Top Five Things Never to Do When Proposing

Don't count your groomsmen gifts before they've hatched. Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups, and nothing undermines a sweetly earnest, clumsy proposal like a pre-planned engagement party jumping out clown-car style the second she says yes. As always, when it comes to women, even if you know it's a sure thing, respect her dignity and act like you don't. Once she says yes, then start shopping for groomsmen gifts. Don't choose a romantic dinner for your proposal site. Don't hide the ring in shrimp cocktail, don't have the waiter write "will you marry me?" in the dessert frosting, and don't have your groomsmen circle the table and sing a serenade on a bribe of good groomsmen gifts. Food proposals are clichd and corny, and it is very important she has a proposal story that is different and better than all her friends. Don't combine business with proposals. Work is where you sweat and toil forty hours a week so you have the money for a nice wedding and groomsmen gifts. It is where you got a painful paper cut and where your boss chewed you out for not replacing the printer paper. No matter how magical the proposal, it is impossible to get in a romantic mindset amidst the smell of scotch tape and coffee dregs. What's next, three ring binders as groomsmen gifts? Even if you met at work, leave your daily grind out of the special moment with a sweet, escapist proposal. Don't buy the ring in advance. Engagement rings are a lot more complicated than your garden variety groomsmen gifts. Cut, color, clarity-it's just too confusing for the average man to contemplate. Make yourself and your future wife happy by proposing with something creative and vaguely circular-a dollar folded into the shape of a ring, a tab from her favorite soda, a family heirloom ring. A mushy placeholder is the perfect prelude to the more permanent ring you let her choose herself! Don't look to your friends for advice on how to propose. Get advice when it comes time to buy groomsmen gifts, not when it's time to pop the question. Instead, plan your proposal based on something personal to you two. Propose at the place where your car broke down on your first date, or in "your" video aisle where you first discovered your mutual passion for Monty Python movies.

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Ten Gifts Never To Give

If you've been visiting this site for any significant amount of time, you probably already have enough information on the best groomsmen gifts to give to your groomsmen. You've been through the exhaustive list of what groomsmen gifts to get for virtually every type of guy you might know, but if you're still not able to narrow down your choices, here, at least, are ten groomsmen gifts you should definitely never give: Anything that isn't somehow personalized. What, you've known the guy for years and you can't manage to get him nice monogrammed groomsmen gifts? Show a guy some love! A picture of you and the new wife. It doesn't matter how nice the frame is. No guy wants to live in a hall of portraits. Groomsmen gifts he can't use. You're a guy. Don't give knick-knacks. Gifts that you picked up at the last minute. Wedding planning is a lot, we know, but chances are your duties don't extend too far past nodding yes or no to color scheme choices, buying groomsmen gifts, and not getting too rowdy with any strippers at the bachelor party. Order your groomsmen gifts online and get it out of the way early if you have to, just get it done. Anything misspelled. Double and triple check your personalization before you send it through, because no guy wants to hang a sign in his living room that reads "Mrak's Pub." Really Practical Gifts. Trouser socks and undershirts are best left to a guy's personal taste. Get him something he won't get himself, like a sweet pocketknife. Gift cards. We don't care if you're completely stumped. Think of something better. A drink at the bachelor party. Buying a round for the guys does not equal buying groomsmen gifts for them. Impersonal groomsmen gifts you got for everyone because you wanted the group discount. This can work fine if you and your groomsmen are all golfing buddies and you're buying putters, but don't give a teetotaler friend a flask just because you got a few cents off by ordering five. No groomsmen gifts at all. The average groomsman spends almost a thousand dollars to be a part of a wedding. Spring for groomsmen gifts, man. It's the least you can do in thanks.

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Grooming the Groom

By Paula Felps For a man to understand the way a woman views her wedding, it's important to realize that she has an expectation for every second of the wedding day, a plan for just how perfect each moment will be. This is why you see brides bursting into tears at some point during the big day. It's impossible to have that many expectations without having a few of them shattered. Men, on the other hand, don't think a lot about what they expect from that day. If they get through the ceremony without themselves or any of the groomsmen passing out or passing gas, they pretty much view the day as a success, and there will be high-fives all around at the end of the ceremony. Most of the men I know (or have married) spend much more time thinking about what they'll drink at the reception than getting ready for their big day. While their beautiful bride-to-be rises early to have her hair and nails done, the groom is sprawled naked in his bed, thinking how nice it will be to have breakfast made for him from this day forth. We can get to that unrealistic expectation another time. For the typical male, "getting ready" for his wedding is done about 90 minutes before the ceremony. For the average woman, it begins sometime around the age of 4, shortly after she realizes that a pillowcase makes an excellent bridal train. While you don't have to share your lovely bride's vision for her wedding day, there are a few adjustments you might want to make in your daily routine. Rather than jumping in the shower a few minutes before you're due at the altar and racing down the aisle with wet hair, try following these helpful wedding day grooming hints: Tuxedo Renting or buying is not important here. What is important is that you take care of it long in advance. Have that tuxedo picked, fitted, and ready no later than a week before. NailsI know it's illogical, but it's Her day. And 'better or worse' doesn't start after the wedding. Unless you do this on a regular basis, get a manicure. It's a better experience than you'd think. Hair Do you have someone you trust? Get your hair cut no later than a week before the wedding. That day-of haircut says you're a last minute man. So does wet hair. Although you may want to have a barber shave your face for a meditative shave on that big day. This kind of activity incorporates you into the sense of ritual. Bachelor Party Hang Over You've gotten all other women out of your system, do you have the party - that celebrated that - out of your system? Shoes Spare no expense. Everyone is judged on their shoes. Congratulations and good luck!

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Top Five Groomsmen Movies

Whether you host a movie marathon or give DVDs out as groomsmen gifts, these classic groomsmen movies are sure to get your guys in the celebratory mood! Wedding Crashers. Ok, so the men in this movie aren't technically groomsmen, but they don't let that bother them, and neither should you! This is the perfect movie to get your men excited about the bright side of being a groomsman (other than sweet groomsmen gifts) - duty-free food, fun dancing and a bevy of fair bridesmaids to charm. Copies of this DVD make great groomsmen gifts, and for a nice touch, throw in some gourmet popcorn. The Groomsmen. From garage band revivals to stolen baseball card rivalries, this Ed Burns movie is a bittersweet story of a bachelor's getaway in the Bronx. As the plot thickens, the movie goes beyond trivial talk of baseball and groomsmen gifts as each man re-evaluates his life. By the end, the groomsmen's collective Peter Pan syndrome proves to be the balm the groom needs to overcome his cold feet and make an honest woman out of his pregnant fianc, played by Britney Murphy. The Wood. Groomsmen gifts of this film are sure to inspire - this movie is about a groom named Roland (Taye Diggs) who disappears on his wedding day three hours before the ceremony. His groomsmen find him drunk with a bad case of cold feet. Acting as true MVP wedding party members, they drive him around, dry him out, and pick up their dry cleaned suits, all while trying to assuage their friend's doubts about tying the knot. Relying on flashbacks to propel them into the future, this movie is a warm trip down memory lane, set against the suspense of getting the groom to the church on time. We won't tell you how it ends, but let's just say these guys deserve some first-rate groomsmen gifts. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In every groomsmen's ultimate dream, the groomsmen in this movie all catch the romantic spirit and get a mate of their own after being inspired by their brother's wedding. As long as you don't look too deeply into the bridal kidnapping aspect, this is a fun movie full of barn-raising and great dance scenes. The film culminates in one the most giant shotgun wedding ever. With these kind of occupational perks, who needs groomsmen gifts? The Best Man. If ever there were a reason to return the groomsmen gifts, you'll find it here. This boisterous groomsmen film chronicles a groom's worst fear-no spoilers, we'll leave it at that! From a tense poker game to an equally wild stripper bachelor party, this movie perfectly captures the combination of camaraderie and tensions that can surface when old friends get together to celebrate a buddy's wedding - just make sure your groomsmen gifts come with a return policy.

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Fantastic Home Bar Accessories that Don't Break the Bank

Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name. Bars can be a cool place to hang out and see the lads, but sometimes it's just too much of a hassle. There's no sound for the game on TV, the service sucks, and you pay four times the price for beer that you can drink at home. For your groomsmen get-togethers, bring the atmosphere of your favorite tavern to their place with fantastic home bar accessories as groomsmen gifts. The Personalized Pub Sign Every bar has a name, even if it's just the guy's name that owns the house. Celebrate your buddy's favorite team, drink, or just show off his name proudly with these perfect gifts for men. The Personalized Pub Sign is an actual piece of art, making these groomsmen gifts an awesome upgrade for those dingy posters in the hall. Pour yourself a drink Drinking with your buds is always a fun time, but it's not the easiest to remember. Since alcohol has that mind numbing affect on us, an unforgettable groomsmen gift is an Engraved English Tavern Tankard. This cup has a pretty unique surface and appearance. Plus, you'll feel like a freakin' king when you bash these cups together before slamming them down the hatch. If shots are more your game, the personalized NFL Shot glass is a perfect gift for any man. Even though you might feel like a pro, take your time with these shots, or you'll end up like Vikings kicker Gary Anderson. He had a perfect season kicking extra points and field goals through the 1998 regular season, but with when it came down to the big kick to get in the super bowl - he shanked it. Your next shot should be for ole Gary. Light up a stogy A great finish to the night is a tasty cigar. Look at Share a Cigar with Your Groomsmen for the proper method of cutting and enjoying a stogy with your groomsmen.

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Best Best Man

As an Ordained Musician I have performed at many weddings. This Sunday, on Halloween, I will be taking on a new role at a wedding - Best Man. This is new ground for me. As intimately involved as I have been with so very many wedding ceremonies, I have never been one of the groomsmen, let alone a Best Man. When my best friend, Max asked me to be his Best Man, I was truly honored. But it was more than a privilege to me - it was a responsibility - and one I took very seriously. After all, how many men really get to be a Best Man? So I got right down to business. My first act as Best Man was to write a letter to the great Hunter. S Thompson, as he just may be the biggest inspiration that Max and I both share. I asked Dr. Gonzo if he would mind writing the speech for me, as I had no experience and it would mean so much to Max. I waited patiently. No response. I sent another letter, this time with a Max Koch original drawing of me on my hands and knees begging the good Doctor for assistance. I waited. No response. Perhaps the Wise Sage was teaching me a lesson, nudging me out of the nest so to speak. I'd like to think that, anyway. On to the bachelor party. Again, the responsibility with which I had been charged superceded reasonable expectations. The party quickly became a bachelor weekend that encompassed two movies (including the new David Lynch flick, again, another shared inspirator); several meals; Oktoberfest; the party itself which included a stretch limo, golf, another Oktoberfest and the requisite T & A; and, finally, a surprise visit to see George Carlin at the Costa Mesa Playhouse (yet a third person who has greatly influenced our lives). I told you I took the responsibility seriously. And now to the wedding. As of this writing, the wedding is exactly one week away. I have not yet written the speech that is required of me. I have toyed with a few ideas, but, as I work well under deadlines, I will be here, in front of my computer, as the week draws to a close, writing what will be an opus of appreciation and respect that I have for my friend Max and his lovely bride-to-be, Nichole (who also happens to sing in my band, Laughing Place). Perhaps it is due to the fact that I have never been a Best Man, and the knowledge that I may never again be, that has pushed me to the very limit of Best Man-dom. Whatever the case, here's to you Max and Nichole, may you live happily ever after.

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Financial Tips For Marriage

by George LaPorte To most young couples, budgeting refers to the price of groomsmen gifts and whether you will get steak or chicken for the reception dinner. However, there are some other financial issues that you will want to address as soon as you tie the knot. Some of the items on the list below might not sound like things a young couple really needs to consider yet, but they are. You're doing more than just choosing your favorite cake and the best groomsmen gifts, you are now planning the rest of your life with a partner. A savings plan, health insurance, owning property, and a will are the key areas in which a couple must develop strategies in order to secure their present and future lives together. The following descriptions of these categories will give you a start to beginning this process: Develop Easy-Access Savings: Build short-term savings that are easily accessible - you can easily start planning this right now, figuring it into your budget of every day meals and wedding expenses like groomsmen gifts. A good game plan is to have three to six months' worth of salary as an emergency fund. Money market funds, certificates of deposit and treasury bills are all good short-term savings avenues for a newly married couple. Consolidate Medical Insurance: Look at consolidating your medical insurance. If you both have group plans, and you are each paying part of the premiums, you might be able to save money by dropping one plan and having the other cover you under the family premium-and hey, that will be money saved for groomsmen gifts and filet mignon entrees. Evaluate Term vs. Permanent Insurance: Your choice between term and permanent life insurance depends on your resources and your stage of life. For example, if you are young and money is so tight you're making your guys share groomsmen gifts, term insurance, usually less expensive than permanent insurance at the start of a policy, may be the best choice for short-term need. For lifelong needs, permanent insurance may be the best option as it builds cash value over time and, if adequately funded, provides long-term insurance protection. Establish A Will As Soon As You Are Married: If you and your spouse pass away without an established will, a court or state laws will dictate how your assets will be distributed. Consider Savings Percentages: Try to save 4 to 8 percent of your gross income while you are in your 20s and then double that savings percentage as you reach your 30s and 40s. In some instances, a dual-income couple might be able to live off one spouse's salary and save the other salary. You can even start saving immediately by choosing what you splurge on - how many groomsmen gifts do you need to give, really? Transfer Spouse's Property: If you choose to place property in your fiance's name, avoid the federal gift tax by transferring ownership after the marriage. The law allows an unlimited transfer of assets between a married couple without gift taxes, provided the spouse is a U.S. citizen. Once you've got these bases covered, by all means, go back to shopping for groomsmen gifts and giggling about your bright future together-because now you've made sure it's secure. George LaPorte resides in Charlotte, North Carolina and works for an insurance company. © 1998 Marrying Man Group

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7 Adventure Sports Bachelor Party Ideas

Bachelor parties are synonymous with alcohol. If you're lucky, those drinks will take you and your groomsmen stumbling to a strip club or casino. This is likely the way your father spent his last hours of freedom. It is undoubtedly the way your grandfather exhausted the final hours of his bachelorhood. But as enticing as a grimy strip club and an abundance of liquor can be, is it really all that different from your typical weekend affairs? For a thrilling "last night" without the traditional after-bachelor-party hangover, include some exciting adventurous sports activities into the mix. The 'extreme' bachelor party is gaining in popularity. Why? More bachelors want a party they can look back on with reverie. Bachelors want a party they can actually remember without having to look at the pictures of their limp body wrapped around a toilet. Adventure parties can be as involved as a weekend trip to an exotic locale or as simple as an afternoon of golf at the local municipal course. Whatever adventure bachelor party you choose, give yourself enough time to plan, budget and coordinate. This is the key to setting up a successful event. We've come up with a list of some adventure bachelor party ideas to take you away from the normal night of surly binge drinking: Adventure Sports to Spice up the Bachelor Party 1. Skydiving Skydiving is a great local event you can do in just an afternoon. Keep in mind that skydiving is not for everyone, and if you have a big group of guys attending, be sure to let them know in advance so your groomsmen can chicken out before you sign them up. While skydiving is fast and usually easy to find locally, it is also expensive. A tandem jump with a trained instructor can cost up to $500 per person. 2. Bungee Jumping If sky-diving isn't available because of location or other conflicts, bungee jumping might be a more realistic alternative. It's just as insane and costs are almost equivalent to skydiving. Be prepared and know for sure if you really want to jump off a cliff before you walk down the aisle. 3. Water Sports If you get weak in the knees at the thought of skydiving or bungee jumping, consider planning a day or weekend of water sports activities. A weekend at a nearby lake is perfect for summer or early fall bachelor festivities, and most of your groomsmen will partake in the waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing if you decide to rent a speed boat. Plus, those that aren't driving the boat can drink cocktails. That way, your groomsmen who can't stand the thought of an alcohol-free event will be satiated and so will you. 4. Mountain Climbing Probably not the best thing to plan if your groomsmen have no previous experience climbing. Still, for those who have the equipment and the wherewithal, mountain climbing is a fun and exhilarating option for a bachelor weekend. For city dwellers, a more accessible climbing excursion can be renting out a climbing facility for a Saturday or afternoon. 5. Ski Trip If you and your groomsmen are avid skiers, you'll agree that any excuse to get on the slopes is a good one. A winter wedding gives you just that chance to turn your bachelor party into a weekend ski trip. Don't have the budget for such a long getaway? Thanks to the boundless wilderness in the U.S., you can find ski resorts in most cities around the country. 6. Golf Trip If you're not a thrill-seeker or just love the game of golf, make the party into a weekend golf outing. Plan a trip to a stellar course somewhere around the world, and turn your bachelor party into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A weekend at Pebble Beach will be something you and your groomsmen won't forget any time soon. Those on a budget can simplify their plans by making a local trip, as most cities have outstanding courses. If golf is your game and theirs, give personalized putters as groomsmen gifts to all your golfing buddies. 7. Motor Sports The perfect event for the NASCAR lover. Options include renting out four-wheelers, go-karts, or even getting down and dirty on a real dirt Motocross track. Just don't forget to rent the helmets. And bring your NASCAR groomsmen gifts.

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The Art of Organization

Let's face it, guys are pretty easy to keep organized: we've got our wallets and keys in our pockets, our watches on our wrists, and our schedules on the PDA. We don't exactly need big purses to carry everything, right? Still, we could take a lesson or two from our fiances when it comes to keeping all the little things together, like the cufflinks that end up scattered across the dresser and the business cards that get lost forever in random suit pockets. Here's a quick guide to keeping yourself organized - along with suggestions for groomsmen gifts to keep your guys from losing important things before the big day. Use a checkbook holder. Man, at some point you have to get rid of your battered leather wallet that's coming apart at the seams and only has enough room for your driver's license. When you do, upgrade to a nice Personalized Leather Checkbook Holder and Secretary. Trust us, it's way easier to just carry a checkbook and use it, rather than trying to keep track of all your receipts for when you finally sit down at home and balance your checkbook. This has space for cash and cards, too, if you'd rather just withdraw a bunch of cash at the time and keep your bank account at a nice round number. Get these as groomsmen gifts for your groomsmen who always manage to get their accounts overdrawn. They might be resistant at first, but once they enter a world free of bounced check fees, they'll thank you. Put stuff in a tray. We know, it doesn't make a lot of sense on the surface - take your clutter and put it in something else? Isn't that just transferring the clutter? But think of it this way, if all the stuff you need goes in a handy tray on your dresser like this Personalized Leather Valet Tray, you're much less likely to misplace your keys because you put them somewhere, or lose your watch because it fell off your dresser and landed in the space behind it. This is especially perfect for groomsmen gifts for your friends that are married or engaged - women just like seeing a guy that looks like he always knows where everything is, and has quick access to cufflinks for a fancy night out. Get a toiletry bag. In a perfect world, you wouldn't need a whole bag for toiletries, because you'd be the Marlboro Man, right? Well, you're not. You have a comb, you have a shaving kit, you have hair gel, you probably even have a pair of tiny scissors for when the unibrow gets out of control. Ladies like a well-groomed guy, and you like the ladies, enough to marry one! When you go on trips, you can't just throw all your stuff into the side compartment of your ancient duffle bag, or you risk losing things, getting your toothbrush into unspeakable mysterious substances, or the dreaded open hair product disaster scene that'll ensure you never trust pop-top containers again. So keep all your manly grooming products together with the Personalized Deluxe Toiletry Bag. You won't have to go hunting for the stuff you need before you leave in the morning, and you'll keep the inside of your luggage out of danger. Get them as groomsmen gifts, too, especially if you're having a destination wedding.

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September 2007: Spider-woman Ensnared In Web of Love

Spider-woman Ensnared In Web of Love Comic book superhero Tobey Maguire, aka the big screen Spider-man, recently wed his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Meyer in a quiet ceremony in Hawaii. If there's anything Maguire's learned, it seems like it's to be well-versed in keeping his identity and plans under wraps; the invited guests were the only ones aware of the ceremony, making it a paparazzi-free affair not often seen in the tabloid-crazed atmosphere of today. By keeping their nuptials quiet, Maguire proved that not all celebrities need to have their life on display - something most assuredly appreciated by his new wife Jennifer, who lived a life outside the spotlight until she embarked on a romance with Maguire. What can Tobey teach us? Aside from gentlemanly discretion, it's that sometimes the classics are best - when it comes to destination weddings, Hawaii is popular for a reason. The ceremony took place on Hawaii's feted big island in Kona, and was attended by the couple's friends and family, including Leonardo DiCaprio and of course their nine-month-old daughter Ruby. The low-key ceremony was the perfect cap to Maguire and Meyer's equally quiet four year relationship, a cue to follow if your own engagement has been just as subdued. If you're taking your future missus seaside for the big ceremony, consider Kona, and offer up groomsmen gifts of the No. 1 Passport Case. When it comes to avoiding the paparazzi, though, we leave it up to you.

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Practical Gifts

When you're a kid, just about the worst thing you can get is a practical gift like a pair of socks. Who's excited to open that package up on their birthday? There are certain things in life that you can just buy for yourself, it's the stuff you won't splurge on that you want to find wrapped up and tagged for you for groomsmen gifts and during holidays and other special occasions. But then you grow up. You grow up, and you realize that you don't always have the money to buy even the practical things for yourself, and who wants to spend their extra twenty bucks from this paycheck on socks or a new toaster? If you're getting married fairly young, your friends are probably at the same place in life that you are, and it's not a place that affords destination weddings or even much of the gas money for driving to your wedding venue. If there's ever a time for practical gifts, it's now, so devote the groomsmen gifts money in your limited wedding budget to truly Practical Groomsmen Gifts that your buddies actually need. Skip the socks this time around - even if your groomsmen are that desperate, at least give them the dignity of suffering through holes in their socks until they can afford new ones. It's not out of the question, though, if they're really hurting, to chip in to pay for some or all of their tuxedo rentals as groomsmen gifts. Unlike groomsmen gifts that will end up gathering dust, offering to help out with the essentials might mean that your groomsmen can do other things with that money, like, say, pay rent. If they're not in that bad of shape financially, you can still contribute towards funding their participation in your wedding. These days just getting somewhere can be a problem, from rising gas costs to increasing traffic in nearly every city. Why not rent a van to pick up the members of the wedding party, and maybe even get a driver so everyone can feel free to take advantage of the reception's open bar? Groomsmen gifts don't have to be a physical object - sometimes they can just be about making the whole experience easier and showing your appreciation for your groomsmen that way. Are you completely committed to giving groomsmen gifts you can wrap? You can still find Practical Groomsmen Gifts without resorting to searching for some place that will personalize a toaster. Any guy can appreciate groomsmen gifts of a Set of Four Personalized Drinking Glasses or Pilsner Glasses. Still searching? Every guy can use a wallet!

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October 2007: A Movie Script Ending of a Marriage Proposal

A Movie Script Ending of a Marriage Proposal If there's anything we can learn from the movies, it's that grand gestures are always effective - and if you've learned the best from the movies, why not get your grand gesture on in the theater? Follow the example of Warren Eberhard, our Marrying Man of the Month. When he wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a proposal, he did it at the very temple of celluloid where she was catching a movie with some friends, following the film up with one of his very own after the credits! Warren created a five-minute video starring himself, his now fianc Tasha, and Tasha's daughter Destiny, backed by a soundtrack of "their song", Keith Urban's Making Memories. But movies can't make a big impact without an audience, so he called in several of their friends and family members to join them as he walked in after the credits and, as his movie played, got down on one knee and proposed. It took over a month of planning to coordinate everything with the theater, but Warren got the equivalent of a standing ovation for his efforts - Tasha said yes! Be the leading man in your own marriage proposal movie by bringing some Hollywood dazzle into your plan and she'll never look at a dinner and a movie date the same way again. We're not saying you have to go all out, but class up your look with a nice pair of cufflinks and pretend you're Cary Grant when you pop the question. Once she says yes, bring movie star class to your wedding by giving groomsmen gifts of matching cufflinks to the men in the wedding party. Submit your story today to be considered for Marrying Man of the Month.

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