Men's gold wedding rings

Yellow gold is the classic wedding ring - in fact, your dad probably wears one. Here's all you need to know about whether to go with yellow gold or white gold.

Yellow Gold Wedding Rings

Classic yellow gold remains popular for its vintage shine and timeless appeal. Elemental gold is indeed yellow in color (think Fort Knox gold bricks). However, elemental gold, also known as 24 karat gold, is too soft to be worn on a daily basis and will get nicked and scratched too easily. Accordingly, when used for wedding rings, gold is "mixed" with something else, called an alloy. Alloys help a yellow gold wedding ring retain the same rich hue with wear and strengthen the ring.

Yellow Gold and Karats

Here's where the concept of karats comes in an alloy reduces the purity of the wedding engagement ring. No problem. Popular 18 karat yellow gold alloys include copper, silver and zinc in different proportions, each of which cuts the price without appreciably changing the appearance. You may be offered 14k yellow gold, and while this will be stronger than 18k gold, this really means that your "gold" wedding ring has only about 58% elemental gold in it. Shocking, we know.

Prices for Yellow Gold Wedding Rings

A recent survey of prices indicates that yellow gold is less expensive than white gold wedding rings or platinum wedding rings. This is a reflection of both what goes into the creation of the ring (less expensive alloys) but also that yellow gold wedding rings are less popular than white gold or platinum wedding rings. That may change. But for now, expect to pay $300 for a 4 mm wide yellow gold wedding band at a leading online retailer and only slightly more around $500 for a 6 mm 18k yellow gold wedding band.

Thank you gifts for the guys

While you've been busy helping your fiancée pick out invitations, reception music and seating charts, your groomsmen have been getting fitted for tuxedos, writing speeches and planning a bachelor party. To show your groomsmen how much you appreciate their help (and friendship), it's customary to give each of them a gift. Luckily for you, we've compiled a list of gift suggestions that's guaranteed to help you find the perfect gift for any groomsman.

How much to spend

While the answer on how much to spend depends largely on your budget, generally a minimum of $30 per groomsman is appropriate, with potentially something extra for the best man. That said, $30 is a minimum, and you're likely to spend a bit more. It's better to err on the side of caution and spend a bit more. These are your best buddies, after all, and you probably haven't bought them a "serious" gift, ever. Now's your chance to say thanks.

Ready to wear

A popular idea for some grooms is to buy a clothing accessory that matches the tuxedo that will be worn on the wedding day. All of the following options are great not only because they can be used more than once, but also because it ensures your buddies will look almost as good as you do on the big day.

Cuff links : Whether your buddy is a Dapper Dan or not, every guy needs a pair of cuff links for those special occasions.

Dress Shirt: If you are renting tuxedos, there is no reason to wear the hyper-starched and 20% cotton shirt that is provided in the package. Additionally, you could simply present a well-made dress shirt as the gift itself. Ask the guys for their (predicted) measurements and get them a nice dress shirt. It need not necessarily be a tuxedo shirt (so long as vests are worn). For long lasting quality, have bespoke shirts made through Michael Andrews Bespoke. Many shirt makers have easy-to-follow guides that describe how to take the necessary measurements. "The measuring process is easier than most people think," reports Michael Mantegna, CEO of Michael Andrews Bespoke, "and nothing compares to the look and feel of a well-crafted custom shirt."

Wristwatch : There's nothing more functional than a time piece that gets them to the church on time. You are likely to spend at least $100 to $150 on such a watch, but it will be useful for them. Avoid having it engraved - just a nice watch will do. If your groomsmen already have wristwatches or have more expensive tastes, read on.

Executive Pen: While you don't need to shell out for a Montblanc, you can purchase well crafted pens from New York purveyor, Joon Pens, without breaking the bank. Look for Pelikan or Lamy. These need not be fountain pens (which are nice, but often impractical) but can be rollerball pens. Anyone will tell you a fancy pen is better than those 10 cent ballpoints the office provides.

Engraved Money Clip: Nobody likes losing money, nor carrying around a man-purse. This is a perfect alternative to more expensive items.
Handy tools

Giving a gift that gets used often is always better than giving one that inevitably ends up sitting in a drawer. Even if your buddies aren't smokers, there are plenty of great gifts that will get used daily:

Pocketknife: A perfect companion for any pocket. It's amazing how often these little guys come in handy. It is a perfect addition to glove compartments everywhere.

Desk caddy : A great way to organize house keys, change, credit cards and more.

Toolbox : Help him get organized where it counts with a toolbox. Throw in a hammer and Phillips screwdriver if you're feeling generous.
Food and drink

Let's face it, every guy loves eating - and more than a few of us are social drinkers. Get the party started with some of these ideas:

Beer of the Month subscription : Exotic beers from all corners of the globe sent right to your door - what could be better?

Engraved cork/bottle opener : Whether their preference is fine wine or working-class beer, they've got to get at that alcohol somehow.

BBQ kit : Get invited to more barbeques by giving your buddies another excuse to fire up the grill.

Steaks : Nothing says "thank you" like a big slab of beef. Get it delivered to their door through a service like Omaha Steaks.

Steak brander: Have a custom brander made with your buddy's initials so everyone knows which chef to thank.
Sports and outdoors

Sports and men go hand in hand. No matter what sport your crew is into, there are plenty of cool gifts to give.

Golf gear : Portable coolers, custom-inked golf balls, those stylish golf knickers - the possibilities are endless

Tickets to a game : Make a day at the game on you.

Excursions : Feeling adventurous? Sign everyone up for skydiving, bungee jumping or other adrenaline-filled activity. Or, for something more tame, a camping or canoeing trip can be a great way to reconnect.
Outside the (gift)Box

Thinking outside of the box is a surefire way of showing your buddies how much they mean to you. With a little thought, you can really wow them.

Shares of stock : Companies like OneShare.com sell stock for companies such as Nike, Apple and Starbucks that come with a custom plaque.

Shaving kit : Waking up to a nice razor set is a great way to get the 9 to 5 started right.

MP3 player : Get them through the drudgery of the work day with the gift of music. Many (such as the iPod shuffle) can be found for under $100.

Giving a gift tailored to their hobbies or interests is a great way to ensure success. And if your groomsmen all have different personalities, don't feel like you have to give everyone the same gift. As long as you stay in the same price range, no one should feel ripped off or jealous. Put some thought into it, make it personal, and you should have a happy group of groomsmen come wedding day.

Hristos a inviat!

Happy Easter!

Honeymoon planner

Putting together a wedding can mean a mountain of stress and a ton of work, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel: your honeymoon. As far as tunnel lights go, this is one of the best. You'll be newly married, fresh off the high of your party, and now you get to spend some quality time alone with your new wife just relaxing, kicking back, and doing whatever the two of you feel like. Life just doesn't get any sweeter.

To ensure that your honeymoon is the reward you and the missus truly deserve, you should start planning well in advance. Whether the two of you are heading for white sand beaches and drinks with little umbrellas in them, a cruise along the majestic Alaskan coast, or any other destination on Earth (beyond that is out of our jurisdiction), there are some steps you can take to make sure that everything goes according to plan. You may not be able to control the weather, you may not be able to control the airlines, but GroomGroove.com is here to make sure that everything that you can control goes as planned.

Let's start at the beginning:

6-12 Months Before the Honeymoon

Starting early, huh? Good for you. It looks like we've been getting through to you with this site. Six months to a year before you actually say those vows is the right time to start the ball rolling on your honeymoon plans. Sit down with your fiancée and try to come up with a short list of possible honeymoon destinations. You might have different ideas about what makes the perfect vacation getaway. But the world's a big place, and if you do a little research, you're bound to find a destination that meets both of your approval.

The big thing to keep in mind at this stage (and frankly, at every other stage, too) is your budget. The honeymoon comes after the very large expense of the wedding itself, so plan accordingly. Go online and dig around for price estimates. Most airline websites will let you see the price of tickets months in advance. Don't forget to factor in accommodations, leisure activities, a rental car, and other such necessities. You'll want to set aside a chunk of change for food and drinks, too.
4-6 Months Before the Honeymoon

Now's the time to start making reservations. Booking this far in advance increases your chances of getting the rooms/seats/tickets you want and gives you some wiggle room if plans change down the line. Some places may require that you send in deposits before they will make your reservation. Best to just get that out of the way now. Be sure to get written confirmation of all your various reservations. There's nothing worse than making a reservation at a swanky resort, only to find out with just weeks to go that the paperwork didn't go through and you've got nothing to prove you made the reservation except an empty bank account.

This is also the time to purchase travel insurance - both medical and trip cancellation - and to apply for any passports or visas that you might need. If you're heading out of the country, check with a doctor to see if you need to get any additional vaccinations. If so, do it now, before your schedule gets too hectic to squeeze in a trip to the doctor's office.

2 Months Before the Honeymoon

It's closing in on the Big Day. Time to make any final payments for hotels, travel, and other previously booked expenses that you haven't already paid for in full. If you're thinking about going on a tour or seeing a show while you're on your trip, this is the time to start investigating what's available. Go ahead, get some culture in you!

You should also do a little detective work and see if your destination will honor your ATM and credit cards. More and more remote locations accept credit/debit every day, but you don't want to get to your destination and find out that your wallet is full of useless plastic.

New pics!

white gold wedding rings

White gold is a very popular choice for your wedding ring. It's cheaper than platinum and almost as exotic looking. White gold wedding bands represent something different than yellow gold. GroomGroove.com digs for gold and uncovers the advantages and drawbacks of white gold wedding bands.

White Gold Wedding Bands

The words "white gold" are frequently confusing to many grooms, who may be under the incorrect assumption that white gold is somehow less "gold" or less valuable than its yellow gold counterpart. But white gold is the same purity as yellow gold, usually coming in at 18 karat gold, or approximately 25% gold. White gold ranges in appearance anywhere from pale to silver and white gold wedding bands are silvery because the elemental gold is alloyed with a blend of silver and palladium for strength and color. (Chemistry 101, anyone?) Today, many white gold wedding rings are also coated with rhodium for extra brilliance.

Advantages of White Gold Wedding Bands

When it comes to white gold wedding bands, price is a significant advantage. A recent survey of prices indicates that white gold is less expensive than platinum. For example, a 3mm wide platinum band was selling at $400 at a leading online retailer whereas a 4mm white gold band of similar style was $300. On the upper end, 6mm 18k wedding bands at a leading brick-and-mortar jewelry retailer cost around $1000.

Drawbacks of White Gold Wedding Bands

Unfortunately, white gold has a tendency to yellow over time, showing its elemental color. There is a solution : having the wedding band plated and polished to its original luster. (But who wants to do that?) Grooms may just want to purchase one piece of jewelry, wear it forever and never have to worry about it. White gold fulfils that role for the most part, but not quite as well as platinum. Buyer beware.

Men’s bridal jewelry shopping habits

UNDERSTANDING THE MALE CONSUMER AT THE JEWELRY COUNTER
CAN HELP BOOST PROFITS

(New York) March XX, 2009 – Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) has just completed a series of focus groups with the goal of getting inside the male psyche when searching for and buying engagement rings and wedding bands. More specifically, PGI-USA set out to dissect and understand men’s bridal jewelry shopping habits and attitudes and uncover what helps them arrive at a purchasing decision. The focus groups, held in Atlanta and Chicago, included interviews with pre-engaged, engaged and married men between the ages of 24-53. The key findings provide valuable insights that PGI-USA will share with their partners, providing them the knowledge and tools to increase their Platinum bridal sales.

“As a recent survey by Conde Nast Bridal Group showed Platinum is the most highly desired metal for wedding and bridal jewelry. By fully understanding the men’s bridal jewelry purchase process, we will be better equipped to help our partners fulfill their customers’ desire for Platinum and maximize their profitability through increased Platinum bridal jewelry sales,” explained Huw Daniel, President of PGI-USA.

Below, PGI-USA shares an overview of some of the focus group findings and offers jewelers the tools to translate these invaluable insights into higher Platinum sales.

Key Learning: Make the Metal Matter
PGI-USA’s research revealed men were more likely to purchase Platinum bridal jewelry when being helped by a sales associate who communicated Platinum’s intrinsic value and inherent characteristics. The two elements that resonated most with men were Platinum’s naturally white color and its ability to hold a diamond securely.

Platinum is naturally pure white, unlike white gold, so it casts no tint onto the valuable center stone, allowing the diamond to maintain its colorless appearance. A Platinum setting also holds a diamond most securely, protecting the couple’s investment throughout their lifetime and beyond.

Sales associates can turn these insights into a higher profit Platinum transaction by starting with Platinum first and communicating Platinum’s attributes at the beginning of each customer conversation: “While your focus may be on the diamond, don’t forget the metal choice is equally as important because the setting is what’s safeguarding your diamond investment.” Sales associates who make the metal matter to the groom and explain why it is important are more likely to close the Platinum sale and maximize their commission and store profit.


Key Learning: Let Him Feel the Platinum Difference
PGI-USA’s research revealed men are more likely to purchase Platinum for both her engagement ring and wedding band as well as his wedding band, after experiencing its heft, as they associate its weight with strength and durability.

Explained one pre-engaged focus group participant, “I plan to purchase a Platinum engagement ring because I plan on being with her forever, and I want her ring to last as long as we do.”

Sales associates can illustrate Platinum’s weight and secure the Platinum sale by implementing a “Platinum Drop Test” during their conversation with the customer. Simply instruct him to hold out his hand, palm up and open. The sales associate should then drop a white gold engagement ring into his hand, followed by a Platinum engagement ring. The weight difference between the two metals provides tangible evidence of Platinum’s heft and thus its durability to the consumer.

Key Learning: Wow Him with Platinum’s Rarity
“From museum pieces to estate sales at Sotheby’s, it’s clear that rare items are coveted treasures in our society,” says Huw Daniel. “It came as no surprise that our research revealed men were more likely to purchase Platinum bridal jewelry after learning about its rarity,” he said.

Capitalize on your customers’ understanding of rarity by using facts to explain Platinum’s uniqueness: “This precious metal is not only 30 times more rare than gold, but it is estimated that if all the mined Platinum in the world was poured into one Olympic swimming pool, it would only be enough to cover your ankles. Gold, on the other hand, would fill more than three pools.”

These facts speak to the male’s need for a visual prompt and will help him understand why Platinum is considered “the best.” And at the jewelry counter, sales associates can use this factoid with him to illustrate why he should consider spending more on Platinum, just like anything rare and desirable.

Key Learning: Don’t Forget the Wedding Bands
PGI-USA’s research showed men were attracted to the idea of “metal harmony” between the engagement ring and his and her wedding bands. One focus group participant stated, “When I think of Platinum, I think of sturdiness. Her ring is going to last forever, so I want my wedding band to do the same.”

After closing a Platinum engagement ring sale, sales associates should begin planting the seed for his and her Platinum wedding bands even if the wedding is a year away. The best way to maximize profitability and transaction size for your bridal business is to link the three sales and recommend Platinum for all three bridal rings. For more tips and formal training, take advantage of PGI-USA’s free Online Platinum Sales Training by visiting www.PlatinumLearning.com.

About Platinum Guild International USA
Platinum Guild International, the marketing arm for the worldwide Platinum jewelry industry, is dedicated to promoting Platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world’s major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of Platinum jewelry. For further information please visit www.PlatinumGuild.com.
Special thanks to Heather Zachary Rogoff for this press release

You'll find more here an here

About Fishy

We thought our Fishy is an ordinary fish. But this isn't true. We want for him a new and bigger aquarium. So we bought one big and nice. And we bought other fishes. And since that day Fhisy refused to eat.Two days -no food and we panicked. We moved him again in his old aquarium. And he start to eat. And he is happy. What should we do now?
Fishy hates his new aquarium and we bought it for him because he grew up and it's to big for his old aquarium. But he loves it. And he likes to stay in the same room with us. When we are gone he isn't swimming or eating. So is Fishy an ordinary fish?

Platinum groom's wedding ring

Grooms will start wearing their wedding ring on day one of the marriage. If you want to go first class, buy the king of metals - platinum. Platinum is a real investment, is hefty and will keeps its shine. You'll pay a bit more for it, but it's probably worth the investment.

Platinum Wedding Rings

Platinum wedding bands are hefty, tarnish free and manage to look like a million bucks. What more could you ask for in a wedding ring? The principal advantage to a platinum wedding ring is that it's exceptionally strong and looks unlike anything else in the market.

What metals go into a Platinum Wedding Ring, exactly?

Typically, platinum, the element, is alloyed with some other metal, similar to the way white gold is an alloy of elemental "yellow" gold and some other metal (sometimes even platinum). In the case of platinum, alloys include palladium, iridium or ruthenium (depending on the commodity price.), however they are used in small quantities in order to maintain platinum's high purity. Platinum wedding rings are not measured in karats, contrary to gold wedding bands. Look for platinum wedding bands that have "PT 900" or "950 Plat" imprinted on the inside of the band. This means that the wedding ring is 90 or 95% pure platinum, and 5% of some other metal.

Compare this to a typical gold wedding ring or gold engagement ring which will be between 14k and 18k. Translation: As much as 42% of your precious little wedding rings could be made of something other than gold. That's not the case for platinum wedding bands.

Platinum is rare, but platinum wedding bands will be more costly

Platinum is the most expensive wedding band material. That's because platinum is exceedingly rare. How rare? 30 times rarer than gold. According to Platinum Guild International, the industry group representing platinum jewelers and the industry, "It is estimated that if all the platinum in the world were poured into one Olympic swimming pool it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles." This is in comparison to gold, which would fill three Olympic swimming pools, and beer, which would fill multiple...oceans.

The Price of Platinum Wedding Rings

The price of platinum has recently gone up quite substantially as the economic markets have taken a turn for the worse. Because commodity prices in general have skyrocketed, the price for platinum has gone up almost $800 per ounce since December 2007. (Picture a hockey stick.)

A recent survey of prices, however, indicates that platinum can still be had without breaking the bank. A 3mm wide platinum band cost $400 at a leading online retailer, whereas a more traditional 6mm wedding band was selling for $1600. From the groom's perspective, however, it's not a bad investment for the only important piece of jewelry that a groom is going to sport.

An Investment in Platinum

A platinum wedding ring is an investment because you're purchasing the highest quality of metal for your rings - no plating will be required down the road (as opposed to white gold which is plated with rhodium that eventually wears off). Platinum also "feels" like it's worth a lot. Platinum is heavy stuff. How heavy? Well, a 6" cube of platinum weighs about as much as you did in the tenth grade (around 165 pounds!) Platinum wedding bands will not lose any metal as they get scratched or dinged - the metal is just displaced. This contrasts with gold, where every scratch represents a potential loss of some of the metal in the wedding band.

Here's what you can expect after one year of wear. As you can see, in this somewhat un-scientific photo, platinum holds up very very well. It is platinum, after all.

Men wedding ring

Later edit: my wedding ring is 7 mm.
The last thing a groom thinks about is his wedding ring. It's the poor cousin to his bride's spectacular diamond engagement ring. That said, the groom's wedding ring is the one indicator that this man has a gorgeous wife somewhere, possibly on his arm. The great news is that a groom and bride's wedding rings are the one item in a wedding that don't cost a fortune. In this article, GroomGroove.com covers what a man needs to know about the most important piece of jewelry he'll ever wear.
Cost of the Wedding Ring

A man's wedding rings will cost between approximately $100 (for titanium rings) to $2000 (for platinum with diamonds set in the ring), with most rings coming in around $600. The reason for the price range (albeit much less of a range than a woman's diamond engagement ring) is the material used to make the band, and whether diamonds are used.
Mens Wedding Rings Materials
A groom's wedding band will be made of platinum, white gold, yellow gold, titanium, stainless steel or, lead. (Just kidding on the lead bit). Platinum and white gold are, at present, the most popular materials.

White gold is an alloy of gold (ie. it is gold and silver or palladium). This is where the concept of Karat comes in. Karat is a measure of the purity of the material. An 18K gold ring has 75% pure gold (the element). The higher the karat, the softer the ring and the more easily it will get scratched and dented. Accordingly, 18K is considered the optimal karat (with pure gold coming in at 24 karats).

There are positives and negatives with each type of wedding ring material you purchase. In particular, each will show different wear and tear after some time. The photo above shows what you can expect after one year of wear from each of the popular wedding ring materials.
Width of the Wedding Ring

The width of a man's wedding ring is measured in millimeters. The smallest rings are 3 mm in width, whereas the largest rings are 8mm in width. Generally, men will purchase a ring that is on the larger side, tending towards 5-6 mm.

Style

Most younger generations of men choose simple wedding bands, and generally, have shied away from yellow gold in favor of 18k white gold or platinum. Some men have chosen rings that have a braid carved in them, or alternatively, some other edging that the manufacturer has set. Diamond-studded rings for men are definitely in the minority.

For additional comfort, grooms should consider purchasing a ring where the inside of the wedding ring is cambered or with rounded edges. Frankly, however, when a groom first wears a ring - any ring - it is likely to feel like a foreign object, with hard edges. Over time, rounded edges probably don't add much, especially since most of the time, you'll not even notice your ring. (You will, however, notice when your ring is not on your finger, as you reach to play with it. Read on to find out why this is the case.)
When to Buy the Wedding Band

Generally, a groom will buy his bride's diamond engagement ring separate from the wedding bands, as the bride and groom each have wedding bands, and may want to choreograph the look of their rings with matching wedding bands. Accordingly, the wedding bands should be purchased two months before the wedding (at the latest). This will allow for time to get it sized properly, and make any adjustments.
Ring Measurements

The diameter of the ring will be measured either by your jeweler, or if you are buying wedding rings online, all reputable online retailers have suggested wedding ring size guides that you can print out. And even if you are buying your ring online, jewelry stores will happily fit you for your ring (as they try to sell you on their product!)
Working Out

A note - men should take their ring off and put it in a safe place (and the same place) when going to the gym to work out. This is because dumbbells and barbells can easily scratch or dent ring materials. Don't leave it in the locker, but rather, put it in your bag. Countless husbands have had to admit to their wives that they lost their 18k white gold wedding ring at the gym.
Playing with Your Ring

One of the first things a groom will do upon wearing his ring for the first time as a husband, and not a groom, will be to play with it. Twisting it on his finger, many a groom will twist and turn at the ring when nervous, such as when the groom makes his wedding speech.
Your wedding band will be a constant reminder of your wife and the commitment you've made. Perhaps it's a reminder that you haven't bought flowers recently. Or that you should tell her that you love her everyday. Whatever it signifies to you, take some time to pick out a man's wedding ring you will be happy to wear.

How to impress your future mother in-law

Let's face facts: whether they're like a second set of parents to you or one of your least favorite duos on the planet, marrying their daughter means you're stuck with them for life. The sooner you score points with your soon-to-be mother-in-law, the easier this wedding planning process and everything that follows will be.

But how? GroomGroove.com has compiled a list of five simple ways to melt even the iciest mother-in-law's heart.

Compliment Her Daughter

This may seem elementary, but it's something you might forget to do amidst all the madness. Tell your mother-in-law how lucky you feel to have found her daughter; tell her how beautiful, intelligent, and kind your future wife is, and how grateful you are for all the hard work she's putting into the wedding. This lets your fiancée's mother know that her daughter is appreciated and will not be taken for granted in the future. It's also a nice reminder that she's done a good job raising her daughter.

Include Her

The mother of the bride is often next in line after you and your bride-to-be in terms of wedding planning involvement. Even if your future bride is ready to strangle her own mother over divergent tastes, you can make a point of listening to mom's ideas and asking what you can do to lend a hand. Whatever you do, we advise you never to get in the middle of a mother-daughter wedding squabble . Usually these things have a tendency of working themselves out, and siding with either one of these women is likely to land you in scalding hot water. Remain completely neutral and upbeat until you're safely alone with your fiancée.

If your fiancée's mother suggests a "Snow White and Seven Dwarfs" themed-reception that makes both you and your future bride cringe, smile and compliment her creative thinking. Let your future mother-in-law know that you will certainly consider the idea, and that she is an asset to the process.

If much of the decision-making will be done by you and your fiancée, be sure to reserve some of the smaller tasks for your future mother-in-law. For example, say you're "really stuck" on the table settings and the wedding favors...maybe she could help? She will be more than happy to dive in and take over, and this will keep her occupied while you and your fiancée focus on other things independently.

It's The Little Things

Mother and daughter have set up a virtual battle station at your dining room table to plot the seating arrangements. This is your opportunity to enhance their experience without breaking your back or your bank. Offer to make them coffee or tea, some sandwiches, or bring out a few snack foods on a tray. Women aren't generally into chips and wings, though, so try to think of more feminine offerings: grapes, strawberries (just wash and serve!), crackers and dip (cheap and easy), or a combination of cheeses and cold cuts. (Just slice up the cheese, and roll the cold cuts into tubes. Of course, the more variety, the better, depending on your time and budget. It's amazing how much small gestures like this will endear you to your future mother-in-law.
Basic P's and Q's

Maybe you already have manners up to royal standards, but the stress of wedding planning is causing you to experience a lapse. Maybe your idea of manners is simply saying please and thank you in a social setting. Either way, it's time step it up a notch when the family--and especially the mother--of the bride is around.

Have "thank you" locked and loaded for even the minutest gestures of help. Pull out chairs and open doors for the ladies when the opportunity arises. Bringing up touchy subjects such as religion or politics (especially when the bride's family has an opposing view) is never a way to shine in the eyes of your in-laws, so stay in the safety zone. Compliments are always welcome, as long as they're sincere. Try to be on time for all family-related functions, especially if the bride's family is in from out of town.

If you've invited her family out to a meal, it is your responsibility to pay. The only exception to this rule is if your future father-in-law thinks wrestling down the bill is an extreme sport. Some patriarchs have a bullish sense of pride, and all you can really do in this case is offer to pay until the waiter walks away with his Amex. Then you'll have to admit defeat, but your attempt will be noted. If you are entertaining her family at your home, do everything you can to make them feel comfortable. Taking the lead in entertaining them will soon make them forget that you used to have a Baywatch-themed dorm room back in college.

Make an Effort to Get to Know Them

No, you're not marrying them, and no, you didn't choose them, but they probably have a lot to do with who your fiancée is as a person. Asking your future in-laws questions about how they met and what their daughter was like as a child are great ways to get anyone to open up. If her parents are divorced, select your questions accordingly, but ask them the same kinds of questions you'd want anyone to ask you to find out who you are. Pretty soon you'll start to see where your fiancée gets her stubborn streak and great sense of humor. Maybe they'll even tell you things you didn't know. Delving deeper than "hi, how are you" will let your new family know you're serious about their daughter and about your future as their son-in-law.

Groom's guide to buying lingerie

Guys - let's face it. You don't know the first thing about buying a bra and panties. And it's awkward to walk into Victoria's Secret and have the staff loudly point: "Well, if you don't know her bra size, how does she compare to that sales person there?" Before fumbling around in her drawers to find her size, read GroomGroove.com's lingerie buying guide and get savvy. It's not just for wedding night - this guide will help you buy your wife lingerie at key moment in your romantic life together.

Wedding Day Lingerie
After you've said "I do," and your eyes have adjusted from all the camera flashes, you've danced until you almost dropped, and you've brushed off (almost) all of the confetti, you and your new wife will finally be alone again. This is your own private after-party, and although she may be a missus, your bride deserves to look just as amazing between the sheets as she did at the altar. But finding the perfect number for your spanking-new bride can be just as trying as picking out an engagement ring. GroomGroove.com has a few helpful hints for finding the right little garment that will be just as pleasing to her as it is for you, and won't make too much of a dent in your wedding budget.


The Bridal Shower

Grooms should know that, traditionally, the maid of honor will buy the bride an outfit for wedding night. However, this gift doesn't show up at every bridal shower. A groom whose bride has already received lingerie can save his purchase for the first night of the honeymoon or first anniversary.

"But it looked so good on Naomi Campbell..."

Yes, this is a mistake many guys will make more than once before they learn what really suits the woman who will be wearing this practically non-existent gift.

No matter how amazing that corset looks on the model (and take a second and third look to determine if it's even the corset or just Gisele wearing anything), this gift will be a huge disappointment if it turns out to be all wrong for your bide. If your fiancée's figure is similar to one of the models on the lingerie site or in the catalogue, you will have a much better shot at finding something that at least fits her well. If not, you will have to rely on your memory of the lingerie she already has and likes to determine what will work.
Does it have to be white?


Just because this is your wedding night, don't feel pressured to spring for something white and lacey if it reminds you of your grandmother's valances. (ed. - This is just as much a gift for you as it is for her). Take a look at her current lingerie collection (or at least bras and panties) and try to pick up on repeat colors. You can't go wrong with a color you know she loves. If blue is the color, this can be her "something blue"...and white hot to boot.
All women look absolutely amazing in white or black lingerie. We don't know exactly why, but all men will agree. There's something very pure about white - it's lingerie that both covers and highlights some of the best features of a woman. There's something incredibly sexy about black that makes a man just want to admire his wife. Black, of course, is also very slimming.

If you want to venture out into colors, keep in mind that some colors do better on certain hair colors. For example, blondes generally will look better in lighter colors, whereas a brunette can handle purples, darker greens or reds. Further, a redhead will do well in darker colors (and can look ravishing in brown).

Bra sizes and how to figure them out

Bra sizes are based on your girl's rib cage and bust size. A woman will likely have been properly measured if she owns several bras. Without getting into the details, the bra size (you know...34C etc.) is a combination of the size of her rib cage (band size) and the difference in size between her rib cage and bust size. That's where the number and letter combination comes from. Now, a guy is thinking, "Do I have to measure her?" The answer, mercifully, is no. Take a discreet look through the lingerie you future bride owns and make a note of all of her sizes. She may have bra sizes that are different cup sizes.

In that case, it's very easy. Ask her! And in fact, for a really sexy time, ask her which bras she really likes, and what the sizes are. Now, you may be giving away exactly why you want to know, but she'll play along anyway. Your wife will love the interest that you are taking. Read on.

Bra and Panties/Thong sizes

A sexy bra and panties set is a classic for a reason. Try to find a non-cotton comparison, if possible, so that you can most closely match the style of lingerie you'll be giving her. Most lingerie is silk, satin, lace or nylon. The sizes you're looking for are XS to XL. If you are rifling through her drawer and find several Victoria's Secret panties that are the same size, that's her size at that particular store. Lingerie sizes can vary between merchants. When in doubt, take the average size.

A Slip

No, these aren't a relic of the fifties. If your fiancée likes them, and you like her in them, slips are one of the easiest to shop for, and most comfortable to wear. You're generally looking to match her most fitted tank top of t-shirt size: XS-XL. If the slip has a built in bra or underwire, you'll need to go by her bra size
Corset and Bustier

Very daring, very Moulin Rouge. This lingerie will defy gravity. But be forewarned: sizing can be tricky. You are looking for her bust, waist and hip measurements to get the best fit. Some grooms might shy away from a corset or bustier for this reason, unless they can find a way to surreptitiously take the measurements. So, in this case, GroomGroove.com suggests that you gently ask her to get herself fitted in something really special!
If you're really unsure, you could order two or three different pieces and compare them to lingerie she already has when they arrive. You'll want to order about four to six weeks before the wedding in case you need to make returns.

How much to spend

It may seem too obvious, but look for sales. There are usually sale signs in store windows, but even if the windows are bare, ask inside if there's a sale area. It's much better to buy quality lingerie at a discounted price than cheap lingerie at full retail. (ed. -We trust the woman who wrote this guide!) Fabrics such as silk and satin tend to be pricier, but you're going to want to get something other than cotton for this occasion.



Before making your purchase, ask the store about their return policy. Chances are, she'll love the gift and she'll be way too excited by the gesture to think of turning it down, but once she's worn it, it can't be returned. If she ends up saying "well...it's the thought that counts", you'll need to know that she can at least return the gift for store credit.
Where the wild things...aren't

This is your first night as a married couple. Happiness should be at an all-time high. A leopard print bodysuit could ruin the mood if she's not into it. Go for something sexy, but safe enough to avoid any unnecessary laughter. Hopefully you know by now what she likes and what makes her look gorgeous. You can save the leopard print for your third wedding anniversary or a weekend in Maine.

A Gift from the Groom to his Bride

"Just get your ass to the church on time!" she tells you. By now, an educated groom knows that there's much more to weddings than that. Sure, you've got your tuxedo and you might have even made an appointment for your first professional shave to look your absolute best on the big day. But perhaps the most important thing of all is a gift for your true partner in crime (and in life)--your bride.

Huh???

"Hold on just a second," you might be thinking. The groom is on the hook for yet another wedding-related purchase? This might even be the first you're hearing about a gift from you to your bride-to-be, and hopefully it's not too late. Many men from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences are oblivious to this custom. Even after all the clams you've shelled out for that tux, gifts for the groomsmen, the dance lessons (that's right - dance lessons), the honeymoon and the forty-seven other things on the checklist, your bride and possibly even her more traditional mother might also be expecting you to present her with something else to help commemorate that special day. (ed. -- This wedding thing can be a total circus, we know.)

If you're lucky, your bride will think this tradition is ridiculous and would prefer you spent the money on a personal trainer for yourself (no hint there, groom.) That said, regardless of the tradition, here's what to consider.

The Tradition

First, your bride might not even know that you are "supposed" to give her a gift. Then again, if you choose to forego a gift for her, you might be getting your marriage off on the wrong foot, especially if you're about to gain a hard to please, or very traditional mother-in-law. In an interview with GroomGroove.com, recent bride, Helen M.,of New York City, was told by her mother that, traditionally, the bride should be given a pearl necklace. (Hint, Hint). Helen's groom, Stephen, said "I basically refused to succumb to the tradition because it should be my choice."

Gift-giving should be optional and a personal choice.



Grooms! Know your bride...

It seems like such a simple point: you're getting married. You know your bride, right? But if she's not a traditionally-minded bride, she might react the way recent bride, Julia D., of Ann Arbor, Michigan did. Julia readily admitted that although it might have flown in the face of tradition and it might not even seem romantic to some, her bride's gift was "way better than a silly pair of earrings". Julia and her groom were headed to Italy for their honeymoon, and her future husband gave her a leather jacket as a wedding gift. A practical gift for some, but Julia says "whenever I wear the jacket, I think about our time in Florence." In her mind, it was a perfect gift and an even better memento of their wedding and honeymoon than earrings or a necklace at the bottom of her jewelry box.

This just might be a chance to really shine, like this husband-to-be did. One groom "tracked down a valuable and nostalgic book - the same exact copy - that I sold in my leaner years to make rent" said bride Jen K., who was married in July 2007. That groom really took the time to listen to his bride-to-be. That kind of gift is the sort that can keep right on giving all the way past the wedding day and towards a very happy marriage.

One click means a lot

Do you know how much a click worths? You cand change a life with a click. Just try here.

Groom speech survival guide

You will not find a cookie-cutter, fill-in-the-blank speech here. GroomGroove.com believes that a good speech needs to be original. Those kind of wedding speeches are Boring (with a capital B), are never funny and don't reflect that the groom gave a damn about the most important speech of his life. And if you're tempted to find some jokes to put into the speech, odds are that you won't like the jokes and that you won't be comfortable delivering the lines. That certainly will not help you if your goal is to get through the speech as quickly as possible. The worst part is that the audience will know that you didn't write them. With that in mind, this survival guide will: (1) give you the tools you need to write and present a good speech, (2) cover some Dos and Don'ts, and (3) provide all-important instructions on how to fight a case of nerves.
Time
Aim to have a speech that is at maximum three or four minutes in length. This may seem like a long time, but it goes by very quickly, especially if you have followed GroomGroove.com's advice and prepared the speech in a couple weeks in advance. In fact, you are going to have to force yourself to slow down! That's the good news.

Prepared Text or Bullet Points but not Off-the-Cuff
It's safest to follow a prepared text or bullet points rather than deliver something off-the-cuff. Preparing the text will keep you on message and allows you to write something that is meaningful.

If you foresee getting nervous, the easiest thing to do is to read from a prepared text. This technique will certainly keep you on message, and is a good idea for those who are terrified of public speaking. As you're reading the text, you will want to make eye contact with your audience every few words or sentences.


That means looking up from your papers to the very back of the room while speaking, and periodically making direct eye contact with individuals. The key is to look up frequently and keep speaking while doing so.
Cue Cards, Paper and other Nuts and Bolts
Put your speech on cue cards or 8.5x11 sheets. Either works, but sheets will allow you to type the speech and make edits easily. It is essential that you number your pages so as to safeguard against the unfortunate event that your sheets fall off the podium. Really awkward! Make sure that you print your speech so that the lettering is large enough to read with ease. That probably means 14-16 point font. For an extra touch, try putting the text only on the top half of your sheets, which will keep your head up as you deliver the speech. Finally, put the speech inside your jacket before you leave for the ceremony. You won't have time (nor will you want to) run back to the house to get it!
Saying Thank You
If you are the groom, your wedding day will be hectic. You may not have a great conversation with anyone, not even your roommate from college who has come all the way from Boise. Speeches allow you to make a general thank you but also connect you and special guests.
By naming all or many of the places from where people have traveled, you will be drawing a virtual map in your audience's imagination and acknowledging your friend from Boise. It's a nice touch that makes people feel special.

While it is important to thank your guests, you have to remember that you're not accepting an Oscar. You should specifically name and thank only a few key people, such as your parents, your in-laws, your best man and, of course, your bride.

Practice Makes Perfect
The most important thing you can do is to write and edit your speech a few weeks in advance, and practice the delivery. GroomGroove.com suggests doing this with a work colleague or someone who might not be at the wedding, rather than in front of a mirror. They will be able to truthfully tell you if you've made an inappropriate joke or if the speech is boring or if you speak really fast.
(See also below for practicing the speech in the room where it will be delivered as a calming technique.)

Stay calm, and nobody gets hurt
Public speaking is up there with visits to the dentist, road trips to visit inlaws or college calculus exams. If you are like most people, you avoid any situation that requires you to make speech. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the public speaking jitters and to control your nerves.

Timing is everything
Ask the master of ceremonies when exactly your speech will be so that you can mentally prepare. You don’t want to be surprised.

Breathe
Take a few slow deep breaths before the Master of Ceremonies calls you up, as you are getting up from your seat and before you begin by saying “Good afternoon”. Rhythmic breathing will force your heart to slow down. Equally so, go slowly at first and pause between your first few sentences. For some reason, people think they are speaking slowly, where in fact they are not.
Admit you are nervous
You can calm yourself down is by admitting to your audience that you're nervous at the outset. It humanizes the experience and if done with a bit of humor you'll get a laugh which will relax you. Remember, the audience is there for the wedding and not to critique your speechmaking ability.

Practice the speech in the room, with the mic
Practicing the speech beforehand in the room where it will be delivered, with no (or little) audience has a soothing effect. If possible, it is even more calming to practice with the microphone beforehand. If this is not possible, remember to avoid fiddling with the mic at the outset unless necessary.

Did we mention preparation?
Preparation is the ultimate key to good speechmaking and calm nerves.

So, be a man, grab the bull by the horns and start planning that speech! Good luck!

Tuxedo bootcamp

The groom may feel like a prop compared to his lovely bride, but he (and his groomsmen) has still got to dress the part. And while brides have it easy because they know from the start that their wedding dress will cost a fortune and be impossible to find, it's not easy for the groom to navigate cummerbunds, bowties, ascots, morning coats and all the other foreign words associated with wedding attire for men. So let's get into it.

What the groom and groomsmen wear to the wedding depends entirely on the occasion itself and what the bride wants the groom to wear. The good news is that the bride has been visualizing her wedding for a long time, be it an ultra-formal, ultra-traditional white tie event, a morning wedding or a beach wedding. Each of these types of weddings require different wedding wear for the groom and groomsmen. Our aim is to show you that not every wedding needs to be black tie, and that even if you're doing something very traditional, there's room for a bit of creativity within the bounds of that slightly itchy, chemically-treated, rental tuxedo you're contemplating.

Of course, we begin with one the groom's duties: get his groomsmen suited up for the wedding. It's a vastly more important task than figuring out the differences between a long tie, bow tie or ascot. Why? Because it's the groom who will have to deal with "Paul", his groomsman, who's habitually late for events, forgetful, and likely to forget to bring his rented bow tie. Sound familiar? The groom will be able to ease some his bride's anxieties by learning a bit about the ins and outs of wedding attire.

* How to get the groomsmen outfitted in tuxedos, painlessly
* An intro to formal wear for the groom:
o Tuxedo Jacket
o Pants
o Shirts
o Ties
o Cufflinks
o Shoes (and socks)
o What the hell is a cummerbund and do you need one?
o Boutonnieres (aka the only flowers a groom needs to think about)
* Morning coats
* Wearing a suit instead of a tuxedo
* Whether to buy or rent a tux
* If you're buying a tux, whether to get it custom-made or off the rack tuxedo
* Beach wedding attire (you lucky bastard!)

Get fit groom

Dear Groom. You may be fit. You may be fat. But wherever you're at, everybody who is important to you is coming to the wedding, and you'll be the center of attention on your wedding day. Better to be in the best shape of your life because your friends and family will notice and wedding photos will not lie. It's time to Get Fit, Groom!

How grooms can shed a few pounds before wedding day

Whether you have one month, three months or six months to go before your wedding, you can make some great gains in terms of your body shape and ability to properly fit into your tuxedo. The pace of the program and the gains will differ depending on how much time you have.

To get trim, you need to do four things differently:

• Eat less food, every day.

• Perform cardiovascular activity at least three times per week, but only for 30 minutes of intense training.

• Strength training with weights at least twice per week concentrating on your back, chest and shoulders.

• Pick up the intensity of training. Don't take breaks.

You do not need to spend a ridiculous amount of time in the gym to see results. In fact, you should spend no more than 30-40 minutes of high intensity training. For example, hit the gym with a goal of doing ten pushups followed by five pull ups with no break in between. You will be using your core muscles (lower back and abdominals), chest and triceps to perform a pushup. You will be using your core muscles, back and biceps to perform a pullup. While pulling up, your chest takes a break.

You'd be amazed just how much eating less is critical to a groom's success in losing a few inches before wedding day. It is the most important factor. "I'm working out," grooms may think. "I can certainly go to the Olive Garden and have an extra helping of rotini ." Wrong.

Finally, why the back, chest and shoulders? These large muscle groups are likely to show the most gain. Working your biceps is pure vanity, but it's your chest, shoulders and back that will really create total buffness!

The Groom's Tuxedo

A word of advice for the prospective groom: If you embark on any fitness plan, be sure to save your tuxedo fitting until closer to your wedding day. If you get measured for a tuxedo in December, for example, and then diligently work out for the next 3 months, be prepared to have a different physique by March. You will be trimmer, your shoulders will be larger and your waist will be smaller. In short, you'll look great, but you will need to be re-fitted for your tuxedo. Granted, that is a small price to pay for a buff bod, but you can avoid all that trouble by getting fitted later on in the process.
A Groom's Diet

To keep your metabolism in high gear (which means that your body will burn calories at a rapid rate), grooms ought to eat six mini meals throughout the day, rather than "breakfast, lunch and dinner." Instead of gorging yourself on a huge chicken and pasta dinner, have a smoothie at 3pm and a smaller helping at dinnertime.

You will want to eat plenty of protein to build muscle as well as hearty portions of carbs to fuel your cardio workouts. The goal is to tailor your daily meal plan to your daily activity level so that you consume more protein on days that you strength train and more carbs on days that you cardio train.

If your body gets used to eating the same amount of calories each day, then your metabolism will slow down (i.e., becoming more efficient at using the calories you consume) and your weight loss will plateau. The worst part is that if your metabolism becomes sluggish and you go on a 3-day eating bender, then your body won't know how to burn the excess calories that you have consumed. The result: Your body will store the calories as fat.

But weight loss isn't just about caloric intake, it's about the quality of the food you eat, as well. Our bodies are not made to digest hydrogenated oils, "FD&C Yellow #5" or any other man-made food substances. As a general rule you should try to avoid foods that are overly processed.

Where we met...

We met in a cafe-bar called Havana. Almost every day after we met, for more than two years, we went there. It became our place. People knew us , so we could go there at 8 a.m. and be welcome. Then came a time when we changed our place. I don`t know why we stopped going to Havana. After 4 years, today be came back. I had butterflies in my stomach. The place was the same, we were the same but married, now. It was just like I turned back time, but then I looked at my wedding ring. Yeap, it's real, we are married!

Have a great bachelor party...with the in-laws

Picture it: Surprise, Surprise - you were "kidnapped" by your best man and have arrived at the previously undisclosed location of your bachelor party. You meet up at the hotel with your best buddies from high school, college and work. You're ready to hit the town. You crack open a beer, relax on the sofa and who walks in? Your FATHER-IN-LAW and BROTHER-IN-LAW to be. Can you still have a great time with these spies watching your every move? GroomGroove.com and Montreal VIP have some tips for you.

Have a Plan

First and foremost, get rid of that "deer in the headlights" look you've got. It is going to be ok. As soon as you know that guys from your fiancée's family will attend your bachelor party, discuss a plan with the organizer to maximize comfort, if they haven't thought of this already. Consult your best man and other groomsmen. Ideally, they will have split the bachelor party into two distinct flavors, just like salsa: Mild, and Hot.

Mild- The Steak Dinner

Chances are, your evening will start with a decent meal. Dinner at almost any bachelor party will be fairly tame, and for your sake, you may want to make sure that this is the case. Take this opportunity over dinner to connect with your future in-laws. They will understand that this is your day and that you're going to indulge a little. You certainly don't need to tell them that. To be on the safe side, pace yourself during the first leg of the journey because with a good bachelor party, there's always more to come. Your future in-laws may shake your hand and call it night after dinner. Unless you happen to be very close with them, and feel entirely comfortable, this would be the ideal scenario. Worst-case scenario, you'll have to go with the flow.

Hot - A Lap Dance or Three

If there is a trip to a gentleman's club planned for later, you'll want to know about it. If your future brother and/or father-in-law decide to join you for the hot portion of the evening, while you don't need to warn them, somebody has to do it. A great candidate for that task is your best man. He should have a chat with the guys to lay out where you are going, and, above all, to state the obvious: that what happens at your bachelor party, stays at your bachelor party. Her Majesty will never hear a word about it. At the club, it will be impossible to escape the attention if scores of friends are pointing to you and announcing to the world that this is your last night as free man. However, it's your night out. Put on your blinders, and party.

When the Party Winds Down

If your future in-laws attend, you will likely feel a bit restricted as to what you can say and do at your bachelor party. If you think about it, that may not be such a bad thing. Because of their presence, you might dodge such cringe-worthy traditions such as having choice phrases scrawled across your flesh with permanent marker, or waking up in a pool of sweat and a dress. That's reason enough to welcome your soon-to-be dad and brother into this fraternal fiesta.

The Secret to Success
Montreal VIP and GroomGroove.com believe the secret to enjoying your last night out as a free man is to plan ahead. Whether you have a role in the planning of the party or you're just innocent victim of a kidnapping courtesy of your best man, there's nothing wrong with covering all the bases with the organizers. You'll feel more at ease and your future in-laws will feel comfortable as well. Above all else, you are the guest of honor and are duty-bound to have a great time. Plan on it!

Bachelor party guide for grooms

You're the groom facing the prospect of being roasted by your closest friends and family members. You probably have vague memories of tormenting your best friend at his bachelor party. (What was it that you wrote in permanent marker on his chest?) Whether you're pumped about a night on the town with the boys, or trembling in your boots at the thought of surviving your bachelor party, this guide is for you.
Who's in Charge?

Usually, the task of organizing the bachelor party falls to the best man. While you, as the groom, should be involved to some extent, you shouldn't have to do the bulk of the organization. After all, the whole point of the bachelor party is to show you a good time, not to test your planning skills. Aside from putting the whole shindig together, the best man is responsible for ensuring that you don't do anything that will jeopardize your impending nuptials. Whenever there is a combination of guys and alcohol, peer pressure comes back like a high school ex-girlfriend, so the best man needs to be on the ball to make sure you don't do anything too crazy. As if that's not enough, the best man is also in charge of making sure everyone is included and having a great time. It's a lot of responsibility, but it doesn't mean the best man can't have fun, too. After all, it is a party.
When to have it?

In the Spring or Summer. On a Leap Day or a Sunday or cold Tuesday in January. Any day at all, but under no circumstances will you allow your bachelor party be held the night before your wedding. Typically, the bachelor party is held 2-3 months in advance or on the Thursday night prior to a Saturday wedding.

Mild versus Wild

Long before the bachelor party, the groom and the best man should take some time to discuss the tone. With this guide, you, as groom, are merely along for the ride. Defining the tone in advance is important since it will not be possible to do so on the night of. At the end of the party, you want a party that's going to be a blast for you and keep you out of the dog house with Her Majesty. Keeping in mind that your best man isn't likely to know all of the attendees, setting the tone will also help the best man give guests a heads-up in terms of what to expect.

A mild bachelor party and wild bachelor party are likely to start out the same. While your day may involve a poker tournament, golf or go-carts, you and the boys will invariably go out for a nice dinner. (FYI: Luckily for you, the groom never pays for himself.) What happens after dinner distinguishes this bachelor party from any other. We're going to leave it to your imagination. GroomGroove.com provides information here on planning a bachelor party for your best man.
The Guests

You and the best man should also sit down and hash out the guest list. As a general rule, twenty is a good number. Anything more than that, and it will be too difficult to control if things get out of hand.

One of the easiest ways to coordinate the bachelor party is with an E-vite. That way, the best man can let everyone know what's on the agenda for the party. E-vites also help the best man keep track of who will be attending and print out the guest list, a vital, but often overlooked item.
Keeping Costs in Line

No matter where your bachelor party takes place, you've got to keep in mind that not all of the attendees will be able to drop cash on a bottle service if they've forked over money to the airline just to attend. The same goes for golf, dinner, hotels and whatever else your best man has got planned. If he's a spendthrift, don't expect everyone else to be.

A good way to cover the costs associated with the bachelor party is to sell tickets to the guests. Not only does this help pay for the event, but it also gives the guests an idea of what they can expect to spend for the evening or weekend. The price of the ticket should pay for some activities (e.g., a round of golf or admission to a club) and a meal. However, guests should be responsible for covering the cost of their own drinks.

You're the Groom, Get a Room!


Whether you are having a mild or wild bachelor party, GroomGroove.com highly recommends that you not return to your actual home after the late partying. Spend an extra $200 and get a room. The next morning you can convalesce on your own, without having to worry about what your bride will think. It's a critical but often overlooked piece of advice.
Speaking of the Bride...

Nothing will ruin a wild bachelor party like loose-lips Larry blabbing all about it to his girlfriend who is best friends with your bride. What happens at the wild bachelor party stays etched in memory alone. It's an unspoken rule. And even if she wants to know, don't you dare tell her a damned thing about how it all went down. She's only looking to feel jealous.
Being a Good Sport

One of the best parts of planning a bachelor party is keeping the groom in the dark about some of it. Once the best man and the groom have laid out the ground rules for the night, the best man will feel free to plan some surprises within that framework. You didn't specifically say that you won't dress in drag and beg hot chicks for smooches? Too bad for you. You need to be ready to dive in and roll with any surprises that come your way. Grooms need to be good sports. A good bachelor party is as much a roast as a celebration.

Staying Out of the Doghouse

GroomGroove.com has heard more than its share of stories about drunken grooms stumbling home to their bride, or worse, their future mother-in-law. A good best man will have a plan laid out to prevent a situation that could best be described as "awkward." That said, you are a man. If there is something that you don't feel comfortable with, you should express it to the best man in advance of the bachelor party. And if the situation arises during the bachelor party itself, there is nothing wrong with passing off the "fun" to another of your friends.
In Sum

You're only going to get one shot at having a bachelor party. Get ready for the ride!

Choosing your groomsmen

The Usual Suspects
Picking the groomsmen can be more difficult, even though you have several slots open. This is because guys tend to have a group of really awesome friends from high school, college or work. However, if you're unfamiliar with wedding etiquette, here are the "usual" rules for including groomsmen in your wedding party:

Your Family

No matter what your family or friends say, there aren't people who "must" be in the wedding party. Be sure to pick buddies you're close with - not guys you feel obligated to ask. If you loved beating up your brother, but he's not your "best man", don't let your mother force your hand. However, family typically comes first when it comes to the groomsmen. Unless there are some unusual circumstances involved (such as, for example, you aren't on speaking terms), if you have brothers, they're in the wedding party. That's one slot down, a few more to go.

Her Family

The same goes for her brothers. The two of you are going to be family soon, and including her brothers is a great way to start things off. This should be based on mutual agreement with your fiancee. If she is trying to force your hand and by picking her slightly annoying and boring brother, you are within your rights to ask Bridezilla to back off. It can be more challenging if your bride has two brothers who are equally qualified to be groomsmen. GroomGroove.com suggests that you either pick neither of them, or leave it for your bride to figure it out. There is no point in starting off on the wrong foot.
Closest Friends

Your closest friends are great choices. But, remember, they have to be responsible guys. Just because you love to go out drinking with a guy on a Friday night doesn't mean he can handle the responsibility of being in the wedding party. He might be a great guy, but if he's going to show up late to the tuxedo fitting session, he's going to be a pain to keep in line. Let's face it: some guys just aren't wedding party material. If the first image that pops into your head when you think of a guy is him passed out and covered in permanent marker, he's probably not the right guy for the job.

Great Expectations
When you begin asking your friends to stand up in your wedding, be sure to explain what is expected of them, and importantly, how much it is going to cost.

The basics include:

* Travel and accommodations
* Attending the rehearsal and dinner
* Renting tuxedo and shoes and attending tuxedo fittings (or buying a suit and tie)
* Planning and attending the bachelor party
* Seating guests at the wedding
* Walking down the aisle with a bridesmaid (maybe)
* Dancing with same bridesmaid
* Wedding gift (unspoken requirement, of course!)

If this is manageable for your buds, then you're in business.
A Short Word About Wedding Costs

Weddings can be expensive affairs. You need to keep in mind that not everybody in your wedding party will have the financial means to buy a brand new suit with matching navy blue tie that you've picked out. Further, if a groomsman (and his wife and kids) are flying in from California and staying at a hotel, these costs add up. You are likely to be asking your groomsmen to shell out at least $250, not including transportation.

And Finally...

At the end of a smooth flight with a smooth landing, a cabin full of passengers will sometimes applaud. If you choose the right co-pilot and crew for your wedding, that allows you to focus on what you need to do to reach that altar, expect applause at the end of this flight.

Selecting your men

Important things to know about choosing the guys in your wedding party...
An airplane full of passengers needs more than just a pilot to make for a safe and pleasant flight to any destination. That pilot needs a co-pilot, and those pilots need a crew. A wedding is no different; you are finally the pilot and so it's your task to choose your co-pilot (best man) and crew (groomsmen) carefully if this trip to the altar is going to be a successful one. GroomGroove.com is here to help.
Two by Two: Groomsmen for the bridesmaids

Just as the groom is an "extra" when paired with his bride, the groom needs to find two to four men to act as "extras" to be paired with the maid of honor and bridesmaids. You'll need to tap one guy to act as your best man, and he'll be paired with your bride-to-be's maid of honor. The other men are paired with bridesmaids. You need to think long and hard about the candidates amongst your friends and family to find just the right gents to go with her ladies. Your wedding and your bride's memories aside, the matchmaking often leads to other weddings for you to attend down the road! As a groom, you'll want to put some effort into knowing who to pick, and who to leave in the seats.

The Best Man for the Job
This is the big one. It's also typically the easiest choice to make. Take a short trip down memory lane, and it becomes obvious. It could be the younger brother you used to beat up (and, though you would never admit to it, is a much better basketball player than you.) It could be your college roommate (and former wingman). It could be your best friend from high school. The choice is very personal, but probably obvious to you. You can only pick one best man.

That being said, you need to pick someone whom you can trust through and through, because this guy will have to do a whole lot more than just planning your bachelor party. In fact, the lead-up to the Big Day will present many tasks for this person.

The best man will:

* plan your bachelor party, but also keep you in line
* lead the groomsmen and make sure they arrive on time
* hold the wedding rings for the groom on the day of the ceremony
* make sure you get to the ceremony on time
* assist you through the wedding day jitters you are going to have (trust us, they're not just a myth)
* act as legal witness to your wedding
* make a wedding toast (at minimum) or speech (better yet)
* take care of the turbulence at 30,000 ft. (like your drunken Uncle Larry) so that you (and your bride) don't even notice

You and your "Best" will be in constant contact, and since he has some serious responsibilities, it might be helpful (though not critical) for you both to be in the same city.

A Groom's Specific Tasks

With us so far? Good. There are also a number of jobs that are specific to you. Just as it's important to work together on the above items, it's equally important to show initiative and handle your groom-ly responsibilities in advance. Here's a quick list of responsibilities that will almost certainly fall on your shoulders:


* Choose your wedding attendants (best man and groomsmen)
* Select wedding attire for you and for the men in the wedding party (she may want to help)
* Get groomsmen measured up for tuxedos early, and no matter where they may be
* Arrange transportation to the ceremony for the bride, the father of the bride, the bridal party, the best man, the groomsman, and yourself
* Arrange transportation for the entire wedding party from the ceremony to the reception (Why two types of transportation? You'll be arriving separately, but leaving as a couple. While you can take a taxi or hitch a ride to your wedding, try to find something nice for afterwards)
* Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests
* Purchase gift for your bride-to-be
* Purchase groomsmen gifts for your groomsmen
* Obtain a marriage license
* Plan the rehearsal dinner
* Prepare a toast for the rehearsal dinner
* Prepare a speech for the reception

Some of these tasks, such as obtaining a marriage license or planning the rehearsal dinner, can be done with your fiancée, but you should seriously consider (and offer) to handle them yourself. They are fairly painless ways to arrange major parts of the wedding experience and avoid putting all the pressure on your fiancée. That's one way Bridezillas are born!
Things for the groom and bride to do, together

There's a whole host of things that you and your fiancée can do together. You should always feel free to do more - it's your wedding, too, after all, and seeing how involved you are in this event is sure to make your fiancée glad she picked you - but if nothing else, work with her to do the following:

* Set wedding budget and size (put your spreadsheet powers to work!)
* Finalize a date, time and location and book it (sounds simple, but think again)
* Select the officiant, if you are not having a religious wedding
* Book reception site
* Settle on a wedding theme and style for your reception
* Book entertainment
* Draft a guest list (this will take lots of time)
* Select and order invitations
* Mail out invitations
* Plan the reception menu
* Hire a photographer and/or videographer
* Create a gift registry
* Plan the honeymoon

Being a groom can be nerve-wracking. There's a lot expected of you, and a multitude of tasks to check off the list. However, if you only had one job throughout this entire process, it would be this: no matter how crazy things get, never forget that you love each other and that the hectic preparation period is just one stop on the road to your life together. Get involved, have your say on the floral arrangements, and get your marriage started on the right foot!

Duties of the groom

Start your marriage off on the right foot and have some fun getting involved in wedding planning. Believe it or not, there are plenty of tasks that are perfectly cut out for you!
Just think about planning a wedding. Let your mind lock onto the first image that pops into your head. If you're like most guys, you're picturing your fiancée happily picking out floral arrangements and place settings with her best friend or her mother at her side. You may not even be in the picture at all. That's okay- that's often how it is. Your bride-to-be has probably been dreaming of her wedding since she was a little girl. She may have a much clearer picture in her head of what she wants the wedding to be like than you do. This production, however, is no one-woman show. You've got to do more than just "pitch in" because you can help alleviate her stress and earn some points in the process by stepping up. The wedding is something your bride will be talking about for a long time to come.


Planning a wedding is a massive undertaking. It requires patience, dedication, and plenty of hard work. If you're not the most aesthetically-minded guy, it's okay to leave things like the flowers, wedding favors, and decorations to her. There's no shortage of other things you can do with her.
The Budget

Major decisions like the budget and size of the wedding, or key elements, such as figuring out a date and location are things that should not be decided by just one person. Sit down with your fiancée and talk these things through to see what you both have in mind. Trust us, if you have these conversations right up front, it will save you both a lot of headaches down the road.
Religious Matters

Another big issue is whether or not you're planning to have a religious service. Again, be sure to take the time to work this out with your fiancée from the start. Don't make the mistake of assuming she'll know what you want or vice versa. It is not uncommon for people who haven't even been inside a house or worship in years to insist on getting married in one. If you're a mixed-faith couple and you both want a religious wedding, you may have to get creative. It gets particularly tricky when trying to find a clergyman to officiate the ceremony. Some clergymen won't perform mixed-faith weddings, others have no problem with it. Choosing - and, if possible, meeting - the officiant together is critical to ensuring that you will have a wedding that you are both comfortable with. Religion can be a sensitive issue for a lot of people, so be sure to talk openly and honestly with your fiancée from day one.