Groom Trends, What's Hot in 2014

Grooms are no longer taking second seat to the brides. Everywhere you look it’s groom this and groom that. While it may be your fiancée’s ‘Big Day,’ isn’t it a landmark day in your life too? Yes it is, so why not man up and take charge! If you want to make wedding planning and the entire wedding planning experience more ‘equal opportunity,’ then check out these trends that men who are getting married in 2013 can’t stop talking about. Groom Blogs: Guys are coming out of the woodwork, men who aren’t ashamed to say that they enjoy the wedding planning process. Some love it maybe even more than the bride-to-be. From the selection of the bands (both rings and musical entertainment) to the styling the fashion profile of the groomsmen, these sites can be useful to gather practical tips and enjoy laughs as well. While there is admittedly a fine selection of groom blogs out there, we’re partial to this blog at GroomStand.com. Bourbon Bars: You can tell a man has had a hand in the reception planning if you see a bourbon bar. It’s becoming increasingly popular to designate a drink station serving the groom’s favorite bourbon, scotch or whiskey. Arrange for comfortable upholstered chairs to be set up in pairs and small groupings to encourage conversation and lounging. Serve full high-balls of bourbon on the rocks or offer several samples of various whiskies in shot glasses. Our mini whiskey barrel creates the ambiance of the aging cellar in a distillery; set several out on the bar filled with different varieties of the spirit. You can treat your friends each to their own as tasteful groomsmen gifts. Socks: In 2012, fun and flashy ties were all the rage. This year the party has moved downward to the feet – socks! Not just for preventing ‘cold feet,’ socks are a way for grooms to make a fashion statement when wearing a conservative suit or tuxedo. Women shouldn’t have all the fun with accessorizing. Add a little zing with socks in bright colors with strips, polka-dots or other novelty looks. Make sure to gather up the groomsmen for a group photo where all the guys are pulling up their pant legs to show off the fun! Co-ed Bachelor(ette) Parties: It almost sounds unheard of, but many of today’s couples are merging the bachelor and bachelorette parties into a single mega event. Organizing a boy-girl group event such as a dinner party, camping weekend, wine-tasting tour or pool party will give a chance for the bride’s party to meet and bond with groom’s party. Who knows, maybe a new engagement will come out of the cross mingling. Some of the best groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts will be having everyone together – of course, you’ll want to treat them to a personalized gift from the event as a remembrance. Male Engagement Rings: Even though many might dismiss the male engagement ring trend as a marketing ploy put forth by jewelers to rake in more money, there is some sound reasoning behind the idea to wear one. If the woman is wearing a ring to symbolize her dedication to her fiancé, why shouldn’t the man? If you are the kind of guy who is not comfortable wearing jewelry on the hands, another special piece of jewelry could be substituted like engraved cufflinks personalized with a special message. Do you plan on incorporating any of these groom trends in your wedding planning? Let us know in the comments below.

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Beard or No Beard, That is the Question

Thinking of wearing a beard on your Big Day? You’re not alone in this fascination for facial hair; beards seem to be enjoying a revival of sorts. Beards, it’s said, are making a comeback and GroomStand.com is behind a guy’s choice to wear or not wear facial hair. The furry face look is found on hipsters, folksy musicians and even celebrities -- Brad Pitt wears that goat-like beard with no apologies. More often than not, these beards are sported Sasquatch-style, the days of the subtle five-o’clock shadow has come and gone. Even the once clean-shaven star, George Cooney, was spotted recently at the Oscars sporting a silvery beard. So what’s behind this fad that’s covering handsome chins and cheeks with wild and wooly whiskers? Some say its Man rebelling against corporate conformity other’s say it’s guys embracing a whole new “retrosexuality.” Before you either start sprouting whiskers or shaving them off, here are some hairy issues to take into consideration: Pros: Sun Protection: Wearing a beard is especially handy if you are planning a tropical honeymoon. No need to shave, you’ll already have that man-deserted-on-an-island look. Some research has even indicated that beard-wearers live longer because they have a lower incidence of skin cancer on their faces. With this in mind, perhaps you should stop waxing your back. Warmth: While man has evolved from our hairier ancestors, you can’t deny the fact that wearing a beard is like wearing a ski mask over your face. It’s provides a level of insulation that can keep frost-bite away and if especially long can even be wrapped around the neck like a scarf. Also, a beard will keep moisture locked in, meaning skin stays actually quite baby soft under there. Save Time and Resources: Even the shaggiest beards will require some grooming. But, over a lifetime, the hours saved from the daily grind of lathering up and shaving count up to be weeks or months that you could be spending doing something much more interesting (although using a fancy shave set makes the chore much more tolerable). Aside from saving time grooming, growing a beard also prevents 5 gallons of water going down the drain each day – that saves both the planet and the bills in all you guys’ wallets and money clips. Cons: Backlash from the Bride: Your betrothed may not be as impressed by your ability to grow hair and may start issuing ultimatums so that your “don’t mess up the wedding photos.” She’s sure to tell you that if you wear a beard, it sets a precedent for all the groomsmen to “go all ZZ Top” and embarrass her in front of her family and friends. You say, “Don’t worry, honey. I got them all retro shave sets as groomsmen gifts and we’re taking them off after the bachelor party.” That’s a reasonable compromise. Suspicion in the Eyes of Bride’s Family: Even if your fiancée is embracing the beard wholeheartedly and not even complaining when you make out, her love alone may not be enough to win over her family. With a beard, her extended family and friends, those you don’t know very well like Great Aunt Edna and her BFF from church camp, may find the look a little off-putting – or worse. Heck, with a big, bushy beard you could be some sort of wacko survivalist, pot-smoking hippie or hardened criminal. Hygiene: Let’s face it, with a beard there is always beard hair in your food and food on your beard hair. It’s a no-win situation. There’s a reason why beards are nicknamed crumb-catchers, soup moppers and food savers. And, if you stop taking care of your beard with shampoo, conditioner and grooming implements, you could be mistaken for a homeless person when you stop to enjoy the day on a park bench. So, what’s a guy to do? Ultimately it comes down to personal choice and sometimes compromise. Let us know if you’ll be wearing whiskers to the wedding in the comment section below.

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Re-Tying the Knot - Vow Renewal Ceremonies

Looking to say “I do” again with the same woman? The trend for vow renewal ceremonies is has been on the rise in the last 10 years with some wedding vendors reporting that these recommitment ceremonies represent between five and 10 percent of their total business. A vow renewal is a great way to honor a landmark anniversary (such as 5, 10, 25 or 50), as a reaffirmation after a rocky road, or just a good excuse to celebrate your spouse and a healthy relationship. Celebrities have also popularized vow renewal ceremonies, remarrying each other in spectacular, over-the-top style. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon renewed their vows after four years of wedding bliss, in Paris atop the Eiffel Tower nonetheless. Reality star Khloe Kardashian and her basketball playing husband Lamar Odom said “I do” again on their one year anniversary and hip-hops royal couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z kept the beat going with a wedding redo. Supermodel Heidi Klum and husband, singer Seal, were famous for their multiple vow renewal ceremonies. Each year they would have a themed party; one year it was a white trash wedding and another it was a beach wedding. But, alas, despite the high number of nuptials, the couple called it quits in 2012. The world record for the largest number of vow renewals (with the same person) is held by Lauren Lubeck Blair and David E. Hough Blair who have married each other 101 times. The lovebirds originally got married in 1984 and have been getting renewed in different locations around the world, breaking the original Guinness World Record Book of 65 in 2001. Now each time the get re-married, they are resetting the old record they previously set. If you are planning a vow renewal, the ceremony and party can be whatever you want it to be. It can be just the two of you of at favorite destination, a small casual gathering, or a large fancy affair. Some couples like to go all out on the vow renewal, especially if they now have plenty of money to celebrate in a grand fashion. You know, break out the fancy champagne, caviar and golden groomsmen gifts. Luxury cigar humidors and executive leather goods (like our Napa leather business card case) are two of our favorite gifts for groomsmen. Other couples will find it more fitting to have a laid-back event where their children or grandkids will feel comfortable. Other couples will parlay a recommitment ceremony into a vacation, check out Las Vegas, cruise ships and island resorts for easy-breezy package deals. Vow renewal ceremonies are a great way to incorporate your family into the special day. Seeing their parents reaffirm their love in a public way will set a firm foundation for their future marriage union. If still in touch, it is meaningful to include as many as the “old” wedding attendants as possible including your best man and groomsmen. How fun it might be to invite the original ring bearer and flower girl and effuse about how they are now all grown up. You may now have gained new friendships that you’d like to include in the big day. Now grown into adults or older children, your sons may ever serve in the capacity of groomsmen. Don’t forget to thank all of your attendants with groomsmen gifts to show them how special they have been all these years. GroomStand.com has an impressive selection of gifts for groomsmen that will make wonderful keepsakes of this important day. Are you considering “re-tying the knot,” how many years has it been since the original wedding day? Let us know in the comments below.

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Mind-boggling, Budget-busting Wedding Records

There is something about human nature that makes us want to “one-up” each other. From SAT scores and the square-footage of homes to the numbers of push-ups and zeros on our paychecks, people – especially guys – like to compare and compete. For goodness sakes, this is how the Guinness Book of World Records came into existence; man needed a way to record random accomplishments and set the bar higher and higher for the next guy to bust his butt achieving. Well, you will be happy (or horrified) that the details of your wedding are not immune to this drive to climb to the top of the heap and get noticed for being bigger, better, more expensive or some other sensational superlative. Here are some record book wedding achievements that will make your jaw drop and your bank account shudder. You may want to keep your bridezilla away from this list! Imagine what the crumbs cost? The most expensive wedding cake was created by a bakery aptly named Cake. The eight tiers of buttercream and spongy goodness will bring grown men to tears; the cost is a whopping $52,700,000 dollars thanks to the 4,000 real diamond embellishments. The typical cost for a wedding cake, as reported by The Knot, is just $540. So you do the math? Would you rather have one consumable cake and life in a trailer park or an “average” cake with an additional $52,999,460 for the fabulous mansion of your dreams. Either way, you need to get yourself a “rich-looking” leather wallet and several more for groomsmen gifts. A single slice would suffice! Now, most men we know would be more interested in the size of the wedding cake rather than the actual design. Who cares if it is encrusted with diamonds, edible gold, intricately basket-woven frosting and delicate candy flowers. Just how big is that bad boy? The world record for the largest wedding cake is held by the chefs at Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Connecticut. It weighs in at 15,032 pounds and could feed a literal army. Until death do you part. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, a pact to stay together for better or worse as long as you both shall live. In some unfortunate situations, spouses die an untimely death rendering the marriage shorter than expected. In other situations (that some men might also describe as unfortunate), the spouse just keeps on ticking as in the case of Herbert and Zemura Fisher who were married for an amazing 86 years, 9 months and 16 days! They must have married very young. On the other hand, if you get married older, you probably won’t be married as long -barring unforeseen medical breakthroughs. The oldest combined age of a couple on their wedding day goes to a 95 year-old bride named Lillian Hartley and a 98 year-old groom named Allan Marks. This puts their combined age at nearly 194 years! Their progeny will be basketball stars. The tallest married couple on record goes to Anna Hanen Swan (measuring in at 7 foot 5.5 inches) and Martin Van Buren Bats (7 foot 2.5 inches) for a combined height of 14 foot 8 inches. We heard a rumor that the groom hates it when she wears heels because it makes him feel “so short.” Okay, we made that part up. And by the way, check out our basketball inspired groomsmen gifts. So, are you feeling the need yet to make your claim for fame when it comes to getting married? First look at your obvious physical attributes. If the two of you have 12 toes AND mismatched eyes (one blue and one brown), you may have something to lead with. Second, look at your bank account and decide if you can afford the most expensive pair of engraved cufflinks, a super-ultra-luxury bachelor party or even outrageous groomsmen gifts. Or third, assess your talents to see if you have an aptitude, skill or the stamina to get you into the record books. For example, do you think you could juggle your way through the whole ceremony and reception? Or, how about literally making a 100-meter dash down the aisle in less than 9 seconds? Let us know your prospects for making wedding history in the comments below.

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Mixing Drinks with Speed and Cocktail Shakers

There are many skills a guy should have and one of the most essential is being able to mix up a mean drink. Most men pick up this absolute must-have ability during their bachelorhood, such as in college or in the early work years. Nothing imparts sophisticated swagger and attracts the women more than being able to mix up a wide range of adult beverages. It’s a win-win; not only are drinks made, but women are met! Perhaps it’s even how you charmed your significant other! Making one drink at a time is just fine, but making multiples is even better. Whipping up loads of libations will make you the host with the most when inviting family over for a dinner party, putting on poker night, or having the guys over to watch the big game. It’s always a nice touch to make drinks for your fiancé or new bride when she has the girls over for book club, bunko or baby showers. You’ll seem like the most handsome, charming and useful boyfriend/fiancé/husband ever to live! A guy who really wants to improve his drink-making speed should take lessons from Sheldon Wiley, a mixologist from New York City. This wizard behind the bar recent set a Guinness World Record for the most cocktails made in one hour. If you think he made about a hundred (which would be well over one per second), think again. This lightening-speed spigot slinger made 1003 cocktails within one hour to break the previous achievement of 937. And, no, it’s not solely about speed. The bartender said that he also “wanted exemplify the integrity and craft of cocktails. According to regulations, and confirmed by an on-site Guinness adjudicator, the drinks had to be make one at a time and include a minimum of three ingredients. Wiley to his craft seriously and went above and beyond the requirements, making all of his drinks with four ingredients. Dozens of fruit juices, eight vodka flavors, and an assortment of gourmet flavored syrups were the tasty tools in his rainbow-colored arsenal of beverage making. We don’t even think he had a brigade of barkeeps on hand to uncork bottles and provide clean glasses. This superlative server was flying solo! And talking about glasses, he must have exhausted the establishment’s entire supply of barware, from pilsners to beer mugs and martini glasses to shooters. But, surely there were plenty of volunteers to help consume the drinks at the end. We wonder if he had enough time to use a cocktail shaker like Tom Cruise in the 1988 movie, Cocktail ? A cocktail shaker is the classic way to both blend and chill ingredients for a drink at the same time. Thanks to the ice inside and metal exterior, the contents become icy cold after being shaken and strained into the barware of choice. Probably the most iconic drink to be whipped up in a cocktail shaker is the martini – shaken, not stirred, of course! A cocktail shaker makes a unique choice in groomsmen gifts, gifts for the groom, or special presents for men who fancy themselves master mixologists. From the classic shaker to the novelty shaker (like our penguin cocktail shaker), one of these groomsmen gifts will sit like a symbol of style and sharp skill on a guy’s home bar. And, when in use, a cocktail shaker helps ensure that a drink is made with the finest craftsmanship – enjoy! How many drinks do you think you could make in a hour? Have you ever used a cocktail shaker? For what drink recipe? Let us know below!

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Flash Mob Dance and Marching Band Proposal

When a guy orchestrates a public proposal, he certainly has to be sure that the object of his affection is not going to turn him down. Just think of how embarrassing it would be to get a rejection on the Jumbotron at a basketball game or, worse yet, on a reality television show. Spoiler alert, this viral video we found on youtube.com has a happy ending -- the girl says ñyes.î So, apparently on June 9, 2012 a young man proposed to girlfriend in Bryant Park. It wasnÍt the typical proposal one might expect in a park, like asking ñwill you marry meî after a romantic picnic lunch or stroll around the flower gardens. It was a proposal with a lot, a LOT of pomp and circumstance. It was a dancing flash mob, whoohoo! The groom-to-be invited his girlfriend to meet him for an alfresco lunch; he said why you donÍt bring your best friend along too. So, as the two young ladies arrived at the park, an unfamiliar woman ushered them to a patio table on the square decked out for the event with a table cloth and small bouquet of roses. This was the first sign that something unusual was up. Then, the girl moved into the grassy area and started to dance. I bet the bride-top-be was mortified, was the beginning of some sort of strip show? Thank goodness, dozens of other men and women joined into the choreographed dance routine to Michael JacksonÍs ñThe Way You Make Me Feel.î It was a moving, grooving love poem. It was an early gift from the groom to the bride. Take a look for yourself! Wow, what is going on! As the flash mob dance ended, an entire marching band from Port Chester High School came bounding down the lawn playing ñHey Baby, I Wanna Know if YouÍll Be My Girl.î Trumpets, trombones, tubas, snare drums and all! We think there may have even been a harmonica! At the same time, hidden in the vicinity of the park, all of the bride-to-beÍs friends and relatives revealed themselves and joined in the spectacle. You could tell she was putting two-and-two together just as her boyfriend revealed himself _ as the uniformed drum major! He got down on one knee and asked the fateful question _ thankfully as we mentioned earlier, she said ñyesî and he popped the top on the engagement ring box to reveal the bling. The credits at the end of the video list ñKusturiss Jewelersî as part of the day. WeÍre wondering if this showman arranged a trade-off _ a ring for publicity! This is not a bad idea. Approach a jeweler and say, IÍm planning a viral video and hoping for 2 million hits (which is about what this guy got), why donÍt you give me a mega-buck diamond ring and IÍll mention your name. If you have great video skills, an outgoing personality and what it takes to make internet video connoisseurs flock to your clever clip, this might be an excellent way to fund an elaborate and over-the-top wedding. You could approach all types of vendors for ñproduct placement,î not just for the engagement ring. What about wheeling and dealing for the honeymoon, the tuxedos, the groomsmen gifts, or heck, that new red sports car youÍve had your eye on! Are you planning on bartering like this for any of your wedding-related expenses? Give us tips in the comments below.

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Say "Yes" to Proposal Day

If you are reading this, you may be thinking about popping the question to your girlfriend. Or, perhaps you are newly engaged and just chomping at the bits to find the perfect groomsmen gifts and gear for your bachelor party. Asking for a woman’s hand in marriage is a big deal on any day of the year. But, according to some, there is an “official” time when it is best. Apparently a guy named John Michael O'Loughlin came up with this designated day to “seal the deal” after his cousin's boyfriend repeatedly failed to ask that life-changing question for more than a decade of dating. If you check out a calendar, you’ll notice that Proposal Day falls on the Vernal Equinox, the day when both day and night are equal in length. O'Loughlin says that this equinox is a great day to propose on because it symbolizes the equal effort required by the bride and groom to have a good marriage; one can’t outshine or darken the other. There are also all those hormones that start to fly as the weather warms; with a spring awakening, love is noticeably in the air. Now, if you get cold feet and don’t end up proposing on March 20th, the Autumn Equinox on September offers another equally symbolic chance. So, if you decide to honor this holiday, March 20th could be a very significant day in your personal life plan. It’s obviously a life-altering decision to get married and one that should not be taken lightly. So, is you are not ready to tie the knot, by all means do not get pressured into doing so because of a random holiday or the hopes of raking in really cool wedding gifts. In fact, if not ready, you may want to lay low for the day so that your girlfriend can’t find you. Or, you can use the day to just talk about the idea of spending the rest of your lives together, but actually save the big question for a less-expected time. But, on the other hand, if you have been entertaining the idea of marriage for a while but seem to be “stuck” in your ability to make it happen, this novel holiday may just be the kick in the pants you need to take a chance and ask “will you marry me?” Some interesting facts about proposals came out of a survey administered by wedding style-finder Tailored. No rush: Today’s generation is waiting longer than ever before getting hitched. Around 27 percent of couples reported that they had dated between three and five years before making the decision to become engaged. Tradition: According to the women polled, 78-percent reported that their boyfriend got down on a bending knee to as this life-changing question. However, fewer men are asking for “permission” to take the brides hand in marriage from her father. Pressure: Guys can sigh a little relief about getting hen-pecked about getting engaged before ready. This survey said that only 21 percent of the women reported “pushing” their partners into the commitment, the remaining said that it was a two-way discussion and decision. So, if you are thinking about giving up your bachelorhood on Proposal Day or any other day of the year, GroomStand.com has all the supplies needed to help make the moment even more memorable. You may want to drop the engagement ring into the bottom of a champagne glass, and watch her eyes widen as she sees the bling at the bottom of her bubbly. Or, an alternative is to present (on bended knee, of course) the diamond ring nestled inside a beautiful little heart-shaped box. She’ll love to display this personalized keepsake on her dresser or vanity for the many happy years to come. Or, a luxurious leather jewelry case that can be carried along on the honeymoon is equally as nice. Whatever the manner you decide to pop the question, your enduring love is the gift from the groom to the bride. Did you get engaged on a “special” day like Valentine’s Day, Proposal Day, Christmas or a birthday? Let us know below.

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Best Man Duties on the Wedding Day

While being the Best Man isn’t necessarily a hard job by any means, there are a few responsibilities a guy needs to follow through with in order to keep the title bestowed upon him after the wedding. No groom wants in the hard position of having to demote his Best Man for failing to live up to the minimal “must-dos.” Last month we talked about what the Best Man should expect to do in the weeks and days leading up to the wedding. For the most part, this includes planning and executing a bachelor party, getting fitted for formal wear, attending the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (sometimes a toast is required), and taking care of any pre-wedding errands the grooms might need help with. The actual day of the wedding ceremony is also filled with easy obligations for the Best Man. If you are getting weary of all this wedding stuff; don’t worry, by the end of the night, but bulk of your to-do list will be marked off. Here are some key tasks you should plan on assisting with on the big day. Remember, many of these may not be assigned to you officially by the groom. The groom is stressed to the max and it is your job to help make sure that he is taken care of! This leads us to the roles you’ll be playing on the wedding day: Personal Assistant. Just think of those A-list celebrities who have a lackey to run around after them and tend to all the little (and big) situations that may come up. For example, does the groom have his tux? The marriage license? The wedding ring? You might have to run back to his apartment to pick up his razor or the groomsmen gifts he left behind. Or, maybe his great aunt accidentally barreled through the flower beds outside the church in her big Cadillac. Assure him every wedding has a snafu or two that happens, and then dash off to take care of the crisis at hand. Travel Agent: Ask the groom if you can help him take care of his honeymoon last-minute plans. It would really take a load off by confirming the flight reservations and pre-printing his boarding passes that morning. Make sure the groom has whatever he needs to head straight from the reception to the honeymoon – he may not get a chance to drop by is house beforehand. We’re talking about stuff like luggage (with personalized luggage tags), tickets, cameras and passport case all get put in the car. Also, a nice gesture, make sure is gas tank is topped off! Support-Giver & Sounding Board: It surely comes as no news, that many grooms get the proverbial “cold feet” right before the wedding. Even those guys who were never nervous about the nuptials during the engagement may start to have palpitation about leaving bachelorhood behind. Just remind the groom that he’s picked the love of his life and that the nerves are normal – it’s just a little passing anxiety about change and also being “on display.” Do NOT tell him he is ruining his life, if you feel the marriage is a mistake, your feelings should have been shared a long, long time ago. Groomsmen & Usher Shepherd: Without as many responsibilities, the groomsmen and ushers can often fall way to partying and having a good time instead of focusing on the significance of the event.. Hours before the ceremony starts, make sure that all the groomsmen have been accounted for, have their tuxedos in hand, and have a reliable ride to the church. As the groom’s party convenes before the ceremony, you’ll likely be the one responsible for handing out the boutonnieres and stealing away the groomsmen flasks. Ceremonial Sidekick: Traditionally, the Best Man walks in with the groom, but sometimes he also escorts the Maid of Honor. The actual wedding processional varies by the faith and formality of the ceremony. You’ll also be in charge of the wedding ring (unless there is a cute little ring bearer – and then you’ll be in charge of him). And, sealing the deal into the public records, you’ll most likely be asked to sign your name as a witness on the wedding license. So what part of the best man responsibilities are you looking forward to the most?

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Adventurous Outdoor Bachelor Parties

Bachelor parties have traditionally been the stuff of alcohol-marinated, strip club debauchery. But maybe the groom for whom you are planning a bachelor party isn’t into that kind of debauchery – no matter how much you might wish him to be No judgments here; every man has different interests and his wishes should always be respected when it comes to his own stag night. If you are trying to sidestep the boobs-and-booze type of party, you may be onto something big if you plan an “active” bachelor party. Many guys like to get their thrills from the great outdoors, not from smoky, shadowy, and sleazy situations that make him look like a guilty suspect the next day. Plus, you don’t want him to have to spend his budget for groomsmen gifts on bailing himself and everyone else out of jail the next day. Keeping this in mind, an “outdoor adventure” bachelor party is sure to get hearts pounding in much healthier ways – especially if you consider he won’t be killed the next day by an angry bride. Here are some outdoor bachelor party ideas to get you started: Whitewater Rafting: A wet dream in so many ways, careening down a raging river in a plastic raft and a half-dozen buddies is the perfect weekend for many grooms. The groom can gear you guys up with personalized pocket knives and other survival gear for groomsmen gifts and you can guarantee the bride that he won’t even look at another woman while he’s away -- -that’s because there probably won’t even be any women there! National Park Tripping: Rent an RV and hit the open roads with a famous geographical destination in mind like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon. If the groom is an outdoor die-hard, you can skip the luxury of an RV and pitch tents instead. Spend the days hiking, fishing and exploring and the nights cooking dinner over a bonfire and drinking beer under the stars. Ski and Snowboarding: For grooms planning a winter wedding, a trip to enjoy snow sports is sure to be a fun fest. The wedding party can wear themselves out on the slopes until the sun drops and then hit the active nightlife scene in most towns. Whether you stay at a fancy resort or rough it at a cabin, a weekend of ski-bumming makes a great bachelor send off. Remember the ski vacation with a personalized sign featuring an alpine adventurer. Sun and Surfing: If you live near the ocean or a ready to road trip it, even the most laid-back groom will be going crazy to find out his bachelor party is a surf, surf, surfing safari! Take lessons if necessary and enjoy all the scenery of the beach, you can also take your newfound skills to the sidewalks on longboards. Plus, all the guys will get that “healthy glow” by being out in the sunshine – just don’t get sunburned bright red or you’ll stick out painfully on the wedding day. At night, drink beer on the beach in these awesome surfside design personalized beer mugs. Get Engines Revving: Indulge that need for speed at a race-car driving school with no worries about getting a ticket. This adrenaline-infusing bachelor party idea will be a real thrill for the groom and help him focus his nervous energy on the race track rather than the impending walk down the aisle. The groom can send y’all home with race car themed groomsmen gifts like our NASCAR steak brand, decked out with a driver’s signature and car number.

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ThereÍs a Groomsmen Gift for Every Game

Usually an eclectic bunch, a guy’s posse of groomsmen is a collection of great friends made in a variety of different places. You may go way back to childhood with some of the guys and share memories like learning how to ride bikes and playing on the same Little League team. Some of your other groomsmen may come from a college fraternity, sports league or from your first real job after graduation. Don’t forget about those groomsmen you are closest to; we’re talking about brothers and cousins, if you have them! Sometimes the bride will even have a male relative that she wants to join you entourage. For the sake of the future marriage, embrace the newest addition to your line-up. Who knows, you may end up being life-long buddies. So, with all these guys that you’ve bonded with in different places, it may be hard to decide what to get them for groomsmen gifts. While you know with complete certainty that your rowdy frat brothers will enjoy engraved flasks or personalized beer mugs, you’re not quite sure if this kind of gift is appropriate to give to your 17 year-old cousin who is serving as an usher. One type of gift for groomsmen that you can count on being a winner is any kind of personalized sign that has to do with sports. The main two reasons these personalized signs are such a big hit is that guys just love sports; we challenge you to show us a man who doesn’t appreciate some sort of sporting event. It could be one of the mainstream sports like football, baseball or basketball or be a sport more unique like billiards, bowling or skiing. The second reason that personalized signs are such a well-received choice in groomsmen and best man gifts is that they stroke the recipient’s ego. Again we challenge you; show us a guy who doesn’t like to see his name in print, in lights or in the middle of all the action. Football: NFL fans will go wild for our “In the Game” personalized signs that show a collage of sports scenes from his preferred team anchored by a uniformed player bearing the recipient’s name. Or, our “Locker Room” personalized signs show off a foursome of jerseys from his favorite franchise – three of the uniforms feature some of the top players on the roster, but the number one jersey is personalized with his last name! GroomStand.com also has these locker room football signs available for the popular collegiate teams too! Baseball: Knock it out of the park as far as cool groomsmen gifts go with our personalized collegiate baseball and MLB signs. From the sandlot to the stadium, your friends who have grown up playing, watching and cheering for baseball will appreciate these all-American groomsmen gifts. GroomStand.com also has MLB stadium personalized signs that feature aerial views of Major League Baseball diamonds and stadiums from coast to coast. Hockey: The puck stops here when you’re looking for groomsmen gifts for the hockey fan. Our NHL personalized signs capture that locker room vibe, the calm before the storm on the ice. Pick the recipient’s favorite team and his name with be personalized on the back of a signature team jersey, bearing all the right colors and the highly-coveted number “1”. Basketball: Give your buddies a hand with their hoop dreams; thanks to our collegiate basketball signs, each friend will be transformed into the number “1” player for his favorite school. These fun personalized signs are ready to gear up a game room, dorm room or other spot of sporty celebration. Other Sports: GroomStand.com has other personalized pub signs featuring a huge range of sporty activities. Basically, if a guy has played the sport, we probably have a groomsmen gift to honor the game. From golf hole-in-one personalized signs that actually record the date, distance and venue of the achievement to personalized tavern signs for race car driving, fly fishing, and even poker. Yeah, we’re calling poker a sport because all the table tension makes us break a sweat!

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Why Personalized Groomsmen Gifts are Best

The search for the perfect groomsmen gifts has plagued about-to-be-married guys since the beginning of time. At Groomstand we have been supplying proud American and Canadian groomsmen with gifts since the late 90's and we have a good handle on what the most popular gifts are and what you should engrave on them. But why are personalized gifts the best? Here are some of the reasons our customers and their friends come back to Groomstand time and time again. Here are the top reasons we believe getting your gifts monogrammed is the way to go for your groomsmen or bridal party No 1. Engraving of quality gifts lasts a lifetime. The benefit to you is the person you are giving the gift to will think of you and your lovely bride on your special day for ever and if the gift is something used daily then even better. This we believe is PRICELESS. Memories and friendships last a lifetime and are the most valuable thing in our lives. Personalized groomsmen gifts are the gift that keeps on giving. No 2. Personalized Gifts are affordable. Guys it doesn't have to be expensive to be priceless. We have a huge range of personalized wedding gifts for groomsmen and they range in price and are so very affordable. One of the popular ones we get often are personalized key chains cufflinks & money clips. These makes excellent gifts and are highly valued by the person receiving them. Another popular one are whiskey decanters as shown below No 3. FREE ENGRAVING. Let us do the hard work and get the engraving down for you. Its free to get the engraving done at Groomstand and we are experts at it.This saves you time and money and all those hassles with taking the gifts to the jewelry store, paying too much, and then having to drive back and collect the gifts again. Parking hassles, fuel and time plus you have other more important things to worry about! No 4. Middle Name GuessingIt’s so much fun to give your buddies a personalized gift, it’s the perfect way to finally find out his middle name and torture him endlessly about it. If he’s held it an impenetrable secret for all these years, all you need to do is pick up the phone and call his mom. She’ll be happy to fill you in with the details of that special moniker, be it Mortimer, Ashley or Rufus. No 5. Personal Property MarkingYour groomsmen won't lose their gifts! Any guy who has lived with a bunch of guys in a frat house-like setting will concur that it’s nice to have things that don’t need to be shared. Giving your wedding wingmen groomsmen gifts that are personalized with their names helps mark personal property with an unspoken “hands-off” sentiment. For example, there will now be no confusion about who the razor and badger brush belongs to when it has been so obviously monogrammed on the handle. Beverage Identifying: There is nothing more annoying (and kinda germy) than setting your drink down and then having someone else pick it up and start sipping it by mistake. These guzzling gaffes happen in direct correlation to the number of guys around and number of drinks that have been consumed. When you give each friend a personalized beer mug or engraved flask there will be no more worries about whose booze is whose. Girl Getting: Help your wingmen get a girl of their own with personalized groomsmen gifts that kick up their style. Engraved cufflinks are the hottest item in town, seen on the cuffs of every swaggering celebrity around. Pick out a pair that suit his personality, from silver round cufflinks with a traditional monogram to novelty cufflinks that add an edgy vibe to his ensemble. The guys will love them, and so will the girls! Live Saving: For those outdoor guys who are always seeking the next thrill of nature, giving a personalized groomsmen gift can be a life saver – literally. An engraved pocket knife or multifunction tool can help a man get out of so many uncertain situations, like fileting dinner, cutting a tourniquet, or even just popping the top off a beer. Plus, and this sounds morbid, if he is ever found in a state of distress, the initials or name on a personalized pocket knife can help rescuers determine his identity. So, if you’re a groom who is looking for a useful and unique way to thank your wedding attendants, personalized groomsmen gifts are the best choice. You’ve come to the right place; GroomStand.com is the go-to source for engraved groomsmen gifts, best man gifts, usher gifts, and other personalized gifts for the important members of your wedding party. Get ready, get set, make a mark! Well, maybe the problem doesn’t date back that far. Probably, just making it to the next meal was a good-enough prehistoric present for the entire wedding party. But today, these guys who are going to plan your hopefully awesome bachelor party, stand around in a fussy suit or tuxedo on the wedding day, usher the geriatric female guests to their seats really deserve a special token of your appreciations. One of the best ways to show that you are thinking specifically of that person is to give a personalized groomsmen gift. While each of the groomsmen gifts will be alike (such as a groomsman flasks, engraved cufflinks or pocket knives), each will also be as unique as the recipient thanks to the addition of a name, monogram, or initial letter engraved on the gift. There are numerous other reasons why it makes perfect sense to give personalized gifts for groomsmen, here are a few:

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Best Man Responsibilities: Pre-wedding Day

Your best buddy has confirmed the feeling is mutual in the most ultimate way. HeÍs asked you to serve as his wingman on the most important day of his life, his wedding day. Even though this is the same friend who has run interference with your ex-girlfriend, bailed you out of so many mishaps and would even share his last swig in a flask with you, you still have your concerns about saying ñyesî to this best man proposition. But donÍt worry; being a best man isnÍt hard, definitely not as stressful as being the groom! If you know what the job entails and the subtleties of getting each task done with finesse, youÍll probably be the ñbestî best man ever! How could you not?! Make sure you do a top-notch job so you donÍt get one of those awesome groomsmen gifts revoked. Bachelor Party Planner: The groom is counting on his special night to let loose one last time with his friends. With that in mind, itÍs the best manÍs responsibility to plan a shindig that legends are made of. DonÍt plan in for yourself. Instead, take the groomÍs personality and requests into mind. If he doesnÍt want a booze-and-breast fest, respect his desire to bypass a bacchanal blowout. Consider his hobbies and how you can weave them into this special celebration. For example, does he like to golf? Fish? Watch his favorite football team battle it out on the gridiron? All of these activities can be the impetus for an interesting and entertaining bachelor party. Wedding Attire Wearer: Even if you donÍt like what the groom (or often the bride) has picked out, you have to smile and sport it with style. Be prepared for the fact that you may have to purchase or rent your own attire; that is at the discretion of the groom. If the topic is brought up, assume youÍre paying. Or, just ask. YouÍll also need to make sure all the other groomsmen are on board with the wedding attire and have made their fitting appointments. Offer to pick up all the tuxes a day or two before the wedding and also return the groomÍs tux while heÍs away on the honeymoon. DonÍt forget to punctuate your shirtsleeves with personalized cufflinks for that ultra-dashing image. Errand Runner: In addition to picking up the tuxedos, you can be other ways to help out the groom as he starts to get busy, nervous, freaked out about getting hitched. He may need you to swing by the airport and pick up Aunt Martha or take his dog to the kennel in preparation for the honeymoon. He may even ask you for advice on picking out groomsmen gifts for the other guys and something sentimental to give as a gift for the bride. Wedding Rehearsal Participant: YouÍre not just an attendant at the wedding rehearsal; youÍre a participant _ so show up on time! YouÍll be walked through your responsibilities for the next day, especially where to usher guests, where to stand at the altar, and so on. Yes, itÍs dull, but it will be over within the hour. Rehearsal Dinner Charmer: Even though you may not feel like schmoozing with a whole bunch of the bride and groomÍs relatives you donÍt know, itÍs your job to be a model of manners at the rehearsal dinner. Meet and greet everyone you havenÍt met yet; these folks are soon to become part of your buddyÍs family. Who knows, you may even have a future with that cute bridesmaid. During the dinner, there may some toasting and roasting of the couple. Feel free to join in, but keep it short and save your standing-ovation-worthy speech for the wedding reception. If you need help writing a speech for the rehearsal (or actual wedding), the wordsmiths at ThePerfectToast.com can expertly craft a toast that will captures your sentiments and personality. What are you looking forward to MOST about being the best man? What do you think will be the most CHALLENGING duty? Let us know in the comments below.

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