"Girls Next Door" Co-Star Trades Hugh Hefner for a Philadelphia Eagle

Shocking...isn't it? After this news, check out the Hugh Hefner Guide to Groomsmen Gifts One of Hugh Hefner's live-in girlfriends and co-star of the show "Girls Next Door" decided to trade the grotto for the gridiron, according to the Lehigh Valley. Kendra Wilkinson, (the dullard with the fake gangster accent) is engaged to Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett. "I have given her my blessing and will be giving her away at a very special wedding ceremony at the Playboy Mansion this coming June," Hefner said. Whoa. Wait a minute - so this Philadelphia Eagle swooped in, stole one of his many ladies and now Hef is giving her away at the ceremony? What is he, her Dad? Lately, Hef's girlfriends are dropping like flies. Last month his number one called it quits and now Kendra is gone. Whether you're rooting for Hugh or Philadelphia Eagle Hank, if you make it to the mansion, show up armed with some groomsmen gifts. There are two types of guys in the world: Hugh Hefner and everyone else. We carry groomsmen gifts for both. Groomsmen Gifts for Playboys If your bachelor buddies strut around in smoking jackets, give them something to smoke. Cigarettes are out. Nothing says Hef like scotch and a cigar. Thisdeluxe four-piece cigar holder and bar set gives even the most uncool guy a playboy mystique. And surely, with all that cash Hugh could use a fancy money clip like this double slot money clip. Groomsmen Gifts for Football Fans We wish Kendra and Hank the best. But Basket has some mighty loafers to fill. Being the boyfriend after Hugh Hefner can't be easy - even for a Philadelphia Eagle. Note to Hank: GroomStand already picked out groomsmen gifts, so you got that going for you! This personalized NFL pub sign makes your buddies on the bench look like they're part of the team. And the pub sign can be personalized with the Philadelphia Eagles' logo! Whenever your friends gather around to watch "the game" make sure he's got his own beer stein. There's nothing worse than drinking from a stein that supports a rival team (psst...the Redskins). This personalized NFL beer stein is a fan favorite. Whether your boys are Hugh types or sports fans, you'll find personalized groomsmen gifts at GroomStand.

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"Break Free From The Ol' Ball & Chain"

Just recently I attended my brother-in-law's bachelor party that was held at an Indian Casino. I had never been to an Indian Casino before and was quite impressed. Who would've thought that under one roof you get could cash your chips in for wampum AND get frosty mug of firewater? But I digress. My brother-in-law's best man, let's call him Rick (because that's his actual name), thought it would be funny to have my brother-in-law, let's call him Rick (because coincidentally that's his name, too) walk around all night holding a plastic black ball tethered to his ankle by a plastic black chain. Ah, the ol' ball and chain gag. "Hey, look at Rick everybody. Rick made Rick wear a ball and chain because Rick's getting married next week. Get it? Ball and chain?!" Yeah, we get it, Rick! Not that clever. All you had to do was look at Rick's face to see that Rick was embarrassed that Rick made Rick wear that stupid thing. C'mon, Rick! Get creative! Don't make us start calling you Dick'and don't leave your boy Rick hanging as he plays craps while holding a plastic bowling ball. There's a better way to show the world your best friend is getting married, and that you support the next chapter in his life -- give him a Last Night of Freedom t-shirt! This 100% cotton ditty is an awesome gift for the groom, and he will not be embarrassed to wear it anywhere! And let's not forget groomsmen gifts for the groomsmen. They can sport Last Night of Freedom Crew t-shirts in support of the groom-to-be. Both shirts can be personalized with the name of the groom and/or groomsmen on the back for free. I wish Rick knew about these t-shirts before he broke out the ol' ball and chain. If I knew about them, I'd certainly know who to give the "Dick" t-shirt to.

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Two Tickets to Terror-Dise: Spooktacular Halloween Wedding Cakes

The GroomStand Halloween Guide: Hold on to your groomsmen gifts When the epic sages of Metallica said "sleep with one eye open, clutching your pillow tight..." they were clearly referring to the GroomStand Halloween Wedding Guide. Indeed, it's that time again, brave grooms. So clutch your tuxes, try not to scream like your bride, and coat your Enter our haunted wedding cake gallery. Take a bite...but beware... the baker might play a little trick with the treat. Ma ha ha. From skulls to spider webs to corpse brides, these spooktacular wedding cakes are your worst nightmare come true. It's not a wedding cake, but this cake is so gory we couldn't help but to post it. Those are rats feasting on a severed arm. Sweet dreams tonight grooms. Trick or Treat: Ghoulish Groomsmen Gifts To add some scary spice to your groomsmen gifts, why not give them in traditional goodie bags? Here are the spookiest groomsmen gifts we could find! When it comes to Halloween groomsmen gifts, it doesn't get more ghoulish than zombies and skeletons. A zombie-fied groomsmen! Zombies make the best groomsmen. They're quiet and known to throw a killer bachelor party. Ok, so their finger might fall into your cake and they have questionable taste in formal attire, but so what? PS. Don't get more than one of these groomsmen gifts or you'll have a zombie army on your hands. There's nothing scarier than the resurrection of disco. Found at My Dream Skulls. Scary Wedding Dance We've seen the Thriller wedding dance a dozen times before. But really, do you think we'd do a Halloween wedding post without it? You made it through the Groomstand Halloween Guide and you're still alive. Now how about a slice of that rat cake? Didn't think so. While you try to get your appetite back (good luck) shop GroomStand for groomsmen gifts and other wedding-day accessories. Boo!

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Until Death Do We Part

We’re putting all our talk of best man gifts and groomsmen gifts aside for a bit to bring you some timely tales of wedding disaster. In honor of Halloween, these urban legends about weddings are just for fun – or, are they? Oooooh, a little spooky! If you are planning a Halloween wedding or shower, these would make for some scary, spine-tingling storytelling. Just make sure that your guests have a good, sturdy drink in one of our personalized wine glasses, beer mugs or shot glasses to calm their nerves. Bride-and-Seek: At a wedding reception that was becoming increasingly drunken, the bride, groom and friends decided to play hide-and-seek. When the groom was “it,” he easily found all the participants in the game, except for his wife. The wedding party searched for hours and hours without finding her. Everyone suspected that she had a case of cold feet after saying “I do” and was a runaway bride. The groom went home alone and never heard from her again. Several years later, a cleaning lady was in the attic of the reception venue and opened an old truck. She found the decomposed body of the missing bride, her face frozen in a scream, as she realized she was locked in what would become her coffin. A Dress to Die for: A young bride who didn’t have a lot of money to spend on a wedding dress bought a used gown at a pawn shop. She thought it was a good way to save a few bucks on her wedding expenses. The dress had originally belonged to a deceased woman whose family had her buried in in but later decided they needed the money the dress would bring at a pawn store. So, the woman’s family had her exhumed at had the dress removed. Unaware of these disturbing details, the new owner of the dress couldn’t have been happier with her purchase. That is, until things began to take a turn for the worse at the reception. Still wearing the dress, the bride started to feel light-headed and sick to her stomach – she died on the spot minutes later. As a result of the autopsy and investigation, it was discovered that she had been poisoned by the embalming fluid that had been used on the dead woman. The fluid seeped from the cadaver, onto the dress, and put a quick end to her “until death do we part’ vows. The Fatal Tan: We’ve heard this same story of vanity gone awry for a bride, but never for a groom – until now! A young groom feels he is too pale to look good in his wedding attire and sparkling new cufflinks and later on the honeymoon on a tropical island. To remedy this and impress his bride, he goes to several tanning salons every day for the maximum allotted time at each salon. He kept his tanning addiction a secret, only commenting that he had been spending a lot of time outdoors when asked. On the fifth day of tanning session after tanning session, the groom is found dead in one of the tanning beds. It seems his internal organs were sunburned from the inside. Are you having a Halloween wedding or have you ever been to one? What would be some good ideas for spooky groomsmen gifts or best man gifts? Let us know in the comments below.

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"His" Mother Knows Best

Many times, the mother of the groom can feel left out of the loop when it comes to the details of the wedding. With very few responsibilities leading up to and on the big day, it’s no wonder she may feel like a guest at her own child’s wedding. However, there are many ways to honor the groom’s mother, beginning as early as the beginning of your engagement. Read on to find out how to make her feel more included in the planning and party. It’s always a great idea to work on having a good relationship with your future mother-in-law, the sooner the better! Include her in the wedding planning. Naturally, your mom is the first person you may think of when looking for help and advice about the wedding. However, the rules aren’t written in stone about who is allowed to assist with the tasks involved in getting the event ready, from looking for venues to planning the reception details. It’s always welcomed to have someone else to share the work with! One personal way you can include his mom is to invite her to come along on one of the wedding dress shopping trips. Or, at a minimum, you can ask her what style of dress she wore to her own wedding and share with her what you are thinking. This is also a good time to coordinate what your mother and her mother are wearing so that they won’t show up looking like twins. Find out her talents and use them! Does your future mother in law have a beautiful singing voice, is she an excellent cook or is her penmanship off the charts? Performing a wedding song, making appetizers for a pre-wedding party or even addressing the wedding invitations may all be ways your man’s mom can be involved with the wedding. She might be a genius gift wrapper; if so, let her help your fiancée wrap up his groomsmen gifts. However, this isn’t an inclusive list; she could be skilled in any one or more of a number of areas. Is she a wine expert? Let her help you choose the pairings for your reception. Is she a master negotiator or bargain hunter? Let her help you score big deals on your big-ticket wedding purchase. There are so many ways the groom’s mother can help in the wedding. The best way to find out where her talents lie is to take the time and get to know her – invite her to lunch or a day at the spa, just the two of you, to find these things out! She can assist with out of town guests. While you are tending to many last minute wedding details, your future mother-in-law can help guests coming in from other cities make travel arrangements. Several months before the wedding, ask her to research nearby hotels and secure a block of rooms at a group rate for your party. If she lives in the same town as the wedding, she can also come up with an information sheet that informs guests of nearby restaurants and attractions they can visit during your wedding weekend. Also, you can work with her to help make hospitality gift bags to leave in your guests’ hotel rooms that include various items to help them feel comfortable during their stay – consider maps, snacks, and a bottle of wine with a pair of personalized wine glasses. You also need to put her on the task of making sure that your guy has purchased and tied a bow on all his groomsmen gifts. Hostess the Rehearsal Dinner. Traditionally, it is the responsibility of the groom’s family to throw a dinner party after the wedding rehearsal. At this time, the two families and important guests can mix and mingle, getting to know each other better before the big day. With your input and guest list, she is in charge of selecting a venue, menu and organizing the flow of activities. Do remember that since she is typically paying for the event, she may have strong opinions about the evening. Let her decide if dinner should be steak or chicken, pasta or rice! She might also like to put a family touch on the even by having barware engraved with the family’s last name letter. GroomStand.com has lots of personalized barware, from personalized beer mugs and wine glasses to personalized coasters to set them on! While you certainly can share your feelings about how the night should go down, remember to act tactfully and let her feel in charge of this special night. Ask in what ways YOU can help HER. Create mother of the groom traditions. For example, after you and your father share the traditional dance at the wedding reception, share the spotlight by having her do the same with her son. This is a great way to honor her role as a parent who is having a child leave the proverbial nest. Don’t spring the dancing on her spur of the moment, she might feel embarrassed. Instead, ask her if she’d like to include this dance at the reception and then let her pick out the music and practice beforehand. Other mother of the groom traditions could include creating a special photo book for her, featuring one of her signature recipes at the wedding reception, and having her read a special scripture at the ceremony. The possibilities are unlimited.

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Cuoco Getting Married with a Big Bang (Theory)

The Big Bang Theory is one of my favorite television shows. The geekiness, social awkwardness and admitted intellect of the four guy characters (Leonard Hofstadter, Sheldon Cooper, Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrappali) is a funny matchup when paired with Penny Cooper, the aspiring waitress and actress that is willingly/unwillingly part of their craziness.   Well, the real life person playing the dingy but common-sense spouting Penny Cooper is getting married. As of September 2013, Actress Kaley Cuoco, 27, is engaged to tennis star, Ryan Sweeting. The pair has only been dated for about three months, a relationship that was started after Kaley’s brief relationship with the latest Superman, Henry Cavill. Even though it’s been a whirlwind romance, Kaley is quoted as saying she “knows he’s the one.” There is no word on the wedding date or details yet. Something else you may not know about Kaley is that she secretly dated her The Big Bang Theory co-star, Johnny Galecki (Leonard). Interesting that their on-screen romance was real as well!   We know you know who the gorgeous Kaley is, but you might not have heard of Sweeting. The 26-year old, Bahamian-born athlete has been a pro tennis player for the last seven years and currently trains in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In 2011, he won his first ATP World Tour singles title, and he's currently ranked at 532 by the ATP, with his career high being 64. It turns out tennis is something that Kaley and Ryan have in common; she was a nationally ranked amateur tennis player when she was a child! Our personalized racquet club sign would make a great wedding gift for the happy couple – or, perhaps, Sweeting would like to give these as groomsmen gifts?! We’re sure they have sporty friends, so a personalized gym duffle would also make great gifts for groomsmen – especial when embroidered with the recipient’s name.   If you are getting married and have a wedding party comprised of The Big Bang Theory like wedding attendants, we have some great choices in groomsmen gifts. For example, your friends similar to the shy Raj who can’t speak around women unless he’s had a drink, would definitely benefit from an engraved flask. GroomStand.com has dozens of flask options from that will help loosen up any inhibitions. For the friend that may still live at home with his mother (like Howard), we suggest our black leather key ring and the hint that he should get a key to his own place to put on it. For computer nerds like Leonard, our Rhodium plated thumb drive comes in handy and Sheldon-types would love to pass the time playing a game or two on our premier chess set. All of these ideas make great groomsmen gifts, best man gifts, gifts for fathers, brothers and guests.   What do you think of Kaley getting married? Do you relate to any of these The Big Band Theory characters? Let us know in the comments below.

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FIVE WACKY WEDDING VENUE IDEAS

Getting married in a church, chapel or banquet venue is so expected. Mix things up and get your marriage off on a wild ride by hosting in one of these unusual wedding venues. You guests will amazed and entertained! Roller Coasters: Getting married causes heart palpitations, but you can make it even more thrilling by screaming your “I do’s’ on a roller coaster. At locations like Disney World and Six Flags, thousands of couples have started off married life with ups . . . . downs . . . .ups . . . downs! In 1993 at Busch Gardens, a group wedding consisting of 46 couples set a record and there is one particular minister who consider roller coaster weddings his specialty. Having the wedding at an amusement park ensures a good time for all the young and young at heart – get everyone mouse ears or superhero capes as groomsmen gifts and wedding favors! Underwater: Hard core scuba divers have been known to get married in the ocean or a lake. Talk about making waves! Because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a popular choice for under water weddings. Hawaii, Bali and other tropical islands are also frequently chosen locations. In the Florida Keys, there is even an underwater wedding service that will help brides and grooms help plan their special day saying garbled vows while the fish look on! Hot Air Balloons: Getting hitched in a hot air balloon has a retro feel; these fire-stoked conveyances hard all the way back to the 18th century. Imagine having a retro-Victorian or steampunk-themed wedding while saying your vows overlooking beautiful landscape and a sinking sun. Talk about a high! Give your family and friends on the ground a pair of binoculars so they can see you seal the deal with a kiss! Also, our personalized wine bottle cooler is perfect both to take a celebratory bottle of champagne up in the air – and also to give as groomsmen gifts. Ice Hotels: In some cold-weather countries, ice hotels have become all the rage. The sparkling ice twinkles by candlelight and makes a beautiful backdrop for a memorable wedding. Such a hotel in Canada is rebuilt each year (it melts) with 15,000 tons of snow – this hotel in Quebec City even has an 80-seat chapel. Just imagine a sleigh ride afterward and a celebration with ice cold shots of vodka from a specially engraved vodka flask!

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Four Trendy Gifts for the Home Bar

There are some groomsmen gifts for the home bar that never fall out of fashion, like a good quality engraved flask or a nice set of wine glasses These types of gifts for groomsmen provide a level of practicality, purpose and personalization that keeps them perennial favorites. However, this season, we are seeing some new trends in cool groomsmen gifts that are sure to rock your wedding party. While the tried and true gifts are just fine, these latest finds are sure to make you the honoree of many toasts to your fine taste – even if you are the groom! Beer Growlers: With the popularity of craft beers, the old-school beer growler is making a hip new comeback. These larger-sized vessels are meant from hauling beer from a brewery to the home for enjoyment later. Also, they come quite in hand to BYOB events like concerts, picnics and tailgating parties where you don’t want to be without your favorite ale, pale, stout or porter. A nice thumb-sized handle makes carrying about simple and screw-on caps mean not a precious drop is lost. Impress your beer-loving buddies by having their single initial etched onto the front of these large beer storage bottles. Jag Bomb Set: Say what, you’ve never partaken in the Jag Bomb? This clever container for a shooter and a chaser are sometimes referred to as “double bubbles,” “jigger chasers,” “snorkles,” or “quaffers.” Whatever you call the barware, the idea is the same – a liquor floater and chaser are combined into the same vessel and stay separated until consumed. It’s a brilliant idea! One of the popular drink combinations is Jagermeister and Red Bull . . . . we’ve also see guys do Crown Royal and beer, among other concoctions. Your friends will think this groomsmen gift is the “bomb” and we can pretty much guarantee it will get any party started. Mini-Bars To-Go: While hotel rooms may have popularized the mini bar, our mini-bar to go has made the concept portable. Whether you’re at the bachelor party or camping, forget about drinking out of plastic party cups and 6-pack cookers. This 7-piece set provides the ultimate in mixology assistance including two collapsible cups, a drink stirrer, a 7 ounce flask, a multi-purpose corkscrew, a small funnel and pair of ice tongs. Toss in a few airline-sized bottles of the hard stuff and some soft drinks and you will have sealed your friendship forever with these fun groomsmen gifts. Beer Flight: The next guys’ night in will really soar to new heights with a beer flight. This unique piece of barware is a one-way ticket to fun times and a great way to sample four different brews without having to commit to drinking a large serving of each. In a way, this is responsible drinking! Each of the four glasses holds 5 ounces of beer – actually, we think that it could be used with wine, mixed drinks and other concoctions. Have you seen any new and unique barware products lately? If you received any of these fun and functional groomsmen gifts, would you be totally stoked or more “been there done that”? Let us know in the comments below.

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Golf Bachelor Party Gone Bad

Throughout the dawn of man, or at least the last 100 years, a guy’s bachelor party meant it was time to eat, drink and have some rowdy fun. However, the rowdiness is typically associated with the groom and his group of friends. Apparently, that doesn’t always hold true! Recently, a bachelor party outing at a golf course in Florida got out of control, and it wasn’t even the groom and his groomsmen that threw the first proverbial punch. Read on to find out what happened, and on a saner note, find out our suggestions for golfing groomsmen gifts.   According to a report in The Florida-Times Union, a pre-wedding day of golfing for a guy and his buddies turned randomly crazy as another player took out his frustrations on the group. The bachelor party posse was playing at the Beach Municipal Golf Course in Jacksonville, FL when the golfer playing directly behind them got frustrated because he felt they were horsing around, being slow and keeping him from expediently playing his game of golf. Instead of simply asking if he could play through, the 61 year-old man apparently drove his golf cart into the group at full speed.   After hitting the group with the golf cart, the battle continued with words flying and golf clubs being brandished (even by the older female golfers with the aggravator). Members of the wedding party suffered a variety of injuries, none life-threatening, ranging from small cuts to leg bruises. The man was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Thankfully, the wedding party was able to make it safe and sound to the wedding and the ceremony was not affected in anyway – only a great war story to tell at the reception!   Personalized 4-in-1 Golf Tool Golf and gadgets, could a guy’s life get any better? This cool tool offers the golfer four practical tools including a hoehorn, divot fixer and ball mark not to mention a cigar holder, neatly foldable and handsomely designed with a combination of silver plating and brush plating. If they could just figure out some way to include a pop-up golf umbrella, sized-just-right to fit in a pocket golf tool would be the most awesome thing ever! Plus, since the carrying case can be personalized, it makes a fine choice in gifts for the groomsman.   Napa Leather Clip-on Golf Bag: This handsome bag offers your golfing accessories a luxurious parking spot and will draw compliments, even in the most upscale of country clubs. These groomsmen gifts feature five slots for tees, zippered pocket for divot tool and ball markers, and a Velcro closure to keep your valuables safe. The back has a window pocket for scorecard and a pen, so that you’ll always be able to tell your buddies who is winning!   Premier Golf Accessories Set: Elegant enough to display on your desk in that coveted corner office, this set is also sized right to slip into a golf bag when it is finally time to head out of the office for that (ahem) offsite business meeting. The hinged box features a clear-view lid and holds three golf balls, golf tees and a marker. Adding the recipient’s three initials onto the engraved silver plaque makes this handsome groomsmen gift one of a kind. https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand has a fantastic selection of golf groomsmen gifts that will quickly get you out of a shopping ordeal. Simply browse the selection from the comfort and convenience of your own home and then have the groomsmen gifts shipped straight to your door! With all the time, you may be able to sneak in at least 9 holes!

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History of the Honeymoon

The post-wedding vacation that we have all come to know as the honeymoon was not always part of wedding tradition. Many sources report that the history of the honeymoon lies somewhere in northern Europe, where for a month’s time after a wedding, the newlyweds would drink a wine beverage called “mead.” Mead is made from fermented honey and this is where historians say that the “honey” portion of honeymoon is derived. The time period (a month) was also referred to in this culture as a “moon,” as typically that was the length of the moon phase cycle. Honeymoons were first related to travel during the bride-by-capture era. Grooms would abduct their brides for a period of one month and take them into hiding. Friends and family were assured of her safe return. However, it was important that no one should find them during this honeymoon period – although, often, the bride’s family would gout out searching. It was the goal of the groom to have her pregnant before the time they were discovered. In the 1500s and through the Victorian era (late 1800s), the honeymoon began to be seen as the romantic holiday that it is today. During the Victorian era, the bride and groom didn’t get to see each other much during the engagement and the honeymoon was the first time to be alone together. This is how they became known as romantic trips away from the hustle and bustle of life. During the end of the 19th century, “bridal tours” became popular and were generally given as a gift to the newlywed’s from the groom’s family. Thanks to this generosity, the newly married pair would travel on a trip that lasted from two weeks to several months. With the rise of the industrial era, more and more middle class newlyweds had the opportunity to go on excursions that were once only reserved for the elite. Upon the arrival of trains, planes and automobiles, newlyweds were able to expand the distance of their honeymoon and head out on more exotic trips. This is truly the start of the honeymoon as we know it today. Today, locations such as Las Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Disney World in Florida and many Caribbean islands are top honeymoon spots. More than 1.4 million US couples go on honeymoons each year; spending an average of $4,466 (luxury travelers spend nearly $10,000). The average honeymoon lasts 8 days, excluding travel time and is booked an average of 4 months before the wedding date. If you have a honeymoon in your future, GroomStand.com has some great gear that will make travel easier. From personalized luggage tags to make your black bag look different from the next to leather passport covers that keep all your travel documents in order, many of these travel accessories also make purposeful and appreciated groomsmen gifts. Other travel-related groomsmen gifts include toiletry cases and mini-bar to-go kits filled with everything needed to set up a good drink on a trip (you add the liquor!).

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How To Mediate Wedding Conflict

Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience. And, we’re not just talking about finding a venue, planning a reception and purchasing best man gifts and groomsmen gifts. Although these tasks can all add more stress to the occasion. Often, stress brings out the worst in people. If you find that an issue has escalated and there are members of your wedding party who are at odds with your spouse-to-be, an in-law, a parent, friend or even service provider, we have some tips to help you bring back order to the day. Even if you aren’t one of the people in conflict, these useful tips can help you mediate first-hand most any situation that has gone awry. Do your homework. Prior to attacking the problem, listen to both sides of the issue and find out if there is a history or back story to the argument. Is the dispute a ongoing, chronic problem between two people – like someone with an elephant mind who’s not going to let a little mishap from years ago be forgotten. If it’s not a long standing issue, the chances are just that stress has caused one person to get on the nerves of another. Before you approach the parties to negotiate, or if you are one of the people in conflict, think about what you want to say before you open your mouth. Write it out. Put a pen to paper and write a solution to the problem. By the way, we have a nice bamboo pen set that is perfect to give as groomsmen gifts. Your written solutions can be sent to both parties simultaneously so that you maintain an neutral, impartial position. Always try to be fair to both sides, especially where two different families are involved. Never criticize or insult. Think about how you would want to be treated if you were on the other side of the fence. Remember, you can’t take words back. Encourage compromises. Consider the big picture and figure out a solution that will appeal to all parties involved. Take yourself out of the problem. Maybe this isn’t your fish to fry. If the issue is too large or too stressful, perhaps you shouldn’t be taking it on right before your wedding. Another significant person in your life, like a parent, grandparent or minister, can talk with the person to help restore order. Play the bride card. If the arguing and disagreeing won’t stop to the point where it is going to ruin the day, ask the parties involved to put aside their differences for the sake of the bride. Suggest that their good behavior be a gift for the bride. Mention how much time and planning she has put into the day and how devastated she would be if it was ruined by their misbehavior. Stay calm. Having so many friends and family around can cause emotions to run high. Do your best to keep your emotions off your shirtsleeve and remain rational and logical about your decision-making. Solutions to any problems should be simple, practical and easy to implement. Call in experts. If you are unable to resolve a problem, you can always go online to see what wedding experts suggest. After finding online advice, you can share your findings with the disgruntled parties and see if this helps bring about a resolution. Last resort. You can always have the people in conflict draw straws or do “rock, paper scissors” to make a hard decision.

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Kids on Dating, Love and Marriage

Oh, kids say the funniest things, especially youngsters who are thinking about what love and marriage means because they’ve been asked to participate in a wedding as a flower girl, ring bearer, junior bridesmaid or in some other way. While you may be feeling fondly about the idea of spending the rest of your life with the person you love, kids seem to have a 180 degree perspective. Of course, as we all know, hormones eventually set in and the opposite sex starts to look a whole lot better. Before you finish up planning your wedding details and shopping around for the perfect groomsmen gifts, we hope you get a good chuckle out of these funny comments kids have made about love, dating and marriage. “No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.” Sam, age 6 “I’m never going to kiss my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out.” Theo, age 6 (editor’s note: if you don’t want to get all slobbery on your bride, you can always brand her with our “his” steak brand). “Tell your wife she looks pretty, even if she looks like a tuck.” Ricky, age 10 “You’ve got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports and she should keep the chips and dip coming.” – Alan, age 10 (editor’s note: and she should keep the cold beers coming in these really cool personalized beer pilsner mugs). “It’s better for girls to be single, but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.” Susie, age 8 (editor’s note: Well, maybe they can at least keep their shoes clean with this personalized shoe shine kit – great for groomsmen gifts). “Once I’m done with kindergarten, I’m going to find me a wife.” – Christopher, age 5 “Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” – Brianna, age 5 “It gives me a headache to think about all this marriage stuff. I don’t need that kind of trouble.” Mark, age 8 “No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.” Carrie, age 10 “On the first date, they usually just tell each other lies. That usually gets them interest enough to go for a second date.” Danny, age 10 “You flip a nickel, and heads means to stay with him and tails means you try the next one.” Hanna, age 9 (editor’s note: Our leather wallet with coin pocket and key fob makes a handy place to store that nickel you’re going to flip). So, have you heard a kid, like a niece or nephew, say something about love, dating and getting married? Let us know in the comments below.

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