Keep Your Groomsmen Cool at Your Wedding

Last week I was the best man at an outdoor wedding... and it was HOT outside. We're talking unseasonable, 95 degrees in the shade hot. It was so hot out there that my dad had to go to the car and change because he soaked through two shirts. So you can just imagine what it was like for us groomsmen to stand perfectly still in a rented solid black wool tuxedo. Since I had a river of sweaty slime crawl down my back throughout the reception, here's some advice to deliver groomsmen gifts to keep your boys cool on your big day. The Groomsmen Gift of Cool Fashion Who told you that you must absolutely wear a heavy ass, black wool tux to a summer wedding? If you're wedding is during the hottest months of the year, do your groomsmen a favor and choose to rent a tux that is temperature appropriate. Materials like cotton and linen are great because they're breathable, which keeps you cool and it keeps the stink down from your sweaty arm pits. Since black tuxedo jackets are not normally made from 100% cotton, try to find one with a wool/cotton blend - or any blend for that matter. This will bring down the overall weight of the clothing, which should be physically noticeable when you're trying on jackets at the tux shop. By the way, whose dorky idea was it to wear the multicolored tuxedo vest? Don't be sucked into technicolor dreamcoat at the tux shop - it's just for teenagers to make an ass of themselves at prom. Loose the extra layer and go with the long necktie or a bow tie for a classic and breathable look. The other option is to choose a different colored tuxedo. You should be able to find white dinner jackets, gray or khaki colored suits. Remember, the more you veer off from the traditional, the more funky your wedding pictures might look in ten years. That might be a small price to pay when it's so hot that you question if you wet yourself because your legs are dripping with sweat. When the Heat is Still Unbearable Beyond finding a summertime tuxedo, there are only a few other precautions you can make to stay cool. You can try adding shade or fans at the altar, but knowing how much planning went into this day, the half-ass attempt to hold an umbrella over the groomsmen might not fly with the bride. Try icing up some personalized flasks and have the groomsmen stick them under their shirts. After the reception, the heat can be too unbearable to stand. Set your boys up with groomsmen gifts of the Personalized Sit 'N Sip Cooler filled with ice and thrust-quenching beer. Complete with insulated pockets and a bottle opener, this personalized cooler will make you more than an awesome groom... it will make you a lifesaver. Find all your groomsmen gifts for cool and hot weather on groomstand.com.

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It's Good To Be a Groomsman!

It may be difficult thinking of what kind of gift to get your groomsmen to properly thank them for everything they have and will be doing for you to help with your marriage. Chances are they all enjoy something similar, but how does that translate into giving a gift? Obviously you can't be giving them all computers and video games or cases of beer or anything like that. It's just too impersonal and simple. It's not Christmas time or their birthday, it's your wedding. There are all kinds of groomsmen gifts out there but it can be difficult finding the ones that have class and are, to put it simply, good gifts. As far as deciding on that gift usually means looking that one step ahead from your first thought. For example, if they like drinking, instead of beer get them a personalized stein. If they enjoy puffing cigars you can go the step beyond and get them a personalized humidor for them to keep it in. When it comes down to it though, you know your friends best, choose something that fits them (a little hint: personalizations can go a long way in making a gift special and more appreciated). But even if you know what gift they'd really like don't try and write off your groomsmen gifts, namely if they're single.

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Is Seeing the Bride Before the Wedding Bad Luck?

In today's times, a bride and groom start seeing each other well before marriage plans. You've probably been dating each other for years and maybe even live in the same cramped one-bedroom apartment. As you've read from the previous wedding origin stories like The Role of the Original Groomsmen, you'll know that back in the day women had less rights than a gay couple in Alabama. Besides stealing a wife, the best way to acquire a woman was to buy her, which helps explain part of this GroomStand wedding origin story. The Origin of Why the Groom Can't See the Bride Before the Wedding The root of the tradition revolves around the business transaction of selling a bride. For the father of the bride, the most profitable situation he can make is by selling off his livestock ... I mean daughter... to a wealthy landowner to increase fortune throughout the family. However, the worth of the bride was measured in her attractiveness, which means it was a deal breaker if the bride-to-be has a poor ranking on the crazy/hotness scale. This scale take into account the amount of total hotness divided by total craziness. Professor Barnabus Stinson theorizes that women can only be exponentially as crazy as they are hot, but if the woman ranks too high on the crazy side, or if she just isn't that hot, it's time to bolt. To prevent the groom from heading for the hills, the bride's family kept her out of sight until the wedding day. Unveiling the Veil You'd think that the primary use of the veil would be to cover up the bride's gigantic beak until the last possible second, but its use has popped in and out of popularity since the Greek and Roman times. Since evil spirits were always on the loose, which is the root for most of these crazy traditions anyway, the veil was the equivalent of Peter Vankman with a proton pack. Once people stopped believing that a piece of cloth could stop a ghastly demon, it fell out of fashion until the 18th century when George Washington's niece Nellie used a white lace veil in her wedding, setting the example for the country. Truth be told, there is no "bad luck" with seeing the bride before the wedding - besides, it's unlucky to believe in those silly superstitions anyway. This tradition is still around today because it's a fun and cheap thrill to add onto the already hectic day. If you're thinking about not seeing the bride until you're on the other side of the aisle, do it because you want a bit of adventure, not because you saw every other wedding do this for no good reason.

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Introducing Customized Wedding Bobbleheads

A Great Spin on Traditional Groomsmen Gifts For a neat spin on your wedding this spring or summer, check out these custom wedding bobbleheads. In partnership with Whoopass Enterprises, GroomStand's now featuring a different kind of wedding gift: Custom bobbleheads. Great as groomsmen gifts, these bobbleheads also make kitschy keepsakes to commemorate your wedding day. Whatever your tastes or interests, we've got the bobblehead to match it! For a fun spin on tradition, commemorate your wedding day with cute customized bride and groom bobbleheads. A perfect finishing touch to the perfect wedding, especially for newlyweds with a sense of humor. Mr and Ms Just Married Bobblehead will garner a sure reaction from guests to your home. Plus, it's the perfect addition to a mantelpiece full of family photos. Mr. Businessman Bobblehead Do your executive groomsmen enjoy a good laugh? If they do, they'll love our dapper bobblehead as groomsmen gifts. What's cuter that this miniature figurine? His suit says all business, but his bobbley head says the rest! Your executive groomsmen can add this to their assortment of desk items as a nod to your wedding day. Mr. Super Fan Bobblehead For the baseball fan in us all comes the Super Fan Bobblehead. Mr. Super Fan makes for a sporty groomsmen gift for your baseball-loving buddies. The Super Fan Bobblehead is fun for sports fans of shapes, sizes and forms. Mr. Super Fan also makes a great bride-to-groom gift if your husband-to-be is a zealous sports fan. Mr. In the Army Now Bobblehead Finally, perfect patriotic groomsmen gifts for guys in the military, Mr. In the Army Now. Any guy who appreciates the good Ol' U.S.A. will adore this groomsman gift. Show your groomsmen that you appreciate their service to the country (and to your wedding) while catering to their lighter side with this funny and fitting Army Bobblehead. This little guy is ready for whatever the world has to dish out! Check out other gifts for the groom or bargain-friendly groomsmen gifts, available at https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand

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Image Creates Illusion

They say that success is 99 percent perspiration and 1% inspiration. Well, I'd say it's 50 percent perspiration, 1 percent inspiration and 49 percent illusion. Case in point. I work with a guy who I like to call the enigma. Not unlike Peter Sellers character in "The Gardner" my co-worker, Keith, speaks in tongues and usually makes absolutely zero sense. While he has most everyone in the office fooled, I think I have this guy figured out. If you were to say, "Hey Keith, when do you think I can get those TPS reports?" he would reply, "Depending on the fluidity of the communication ports, I can probably give you a better estimate once we've had the opportunity to access all the information." - Now, most of the folks nod their head at his response for fear of looking like morons for not understanding what the hell he's talking about. To take the charade of his a step further, Keith was recently given an awesome groomsmen's gift, a Rawlings Portfolio and it was personalized with the intials, A.C.E. Now good old Keith takes this awesome looking portfolio into every meeting and he furiously takes notes. I recently stole a glance at his notes to see a variety of stick figures with balloons above their heads. Ha! Just as I suspected! Keith is actually goofing off in the meetings yet he's completed his charade as the go-getter, sophisticate that the bosses are putting on the fast track. Damn you, Keith, and damn your beautiful portfolio! Now I've got to buy one...my initials will read, I.C.U. (for what you really are!!) Technorati Tags: gifts for men, groomsmen gifts, leather portfolios

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I Do...Not Know Why I Said That

There are always do's and do not's for your wedding, but we ran across a fun list of some things not to say on your wedding night. Here are a few that were pretty good: 1. But everybody looks funny naked! 2. You woke me up for that? 3. (in a janitor's closet) And they say romance is dead... 4. Try breathing through your nose. 5. But whipped cream makes me break out. 6. Person 1: This is your first time..right? Person 2: Yeah.. today 7. Hurry up! This room rents by the hour! 8. Can you please pass me the remote control? 9. They're not cracker crumbs, it's just a rash. 10. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ 11. On second thought, let's turn off the lights. 12. And to think- I was really trying to pick up your friend! 13. So much for mouth-to-mouth. 14. Hope you're as good looking when I'm sober... 15. (holding a banana) It's just a little trick I learned at the zoo! 16. Try not to smear my make-up, will ya! 17. Got any penicillin? 18. I want a baby! 19. Did you know the ceiling needs painting? 20. You're good enough to do this for a living! 21. Is that blood on the headboard? 22. Did I remember to take my pill? 23. Are you sure I don't know you from somewhere? 24. Did I tell you my Aunt Martha died in this bed? 25. No, really... I do this part better myself! 26. It's nice being in bed with a woman I don't have to inflate! 27. This would be more fun with a few more people.. 28. You're almost as good as my ex! 29. Is that you I smell or is this mattress stuffed with rotten potatoes? 30. You look younger than you feel. 31. Now I know why he/she dumped you... 32. What tampon? So hopefully you won't be hearing any of these coming out of you or your partner's mouth anytime soon, but it's bound to happen eventually. You can help yourselves out with some husband and wife guidebooks that offer a lot of helpful suggestions. You might even consider them as a groomsmen gift or, though this might be a little risky, for the bridesmaids. Tags: groomsmen gifts, groomsmen, gifts, things, not to say, partner,

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How Valuable is a Kiss? Can it Wait Until Marriage?

The trend of kissing abstinence is creeping its way into the mainstream ever since the oldest Duggar devirginized his lips during "A Very Duggar Wedding" on TLC's 18 Kids and Counting. There are other stories out there like the engaged abstinence teachers from Chicago "who practice what they preach" or this summer's supposed heart warmer of a twenty-two year old Tennessee girl waiting until the alter for those magical sparks. The theme of monogamous kissing was so strong at this wedding; the groom gave out ChapStick as groomsmen gifts. Why is there so much value on the first kiss? The Virgin Lip Movement has the sweet stench of fundamentalism. While not all their followers place kissing and sex in the same boat, the Virgin Lip Movement believes that kissing is a gateway drug to "more intimate activities," says Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I remember my first kiss being as awkward as my entire battle with puberty. I was about thirteen, and I took my first girlfriend to the movies. When I finally planted one on her, I shoved my tongue; so far down her throat I could play tonsil hockey. It was terrible, but there's something very personal about my first kiss. There is no way I'd want my closest friends and family there as witnesses. The problem with the Virgin Lip Movement doesn't have anything to do with people kissing or not, but it has everything to do with people comparing kissing to an evil drug. Living in a world where a makeout session is vial and disgusting until someone says the magical words "I do" can really screw with a person's identity. If there's no middle ground on the spectrum between slut and saint, at what point does hand holding become unacceptable? A better question, how does suppressing every natural instinct until one magical day benefit the marriage? This Duggar kid, the two abstinence teachers and the young girl from Tennessee have another strange similarity: They're giving away their first kiss and losing their virginity all in the same day. Talk about an awkward first kiss; just imagine how awkward the wedding night will be. Do you think it's worth it to wait for marriage for your first kiss? Answer our poll or comment below!

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How to Throw a Perfect Political Debate Party

Groomsmen Gifts and More for Debate Parties Have your parents ever told you never to talk politics at the dinner table? This rule likely stems from a particularly heated Democratic vs. Republican food fight. Throw a debate party and find out if dinner plates and political discussion can peacefully coexist. But don't invite THAT guy - you know, your one friend who is so passionate about politics he gets red in the face if he sees a certain someone on TV. Only invite people that agree on the important issues or can discuss the election calmly. The 2008 election features a cast of characters: Sarah Palin, John McCain, Barack Obama and what's that guy's name again? Oh yeah - Joe Biden. Instead of hosting another stuffy dinner party and talking about the current mortgage crisis (blah), invite your groomsmen over for a political party and watch the upcoming debates. According to CNN, there are three debates scheduled this fall: September 26, October 7, and October 15. And don't forget about the Vice Presidential debate on Oct. 2. Watching Obama face off with McCain makes Ultimate Fighting seem dull. Read on and find out how to make your political debate party better than last year's Superbowl soire. Hint: LOTS of snacks. Be the Moderator, not the Instigator Remember, you didn't invite your friends over for a political intervention. Let your guests know the evening will be fun and informative - all opinions welcome. If your groomsmen get fired up over certain issues, don't yell "you're an fool...get out!" Hold a mock election before the candidate showdown. Afterwards, count the votes and see if the debates changed your guests' views at all. Promote healthy political discussion and don't let the drinking get out of hand. If you invite guests of all political persuasions (and we hope you do), be prepared for heated discussions. To lighten the mood, show "Saturday Night Live" clips during intermission. Tina Fey's impression of Sarah Palin will make anyone giggle - Democrat or Republican. Sarah Palin even laughed at the spoof! Get Political with Food, Attire, and Groomsmen Gifts No matter if your guests are liberal, conservative, or somewhere in-between, everyone can agree on food (unless of course, it involves fair trade). Don't skimp on snacks. Serve classic American fare, such as cupcakes, chicken wings, burgers, and chili. Go with obvious decor: red and blue cups, plates, napkins, banners and balloons. Or make your party a hit with a political pinata! Get one of each and let your guests bash the party of their choice. Destroying a pinata gets rid of pent up aggression and the last pinata standing represents our next President. Ok, maybe not, but it's a fun thought. Don't stop there. Make your fare extra festive with these Democratic and Republican steak brands. Serve your Republicans tasty t-bones branded with their favorite animal - the elephant. And for Democrats? A tiny tofu burger should do. Anyway you cut it, there's nothing more American than politically branded meat! As for attire, on the invitations request that your guests come clothed in red or blue. Don't dress like Uncle Sam unless it's Halloween, he's frightening. If you have a few independents in the mix tell them to vote for Obama give them the option of wearing green or purple. You'll find hilarious political tee-shirts at CafePress and fun Donkey ties and hats on this political blog. And get kids into politics early on with this adorable political baby tee. Whether you're a die-hard Democrat or rabid Republican, host a debate party and find out if politics can be discussed at the dinner table. Warning: mention global warming, welfare reform, or health insurance and you might end up with a fork in your forehead. May the best candidate win!

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How to Pop the Cork

You're getting married soon -- it's about time you learn how to open a bottle of champagne! If you don't, your fumbling could lead to the loss of an eye or worse - total and utter embarrassment. Picture your guests looking on for an hour as you struggle to pop the cork at the cork. Don't worry, GroomStand has your back. Once you're done with this video, stay classy with our groomsmen gifts for wine aficionados. Get a wine opener for yourself or give away personalized wine stewards as gifts for the groomsmen. Even if your groomsmen don't drink wine, they could use that "certain something" wine drinkers embody.

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How The Toast Works at The Wedding

Often times after the groomsmen gifts have been passed out, the first dance has come and gone and the evening meal is in the process of being served the protocol or lack-thereof of the best man speech can become an issue. Who is supposed to speak? Is it just the best man or the maid of honor? Do the parents speak after that? Is it all 4 parents or just the fathers? Where do the bride and groom draw the line so it doesn't become a night at the improv during the most important night of their lives? The answer to these questions is that there is no hard and fast rule here 'S even bribing friends with excellent groomsmen gifts can't guarantee a great toast. The bride and groom will need to sort out how important it is to them as to whom should speak, and roughly how much of their evening they're willing to give up to hand the stage and the attention over to others. One big recommendation we would make would be, how well do you know your speakers? Are they literate, coherent, likely to be intoxicated? If you answered no, no and yes, than we would strongly recommend a toast writing service. Leave the writing to the professionals. All the speakers need to do is simply fill out a form giving the professionals pertinent information, and then bride and groom are assured of a beautiful, smart and classy speech that likely will not go on and on (unless they improvise), a truly beautiful tribute to make those groomsmen gifts worth it. Good night and Good luck! Technorati Tags: groomsmen gifts, wedding toasts, bride and groom

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Homegrown Pub Time

Winter's rolling around again guys, which means the backyard parties are wrapping up. Obviously that doesn't mean the end of them, just that they're moving inside. That does mean it's time to start working on getting the bar supplies stocked and ready, whether it's for you or as gifts for your groomsmen. They've got to have the complete setup for the barroom though, we're talking rustic-style wall signs to give it that authentic pub look and feel, and personalized glasses for their favorite drink would fit right in there too, whether its martinis or brews. They might also be an on the rocks kind of guy in which case they'd need some glasses for that, personalized for some extra class while you're sipping scotch. The drinks will need to be stocked too, but the groomsmen can probably take care of that. A personalized shot glass would be a good accent to a bottle though. Yes sir, these homegrown bars will be stocked and ready for any drinking occasion. Tags: groomsmen, gifts, bar, pub, drinking,

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Hey, I've Got Your Bachelor Party T-Shirt Right Here!

It's your big day, the day you've waited for your whole life! That's right, it's your bachelor party! What, you thought I was going to say it was your wedding day? C'mon, let's get our priorities straight. It's not like you aren't excited to get married, it's just that you are, at the moment, just a bit more excited about your bachelor party. It's your one day/night to live it up before you walk down the aisle, and it better be good with all the money you spent on groomsmen gifts. It's every man's right of passage, plain and simple. Now as you get ready for the big event, it's imperative that you have the right attire. You want to wear something that tells the whole world, that this is your last day of freedom. You want all the free drinks you can get and all the free lap dances that you can get - oops, did I say that out loud? With all this in mind, we've got the perfect thing - a t-shirt that says it all, the "Last Night of Freedom" bachelor party t-shirt. You won't find this t-shirt anywhere else, it's an exclusive at GroomStand.com! So if your boys don't step up and buy it for you, buy it for yourself, and while you're at it, get groomsmen gifts of these "Last Night of Freedom CREW" t-shirts for your guys. Consider it a gift from you to you and get ready for some serious attention. Don't say we didn't warn you.

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