Happy Friday to you. It’s been a busy week here at TMR HQ. If you missed it, check out our co-founder Chris Easter’s appearance on Windy City Live from Tuesday. After that, enjoy our favorite links from the week:

The Most Embarrassing Marriage Proposal Rejections – info barrel

These Groomsmen Have Got the Blues – well-groomed

Sweet Home Alabama Marriage Proposal – love, the yes girls

Pinterest & Your Wedding- gigmasters

The 6 Worst Gym Mistakes You Can Make – made man

6 Forgotten Drugstore Colognes & Aftershaves – art of manliness

A Cerebral Analysis of Hiring a DJ – a groom’s diary

R2-D2 Wedding Cake Toppers – wedinator

[Sex Tips] Your Complete Guide to Her G-Spot – men’s health

The Dirt on Destination Wedding Guests – sacramento bee

As we approach the spring wedding season, this year’s trends are starting to come into focus. Our personal favorites are food truck catering and video save-the-dates…but those just scratch the surface. We’ve gathered up four of our favorite people in the wedding industry to share their thoughts on this year’s groom trends.

2012 wedding season is upon us. What’s your favorite groom-oriented trend for this year? If you don’t have a one, suggest one for us.

IAN (Founder, A Groom’s Diary)

My favorite trend is that I’m finally seeing grooms get their balls back.  We’re in an era of mixed bachelor/bachelorette parties, ornate first dances and guys going for mani/pedis with their groomsmen the day of the wedding.  This year testosterone seems to be bouncing back.  I got invited to a bachelor party where the description was “I’m renting a house on the lake and buying a ****load of booze.  Let me know if you can make it.”  It was incredibly refreshing.  More basic black tuxes instead of over-thinking color-coordinated suits.  More scotch, less mojitos. More steak, less salmon.  I may sound like I just walked out of my cave, but it is good to see guys acting like guys again!

HANA ABAZA (Founder, Wedding Republic)

In general, grooms have been getting more involved in the wedding planning process and 2012 will be no exception. We’re going to see grooms injecting some of their own personality into the big day. Weddings are beginning to shift from being solely bride–centric to more couple–centric. Some great examples of this include the rise of groom cakes, a little more personality incorporated into grooms’ attire, and as we’ve seen at Wedding Republic, more grooms are actively participating in the planning process such as setting up a couples wedding registry. But fair warning… an increase in groom involvement will likely go hand in hand with a rise in Groomzillas!

KARA HORNER (Blogger & Media Director, The Man Registry)

Extreme bachelor parties. Whether it’s the residual Hangover effect or the need for some macho male bonding time, more and more grooms are going big when it comes to their bachelor parties, and they’re taking their entire wolfpack (AKA, groomsmen) with them. Why hit the local bar or strip joint when you can make a manly weekend of it by traveling to a cool destination within driving distance or a quick nonstop away? Beyond the tried and true, such as boozing it up in Vegas, think golfing at Pebble Beach, rock climbing in Utah, fly fishing in Montana, skiing in Colorado or white water rafting in Tennessee. Word to the wise: If you hear banjos playing in the distance, it’s time to head back–fast.

AZURE NELSON (Editorial Director, OneWed)

We all know what “zilla” implies—irrational, stressed to the brink, micromanaging the hell outta things…you get the idea. And thanks to one jilted groom filing suit  against his wedding photographer 6 years (and one divorce) after his I Do’s, and a piece on Good Morning America about the trend of grooms taking a greater interest in the wedding planning process, the term “groomzilla” was born. But the rise of the groomzilla is not our favorite groom-oriented 2012 trend. In fact, we think calling interested, engaged, involved grooms THIS, crazy zillas, is totally unfair! The relationship between a bride and groom, husband and wife, should be equal, so the 2012 trend of grooms taking an equal interest in the wedding planning is one we celebrate and embrace! Just don’t expect to see the word groomzilla on OneWed anytime soon…

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Now it’s your turn to chime in. Leave a comment with your favorite groom trend for the upcoming wedding season. Don’t have one? Suggest one. Leave your comment below!

It is normally the best man’s job to throw the bachelor party for the groom. And it is his job to ensure the night is both memorable and original – something that can feel like a tall order. However, why not consider throwing a poker party! At first glance it may seem that a guy’s night out playing poker is not necessarily original, despite being huge fun. However, there are a lot of great ways to turn a night of poker playing into a bachelor party that the groom and your friends will never forget. With the growing popularity of online poker, parties like this are happening a lot more. Pokersites United States has lots of access to the best sites to hone your game at.

When to Throw a Poker Themed Bachelor Party

We’ve all heard the stories of the bachelor parties thrown the night before the “big day” and a hung over groom. It’s much smarter for everyone concerned to hold a bachelor party of any kind a week or so before the big event. That lets the groom have plenty of time to recover and be at his very best for the wedding day.

Choosing a Location

The first thing you have to consider when throwing a poker party is where you are going to have it. For smaller parties, a large basement will work, but if you are going to have more than ten people, you’ll probably want to find a hall.

If the bride and groom are getting married in a church, you might find out if you can rent out their basement for a small fee. Some may frown on gambling so you would have to limit the poker fun to non-money prizes, but those are the most fun anyway.

Your local hotel or motel may have an available conference room where you could have a great poker bachelor party for a low cost. Or, you could go all out and hire a limo, limo-bus or van and go to a local casino to play for real. The biggest drawback of going to a casino for the bachelor party is that it isn’t a private party. However, there is the added advantage of all types of casino games being available, and casinos often offer drinks on the house while you are playing.

Dressing for the Event

Casual attire is okay, but for a real “event,” you should consider a theme. You could make it a black-tie affair like something out of “Casino Royale”, or a roaring 1920’s theme with spats and zoot-suits. For a slightly simpler “costume” you could throw an “Oceans 11” poker party and dress up in 1960s suits. The best thing about the theme parties is that they really create atmosphere and bring a party to life.

What you Need

If you choose to hold your bachelor party at a real live casino you won’t need much but the participants. However, if you are throwing a themed party in a basement, room or hall you’ll need to supply all the typical poker accompaniments

You can throw your poker party with regular card tables if you need to, or find a party supply store, or gaming store and rent real poker tables for an official feel. The number of people you can have at each table will depend on the size and style of the table. Figure on anywhere from 4 to 8 per table.

You’ll also need several new, crisp decks of poker cards and enough chips for the number of tables you plan to have.

What Games to Play

The easiest game for new players who might be at your poker bachelor party is 5-card stud. You can have different games at different tables to let more experienced players choose for themselves, or make it 5-card all around. Texas Hold’em is also hugely popular and most people know the rules of that game from watching it on TV. Any poker games that you find at land-based or online poker sites are a great choice for your bachelor poker party.

Should You Play for Money?

Whether or not you should play for money depends a lot on your personal outlook and, perhaps more importantly, on the outlook of the groom. The bottom line is it is his party, and you should always respect his wishes. Taking money out of the equation can make a big difference in how much fun people have, and a game is less stressful when you are not playing for money.

Foods to Serve for a Bachelor Poker Party

Whatever you do, don’t forget the food. Keep it simple and easy. Finger foods are best and let people eat while they play. Fix or buy deli sandwiches and have plenty of chips and a variety of  drinks available to keep the party on its toes.
Most of all have fun and enjoy the event. Don’t forget to take a lot of pictures so the groom to be can have plenty of memories of the great poker night you made for him.

If you’re planning a Las Vegas bachelor party, you can host it yourself, or find a local casino to play at. However, the ultimate bachelor party is Las Vegas. In Vegas you get all the advantages of real live casinos to add variety to the night, as well as the excitement, glitz and glamour of the world’s most well-known gambling venue.

When you host your bachelor party in Las Vegas, there isn’t much you have to do to prepare. The casinos have it all for you, and even offer drinks on the house, as well as having plenty of food options everywhere. What you will need to decide on is where to stay to get the very best of what Vegas has to offer for playing poker and having a great bachelor party.

The smart choice is to consider all of the options of each hotel, including the types of playing experience they offer. You and your friends can brush up on your games at Casino.org to better prep you for the real deal. While you aren’t limited to one hotel’s casino in Las Vegas, that will be the closest one to choose, and it makes sense to stay at the casino’s hotel because you can often get lots of comps when you are playing. Below is a list of the top 10 luxury suites, along with the options available for a Vegas bachelor party.

#1: Bellagio
One of the really cool things about making the journey to Las Vegas to host your bachelor party is that it is very likely you’ll be sitting at tables elbow to elbow with some of the world’s most well-known professional poker players. There’s no better place on Earth to do that than the Bellagio – renowned in the poker world as one of the best casinos. At the Bellagio you can find poker tables with limits to meet any pocket, and plenty of no-limit tables for high-octane excitement. When you’re done in the casinos you can take the game upstairs for some private bachelor party fun in the luxurious Bellagio suites. With amazing views from floor to ceiling windows, lots of floor space so you won’t be crowded, a large couch and entertainment center in the main room, and huge king-sized bed in the bedroom, you can all sprawl out and enjoy your stay. For really large parties, reserve a villa and live the high life in 8,000 sq ft homes with fireplaces, private pool and whirlpool and lots more.

#2: Rio
For bachelor parties with players of all levels, a little less intimidating scenario exists at the Rio. It is very beginner friendly so you can take your group and know that everyone will feel comfortable and have a great time. The Rio is not one of the busier poker rooms in Vegas. However, that can be a huge advantage for private bachelor parties. After the gaming excitement, retire to beautiful, airy private suites with TV, tables and chairs, sofas and all of the amenities a 5-star hotel offers. The Rio also has some fantastic group packages to kick off your bachelor party in style.

#3: MGM Grand
The MGM Grand gives you the full experience with a huge variety of games so everyone can play poker the way they like it best. Your bachelor party guests can also get the real pro poker experience by getting in on the many daily tournaments offered at this sparkling jewel of the Las Vegas strip. The suites at the MGM grand are spacious, and for a real treat, you can pick the Skyloft for your bachelor party, and everyone can enjoy terraced views of the spectacular Las Vegas surroundings. More American players than ever have gotten interested in playing live since the popularity of US online casinos has grown.

#4: The Mirage
One of the true beauties on the strip, the Mirage has a lot to offer bachelor parties. The ambiance of one of the grand traditions of Las Vegas along with a great variety of games, the Mirage is fun and exciting. The poker rooms are smoke-free, but the entire casino is not, so if you have preferences for a smokeless environment, the Mirage may not be for you. There are five different styles of suites to choose from at the Mirage, each with its own unique flavor. The penthouse is an ultra modern, large suite with dining area, entertainment section and bedroom. The Tower suite offers thrilling views of the Las Vegas strip and desert from the 26th, 27th, and 28th floors. They have two big screen TVs, one in the living area and one in the second bedroom, hydrotherapy tubs and lots more. The Hospitality Suite has two big screen TVs, a wet bar, fridge, in-room safe, and lots of space. The Mirage Suite is a little more intimate for smaller groups, but it still comes with two big screen TVs, a sound bar and entertainment area and wet bar. The final suite is “The Suite Life,” a new penthouse suite that is chic and open with floor to ceiling windows showing you the beautiful Las Vegas skyline and lots of extras including VIP check in.

#5: Caesars Palace
A fun-packed casino, Caesars Palace is one of the traditional Vegas hot spots, and one of the most legendary casinos in the US. The poker rooms at Caesars have their own entrance to keep them separate from the casinos. That gives those who are looking for a more smoke free environment a way to avoid the open casino. The rooms are a little more traditional, but still have glorious views and beautiful accommodations. The Tower Deluxe room is a super-large room with full-sized couch and king-sized bed.

#6: The Wynn
Get a taste of what’s new and exciting in Las Vegas at The Wynn. Not one of the old favorites, the Wynn is actually one of the newest additions to the Vegas poker rooms. The Wynn’s Timeless Luxury Suite is a handsome, light bedroom and living room combo that offers a full-wall window overlooking the Vegas scenery. Regular suites are 700 sq feet, and the magnificent tower suites are a huge 5,800 square feet for all the playing room you could want for your bachelor party.

#7: The Palms
This casino is a huge place with two separate poker rooms that is an excellent choice for big bachelor poker parties. The Palms has the most variety of all the Vegas hotels in Suite accommodations. With everything from the g-suite to the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, you can choose from 12 different suite styles to suite your party’s taste. The Hugh Hefner is probably the most suitable to a bachelor party and comes with huge round king-sized bed, full wet-bar, balcony overlooking the city, granite marble bathroom and its own swimming pool high above the city. Rich dark black and red colors surround the area and pit style couches and plush chairs are everywhere.

#8: The Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo has six suite styles, all with beautiful views, 5-star décor and lots of space. The Monaco and Diamond suites have several hundred square feet of room for your poker playing buddies to relax in after a long evening at the tables. The Hotel 32 is the massive penthouse of the group with a shower that can hold up to 20 people and all of the pampering you can wish for.

#9: Binions and the Four Queens
Lovers of tradition will want to host their bachelor poker party at Binions. There are more than 70 poker tables, but what makes this hallmark of poker tradition “the” place to play is that it is the birthplace of the famous World Series of Poker. While Binions no longer has a hotel itself, the nearby Four Queens offers plenty of relaxation comfort after playing at the historic Binions casino. The Suite at the Four Queens is very conservative, but charming and has plenty of room for a bachelor party to relax in.

#10: The Venetian
The Venetian would probably rank a little higher on the list, as this is one classy casino, but the biggest drawback is the poker rooms are right off the front entrance, making it a very congested area. Still, the Venetian offers excellent atmosphere, elegance, 39 tables and all the game options you could hope for your party. The Venetian has seven suites to choose from, the flagship of which is the Penthouse Suite. At 2,900 square feet and complete with multiple HD TVs and fireplaces, the penthouse is glamorous and beautiful.

How about a few links on pop culture weddings, disastrous wedding speeches and quickies to get you going this Thursday morning? Check out our favorite links from this week and leave us a comment with which one was your favorite.

6 Notable Pop Culture-Themed Weddings – mental floss

[Wedding Book Giveaway] Be The Man Groom’s Guide – gig masters

The Wedding Toast Train Wreck – onewed

The 8 Best Places for a Quickie – ask men

Wedding Party Gift Ideas on Pinterest – pinterest

A Marriage-Saving Tip on Decision-Making – hitched media

Groom Spectacles – well-groomed

A Man’s Guide to Teeth Whitening – staggered usa

5 Newlywed Couples Who Survived Disasters – huffpo weddings

19 Ring Bearer Pillow Ideas – offbeat bride