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: 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.

Words of wisdom for any future groomsman..

Groomsmen just wanna have fun..

thanks to @bridetide for passing this treasure along

Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com

Careful with that razor..

So, you do know that on your wedding day your bride is going to look a little different, right? Most likely, she’s getting her hair and make-up done by a professional. Now, I’m not suggesting you go all metro-sexual and put on guy-liner, but what about treating yourself to a hot lather shave at your favorite barber shop? It’ll be a nice relaxing treat, and it’ll avoid the need for little pieces of toilet paper stuck all over your face on your wedding day.

Don’t have any friends you can ask to be your Best Man? Don’t worry, you can always do what this guy did and ask your 800 POUND PET BEAR to be in the wedding.

My only question is what do you tell the caterer to bring to feed the bear?

We go way back with Big Rob from @drinkinggames. We’ve convinced him to share some of his legendary drinking game advice with the grooms out there who want a memorable bachelor party. So without further ado…

This looks familiar..

So you’re celebrating the last moments of your freedom, you and your boys are up for a night on the town.   If the best man does it right, he’ll get the gang primed and ready to go even before you hit the bars or bus.  Asking from experience, who’s got the funds to hit the bar in high gear sober?

Pregame It:

Get your buzz going early with an hour of power, it’s one of the best ways to start off the night.  Unless you’re drinking alone or at a family reunion, then it’s just sad. Throw in some shoulders or thumper, because nothing beats seeing your friends make a fool of themselves.

If the bachelor pre-party starts to accumulate more people – bust out a cup, quarter, and ice tray and play some Moose. (Editor’s note – this is one of our favorite games for after hours at TMR) It’s the quintessential stand around the table and makes-your-friends drink game.  It’s ridiculously addictive and so easy to play even your future brother-in-law’s friend that is in his seventh semester of community college can follow along. All you need to play is an ice tray and a large bowl. It’s best if everyone playing is drinking something different.  Set up the pieces as shown below and have everyone pour a bit of their drink into the bowl. Take turns trying to bounce the quarter from the table into the ice tray. If the quarter lands in the right column of the ice tray, you give out drinks. If it lands in the left column.. you drink. If someone is unlucky enough to bounce the quarter into the bowl – everyone must yell “MOOSE!.” The last one to do so has to drink the bowl…and it’s mixed contents.

Ice tray and bowl. It doesn't get any easier.

Bar:

By the time you hit up the bar you should be feeling like George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven; a confident cougar magnet hanging with your mob of friends.  Keep the dreamin’ alive by playing some more bar appropriate games avoiding the dice, quarters, and cards.  Make use of the sports playing on the TVs around the bar to aid in your intoxication and invent drinking rules for certain sports.  Use your friends as a source of your drinking pleasure by singling them out by their catch phrase or every time the text someone.  Involve the whole crew by making each other only refer to people by nicknames.

Hey look at me - it's my bachelor party!

As always tip your bartenders, and be aware of your surroundings; I’m sure you don’t want the bridegroom in a fight with a 300 pound biker named Curly.

The Aftermath:

Grab some Waffle House, regale each other on the night’s events, and make drunken promises to do it again.

For daily tweets on new drinking games and reminders of old favorites, follow @drinkinggames on Twitter. If you’re not using Twitter – start! And while you’re there, follow @themanregistry as well.

Follow The Man Registry on Twitter

Our good friends over at 9tailors are designing a new line of custom groomsmen suits and they want to hear feedback from past brides and grooms.

If you’ve got spare minute, please take a look at their groomsmen questionnaire.

We really appreciate the help.

Cheers!

We had a very long and detailed blog post prepared today on the proper dining etiquette at the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. Oh, what a great post it was going to be…

Ha ha, just kidding. Enjoy another entry today in our series of ‘fail’ posts.

One word: classy

Rewind 5 months ago to the day you were watching the season finale of 24, and the fiancee tells you that she’s decided electric pink would be your wedding color.  On auto-reply mode (which is typical engaged guy mode), you reply with, “Sure, honey, whatever your heart desires.”

Now, here you are, looking at pink bow-ties and cummerbunds.  Grooms, don’t get me wrong…if you’re all over the pink theme – MORE POWER TO YOU!  But, if you’re not partial to the pink at all…it may not be too late to change your girls mind, or if anything…throw in another color, like navy blue for a nice feminine and masculine balance.

Here are 9 color trends for Weddings 2009

Shades of Brown – This one has been on the trend list for a couple of years.  Pair it up with colors like: pink, green, blue, or lavender. This bride and groom friendly color will bring a richness that will remind your guests of chocolate.  You can’t go wrong with this one.

Black & White – This classic duo made it’s grand comeback last year in the very popular damask pattern.  For a fun and classy look – add in a bright, bold shade of green, pink or yellow.

Monochromatic Colors – A single color in different shades is a big trend for 2009.  Think yellows in butter and in sunshine, or purples in royal and in lavender.

Fiesta Inspired Hues – Colors like fuchsia, orange, bright yellow and of course red are the perfect mix for a funky wedding day!  This color trend works beautiful in dresses and decor.

Soft Grey and White – Sound dull?  No way!  Add in some sparkle with silver or copper.  This combination exudes romance and high-end.

Tropical Shades – Since sea and sand elements lead this always popular trend, add in splashes of yellow and turquoise in favor boxes, or ribbons.  This is a sure way to modernize the island style theme in 2009.

Pinks Galore- That’s right…it’s back – bigger and badder than ever!  Though it used to be a more popular accent color, 2009 brings pink to the center stage.  Use different shades of pink for the bridesmaids dresses, pink ties and fun pink socks for the groomsmen, splashes of pink in the decor and favors!  Can you imagine how gorgeous the pictures would turn out?

Oranges and Peaches – The color orange is a making a big return this year in wedding themes.  Throw in a lumionous cream color for that extra special touch.  Photography of orange and peach themed decor and florals come out stunning against green..say..grass for your backyard nuptials; or blue for that ocean front “I do.”

Punch O’ Purple - Certain purple shades matched up with brown tones, or with black and white or with golds and silvers, will introduce you to a whole new set of combinations!  It’s such a versatile color that it’s perfect for day or evening weddings and for all the seasons.

Lastly, let me share this wedding color scheme designer tool with you.  It will definitely impress the Bride-to-be. Good luck!

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.

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TMR in the News – Take a look at this great company profile of The Man Registry from Entrepreneur.com. Props to Jake Kilroy for writing this masterpiece of modern day literature.

Cheers!

A good bachelor party doesn’t let the groom-to-be get through the night easily. Creating several “challenges” for the groom to attempt throughout the night is a great way to add to the overall fun of the evening. Because, honestly, what bachelor party guest doesn’t want to watch the groom try to get random girls to sign his t-shirt?

We were recently informed that The Man Registry’s top selling product has spawned a bachelor party game all of its own. The Maxam 64oz. Jumbo Flask is certainly an eye-catcher that lots of grooms are giving as groomsmen gifts. However, in this instance, the flask is for the groom. The challenge (or death sentence) is for the groom to start the night with a full jumbo flask and finish it by the end of then night. He has to drink the entire flask himself UNLESS he can get phone numbers from girls. If he is successful in doing that, he is allowed to pour her a shot. **NOTE This girl is not chosen by the groom, but rather the groomsmen which makes for a nice little twist.

Drink up!

We didn’t believe this when we heard it, but we did some research and actually found some bachelor parties where this game has taken place. Now, that’s what we call bachelor party entrepreneurship.

Not keen on this challenge, check out 25 other bachelor party challenges that are sure to keep things interesting.

Cheers!