We’re proud to say that last year we were one of the first blogs to introduce the wedding world to Storymix Media and its ultra-cool crowd-sourced wedding video service.  We ran a contest that Kyle Fryman (and his smokin’ hot bride Brittany) were fortunate enough to win.

The personal aspect of Storymix Media gives it a unique touch. Instead of a standard videographer, your wedding footage is captured by your friends and family.  Since last year’s contest, we’re happy to report that many of our readers have used Storymix’s WeddingMix service to capture the fun, goofy, and crazy moments from their wedding.  The fact that couples get to use an online storyboard to decide what goes into the final product means your brother’s embarrassing attempt to hit on a bridesmaid during the toasts won’t get left out.

Now Storymix has upped the ante and has come out with with a new iPhone app to capture the before, during and after moments of the wedding.  That means that those last moments as a bachelor can be remembered forever on video.  Plus, even more people can contribute to your video. Anyone with an iPhone or iPad can capture the great stories, memories and laughs from your big day.

To celebrate the release of the app, Storymix is giving away a FREE WeddingMix package worth $400. The goal of the contest is to capture the memorable, unique pre-wedding experiences that feature the groom and his buddies having a good time before the big day, whether it’s having beers during the bachelor party, trying on retro tuxes or playing a pre-wedding round of golf.

THREE WAYS TO ENTER:

1. Each video sent to the Storymix Facebook wall will get you 10 entries into the contest. All you need to do is download the app for free (search WeddingMix on the App Store) and use The Man Registry “wedding” in the list with code 5P6X8.  You can upload the videos directly from the app to Storymix and your Facebook wall.  Then tag the video in FB (@Storymix in the description so we know who the video is from).  Feel free to also add videos from other devices as well.

2. Receive one additional entry each time you tweet this: #GroomsGoneWild over free wedding video package from @Storymix & @TheManRegistry http://goo.gl/HMven

3. Finally, receive one additional entry for each time you write a comment on the Facebook Timeline of The Man Registry or Storymix Media. Comments should state why you want to win the Storymix video package.

Don’t delay, the contest runs through May 6 and then we’ll draw a winner.

To get your creative juices flowing, here are a few unique clips grooms have taken with Storymix over the last year.

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Videos deemed inappropriate will be removed. Contest will end at 11:59pm PST on Sunday May 6, 2012. Winner will be contacted via email or Facebook. Family members of Storymix Media or The Man Registry, LLC employees are ineligible to win.

Been nodding off during work? Sneaking away to take naps while you’re supposed to be drawing up the reception seating chart? The wedding planning stress crunch can take its toll on even the most focused brides and grooms. And let’s face it, Red Bull or 5 Hour Energy are only causing you to crash harder. Lucky for you, there’s a new product on the market that dubs itself “energy for the brain.” Meet Elebra.

Elebra is self-proclaimed productivity in a bottle. After many late, energy drink fueled nights, the product’s creators realized that while they may have the energy,  they didn’t have the focus to put to good use.  Their unique 21-ingredient formula helps support both energy levels and concentration. Read more about how Elebra works here.

To help celebrate Elebra’s launch, we’re giving away one bottle plus a bottle of Drinkwel. There are two ways to enter:

1.) Like our Facebook page and leave a comment telling us you want to win the Elebra prize pack.

2.) Leave a comment below telling us what the most stressful part of wedding planning has been so far.

On Monday March 26, we’ll select one winner at random. Good luck to all!

English? Blah. We decided to bring a little international flair to the book tour for Be the Man, so we sent co-founder Chris Easter over to LA18 to discuss engagement ring buying strategies, marriage proposals and groom duties. LA18 is the largest Asian language network in the United States (fortunately for us the interview was conducted in English). We do want to say a big Maraming Salamat (many thanks) to Jannelle So for inviting us on. We hope you enjoy the clips.

Now that football season is officially over, what the hell are you going to do with yourself on Sunday afternoons? Our suggestion: become a better groom by reading our new book, Be the Man. The book is a complete guide on what the groom can expect from the moment he pops the question through the honeymoon.

This week, we’re hooking one lucky reader up with a free copy of the book. Additionally, we’re throwing in a beer belt… because reading is more fun with beer, right? To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us what type of beer you’ll fill your belt with. We’ll pick one winner at random this Friday at 11:59pm EST (2/10/12).  Good luck!

The Beer Belt

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What are you waiting for? Leave your comment below to become eligible! Contest is open to residents of the United States only, sorry Canada! Please use a valid email address as you leave your comment. If we’re unable to make contact with the winner within 48 hours of attempt, we will choose another name. Good luck!

Today is the day! We’re proud to announce that our first book is now on sale. You can get your copy at most Barnes & Noble stores and online via Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Target. Kindle and Nook versions are also available.

Be the Man: The Man Registry® Guide for Grooms is intended to give grooms a play-by-play of the wedding planning months, answer lingering questions and debunk age-old myths. Chances are the bride already has the traditional big book of all things wedding. This book if the groom’s guide to wedding planning and it focuses on only the stuff they need (and want) to know.

Here’s a sampling of what the book has to offer:

• -Engagement ring shopping – helps grooms research so that they can make the best decision for them, their wallets and their soon-to-be-bride.
• -Wedding plan of attack and duties for dudes – includes tips for staying within budget and a timeline and checklist for getting things done before the wedding bells ring.
• -Wedding party and guest list – contains questions to ask yourself before asking groomsmen to partake in your wedding and how to determine who will share the special day with you.
• -Registering for gifts – provides answers to why grooms should be involved in gift registry and choosing groom-friendly gifts. Groomsmen gifts – outlines popular gift ideas and trends, discusses budget tips and how and when to present the gifts to the wedding party.
• -Bachelor party – give rules and guidelines to follow that will ensure this is an epic night (or weekend).
• -Style and attire – everything you need to know to look your best on wedding day and adding some personal flair.
• -Ceremony, reception and wedding night – lets you know what to expect and what to prepare for each step of the day of your life.-
• -Honeymoon – guides newlyweds through planning a stress-free and luxurious trip together.

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For media and interview requests, please contact author Chris Easter. You can also connect further via Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.