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.

—

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

As the writing process for our upcoming book hits the home stretch, finding motivation to sit down and pound out chapters is becoming increasingly difficult. I think this clip from the Seinfeld episode ‘The Virgin‘ really nails what the process is like. (Unfortunately, embedding is disabled for this clip, so you’ll have to click here to view.)

"So the judge decrees that he becomes my butler."

If only I had the help of George Costanza on this project!

You probably don’t need to be reminded that financial issues are the #1 cause cause of divorce in this country. In a perfect world, money arguments would be left to the bankers and stock traders. Unfortunately, many married couples just can’t seem to agree on finances.  Whether it’s one spouse spending money behind the others back or the other racking up credit card debt, marriage often leads to fiscal disagreement between husband and wife. Personally, I’ve found that my friends who actively researched money matters BEFORE their wedding seem to argue less. My theory has always been that having a strong core understand of money directly leads to a happier marriage. My thoughts were confirmed when I recently picked up a copy of Charles Jackson’s ‘Second Thoughts on Marriage & Divorce.’

Charles Jackon, is a veteran of two marriages (and divorces). During his experiences, he has met and dealt with attorneys and counselors as well as countless other couples going through similar ordeals. After realizing that much of the emotional and financial stress involved with marriage and divorce was avoidable, he made it his goal to help couples identify and accept financial issues they may face while contemplating marriage or divorce. Charles firmly believes that by being aware of these issues early in the wedding planning/decision making process, will allow you to make better decisions on the issues you may face.

Here are just a few of the topics covered in this resourceful guide

A Guide to Understanding the Laws Surrounding Marriage Licenses – Charles explains the process of obtaining a valid state marriage license, hiring an officiant to marry you and understanding/complying with the laws in your state.

How to Identify and Protect Your Separate Assets – You might not know it, but any assets that you own before getting married will legally always be yours. In this portion of the book, Charles provides a guide on the pros/cons of combing assets and how to identify what’s “yours” and what’s “ours.”

Do Prenuptial Agreements Really Work – You probably don’t need to be told what a prenup is. The larger questions that many couples seek help with are “Do I need one?” and “Do they work?”  There are several benefits (and several disadvantages) of signing a one. Charles walks you through all of them.

Sharing More Than Just Last Names – Do you collect classic cars? Do you have multiple, large investments in your name? The book will tell you how marriage affects these assets and what you can do to protect yourself if you fear divorce may be on the horizon.

And although we hope this doesn’t apply to anyone reading this blog, the book also covers a wide range of topics related to the divorce process. Not only does Charles get into the legal and personal issues involved with ending a marriage, he also provides thought on reasons to stay married. Acknowledging that every marriage faces challenges, he provides valuable insight on why jumping the gun on a divorce may not be the best call. If you happen to know anyone currently going through a divorce, I can vouch that this book would be a great resource for them.

Click to order 'Second Thoughts on Marriage & Divorce'

Like what you see? You can purchase the book for $15 off retail here. You can also connect further with Charles Jackson via Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

—

second thoughts on marriage & divorce is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Have you and your bride-to-be discussed finances? Do you plan on combining assets or keeping them separate? Are you considering a prenup? Tell us your story in the comments section below.

We gave these fine folks an advance copy of our book. While they're not quite our target audience... it still looks like they're enjoying it!

We’re now two months into the writing process and we’ve just received word that the title of our book has been finalized. In true Man Registry fashion, the book will be called:

BE THE MAN: THE MAN REGISTRY GROOM GUIDE

That’s right kiddos, our book is all about being the man and stepping up to take an active involvement in wedding planning. We’re looking forward to sharing more info in the upcoming months. The book is scheduled for release in stores and e-readers this December.

—

Love it? Hate it? Let us know your thoughts on the title in the comments section below.

If you haven’t heard, we’re in the process of writing a wedding book for men. Unlike a lot of the books and magazines that currently exist for grooms, ours is being written and designed by actual MEN. This means that instead of reinforcing the idea that you’re just an accessory to your bride’s “big day,” this book will promote your involvement in the planning process and demonstrate ways to leave your manly mark on the festivities.

I recently completed the first chapter of the book which focuses on the pre-wedding parties (bachelor parties, showers and groom roasts.) Next up, I’ll be tackling a chapter that’s all about setting up your (wedding planning) plan of attack. One segment of this chapter will focus on surviving wedding shows. I’d love to hear some feedback from former grooms that attended a wedding show and made it out alive. If you’d like to share your experience, please post in the comments section below. I’ll be including several real groom success stories in the book, so you may just end up being immortalized in print.

More updates to come soon…

Cheers,
Chris