Are you worried that none of your friends will show up at your wedding because they’re all nerds that would rather stay home and play video games? No worries. Just do what Brooklyn, NY couple Elizabeth Hoagland and Christopher Burris did and make your invitations out of old NES cartridges:

Nintendo Wedding Invitation

Here’s a few classic NES game songs I’d love to see on this couple’s dance list:

• Air Man Theme from Mega Man 2 (or any song from Mega Man 2 for that matter)
• Double Dragon
• The Legend of Zelda
• Nintendo World Cup Soccer
• Super Mario Brothers 2
• A Boy and His Blob

Sadly my favorite NES game of all-time, RBI Baseball, doesn’t feature a soundtrack worth dancing to.

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Suggestions on dance music from your favorite NES games? Tell us in the comments section below:

Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com

It seems simple enough, you send out wedding invitations, people reply, you’re done. Unfortunately, it’s rarely that easy.

Jen from OneWed.com stops in to tell us why wedding RSVP's are never as simple as they seem.

Once your reply by date has come and gone, you’re going to need to make some phone calls. By “you,” I mean your mothers. The easiest way to track down the no-shows is to divide the list into his and hers. Have her mother call her no-shows, your mother call yours. Why your moms? Um, do the words “guilt trip” mean anything to you? In addition to taking something off your plate, this will give your mom something to do so she’ll quit asking you questions about the flowers. Before she starts the phone call, make sure your mother has all the correct information about the wedding location and time (some of your guests may have lost the invitations), your wedding website, and your wedding registry info.

Guest Blogger Profile: Jennifer Napier of OneWed.com

One of the most frequently asked questions is why you aren’t supposed to put your wedding registry info on your invitation. After all, pretty much everyone invited to your wedding is going to buy you a present, and everyone knows that couples create wedding registries.

We're pretty sure you're getting wedding gifts even if you don't include your registry info on the invitation

Here’s the short answer: Your invitation should be just that, an invitation. It should let people know that you want them at your wedding, and where that wedding is. Presumably, you want them at the wedding whether they buy you a gift or not. That’s why you put your registry info elsewhere. That’s one of the great things about wedding websites, and mothers who like to talk, both spread the word.

So, now you know, invites are supposed to be inviting.

One wedding planning task that many of you grooms out there may fear is the preparation of the guest list. It’s sure to be a difficult task as cuts will most likely have to be made. Check out a great article on making the wedding guest list

Cheers!

Our weekly look at groom’s issues from a bride’s perspective

Your wedding invitations make a big first impression to your guests about the theme of your wedding.  You want to make sure that it properly represents the both of you, right?  So, let me go over some wedding invitation “need-to-knows” and 2009 wedding invitation trends.  Here’s hoping you can impress your honey with some invitation knowledge and help her pick out a design too!

Get back here, we're not done with invitations yet!

Style
Traditional formal invitations are typically made on a heavy white cardstock with engraved black ink.  All other invitation styles that don’t fall under the formal category….are well..not formal.  Honestly though, just consider the kind of wedding you’re having…black-tie/formal, semi-formal, casual?

Your budget and venue should greatly influence your decision here.

Print
There are printing methods that can also contribute to the style of your invitation.  Go with the one that fits your wedding formality, and of course, your budget. Engraved, embossed or calligraphy lean more towards the high-end prices.

•    Engraving: Engraving your invitations is the most traditional and formal printing option you can have. It is the oldest printing style, as well as the most expensive. Engraved invitations have a raised print appearance. It is pressed through the paper so that it can be felt on the back of the paper.

•   Thermography: Thermographed wedding invitations are similar to engraved invitations. They both have raised lettering. They differ in that thermographed invitations have a shinier, glossy finish and the print does not press through the back of the paper. Thermography is also a less expensive printing option than engraving.

•    Lithography: Lithography, also known as flat print or offset, is the most widely used printing style for wedding invitations. The process involves printing lettering with ink but does not result in a raised or pressed-through appearance. Thus, it is less expensive than both engraving and thermography.

•    Laser: Laser printing is the least expensive form of printing. The appearance is similar to that of lithography. This is a cost-effective option for couples who wish to print their own invitations at home using a laser printer. There are many “do it yourself” invitation kits you can buy, allowing you customize and print your own wedding invitations. Laser printing is also provided at professional print shops.

•    Handwritten: Although not many couples choose to handwrite their wedding invitations, it is a great option for couples who are having a very small wedding. It is also a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your event. For formal weddings, you may want to consider employing the service of a professional calligrapher.

Wording
There are so many guidelines to follow if you want to be more than proper with your wedding invitation wording.  Find a style that works for you.  Again the kind of wedding you are having should define your wording choice too.  Invitation Consultants is a great resource for wording etiquette.

Details
Suggest accents and embellishment details that will show her your genuine interest in making the invitations super personal!  Well, because you are, right? [wink]
•    Customized Postage Stamps
•    Customized Wax Seals
•    Personalized Ribbon
•    Personalized Stickers

Mailing The Invitations
Before placing stamps on them, remember to take one to the post office to get it weighed for the proper amount of postage.  Not having enough postage can slow down the delivery of your invitation.  And that would be horrible!

Next, address the invitations together and offer to bring them over to the post office to mail off.

You are almost done buddy!

Receiving the RSVP
You guys probably already have some sort of guest list system for your big day.  So, as the RSVP’s come in, designate a special area or a decorative box for them to be put in or filed so you can stay organized and no one’s RSVP is overlooked.

Tada!  Invitations, done!

Next….seating chart…[ahhhhhh!]

MyWedding.com

The Man Registry is thrilled to have Gretchen Viles of MyWedding.com as a weekly guest contributor to the GroomsAdvice blog. 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 The Man Registry is proud to be a contributor to.

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Groom’s Wedding Gift of the Day: Mario Kart Wii We’re not exaggerating when we say this is one of the greatest video games ever made. If you have a Wii and don’t have this game – why not register for it and let someone else foot the bill? (Our Mario Kart Wii online friend code is 0173 2295 0335, send us yours!)

Send in gameplay tips - TMR Jimmy really needs some help!

Totally awesome non-wedding link of the day: The Big Button It’s fascinated people for years – it’s brought grown men to tears.. What is it? No one really knows for sure.  All we can tell you is that it’s mesmerizing.

Grooms, check out The Man Registry for our men’s wedding registry, groomsman gifts, and expert advice for grooms!  Cheers!