7 Groomsmen Gift Ideas

While not mandatory, giving your bridal party a small token of your appreciation is customary. It's important that you show gratitude to people who have spent their time and money to help make your wedding day special. I always find it harder to shop for men, so when it comes to groomsmen gifts I'm sometimes at a loss. But today you're in luck! Here are 7 fabulous ideas I found for groomsmen gifts. Feel free to share!

Best Man Collar Stays

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Bowtie Love

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Leather Luggage Tags

Colin Cowie Weddings

Luxurious Shaving Kit

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Engraved Toiletry Case

Colin Cowie Weddings

Personalized Cocktail Shaker

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An Amazing Bottle of Tequilla

Colin Cowie Weddings

11 Must-Know Tips About Renting Formalwear

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1. Who picks out the Tux the bride or the groom?
The groom should be allowed to pick out his own tux. However, leaving the bride totally in the dark about the attire is not a good idea. The groom should look at a few styles he likes then take the bride along on the 2nd trip to get her opinion. The groom still makes the ultimate decision on what he feels comfortable and happy wearing.

2. They style and type of formalwear should be dictated by the time of day and formality of the wedding.

3. Don't wait until the last minute. Plan to reserve all formalwear 3-4 months before the wedding date.

 

4. Spring and Fall dates are particularly busy at formal wear rental shops due to Prom and homecoming season. If you wait until the last minute around these dates you may not get what you want.

 

5. Decide if the best man will wear the same style as the rest of the groomsmen or whether his outfit will be slightly different somehow.

 

6. Get measured and have the best man an all the other groomsmen come in to do the same (out-of-town groomsmen should get measured by a professional and send in their measurements).

 

7. When renting formal wear, it's best to get the insurance offered by the vendor. It's not expensive and if anything happens that could damage that suit the groom and/or his bridal party is wearing, you will be covered! Otherwise, you could be on the hook and formal wear is not cheap to replace. 

 

8. Don't forget about non-rental accessories such as ties, shirts, shoes, socks, suspenders, belts, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc...

 

9. Review your receipt carefully for: store name, salesperson's name and contact information, wedding date, complete description of what you're renting including (type and quantity of items, sizes, colors, style numbers, accessories, pickup date and time, return date and time, total price, late return fees, deposit amount, remaining balance, due date, cancellation policy and refund policy).

 

10. Create (or have your wedding planner create) a formalwear checklist to keep track of each groomsmen's order, sizing information, accessories, and to track whether they received all their formalwear and whether they returned all of their formalwear after the event.

11. Formalwear should be picked up a few days before the wedding.
Source: The Knot

7 Tips for Planning a Successful Bachelor Party

I don't do this often...but this one's for the fellas. Guys, take note. If you really want to bond with the hommies and have an unforgettable night, follow these steps or forever hold your peace!

 

via house of grafx

1. VIPs Only - Be selective about who you invite and how many people you invite. Restricting the number of guests to a few SPECIAL AND CLOSE FRIENDS will help you keep numbers low and enjoyment high. A bachelor party is a special event best enjoyed with your core circle of trustworthy friends, not jerks who will tag you all over facebook when the evening is over. 

 

2. Leave Some Time for R&R - Choose a date at least 2 days before the wedding. This allows ample recovery time after being wasted. I highly suggest doing it THE WEEKEND BEFORE the wedding. Do keep in mind that weddings are expensive (and often video taped). The bride will expect her groom and groomsmen to be attentive and alert during the ceremony.

 

3. Boundaries - If you're throwing this party for a friend of yours, make sure you know his boundaries. Not everybody is used or comfortable around strippers or strip club, etc... You also don't want to get the groom into hot water with his bride-to-be. So make sure you know what IS and IS NOT appropriate.
 

4. Logistics - The bachelor party will inevitably entail significant amounts of alcohol. Act responsibly and HIRE A DRIVER for everyone to get around safely. Even if there is no alcohol involved, you are all there collectively to have epic fun, why bother driving! 

 

5. Minimize the Tailgating - If daytime activities are planned before the big night, GO EASY ON THE BOOZE. This will ensure more guys, especially the bachelor, make it through the night's festivities.

 

6. Split Expenses - Plan out all the expected expenses and share amongst your troupe. To avoid an uncomfortable situation, figure out who is paying for what, and how much each person is willing to shell out BEFORE the final check arrives.  

 

7. Coat the Gut - This should be a no-brainer...but make sure to EAT something substantial before the revelry. A dinner is more than just the toast-off for the beginning of the night, it also gives your stomach a nice base for all of the evening's alcohol consumption. 

 

Source Yuna Weddings

 

Ladies, share this with a man you know and keep 'em out of trouble.