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The 5 most romantic places to get engaged

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Our friends over at TheManRegistry just sent us some great tips on where to get engaged. Ladies, please forward this on to anyone you know who’s getting ready to take the plunge!

This ring is listed at half off!

This ring is listed at over half off!

You’ve got the engagement ring picked out. You know when you’re going to pop the question. Now all that’s left is to decide where and how you’re going to do it. Here’s our suggestions for romantic places to get down on one knee and pray she says yes. (Ignore the cliché’s and just go with it)

5.) Location of your first date – How about a blast from the past?  Tell her you’re going to a “surprise destination” for a date night. She’ll be pleasantly surprised to arrive where you took her on that first date. She’ll be pleasantly shocked when you pull out the ring!

4.) Cruise – We’re not talking about the 3-day weekend booze cruise to Mexico. Couples cruises are great for spending some 1 on 1 time and make the perfect opportunity for a proposal. We heard one story of a groom reserving en entire deck aboard the cruise ship for the engagement and then had the cruise director make an announcement at that night’s dinner. We expect nothing less from the groom-to-be’s reading this blog!

3.) Anywhere where it’s raining – Try to make it look like an accident.

2.) Hot-air balloon ride – You’re probably laughing because this is so cliché. But don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.  Word to the wise: These guys book up fast for some reason. So, if you’ve got a date in mind – book it fast.

1.) Where you first met – Of course we’ve all seen this cheesily done in commercials or movies, but you can’t argue that it’s quite romantic. Whether it’s the mall, a bar or 8th grade science class – find a way to work it in. It’ll make for a great engagement story that will last a lifetime.

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Is it OK to have a female Best Man or Groomsman?

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

3593802473_f79816ddffCommon perception is that your Best Man and groomsmen are all guys. And based on 99.9% of weddings, this perception is true. However, selecting the people that are going to be standing next to you on the most important day of your life isn’t always that cut and dry.

Wedding party members should be chosen based on who you want to share this special moment with.  If your closest friend is girl or if you share a special bond with your sister, it’s perfectly acceptable to have her serve as Best Man (in a dress, not a tux).

The most important thing to remember is to think all wedding party member decisions through thoroughly. Remember, for 50% of you, this is the only wedding you’re going to have – so get it right!

Cheers!
———
Thanks to Chris at The Man Registry for answering this question.

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The Man Registry: Michael Jackson Wedding Songs

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

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Watching the 24-7 Michael Jackson coverage the last few days got me thinking; what are the best Michael Jackson songs that are commonly played at weddings?

The Way You Make Me Feel

A very recognizable and fun song that can be played early on to get everyone up and going on the dance floor.

Favorite lyric – Ain’t nobody’s business, Ain’t nobody’s business (the way you make me feel).

I’ll Be There

This is my personal favorite Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 song. This is young Jacko at his best. I’ve seen the song done as the first dance as well as the mother/son dance.

Favorite lyric – “Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter. Togetherness, well , that’s all I’m after”

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Brides and grooms may want to hold back on this one until the older relatives have vacated. P.Y.T. is guaranteed to rock the dance floor (mainly because the single guests are going to be looking for a PYT of their own to end the night with).

Favorite lyric – Nothin’ Can Stop This Burnin’. Desire To Be With You. Gotta Get To You Baby. Won’t You Come, It’s Emergency.

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You

Here’s a classic from pre-Neverland Michael (remember him? me neither). It’s a first dance option, but more likely a slow dance for later in the reception.

Favorite lyric – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You. And If I Stop…Then Tell Me, Just What Will I Do?

Thriller

Enough said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6InvLJUzA

Favorite lyric: You hear the door slam and realize there’s nowhere left to run. You feel the cold hand and wonder if you’ll ever see the sun

What Michael Jackson songs have BravoBride readers heard at weddings?

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Is the groom playing golf?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

golfIt’s one of the biggest wedding clichés out there (especially on the groom’s side of the wedding)… golf on the wedding day.

As the groom, you’ve probably been asked if you’re getting up early and teeing it up on the morning of the wedding. If you happen to be a golfer, we’re guessing that the answer to this question is yes.

Speaking from experience, wedding day golf can be a lot of fun. When I got married last spring, we double dipped and played both on the bachelor party as well as the morning of the wedding. As corny as it may sound, it was a great way to spend some extra time with friends and family before I made that trip to the altar and had my “play time” significantly reduced.

If you can get a big enough group to together, there are some great ways to enhance the golf outing. Here are a few ideas:

  • Bride’s side vs. groom’s side – Make it a little more competitive by pitting the bride’s relatives against the groom’s relatives. We did this on my wedding day and added a twist by making the losing team buy lunch afterwards (groom’s side won, of course).
  • Scramble – Divide everyone up into teams of four and play a scramble or best ball tourney.  This allows the beginners to keep up with the pros.
  • Playing on the bachelor party? If it’s a bachelor party round of golf, that means the groom doesn’t have to worry about being on good behavior. Make him drink for every shot over par he goes. Hilarity will ensue as his golf game gets worse after each hole.

*Shameless TMR plug*

If you’re looking for groomsmen gift ideas for the golfing groomsmen, check out our golf towel gift set or personalized golf bar sign.
Cheers!

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The Man Registry joins the fight against breast cancer

Friday, May 29th, 2009

tatasEach year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a terrible disease that has surely affected the lives of many that are reading this.

As the 2009 wedding season hits full speed, The Man Registry is proud to announce that we’ll be donating a percentage from each of our wedding registry and groomsmen gift sales to The Save the Ta-Tas Foundation.

The Save the Ta-Tas Foundation was founded in 2008 and has already generated over $50,000 that has gone towards funding a dedicated breast cancer researcher. They are committed to fighting breast cancer at every stage, including education, prevention, community outreach, and emotional support for those struggling with the disease.  We chose to donate to Save the Ta-Tas because of their comprehensive approach and their mindset of “putting some fun into the fight.”

For more information on The Man Registry’s partnership with Save the Ta-Tas, please e-mail info@themanregistry.com or call 1-877-476-6601.

Information on Save the Ta-Tas
Breast cancer information

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Wedding Day Attire Q/A for the Groom

Thursday, May 21st, 2009
This tux is listed on BravoBride for only $50, reduced from $300!

This tux is listed on BravoBride for only $50, reduced from $300!

The Man Registry and Mike Dee from The Wedding Guyed have teamed up to answer a few of the common questions that grooms have about their wedding day attire. Mike had just launched a new wedding blog for men and he’s got some great tips (as seen below) for the grooms out there!

Tux vs. Suit

The only major difference between a black suit and a tuxedo is the satin stripe down the pants and the shiny lapel.

Buying vs. renting

Photos are forever and video makes you immortal.  With that said you will want to look your best. Rental tuxedos are one size fit most. I recommend that the groom purchase a tuxedo and get it custom tailored. The accessories (Vest kits, shirts and shoes.) can be rented for around $20-$50. Your future wife will thank you for it.

When to book

Book early. 3-6 months is ideal.  Picking the styles and colors are your personal preference. The best time to shop for a tux is early in the week and in the afternoon.  Most retail stores are empty and you will get a better service experience.  If your wedding is during prom season, book your final fittings during school hours to avoid being in a small shop with a bunch of teenage boys.

Where to book – Mom and Pop Shop vs. Click and Mortar:

In this dot com era there are very few local tuxedo shops left.  If you are doing a local wedding where all your groomsman are in the same area, use a local shop.  A local shop will likely carry stock. In other words, they will have the tuxedos, vests and shoes on hand for you to look at and  try on (unlike the mall stores with just the picture books). Click and Mortar (aka big chain formal wear stores) retailers have some big advantages over the little guy.  The main advantage is being able to accommodate a bridal party across the state and across the nation.  These places will carry more inventory and more current styles then your local mom and pop shop.  They will have online reservation and tracking systems in place to help you set up your group’s package and some will offer you your very own group planning expert. The national average price for a rental ranges between $120-$200.

*** Always remember that if the wedding date is late April-Mid June, you are competing with prom kids. The local store will always take preference to the prom kids (Multiple tux rental from his group or school, repeat business for the next prom and a possible future wedding.) over your request as a groom.  Also keep in mind when you go for your fitting, you may have to wait in line behind 20 teenagers.
Cheers!

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The Man Registry- Guest Post! Spring wedding (and baseball) season

Friday, May 15th, 2009

batWho doesn’t love spring time? Great weather, great weddings, and baseball! If the groom and groomsmen are into baseball, there are a few great ideas that can be incorporated into the wedding festivities.

Bachelor Party

Baseball games are popular bachelor party venues. If you have enough people going, group tickets can be purchased for most professional and minor league teams.  If there’s a little extra money in the party budget, a suite or party room is always nice. These rooms usually involved unlimited food and, of course, beer. But, hey who needs beer at a bachelor party?

Groom’s Cake

It goes without saying that favorite sports team logos are a common choice for groom’s cake designs. If you’re not doing a groom’s cake, baseball cupcakes are a great dessert idea for the rehearsal dinner.

Groomsmen Gifts

One of our top selling groomsmen gifts over at TheManRegistry.com is the Personalized Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat. This bat can be engraved with a groomsman name, date, and personal phrase. For example – Jon Johnson – Groomsmen 5/10 – Can’t hit the broad side of a barn

Cheers!

TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in grooms’ wedding information. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched a local vendor directory which gives grooms an outlet to connect with local wedding vendors.

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Common Questions about the Groom’s Wedding Band

Monday, May 4th, 2009
Photo by Laura Totten

Photo by Laura Totten

As the web’s top groom website, we get a lot of questions from guys who are clueless about wedding bands. More often than not, they’ve never bought or worn a piece of jewelry in their lives.  Here are a few of the most common questions we get and the quick answers that should help calm the nerves of the grooms out there.

Should my wedding band match my wife’s wedding band?

Getting matching wedding bands is not a requirement. Many newlyweds choose their rings based on personal preference and not on whether it matches the other. It’s often difficult to find a set of bands that match each other so we recommend finding a style you like rather than pushing yourself to find a matching set that one (or both) of you may not love.

How many months before the wedding should we start looking at wedding bands?
It’s not a bad idea to take a peek at the wedding bands when you’re shopping for the engagement ring. By no means do you have to buy that far out, but it’s good to know what’s out there for the men. Most couples have their rings picked out and ordered 3-4 months before the wedding day. This allows ample time for re-sizing.

How do I measure my ring size?
Luckily for you guys, this is a very simple process. Grab a scrap piece of paper and put it around your ring finger. Make a small mark where the ends meet and then grab ruler and determine the length from the edge of the paper to where you made your mark. From there, check this guide to determine your ring size:

1 13/16 inches = Size 4
1 15/16 inches = Size 5
2 and 1/16 inches = Size 6
2 and 1/8 inches = Size 7
2 and 1/4 inches = Size 8
2 and 5/16 inches = Size 9
2 and 7/16 inches = Size 10
2 and 9/16 inches = Size 11
2 and 5/8 inches = Size 12
2 and 3/4 inches = Size 13
2 and 7/8 inches = Size 14

TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in grooms’ wedding information. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched a local vendor directory which gives grooms an outlet to connect with local wedding vendors.

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It’s just a stinking’ dress, right?

Monday, April 27th, 2009
It's not just a dress

It's not just a dress

Here’s one for you brides to pass on to your hubby-to-be.

Grooms, you may have noticed your bride-to-be bordering on obsession over finding that perfect wedding dress.  Did she start looking before you were even engaged? Crazy, right?

Maybe…

Maybe not.

As a guy, you’re not programmed to understand the bridal gown phenomenon. I mean, it’s not like you’re spending six months trying to find that perfect tuxedo (well maybe you are, but that’s for a different blog).

That being said, one thing you are programmed to do is be involved and understand why certain wedding planning activities matter so much. Never is this more important than during the bridal gown selection process. It’s cliché to say, but your bride has been planning her wedding day since she was a girl.

Here are some important timelines to get used to, guys. This should help you get the idea of the amount of time that goes into the dress alone.

9-12 months – Length of time before wedding day that the bride should start looking for a dress

6 months – Length of time before wedding day that the dress should be ordered

2-3 months – Amount of time that should be counted on for alterations

2-3 weeks – Average amount of time in the bridesmaid dress selection process

3-4 – Number of arguments you just avoided by becoming familiar with the wedding dress shopping process.

logosocialnetworks222TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in grooms’ wedding information. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched a local vendor directory which gives grooms an outlet to connect with local wedding vendors

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What to do with all that wedding cash…

Monday, April 20th, 2009

bridegroommoney1Cold hard cash is still one of the most popular gifts to give for weddings. And what’s not to like. Cash gives the couple many options and provides a sense of comfort for newlyweds just starting out.

Now assuming you aren’t getting married in Las Vegas, you’ll have a big pile of cash the day after the wedding and you’ll be faced with a question: “What should we do with it?” There are two obvious options: bank it or spend it.

Option 1: Bank It

If you’re conservative, this presents a great opportunity to start a joint savings account or another type of investment. The money could go towards start retirement fund, buying stock, or saving for a down payment on a house. There’s really no going wrong when you’re saving for the future.

Option 2: Spend it

An equal number of other couples will put their wedding cash towards the honeymoon. This is not a bad idea as it allows you to save the cash you would otherwise be spending on dinners, drinks, excursions on your honeymoon. The cash you rake in can also go towards buying gifts that were not purchased off of your wedding registry.

TheManRegistry.com Recommendation:  We think the safest bet is doing a little of both. Let’s say you get $2,000 in cash gifts. Why not put half of it in the bank (or other investment) and use the other half as “mad money” for the honeymoon. This gives you the comfort of knowing you’re saving, but also allows you to kick back and enjoy a few extra mojitos on the honeymoon.

Cheers.

TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in wedding advice for men. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched their official blog, GroomsAdvice.com, which gives grooms an outlet to read, share, and laugh at unique wedding experiences.

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