It’s always so impressive when the guys come up with some brilliant unique find.  It shows you’re thinking about the details that would make your wedding day creative and thoughtful.

So, boys..let me help you out with a fashion tip:

Check out this etsy shop, Cyberoptix Tie Lab

With hundreds of beautifully, hand-screened ties.  There’s definitely one that would fit your wedding theme.  Or better yet, create your theme from a tie of your choosing…[nudge, nudge!]

Yes, I’m looking out for you guys!

Gretchen Viles of MyWedding.com is a weekly guest contributor to the GroomsAdvice blog. She specializes in blogging about groom’s issues from a bride’s perspective. Founded in 2002, MyWedding.com has grown into the most comprehensive easy-to-use local wedding guide on the Internet. They recently launched a wedding ideas and trends content section that focuses on all aspects of wedding planning.

My girlfriend, who just got married, said that the only times she and her fiance would get into a ‘disagreement’ was when he hadn’t had anything to eat.  Sometimes he’d not want to talk about the situation but would rather huff and puff about it, for no apparent reason.  But then an hour or so later, he would come back around, apologize, and blame it on his hunger.

I have to admit, I’ve noticed my hubby in that same boat!  He gets all irritated and annoyed when I’m trying to talk to him about something he’d (normally on a full stomach) find interesting. So, does this prove that old saying correct?  “The way to a man’s heart IS through his stomach?” From what I gather, yes!

Grooms – keep in mind that Bride-to-be’s are super excited to share with you her wedding findings that day.  But, please do both of you a favor and let her know right away if you’re not ready to have a conversation about flowers, venue, or just anything wedding.  She’ll bite her tongue until you’ve had a bite to eat. It’ll save both of you time and grief!

Gretchen Viles of MyWedding.com is a weekly guest contributor to the GroomsAdvice blog. She specializes in blogging about groom’s issues from a bride’s perspective. Founded in 2002, MyWedding.com has grown into the most comprehensive easy-to-use local wedding guide on the Internet. They recently launched a wedding ideas and trends content section that focuses on all aspects of wedding planning.

GroomsAdvice is proud to have Dr. Taffy Wagner of DebtAtTheAltar.com with us to lend some of her expertise on newlyweds’ finances.

Let’s be honest, grooms. You could probably do without all the wedding planning and stress and just head to the courthouse, get the marriage certificate and call it a day. But if you’ve been listening to your fiancée — even for a few fleeting instances — since you popped the question, you know that the wedding day is something your bride-to-be has dreamt about since she was a child playing dress up with her mom’s wedding veil. It’s become obvious that a quick trip to the courthouse just isn’t in the cards. Guys, if you understand this, you’ve passed the first hurdle. Congratulations!

Your wedding planning discussions will focus on many important decisions, from choosing the members of your wedding party to the size of the wedding cake (or groom’s cake) to what gifts you’ll register for. When these topics come up, it’s natural for the budget to come into play. You’ll be discussing whether the bride’s or groom’s parents are paying for certain aspects of the wedding or if you and your fiancée will be footing the bill. Because money will ultimately influence your wedding plans, it’s a good time to start looking at your future finances as a couple.

This wedding stuff ain't cheap

If you and your fiancée haven’t discussed finances yet, the wedding planning period is the time to start. This is likely your first joint decision about a monetary investment. Regardless of who’s paying, you should try to work together to make these decisions. Ask each other questions like these:

1). Is she willing to compromise and look beyond the most expensive floral arrangements?
2). Are you willing to commit to not overspending on groomsmen gifts?
3). Are both of your desires being taken into consideration and included?

It’s important to start making compromises now. Remember, you’ll soon be standing before a wedding officiant, saying: “For richer or poorer.” When you say “I do,” it’s for the entire package. Whether she has debt, pays bills late or has less-than-immaculate credit, she’ll be your wife.

It’s extremely important to have a financial plan as you prepare for your wedding day. Talk with your bride-to-be about both of your financials. Determine who’s best at managing money and who should be in charge of paying the bills each month. You should know what outstanding bills are being brought into the marriage from both sides.

Keep in mind that these questions are not the end of the conversation, but the beginning. Financial honesty, openness and communication are essential to determining whether you’ll have financial harmony or stress in your marriage.

Dr. Taffy Wagner is a certified educator in personal finances. She is the creator of Money Talk Before The Commitment: Walk and Debt Stops At The Altar financial education program for engaged couples and newlyweds. Visit DebtAtTheAltar.com.

———-

Grooms, visit TheManRegistry.com and create your wedding registry, get groomsmen gifts, and read wedding advice just for men.

From time to time, we like to post about a cool new product that we’re carrying at The Man Registry – the web’s only wedding registry for grooms.

Portopong lets you to take the game of beer pong anywhere. All you’ll need is a flat surface to play on. Better yet, it floats… so play in the pool or at the beach. If you’re heading off to a ball game or concert, take the portopong with you for tailgating fun. The possibilities for places to play are endless with this very innovative portable beer pong table! Available in blue or pink.

Portopong - Floating Beer Pong Surface

The Arizona Cardinals were 40-1 odds to win the Super Bowl before the season began. In week 16, they went to New England and were trounced by the Patriots 47-7. Only in the NFL could this team now be playing for a shot at being world champions. Parity has made predicting what’s going to happen during the season and playoffs downright impossible – but we’re going to take our best shot.

Arizona Cardinals 23 Pittsburgh Steelers 20

Hey, who are we to bet against an underdog?  We think Kurt Warner has just a little more magic left and he’ll call it a career after his Cardinals take down the Steelers. He tends to play close games in Super Bowls, and we think this one will be no different.  Arizona is just flat-out a fun team to watch. The Steelers are solid, but by no means unbeatable….and their injury questions do raise some concern.

Also, we’ve gotta mention Larry Fitzgerald. Here is his stat line for the three playoff games that the Cardinals have played so far:

23 catches. 419 yards. 5 touchdowns = RIDICULOUS!

A scene we should see often on Sunday

If you’re entertaining on Super Sunday, we recommend checking out our app day blog from a few week’s back. It’s got some great ideas for an appetizer-only party.

————

Grooms, create your wedding registry, pick up personalized groomsmen gifts, and get expert wedding advice at TheManRegistry.com