Photo - Shannon Lee Images

The fall issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings has just been released and we’ve got a fresh article featured on pages 52-55. This time around we tackled the trendy topic of eco-friendly wedding wear for men. If you’re in search of green alternatives to traditional suits, dress shirts and accessories, we highly recommend checking this piece out… along with all of the other great articles and features.

Access the fall 2011 issue here. Cheers!

—

photo credit – shannon lee images

In the brand’s own words, being Artfully Disheveled in your style is to dress as if one puts little thought into his choices. The Artfully Disheveled man appears to be sloppy in his attire choices, when in reality; premeditated measures were taken to create a particular look. In other words, it means looking slick even though everyone around you is convinced that you just rolled out of bed.

I recently had the opportunity to sample a few of the line’s top sellers: The Academy and The Sharps. I was struck by two things. First, how much more my wife paid attention to me while I was wearing them. But also (and more importantly), how many grooms are going to snatch these up for rehearsal dinner attire. See, the problem with rehearsal dinners is that they’re a tricky mix between casual and formal events. Black ties are too much, but a golf polo isn’t enough. Lucky for you, A.D.’s tie collection boasts some real treasures. If you’re currently on the tie hunt for yourself or your groomsmen, I strongly encourage you to check out the line.

And not that I needed any further convincing to give A.D. the seal of approval, I learned about another feather in their cap. They’ve recently teamed up with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones in support of his Bowtie Cause which supports people going through life-threatening diseases.

And now for the goods:

The Academy

The Sharps Bow Tie

Finally, if you need a refresher course on how to properly tie a tie (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) there’s always this gem:

cheers, ce

—

Connect further with Artfully Disheveled by checking out their blog, following them on Twitter and liking them on Facebook.

What style of tie will you be sporting at your rehearsal dinner? What’s your favorite part of the Artfully Disheveled look? Let us know by sharing a comment below.

Q:  Is it improper for the groom to wear a double breasted tux while the groomsmen wear two- or three-piece suits?

A. While I love fashion and have my own personal opinions regarding wedding attire, I’ll admit that I’m no Tim Gunn (if you haven’t heard of him, ask your fiancée). But I believe that your wedding day is an occasion where you and your fiancée should feel free to make your own decisions about your attire. Regardless of whether it’s “proper,” if there’s something you really want to wear on your wedding day, and your fiancée approves, go for it. However, I realize that you don’t want to end up looking like a fool on your big day by making a major fashion faux-pas. This is definitely a question you should discuss with your wedding day attire/tux or suit shop vendor as well as your fiancée. Your tux vendor should be an expert in this area and can help guide you in the right direction, keeping the type and formality of your wedding ceremony in mind.

Personally, I think it really depends on the tux and suits you select. If the fabrics match nicely and the styles are very similar, it could end up looking great. However, if the fabrics and styles don’t mesh well together, the whole look could appear off or sloppy, which you definitely want to avoid. Talk it over with your tux vendor. If he or she believes that you can seamlessly blend the two styles, and your fiancée is on board as well, why not go for it? But if you’re still not 100 percent sure that the combo works, consider having all of the guys wear either tuxes or suits, instead of a combination of both, to create a cleaner, more streamlined (and classic) look.

Either way, you (the groom) should definitely find a way to stand out from your groomsmen in terms of your wedding day attire. After all, the bride will certainly stand out from her bridesmaids, and the groom is no different. If you decide that wearing a tux while your bros wear suits isn’t the way to do that, there are plenty of other options to consider. For example, think about wearing a different colored shirt or tie than your groomsmen. This can be as simple as having the groomsmen wear colored ties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses while you wear a white or off-white tie (to coordinate with your bride’s gown), or the groomsmen could all wear light-colored shirts and you could wear a white one. Or, depending on your wedding colors, you could wear a tie in a brighter shade or even a different, yet complimentary, color than those of your groomsmen. Another way to stand out is to wear a tux or suit jacket that has satin or grosgrain lapels, while your groomsmen wear standard versions. Or consider wearing an ascot or pocket square (while the groomsmen don’t) or wear one in a brighter color than your groomsmen.
You can also stand out as the groom by wearing a different boutonniere than your groomsmen. Your boutonniere can either be made with different types of flowers, blooms in different colors or be larger than those of your groomsmen, so that everyone will instantly know that you’re the groom.

Whatever your decision, rock it. This is your day, and you should feel amazing in whatever you ultimately decide to wear. Cheers!

—

Keep reading each week as we’ll be posting new advice from The Wedding Babe. If you’ve got a burning question for her, please submit it here. And please, stop writing love songs for her. The Wedding Babe is a happily married woman.. who could probably kick your ass.

Will you be wearing different attire than your best man and groomsmen? Tell us the details and how you came to your decision by leaving a comment below. cheers!

Marshall and Michi. Photo by Allison Conklin.

The day has arrived. You’ve had a good night’s sleep, you’ve taken your vitamins and you’re ready to tackle this head on. It’s What You’re Going to Wear to the Wedding Day.

After a coffee with the wife-to-be and an hour of discussion, you’re feeling pretty good about your progress. After the second hour, you tell her: “Honey, it’s your day to shine. I just need to make you look good.” You’re rewarded with a smile, maybe a kiss, but no absolution from the meeting. After the third hour, you’ve already been to your honeymoon and back, plus you’ve made up a haiku about socks, and decided on a name for your goldfish.

Finally, the planning is over. And the shopping begins.

There’s a brief rent vs. buy debate, then a trip to the department store – for three hours and three hundred (or so) fitting room marches – an online search, a trip back to the department store, a fitting, a tailor, the fabric retailer downtown, and then another round at a different department store, the one with more variety at the outlet mall outside town.

Sound like a headache yet?

Charles and Lindsey. Photo by Manolo Doreste.

At this point, you’re beginning to wish there was a tuxedo genie that if you just promise to stop eating chocolate, or drinking so much beer, the genie will appear at night while you sleep. It will wake you with a touch of a feather and hand deliver an impeccably designed tuxedo that is timelessly classic, and yet perfectly suited for the wedding theme and color scheme. The fabric is soft, the satin is luscious, the seams sharp, and accessories you never even knew you wanted.

You step out of bed and change into the tuxedo. It feels snug and cool against your skin. You stand in front of the mirror with your and wow! The man looking back at you is definitely you, albeit an updated version, an upgraded version. This must be a dream, you pinch yourself, it must be a dream.

You grab the phone, “Honey, you have to get over here, right now!” She’s on her way before you hang up. She comes rushing through the door.

“Honey! Are you alright?” She’s in the hallway right around the corner. You’re still looking at your reflection.

“Honey?” and then she turns the corner. She stops in her tracks. You turn to her. She meets your gaze, speechless for a moment.

Then she’s not. “Omg, honey, you look amazing! This… I literally dreamed of this just last night! This is exactly how I always imagined you would look – so fantastic and dashing!”

“This must be a dream,” you both say at the same time.

But it doesn’t have to be.

When you opt for a custom tuxedo for your wedding day, it saves a lot of hassle, a lot of time, and the end product is perfect. The look and fit will be timeless, so your wedding night will never be dated, nor the photos. The quality is top tier so the tuxedo will last upwards of ten years. (That’s assuming you don’t eat too much pasta in the interim).

The primary advantage of custom is the limitless array of options at your disposal in terms of fabric, design and accessories to match any theme or style. At Astor & Black, our favorite custom clothing company*, you also have the benefit of the clothier as a personal fashion consultant who will guide you through the maze of options to finding the wedding attire best suited for you.

And not just you. And not just the tuxedo. They can outfit the best man, the groomsmen, or an entire wedding party. They also offer a full range of men’s and tuxedo accessories, including belts and shirts, and have special wedding packages for groom and groomsmen attire. It’s a sweet deal.

The greatest deterrent to going custom however, is the price tag. While there’s no denying that a custom wedding tuxedo is more expensive than renting or buying, the actual numbers might surprise you. It’s an investment and it could begin paying off right from the first day you make an appointment with an Astor & Black clothier.

It could be a dream come true.
—

astor & black is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice.com

Are you considering a custom tuxedo for your wedding day. What about the look makes makes it right for you? Tell us in the comments section below.

The days of plain ‘ol wedding bands are long gone. Now more than ever, men are expressing their unique personalities through the fashionable rings they choose to wear.  Moving away from plain bands, today’s grooms have a plethora of options that include various gems, precious metals and symbols.

We recently sat down with our friends at Gemvara to review some of the top tips for guys who are getting ready to go through that all-important ring shopping experience:

TIP – Consider your lifestyle

Unless you plan on not being married long, you’re going to be  wearing your wedding band all day, everyday. This makes it extremely important to find a ring that’s durable and will hold up to your daily activities. Whether you’re a gardener, a computer programmer or avid golfer, find a ring that’s going to be comfortable. This might mean trying on dozens of options, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Men's 'Two Roads' Sterling Silver Wedding Band

TIP – If you’re going with a gem, protect it

Guys are becoming very fashion forward with the gems that they choose to add to their wedding band. From diamonds to rubies to sapphires, they’re plenty of options for including some extra dazzle to the ring. If you do decide to go this route, be sure that the setting will protect the gem (especially important if you often work with your hands).

TIP – Know your metals

Gold, platinum, tungsten and titanium all make for great bands. Traditionally, wedding band metals have been 14k gold or 18k gold. Both of these materials are precious enough to symbolize your union and durable enough to take years of heavy wear. Platinum is an extremely popular choice for all jewelery, and especially wedding rings. One of the big things it has going for it is that it doesn’t scratch — making it extremely durable. Tungsten and titanium are not considered precious metals, however they can serve as a stylish alternative to gold and platinum. It’s worth noting that tungsten and titanium cannot be re-sized, so make sure you’ve got the correct size when you order!

Men's Sterling Silver 'Crosswalk Ring' with Black Onyx

TIP – Don’t wait until the last minute

We know that wedding planning can completely take over your life. However, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to find your band. You and your fiancee should start looking about two months before the wedding. Keep in mind that even if you find your perfect ring on day one of looking, you’ll need time to get the ring sized correctly. So don’t push it!

TIP – Don’t get lazy

It’s easy to get lazy after you get married. Caring for your wedding band is one area where husbands to tend to slack off. However, it’s really not difficult to keep this piece of jewelery clean and in tip-top shape. To properly care for your ring, clean with mild dish soap. You should soak  the ring and gently brush to remove any dust and then finish up by rinsing and patting dry with a soft cloth.

Men's 'Mortise and Tenon Ring' Sterling Silver Band with Black Diamond

If you’ve already picked out your wedding band, Gemvara can also help you with your wedding day gift to your bride. They offer some fantastic, innovative styles of rings, earrings, and necklaces designed by top talented designers. You can even personalize jewelry on their site to fit style and budget. You can connect further with Gemvara by following them on Twitter or liking them on Facebook.

—

Have you thought about what style of wedding band you’ll be wearing? What will your ring say about you as a groom? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

disclosure: gemvara is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog