If there’s one thing we know about the folks up in Nebraska is that they love their Cornhusker football. Although after watching this video, you might be convinced that they love it a little too much.
White trash? Tacky? Ultimate fan loyalty? You make the call…
It looks like all that’s missing from the festivities is a Nebraska barware set or Cornhuskers shot glass set from The Man Registry.
Cheers!
Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com
You know how they say some girls dream about their weddings their whole life? Well, that was never me, but I do know some guys who have been dreaming about their bachelor party since they first discovered a certain magazine under their big brother’s mattress!
No two girls feel the same way about strippers, some live in fear of the girl jumping out of the cake, some wish they were that girl, and some wish they could be there to see it. What’s important is that you find out how YOUR girl feels about it, and more importantly, your Best Man knows that you want to respect her wishes in this.
Send your Best Man to OneWed's Party Planning Application - and you just may end up in one of these!
If your Best Man needs a little help in the party planning area, make sure he checks out OneWed’s newest party planning application! We’ve got great tools for soliciting opinions on things like strippers, getting the info out, and hunting down those guys who refuse to commit to an RSVP.
Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com
Us men are usually very cautious around flowers..
When people divide up wedding “to-do” tasks, finding and talking to the florist doesn’t usually wind up on the groom’s side of the aisle.
But, there are two big reasons you should at least visit the florist with your fiancée.
1. Allergies – You may not think you’re allergic to anything, but you’ve probably never had a lilly pinned to your chest before. You, and your groomsmen will all be wearing boutonnieres (don’t worry, there’s no spelling test). You need to make sure that you aren’t allergic to any of the flowers going on you, in your bride’s bouquet, or in the middle of the table where you’re trying to eat.
2. Budget- Flowers are usually about 10% of your wedding budget. Because they’re so visual, and each individual flower doesn’t cost very much, it’s very easy to get carried away at the florists. Having two of you there will keep things in line.
That’s our advice. Ignore it at your own floral peril.
Another entry in the bizarre wedding news file takes us to South Africa and the story of Milton Mbhele. What makes Milton so special? Well, the new groom may have just become the envy of all men in the United States.
Over the weekend Milton married not one, not two, not three…. but four women at the same time! One of the brides was quoted as saying “we will not be living in the same house and we take each other as friends.” Ummmm. Guys, we know you’re wondering, so here’s some information on becoming a South African citizen.
I do. I do. I do. I do.
The laws in South Africa are a little different from those here in the US. Polygamous marriages are legal in the country. Heck, even the President has three wives (somewhere Bill Clinton is drooling).
Read the original story from The New Vision: South African Groom Marries 4 Women Simultaneously
Today’s post gives one possible answer to the question that has haunted grooms since the dawn of time: “What should I get for my groomsmen?”
Engraved cuff links are a traditional, yet classy, groomsmen gift. They may sound boring, but cufflinks serve a practical use as many grooms choose styles that are meant to go with a groomsman or best man’s wedding day attire. Because, let’s face it, the ones you get from the tux shop are just plain junk. Adding the recipient’s initials or monogram adds a further touch of class.
Perhaps the best thing about cufflinks is that they are affordable. Most sets fall in the $20 range and come with an accompanying case.
Below are some of our favorite personalized cufflinks available now from The Man Registry. Click the image to view more info on the product. For orders of 4 or more, call us at 1-877-476-6601 for shipping discounts.
Personalized Silver Oval Cufflinks
Personalized Silver Round Cufflinks
Personalized Two Tone Cuff Links
Personalized Harrison Silver Cufflinks
Personalized Addison High Polish Brass Cuff Links
Personalized Marlon Brushed Silver Cuff Links
Personalized Oval Brushed Cufflinks
Personalized Oval Polished Cuff Links
Monogrammed Silver Round Beaded Cufflinks
Cheers!
Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin of GutsyGroom.com
Statistics say that about a third of you grooms out there and are going to attend some sort of bridal show or expo. As a planner & event designer, I attend this event twice a year, so I’m going to impart some tips to you on how to survive this day, keep your bride happy and make it out alive.
Luckily, none of these items are essential to surviving the bridal show.
Comfort And Style
The trick is to mesh the two. You need to walk around all day, stand on concrete and look good while doing it. You wouldn’t wear track pants to go buy a new car, so why slum it for the Bridal Show? Project a high end image and high end vendors will be drawn to you. This is simple attraction. Vendors interview you just as much as you interview them, so put on a nice shirt, good pair of jeans and a kick ass pair of COMFORTABLE shoes. I’m not saying show up in a 3 piece suit, but dammit man, LOOK GOOD! I started going to this event in a T-shirt and jeans years ago, now that I plan 6 figure weddings, I dress the part.
Versatile Clothing Is Good
A dress shirt is good, as I find that they seem to blast the A/C, but when all those people get into that space…man it gets hot. I get cranky when I overheat so I always make sure I can change my body temp quickly and whenever possible, without having to carry anything. So with a dress shirt, you can roll up the sleeves, let off some steam and this will keep you in a better mood and not overheated all day.
Sure you can take a sweater off, but then you have to carry it.
I also recommend, that if you bring a coat, leave it in the car. It’s not that far from the car park to the doors, and you DO NOT want to be carrying around a coat all day. With Calgary you never know what the weather will be like, but trust me, if your fiancé brings a coat, odds are you’ll be carrying it around when she gets hot. So leave yours in the car so you won’t be carrying around two. And avoid the coat check (if there is such a thing) as that’s just another line you’ll have to wait in.
The best part of a bridal show: free samples.
Happy Feet Ain’t Just For The Penguins
ALWAYS make sure you have a comfy pair of shoes on. You’ll be walking around all day and standing while you chat to vendors or your fiancé does. The floors in the Round Up Center are concrete. Being on concrete for hours on end takes a toll on the feet. And after the feet go, the legs follow and then it’s all downhill from there. I usually wear a pair of sneakers or the shoes I picked up at the Bridal Centre (patent leather sneakers) I’m not saying head out and buy new shoes for the show, go through the closet and see what you have. But make sure they have a nice, comfy sole on them. Cushioning will get you through the day and save the pain in your legs when you hit hour 4. This is a big venue and you’ll be doing A LOT of walking.
Hydration Is Key
So I know that the show is on a Sunday and Saturday nights are a great party night. But this is only ONE day out of countless weekends you’ll have in your life. Do yourself AND your fiancé a favor and don’t go out and get sloshed on Saturday night. Trust me on this, you’ll pay for it tenfold the next day.
So no hangovers OK guys!?!!
That being said, the recycled air will dry you out almost as fast. I suggest bringing a large water bottle, sure they sell water and but there is that whole line thing again. Bring Vitamin water, Powerade, whatever gets you through. I strongly suggest passing on your Red Bull type drinks as they induce a rather nasty crash after a couple of hours. (And if you leave that coat in the car, carrying a water bottle around isn’t that bad.) If you do need a “pick me up” type drink I suggest those little 5 hour energy drinks they sell at the gas station. I use these on long road trips and I can say they work, and have little to no crash at the end. I think they may include a bottle of water in your “welcome Package”…but you’ll go through that in no time flat. And remember to eat as well…the burgers are actually quite good.
Take It All In
This type of event can be very overwhelming, so take your time. If you find a vendor you like, get all their contact info, make a note on it so you don’t forget what it was you liked about them and keep it somewhere safe. There is so much info passed out at these things that the good stuff can get lost in the shuffle. If you can make an appointment with the vendor on the spot for a later date, do so. Take the time to talk to the vendor and get a feel for them and the services they offer. If you take an interest in stuff instead of hanging back and moping, the day will go by faster, your fiancé will love you for it and you’ll be able to get some of your ideas incorporated in your special day as well.
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
While this may not be the greatest day ever…it doesn’t have to be the worst. Follow the simple steps listed above and it’ll go smoothly. If your fiancé brings other people, ie: her mother, maid of honor, any bridesmaids…anyone really. Listen to what they have to say, add your opinion, but NEVER get into a fight with any of them. You can discuss all the info you gather when you get home with the only person who really matters…YOUR WIFE TO BE. It means a lot to your bride to have you involved so suck it up and go in with your head held high and the best of intentions. You may actually have a great time.
The Man Registry is working with ABC News to find a couple/bride/groom that is currently shopping for a male engagement ring. If yourself or someone you know fits this description, please let us know!
E-mail us info@themanregistry.com
Tweet us @themanregistry
Facebook us http://www.facebook.com/themanregistry
Cheers!
Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com
Engagement rings at Whiteflash.com
You’ve come to the monumental decision that your girl is a keeper, and you can’t wait to ask her to marry you. The problem? You have no idea what size engagement ring to buy her. It’s a common dilemma, but below are some sneaky ways to dig up this crucial bit of information.
If You Want to Go It Alone…
• If she wears a ring on the all-important finger, you’re golden. As long as she occasionally takes it off, that is. The next time it’s in her jewelry box rather than on her finger, covertly steal it for an hour, take it to a jeweler, and have it measured. If she wears a ring on that finger all the time, however, it’s a trickier process. When she takes it off to shower or do the dishes, sneak in there and make an impression of the ring in a small hunk of soap or bit of clay. If she absolutely never takes it off, you’ll have to be even stealthier. Get her talking about where she got the ring, what kind of metal or stone it’s made of, etc. Ask to get a better look at it (which means she’ll probably take it off) and then make up an excuse to get her out of the room. When she leaves for a few seconds, use that clay or soap to get an impression.
• Use your finger as a yardstick. Using a ring she wears on her left ring finger, push it down gently on one of your fingers (not your thumb). Make sure that you don’t force the ring. Mark the spot on your finger where the ring comes to rest and then get to a jeweler ASAP to have it measured.
• If your bride-to-be is a heavy sleeper, measure her finger with a piece of string or a twist-tie while she dozes.
Helpful Hint: If she wears a ring on the ring finger of her right hand, don’t assume that it will be the same size as she wears on her left hand. Many people’s fingers measure slightly larger on their dominant hand. You still have to go digging!
If You Want a Little Help From Your Friends…
• If a good friend or family member has recently gotten engaged, ask that person to help you out. Next time the two of them are together, the recently engaged woman can ask your girlfriend if she wants to try on her ring. If it’s a perfect fit, great. If it’s a little too big or too small, you’ll at least have a ballpark.
• If a friend of hers is close to getting engaged, have her ask your girlfriend to tag along the next time she goes to the jewelry store (to give her own guy hints about what kind of ring she want). The friend can ask the jeweler to size her finger and then suggest that your girlfriend do the same.
• Ask a close friend to talk about her own engagement ring the next time she sees your girlfriend. The friend can ask your girlfriend to try it on so she can see how it looks to other people. It may sound silly to a guy, but it makes perfect sense to a woman!
Helpful Hint: Having her best friend, sister, or mom on your side is ideal, but think hard before you ask someone. Make sure that whoever it is happens to be a phenomenal liar—as in, CIA material. If her best friend blushes every time she tells a fib, she’s not a good resource. And if your girlfriend has always dreamed about calling up her mom and screaming news of her engagement, she might be a little disappointed that her mom already knows.
Engagement Ring Sizing Chart
Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com
It’s proposal season and many future grooms were wondering how to pop the question without blowing their bank account (especially since the average engagement rings costs $4,225).
Debi Wexler, CEO of Whiteflash.com, is here to show you some recession-friendly engagement ring trends-after all, you’ll want to save that money for the Big Day.
Grooms, search for the perfect ring at Whiteflash.com
Alternative Metals
• Platinum and gold are the go-to metals for wedding rings-but they come with a hefty price tag
• There are plenty of metals on the market that are still beautiful, elegant and less expensive
• Palladium is a growing trend that happens to have a similar look and feel to platinum, but can cost about 75% less
• If you’re more of a traditionalist, choose white gold over platinum. White gold costs 45% less than platinum
Simple Settings
• For the past couple of years there’s been a trend towards micro-pave diamond bands, diamond halos, etc., which can all add to the overall cost of a ring
• These days, some brides-to-be are opting for a more simple, subtle and chic setting
• Diamond Solitaires are less expensive than embellished options, like three-stone rings
• A simple, traditional prong setting or channel set band is also more cost-efficient than an elaborate tension or bezel setting
Double Duty
• Who says you have to have an engagement ring and a wedding band?
• One hot new trend is choosing a beautiful wide band with multiple rows of diamonds and making that your engagement ring and wedding band. Although the ring may cost more than a regular engagement ring, this double-duty ring can help you save more in the long run since you won’t need to buy a wedding band too
Colored Gemstones
• Call it hue-love, but brides are branching out of diamonds! Colored stones like topazes, sapphires, emeralds and rubies are becoming increasingly popular
• Luckily for grooms, they can get a more impressive-sized rock for their money by choosing a gemstone instead of a diamond
• If your bride-to-be loves colored diamonds à la Heidi Klum’s canary diamond then pop the question with a yellow sapphire. Or try a tourmaline if you’re looking to replicate a pink diamond look.
Note: Interesting price comparison for gemstones vs. diamonds using the Emerald ring below: Of course, it’s hard to compare a diamond to an emerald (like comparing apples to oranges), however A 1.59ct D IF emerald cut diamond sold on Whiteflash.com PLUS equivalent setting would be $19,500. VS. Emerald Engagement Ring – square halo diamond emerald (center stone)1.56 tcw with .79 Whiteflash ACA carat total weight in diamonds that is $9,000.
Buy Shy and Save
Shop for diamonds that weigh just under certain weight thresholds. You won’t even notice the difference in size• Buy a .90-carat diamond instead of a 1-carat diamond and save more than $1,000. Plus, the diameter of a 1-carat diamond is 6.5 millimeters, versus a .90-carat diamond’s 6.3 millimeters.
• A 2-carat diamond will cost approx. $19,000 to $20,000+, whereas a “shy” 1.90 diamond of the same quality will cost you $15,000 to $16,000. That’s at least $4,000 in savings!
Loose Diamond Search at Whiteflash.com
Additional Money-Saving Tips
• Match Away: You’ll spend half as much if you buy a matching or coordinating ring/band set, as opposed to choosing individual rings. You’ll save even more if you buy a “trio” (engagement ring, and his/her band set)
• Negotiate: Many retailers dramatically inflate prices to make a higher margin-but there’s always room for negotiation, so don’t be afraid to go after a deal. Never settle on the sticker price unless you’ve shopped around and you know it’s already a fair price.
Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com
Grooms will love these thank you cards
You probably already know that you’re going to need to write at least half the thank you notes for wedding gifts, right? For those, you and your gal probably picked out stationary that matches your invitations.
But, you’ll have other thank you notes to write as well- for bachelor party or man shower gifts. You may also want to write thank you notes to your best man, groomsmen, and any other guys that went above and beyond to get you through the planning stages. Not saying it needs to be anything sweet or sappy, just a little note to say “Hey man, thanks.” Having some great note cards that aren’t too girly will help you keep your manhood intact.
These cards from Jenneration Fix are fun, retro, and best of all, manly! They’re made from old album and book covers, and if you have a type of music or group you’re really into, the designer is up for special orders, just contact him through the site.
