding and in the years to come. Can you help? Mr.Cufflink Conundrum Dear Mr. Cufflink Conundrum: There is no reason to be worried about presenting engraved cufflinks as groomsmen gifts; there is really no way to go wrong with this traditional gift (that can still be quite trendy). Your first choice is to decide if you want to give your best man, groomsmen and ushers with identical pairs of engraved cufflinks or mix-it up based on their role in the wedding. Or, you can mix it up even more by choosing novelty cufflinks that pack a little punch of personality _ a pair of dice cufflinks for the gamblers, dashing dollar sign cufflinks for the business tycoons or even skull and crossbones cufflinks for those more rogue wedding attendants. Another point to consider when picking out cufflinks as groomsmen gifts is that some men like to coordinate the tone of their engraved cufflinks to the metal of the wristwatch being worn. For example, silver tones match with silver, stainless steel or platinum watches and golden links work well with gold watches. Many men wear mixed-metal watches which are easily complemented by almost any cufflink youÍll find at https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand Adding an engraved personalization always makes a welcomed touch, whether itÍs just a simple single initial, a traditional monogram, or a full name, date or message. This thoughtful touch to your groomsmen gift will transform an ordinary pair of cufflinks into an instant heirloom that each man will enjoy wearing on your wedding weekend as well as to work and formal affairs for years to come.
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Trends in Groomsmen Attire
With all eyes on the bride, many grooms and groomsmen discount the importance of their appearance during the wedding festivities. Even though your eyes might be affixed on your stunning wife-to-be and your groomsmen may be ogling the bridesmaids, donÍt overlook the fact that plenty of other people will be focused on the style of the groom and his wedding posse. Here are some stand-out groomsmen attire trends for your stand-up guys: Bow Tie Be Gone: Many of todayÍs modern groomsmen are opting out of the traditional bow tie when it comes to the formal tuxedo look. Experts in the tux industry say that men are choosing long ties, such as cravats, in lieu of the classic bow tie. A thoughtful choice in inexpensive groomsmen gifts would be to gift each personalized tie clip to wear with their wedding ensemble. Tossing the Tux: In other weddings, grooms have given their groomsmen the exciting news that a tuxedo is not needed for the big day. Instead, a more casual and contemporary look is trending this year such as coordinating everyone in matching khakis and sports jackets and adding a unifying touch such as matching pocket squares, ties or socks. Even snazzy engraved cufflinks are a welcomed choice in groomsmen gifts that can be worn on your special day and for many years to come. For example, personalized cufflinks engraved with a monogram are the perfect pick for the executives in your line-up who are sure to wear them again to many important business meetings. Plus, if you get cufflinks that suit each recipientÍs personality, youÍll appear to be the thoughtful groom who doesnÍt give one-size-fit-all, cookie-cutter groomsmen gifts.
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Plan for the Worst on Your Wedding Day
FYI - This post contains Mad Men spoilers Your wedding day is supposed to be perfect. When it's supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, how could you plan for the worst? Sure, forgetting a groomsmen gift for the best man isn't ideal, but what if something catastrophic happens? A family death? A natural disaster? In the latest episode of Mad Men, you'll find out that there are just some things you can't plan for when it comes to your wedding day. Ever since the second episode of season three, Mad Men fans were waiting in anticipation for the Sterling wedding set for Nov. 23, 1963 - one day after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. While the episode shows the fictional Sterling family at their half-empty wedding reception, this New York Times article shows how some couples found the strength to marry on Nov. 23, 1963. One bride to marry on the day after this American tragedy was 21 year-old Wanita Handal (now, Wanita Dehney). Mrs. Dehney never thought twice about putting a halt to her big day. When guests arrived for the reception at the Waldorf-Astoria, their spirits were not as bright. Mrs. Dehney says, "We thought it would be awful... I'll tell you, after a few drinks it didn't really matter." The average couple picks out their wedding date 17 months prior to the wedding. Just about anything can happen when you're planning a celebration a year in advance. Mrs. Dehney's wedding was after one of the worst catastrophes in American history, but everything came out all right. In fact, the Dehney wedding went so late, they had to pay the band extra to finish out the night. Still, if you'd rather not force your wedding through adverse conditions, there's no reason to worry. Use these precautions to ease stress on your perfect day. Wedding Day Plan B's Wedding insurance - it sounds like a scam, but would you go through with your wedding if it happened on 9/11? Wedding insurance protects against sudden cancelations like severe weather or illness, and protects against lost rings or a damaged wedding dress. Wedsafe.com gave a quote of $871.00 for a fictional wedding on Oct. 10, 2010 with liability insurance of $500,000 and cancelation insurance of $175,000. Plan for rain - no matter what the farmer's almanac says, you need to plan for terrible weather. Don't brush off the weather by thinking "oh, we'll just bring everyone inside." I went to a wedding in the desert last summer and they were sure it wasn't going to rain - It freakin' poured. It rained so much puddles formed in the grass and covered everyone's shoes in mud. At the very least, designate a group of umbrellas for guests as they dash out of their cars. Keep large sheets of plastic ready at the doorway for muddy shoes. And, always make sure you have an indoor option for all of your events. Grab the personalized flasks - if there's ever a moment to take a nip off some whiskey, it's when a major event over shadows your big day. Look on the bright side. You're with friends and family, and you're celebrating your love with a future wife. If you can't call off the wedding (or you just don't want to) break out the personalized flasks as groomsmen gifts and make the best of the moment.
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The Helpful Groom (You Can't Just Be Handsome)
Many guys think that after picking out the ring and popping the question, his work is done in terms of the wedding planning. But, after observing the way many brides passive-aggressively operate, weÍve come to realize that the best way to keep a fianc_ happy is to get involved in the process. But the key to being involved is to actually help in the process, not hinder. Here are some great tips about being the involved groom she wants you to be. Ask what you can do. With or without a wedding planner, the sheer number of tasks and chores involved in pulling off a once-in-a-life-time day can be daunting. As soon as planning rolls into full swing, collaborate together to come up with a ïhisÍ and ïhersÍ list on what needs to be done. Having the to-do list in print will reduce any confusion or assumptions that might later arise, as in a shrieking ñhoney, I thought 'you' were picking up Aunt Edna from the airport! Have an opinion. If all the minutia of wedding planning is really not your thing, you certainly donÍt need to have an opinion of every last thing. WeÍre sure you really donÍt care on the exact shade of the bridesmaidsÍ eyes shadow as much as you do best man gifts. But do tell the bride what you like about major parts of the wedding such as how many guests, location, and food choices. Pick your battles. Know when to step in and know when to retreat. DonÍt let little things become major issues in your wedding planning, the two of you are about to be a lifelong team and should start acting so as soon as possible! But if you have a core issue that is being tested during the planning process, speak up now or forever hold your peace. Pull your weight. There are certain tasks that are traditionally bestowed on the groom, make sure you are doing them! If you pick up an etiquette book, you'll find out that some of these duties include, picking groomsmen, purchasing groomsmen gifts, arranging for wedding attire, planning the honeymoon and anything else the bride requests. If you'd like cross off one of your chores, head on over to
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How to Write Great Wedding Vows (Without Using Mad Libs)
If your bride-to-be is anything like the multitudes of women who demand nothing less than the dream wedding, the wedding she has kept meticulously journaled in her Polly Pocket diary since elementary school, chances are she has taken care of everything. Location? Check. Invitations? Check. Caterers, seating arrangements, DJ playlist? Check, check, check. You may have at one time been responsible for procuring the ring, but chances are she took over that too, slipping subtle hints of cut and color, maybe even sketching out a diagram and putting it in your wallet (if not, check out some helpful suggestions for buying engagement rings from the groomsman gift experts). Uh oh. If she is marrying you for any other reasons than your wily wit with words or your ability to wax poetic at a moment's notice, this may seem a daunting task. Fear not! Following a few helpful guidelines might make the difference between snores from the guests and the future Mrs. You's tears of sentimental joy. Four Steps To Tear-jerking Wedding Vows Start now. Right now, if not yesterday. Or the day before. Putting off the vows may be the point of conflict in many a sitcom, but don't count on inspiration striking as you walk down the aisle and then winging it. This is not a suggestion to start crafting draft upon draft of prose, but start jotting down some points you would like to make. Having a bank of phrases, moments, and memories to drawn from will be crucial as you start constructing your final draft. Hint: "I love you so much" is a good place to start. Your vows should be unique, personal, and customized to your relationship. It doesn't matter how nice it sounds, if the climax of the speech is the romantic sunset you two shared on a beach, there is nothing stopping her from removing you from the memory and inserting Rick or James or Paolo from two summers ago into the same idyllic setting. Idyllic is not the basis of your marriage. Share the points that you love about her and your relationship that are specifically yours. Beaches are not yours. They belong to every new couple ever. Maybe you can make a promise that in married life you won't come to bed angry. Share an anecdote about the first time you noticed how she held a pencil or cut up her cucumber and then fell in love. By all means avoid When Harry Met Sally as your muse, but ask yourself: "What defines our love?" When you have your answer, you have your vows. Keep your audience in mind, especially if the wedding consists of any guests beyond two witnesses and a priest dressed as Elvis. Filling your vows with quirky inside jokes might mean a lot to your lady, but this wedding isn't only about the two of you (no matter what anyone may say). You have your whole future to spend just the two of you. Right now you have Grandma Sue in the front row, and you need to make sure that she, as well as your bride, is clear on what is being said. Sprinkle your vows with anecdotes and memories, but make sure they are the types of things Grandma Sue can at least imagine being a part of. There is nothing more alienating (and therefore boring) than not knowing what is going on. Practice. Practice, practice, practice. Do it once more for good measure. You don't need to memorize what you want to say, but it is worth it that you don't stumble over the words you so painstakingly put together. Better yet, practice in front of one person who is a better writer and public speaker than you - perhaps a poetic groomsman. He will be able to help you think of ways to really wow, be it with comprehensibility, language, or a tricky section of alliteration. Treat him to a fabulous groomsman gift as your way of saying "thanks!"
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Humphries, Kardashian Tip Off Summer With NBA Nuptials
Kim Kardashian is officially off the market, but we all knew that would only be a matter of time since sheÍs been in full-on, time-to-get-engaged mode for a while. Her newly minted fianc_, Kris Humphries of NBA fame, popped the big question on May 18th after just 6 months of dating and plenty of PDA. Humphries sealed the deal with a 20.5 karat platinum engagement ring that only KimÍs infamous rear end could rival in size. Goodness only knows how much a ring this size set the basketball star back, but who really cares? WeÍre more interested in what the lucky attendants on his wedding roster will score for groomsmen gift ideas that are great for the basketball aficionado. A sports duffle bag is always a useful pick in groomsmen gifts; HumphriesÍ buddies can actually pack their gear for the ceremony inside and then, after the wedding weekend, tote their gear to the gym for practice. However, not all of us are rubbing shoulders with the NBA elite. For the armchair athlete, a basketball tavern sign makes a thoughtful choice in groomsmen gifts, especially since the recipient is named as proprietor of his own ñ4th Quarter Pub.î A groomsman will head home, slap the sign up in his home bar or man cave and think of you every time _ maybe you'll even get an invitation to hang out! Another idea for fans of college sports is our personalized college basketball signs , complete with custom-name emblazoned jersey. Anyway you go, basketball groomsmen gifts will be a slam dunk!
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The Money Dance is Weird, Right?
The money dance is totally funky. If you haven't been to many international weddings, you'd think this is the closest the bride ever felt to being a stripper. Sweaty men pinning globs of fives to her shoulder straps. It's what every bride dreams about for her wedding! One of the reasons the money dance is so weird to Americans is because we freak out about open cash flying around. There's something dirty about it. Cash is for tipping a person because they don't get paid enough with their current paycheck. No one wants to be reminded of that on their wedding day. Combine that with the fact that no one wants to freely admit they really need money that bad - even if they do. Just the other day, a money dance turned bad at a Florida wedding when a brawl broke out after the groom's brother 'made it rain' dolla dolla bills ya'll on the dance floor. (Looks like someone needed to wait on handing out personalized pocket knives as groomsmen gifts until after the reception). 40 people were questioned after the brawl, including the groom's 74-year-old grandmother who was put in a choke hold during the madness. The money dance might sound tackier than Donald Trump shoving ads for his golf course in his daughter's wedding invitations, but the tradition of the money dance is older than the personalized flask (Ok. Total shameless plug). Let's get down to the bottom of tossing cash at the bride and groom with another exciting adventure in Groomsmen Origin Stories. The Origin of the Wedding Dance Polish paupers get credit for the money dance. The lower-class Polish created this tradition around the turn of the century to ensure the newlyweds have extra spending money for their honeymoon. As the tradition goes, after the bride and groom's first dance, guests ask for permission to dance with each of the newlyweds by paying cash for the privilege. Guests form one line in front of the bride and one line in front of the groom, as the best man and maid of honor stand at the head of the line to help with the cash collection. You might be saying to yourself, "I saw a money dance at my ex-girlfriend's sister's wedding, and that was not how they did it." One of the reasons is because different cultures put their unique spin on the tradition based on the personalization or depersonalization of money in their customs. For instance, in Ukraine, Poland, Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico, it's common for family and friends to pin the money directly onto the wedding dress or tuxedo of the bride and groom. In the Philippines, the money dance is so common that guests create ornate patterns when sticking the cash on the brides. If you go to a Hungarian wedding, the bride places her shoes in the middle of the dance floor and guests fill them full of money before they dance with her. In Scotland, it's popular for the bride-to-be to trade kisses for cash before the wedding as a sign of good luck. The wildest variation of the money dance is in Slavic countries that practice the Babushka dance. Originally, the Babushka dance was a bridal ceremony where guests dropped money into her veil while forming a circle around the bride. In a variation of the dance, family members kidnapped the bride if there wasn't enough money collected in her veil. While it seems like another attempt to extort money from the guests, the groom runs around the room collecting "ransom" funds from family and friends to get the bride back. No matter what your ancestry is, the money dance is an easy and entertaining way to get your tight-wad uncle to cough up some extra dough on your wedding day. But keep in mind, this little extortion scam only works if everyone knows what the hell is going on. Unless the tradition of the money dance is deep within your family roots, don't try and create an impromptu collection agency on the spot. It's just tacky.
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