By Georgina Clatworthy

Your best man will play a major role in the build up to your wedding and on the day itself.  You may have someone who immediately comes to mind, perhaps a close relative or friend.  Whomever you choose though, they need to be dependable, reliable, organized and trustworthy.

Traditionally the role of the best man was as protector to the groom – literally!  His principle duty was to ensure the groom made it to the ceremony on time and without being waylaid or side tracked.  It is also considered back luck for the groom to turn back after setting out for the church.  Although I think the bride would accept the risk should he have forgotten the wedding ring or left the honeymoon tickets behind!

The best man’s duties include:

• Organizing the bachelor party
• Getting the groom to the church on time
• Guarding the groom’s wedding ring
• Giving an inspired speech at the wedding reception
• Helping the chief bridesmaid with organization on the day

The choosing of the best man is traditionally the domain of the groom, but more and more brides are having a say in who should be chosen these days.  The best man’s role is a wide and varied one and he is an integral part of the smooth running of the wedding.  Your best friend since childhood may be your dearest friend but is totally unreliable and as such cannot really be considered for the role.

The best man needs to be quick thinking, ready to step up to the plate and have the ability to step into the breech when needed.  If you are really stuck with who to choose then you could consider splitting the role between two.  All though unorthodox, it can be the best solution if you cannot choose.

One of the best man’s duties is to organize the bachelor party.  It is important that you make him aware of what you want from your bachelor night.  If the idea of a drunken weekend surrounded by strippers does not appeal then make sure he knows this.  Conversely you need to make sure that your choice of best man will be able to deliver a night you’ll remember as well as everyone else who is invited.  Your bride to be may prefer you to have a few quiet drinks at home, but it is hardly the send off to married life that most would consider!

The best man must also be able to stand up and give a wedding speech that will be memorable and heartfelt at the reception.  You want them to give a speech which is thoughtful, avoids any overly embarrassing stories (particularly those your bride doesn’t know about) and which will not offend anyone with rude jokes!  The speech is widely considered as the most important task your best man will undertake so if your first choice goes to pieces at the thought of public speaking, then they may not be the best choice for the job.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Traditionally you would let the groom decide on how he & his attendants will look on the day, but many brides like to have at least some input into his decisions, especially as most don’t trust their other half’s taste or judgment!

If you have full confidence in his ability to choose the right attire, then you may like to print out this list just to make sure he doesn’t miss anything out!

Suits – The choice of suit will depend on the style of the wedding.  A formal wedding would call for morning suits, whilst a casual wedding would call for a less formal suit & tie combination.  If you are having a formal wedding then it is usual to hire all the suits required, this includes:

• the groom
• the best man
• the father of the bride
• the father of the groom
• the ushers
• page boy

As with bridesmaids it is important that everyone comes together at the hire shop to try on suits & get measured.  The attendants at the shop will be able to advise on styles, accessories & shoes to complete the look.  Just make sure your groom is fully aware of the style or theme of the wedding & your chosen color scheme as accessories can be added to match.

Shoes – Let everyone choose their own shoes, as long as they are in keeping with the style of the wedding – cowboy boots may not be appropriate!  Make sure that they all choose the same color as well – black or brown.

Accessories - This can be quite an extensive list & they say its women who love to accessorize!  First up, waistcoats – traditional with morning suits & often available with a formal suit, it is really up to you whether or not you opt for them.  For a formal wedding you could choose fabrics that match your wedding colors, which can create a nice coordinated look amongst the groomsmen.  This brings me on to the next item – ties or cravats, these too can be made from the same fabrics as the waistcoats if you are having them.

Top hats are feature of traditional morning suits & are the finishing touch to formal wedding attire.  Be careful though as to hire them can often attract a premium as they are one item that can be damaged quite easily.  Cufflinks may also be required, but many couples choose to buy these as gifts for the groomsmen instead of letting them buy or use their own.

By Georgina Clatworthy

As the groom many would think your role within the wedding planning was simple & that you should just let your fiancé get on with it.  But if you are having a few dilemmas of your own before the big day then read on to see if any of these will help you out:

I am far from being a style guru & I am worried that the suits I will choose for the wedding will not be what my fiancé is expecting.  Can you give me some advice on what to look for when I begin shopping?

Try to visit reputable, established gents outfitters as they will have fully trained staff who can advise you & help you pick colors & styles that will be appropriate for your wedding.  Have a clear idea about what you want to wear as well & don’t get carried away with all the various accessories – braces, cravat, waistcoat & handkerchief, as this could all be a bit much!

Public speaking is not my thing & I fretting about making my speech.  What can I do to combat my nerves?

There are many simple tips & ideas to help you present your speech & stop you from breaking into a cold sweat.  The main point is to keep your speech clear & concise.  Don’t experiment with comedy if you are not a natural comedian, your wedding day is not the time to find out!  That said it is always a good idea to include some kind of anecdote as an ice breaker to help calm you & boost your confidence.  Try practicing in front of the mirror or ask a few friends around & try it out in front of them.  Above all remember that you will be speaking to a room full of people who know & adore you & as such will be an appreciative audience.

My best friend is something of a hellraiser & has been given the task of planning the bachelor party.  I am very worried that I will end up naked, in the middle of a field, in some foreign country!

Suggest to him that he organize the party through an events group who can then guide him in what is appropriate whilst still giving you a memorable party.  Why not look at a Viva Las Vegas package, perhaps with a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon & a hummer trip in the Mojave Desert.

Our honeymoon flight departs on the morning after our wedding, but I get terrible hangovers.  Apart from abstaining from alcohol altogether how can I stop being ill on the plane?

They say that prevention is better than a cure so take action before you have that first sip of champagne.  Try a natural herbal supplement called Party Animal which is designed to prevent hangovers by stopping the symptoms before they can take hold.  Try to take them at least an hour before hand.

I love my male grooming products but how can I streamline them for the honeymoon?

You will find many male travel kits on the market but the downside is that most men are rarely happy with every product contained in them.  Look for miniature versions of your favorite products which you can easily pop into your toiletries bag.  Some pharmacies will carry a line of small toiletry bottles which you can fill yourself with your favorite products.  If you can’t find them on the high street then have a look online.

By Georgina Clatworthy 

You hope to only get married the once! So you should treat your new wife to a wedding gift that is a priceless as she is.

However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a gift for your loved one.  The trick is to buy a gift that says how much you love her & which is unique as well as special.

If you are stuck for inspiration then here are four ideas that might give you some help:

Wedding Gift Idea 1: A Family Heirloom Many families will have a tradition of passing something down when a child gets married.  Ask your parents if they have something like an heirloom ring, necklace or bracelet which they would be willing to part with.  An alternative idea would be an old family recipe that has been with your family for generations.  The giving of a family heirloom is more than just giving your bride a special keepsake.  Many bride’s will recognize the extra significance of being accepted in to your family & that by giving this gift you are willing to share your whole life with her. 

Wedding Gift Idea 2: DIY Wedding Gifts If you are on a budget then this one is for you.  If you are good with your hands & particularly creative then why not make your wedding gift to her.  Perhaps a jewelry box or photograph frame.  The idea is that you show how hard you are willing to work to please her & make her happy.  Your bride is sure to appreciate all the effort & thought you have put into it.

Wedding Gift Idea 3: The Expensive Stuff Many men are of the impression that the more it cost, the more she will love it!  Woman love the really thoughtful gifts, but are also suckers for the expensive ones too!  Good choices here would be simple diamond stud earrings, an equally simple diamond pendant or a diamond tennis bracelet.  Silver jewelry is also a good choice, particularly if your budget can’t stretch to diamonds.  On that note, if diamonds are a step too far look for cubic zirconia’s as an inexpensive alternative.  Just remember to buy only what you can afford, she won’t appreciate being thousands of dollars in debt for a small pair of earrings.  No matter what they are.

Wedding Gift Idea 4: A Romantic Getaway This may seem silly, particularly as you about to head off on honeymoon straight after the wedding.  But a romantic holiday is good idea for a wedding gift.  Buy it in the form of a voucher which can be used whenever she feels like it.  It is also a good idea for you too, as you will get a romantic holiday too!!  Book it for somewhere she has always wanted to go to or somewhere she has been & longs to go back for another visit.

When you have chosen your gift, don’t forget that the way it is presented can double the pleasure it brings.  Choose an appropriate moment to give it to her, ideally when you are alone together.  Indulge in some luxury gift wrap as well.  Put in the effort & you may well be rewarded on the wedding night!!

By Georgina Clatworthy

You hope to only get married the once! So you should treat your new wife to a wedding gift that is a priceless as she is.

However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a gift for your loved one.  The trick is to buy a gift that says how much you love her & which is unique as well as special.

If you are stuck for inspiration then here are four ideas that might give you some help:

Wedding Gift Idea 1: A Family Heirloom Many families will have a tradition of passing something down when a child gets married.  Ask your parents if they have something like an heirloom ring, necklace or bracelet which they would be willing to part with.  An alternative idea would be an old family recipe that has been with your family for generations.  The giving of a family heirloom is more than just giving your bride a special keepsake.  Many bride’s will recognize the extra significance of being accepted in to your family & that by giving this gift you are willing to share your whole life with her. 

Wedding Gift Idea 2: DIY Wedding Gifts If you are on a budget then this one is for you.  If you are good with your hands & particularly creative then why not make your wedding gift to her.  Perhaps a jewelry box or photograph frame.  The idea is that you show how hard you are willing to work to please her & make her happy.  Your bride is sure to appreciate all the effort & thought you have put into it.

Wedding Gift Idea 3: The Expensive Stuff Many men are of the impression that the more it cost, the more she will love it!  Woman love the really thoughtful gifts, but are also suckers for the expensive ones too!  Good choices here would be simple diamond stud earrings, an equally simple diamond pendant or a diamond tennis bracelet.  Silver jewelry is also a good choice, particularly if your budget can’t stretch to diamonds.  On that note, if diamonds are a step too far look for cubic zirconia’s as an inexpensive alternative.  Just remember to buy only what you can afford, she won’t appreciate being thousands of dollars in debt for a small pair of earrings.  No matter what they are.

Wedding Gift Idea 4: A Romantic Getaway This may seem silly, particularly as you about to head off on honeymoon straight after the wedding.  But a romantic holiday is good idea for a wedding gift.  Buy it in the form of a voucher which can be used whenever she feels like it.  It is also a good idea for you too, as you will get a romantic holiday too!!  Book it for somewhere she has always wanted to go to or somewhere she has been & longs to go back for another visit.

When you have chosen your gift, don’t forget that the way it is presented can double the pleasure it brings.  Choose an appropriate moment to give it to her, ideally when you are alone together.  Indulge in some luxury gift wrap as well.  Put in the effort & you may well be rewarded on the wedding night!!

 By Georgina Clatworthy

1. Color Scheme – It is usually the bride who will determine the wedding color scheme, but it is a good idea to try to incorporate it into your wedding outfit.
2. Wedding Theme - If you don’t have a specific theme chosen, then look to your venue for inspiration as it may determine your whole look.  The top trend at the moment is to choose an outfit that is in keeping your wedding venue.
3. Appearance - Would you prefer formal, traditional or casual?  Perhaps you would rather just go for a smarter version of how you normally look.  When thinking about your appearance take into account your features, your build – slight, large, medium; & your hair color – are you dark or fair?
4. Think about Quality – In these difficult times price can be a deciding factor when it comes to your suit, but you should also give equal consideration to your own comfort, which is often worth paying that little bit extra for.  Remember you could be wearing your suit for 12 hours or more & if it is uncomfortable this could feel a whole lot longer!
5. Timing - Your wife to be will have enough on her plate with all the wedding planning, so take some of the pressure off her shoulders by organizing your suit & your groomsmen’s suits, yourself.  Get them organized early on too.  This could score you extra brownie points with your intended as it shows your enthusiasm for the big day!
6. Consider your Groomsmen - You will also need to think about the other members of your wedding party.  Your best man, ushers, page boy etc will all need outfits too.  It is a good idea to kit them out in outfits similar or matching to your own for a unified look.  Attend fittings together so that you can see how you all look together.
7. Accessories - Yes, men have accessories too!  You will need to think about items such as top hats, cravats, ties, bow ties, waistcoats & cufflinks.
8. Measure Up - Getting yourself accurately measured will ensure that your chosen outfit will be the perfect fit.  This goes for your groomsmen as well.
9. Shoes - This is an area men think about the least & often their choice of footwear will let down the entire outfit.  Shoes are expensive but you may be able to hire shoes for everyone in the party or find reasonably priced shoes that you will all be able to afford.  If you get stuck it is a good tip to think about the style of shoe you want, for instance lace ups or brogues, this will give you a good starting point when you start looking.
10. Budget - Make sure you make an adequate portion of your wedding budget available for the grooms outfit & those of his groomsmen.  It may be a surprise to learn that there are often more men to dress than girls & the cost of all those suits can soon add up.  So make sure you give equal priority to the guys outfits too.

A Best Man’s Guide to Fun Bachelor Party Ideas

By Georgina Clatworthy

As best man you know that it is your duty to ensure your lifelong pal gets a good send off as he leaves the single life behind.  You will naturally want to throw him a party he will never forget, but where do you begin?  Here are some great bachelor party ideas you may want to consider.

Strippers and Strip Clubs

The typical bachelor party bash will inevitably involve strippers.  For most it isn’t a bachelor party without at least one naked women involved.  But you shouldn’t let this be the theme of the entire night.  You first call is to talk to the groom & see if he actually wants a stripper.  He may not like the idea or feel comfortable with it.  If he doesn’t want strippers then leave it there & move on to something else.  It is his party after all.

If he does want strippers then you will need decide on a private booking or a strip club.  A private booking will ensure the groom has the stripper’s undivided attention & is a cheaper option.  But a strip club will mean less waiting around for the strippers to appear & you will get the atmosphere of a club venue.  A public setting such as strip club may also be more appeasing to the bride.

It is a good idea to make a stripper just one feature of the evening.  Organize a dinner & bar, before moving onto the strip club, that way anyone who doesn’t want to visit the club can leave early, but will still have had chance to join the groom on the night. 

A Bachelor Party for the Sports Lover

Sports are always a male dominated environment & if your groom is a sports lover then why not combine the two.  Think about attending a game or sporting event.  Go on a golfing weekend or have a day at the races.  Here are some other ideas:

• Tennis
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Golf

Add to the event with a pub crawl afterwards or organize a dinner somewhere local.  If you are attending a stadium game look into getting the grooms name lit up on the scoreboard.

An Outdoorsy Bachelor Party

If he’s the outdoors type then a weekend in the wilds of nature could be just up his street.  Perhaps he is into extreme sports or simply likes camping, hiking or climbing.  A weekend camping, sharing beers around a camp fire could his perfect idea of a bachelor party & something that is far cry from the drunken strip club parties he has probably attended in the past.

A Las Vegas Bachelor Party

This is becoming a popular choice for bachelor parties & great way to splash the cash on a weekend trip.  What better place is there to go then the ciy whose motto is “what happens here, stays here?” You choices for entertainment include gambling in the casinos, taking in a show or even the supersized strip clubs.  But before you reach for your credit & book the tickets, there are few things to consider:  1) a Las Vegas Bachelor Party can be very expensive. Make sure everyone can afford it. 2) Consider the brides feelings about a bachelor party in a city with Las Vegas’ reputation 3) You may find it difficult to get into the hot clubs if you are not high rollers.  Events companies can arrange packages for you which will get you into top clubs without any waiting.

Other tips for a successful Vegas bachelor party:

• Take Limos – if there are several of you it is cheaper to hire a limo than take cabs.
• Leave the cameras at home – compromising photographs turning up after the party could leave the groom in an awkward situation with the bride.
• Decide on a budget before you go out – you could otherwise find yourself gambling away you life savings or blowing it all at a strip club on dancers’ whose names you can’t even remember.

There’s something so manly about a steak

Check out some of the countries best steak houses & treat your groom to a prime steak dinner at your expense. Venues include Morton’s (locations across the US), Ruth’s Chris (locations across the US), Peter Luger (New York). Delmonico (Las Vegas), or The Grill (Los Angeles).  As a follow up organize a poker party or book a limo to take you to a whiskey & cigar bar for the rest of the night.  

Co-ed Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties

A great solution for the groom who’s not really looking to go anywhere without his other half.  Throwing a house party for them both is a great solution & the chief bridesmaid will probably even help with the planning! 

Whatever your choice for his bachelor party, make sure your planning is revolving around the groom & his wishes.  This is his party & you will want to make sure he has a good time.  Tailor the party to the kind of guy he is.  If likes a wild party then give him one, if he prefers something more low key then organize a day time activity with a few drinks afterwards.  There is no reason at all why you can’t combine activities & indeed the traditional bachelor night has turned into a bachelor day & even a bachelor weekend in recent times. Picking a selection of activities will keep everyone happy.

By Jason Hennessey

The wedding day is a special day for a couple; this is a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. It is therefore important for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to look sharp and alert. The bridal party is chosen because they are trusted by the bride and groom therefore, they occupy a place of honor; they should do their best to make sure the big day is as flawless as possible.

For groomsmen, duties they have to undertake include organizing the bachelor party, ushering guests on the wedding day and taking care of any small details that may arise. Because they are responsible for most of their expenses that are incurred during the wedding, it is important for each groomsman to plan and budget well in advance so that they are not caught off guard.

The first step is to gather as much detail about the wedding as possible; the date, the location, the time so that you know if you will need to arrange accommodation, tuxedo specifications and any other special instructions. When you have all these details down then try to find the best deals around by for example browsing tux magazines and shops and then find a tux that fits the groom’s specifications and that is within your price range. If you intend to get in shape in time for the wedding, then you enroll into a program as soon as possible.

Between four and five months to the wedding, you should be making last deposits and measurements on your tux, finding reservations for hotels if the ceremony will be held out of town, getting together airfare and putting in a request for time off at your job.

Three months before the wedding should find you arranging for a caretaker for your apartment and pets while you’re gone, making final hotel reservations and air tickets. You should also find out the rates of car rentals in the city that you are traveling to.

You should actively be looking for a gift wedding a couple of months to the wedding. If you find an ideal wedding then buy it then because it might not be available a few days to the wedding. Better safe than sorry. The wedding gift should be adequate enough to show your gratitude for being appointed a groomsman as well as to send good wishes to the couple throughout their marriage. If you are using the airport to travel, the gift should not spark off metal detectors. This is the time to really give a lot of thought on the gift that you are going to give the couple.

All travel arrangements should be final when the wedding is a month away. Check in with the groom to find out if there are any last minute changes. When the wedding is a week away everything should be in place; all your clothes as well as a suit to wear to the rehearsal dinner and your tux.

On the day of arrival, perform all your duties as delegated. After the wedding, return the tux and write thank you notes to the bride and groom.

By Jason Hennessey

It is never in doubt that your wedding day is one of the biggest and happiest days in your life. It is a day that is held in very high regard in almost all cultures of our world. It therefore can not be gainsaid that you have to plan your wedding well beforehand so that you are not caught up by events that can potentially ruin your big day. In some cultures around the world, wedding planning can take years before the actual day of the wedding.

As the groom and the main gentleman of the day, draft a schedule of things to do before the big day. The length of time will depend on how well you are prepared but ideally a period of between 6 and 12 months is considered adequate. Wedding planning is no easy task, so the very first thing you need to do is get someone to share ideas with on the positive enhancement of your big day. This is none other than the best-man. You may also want to choose the groomsmen at the earliest possible moment so that they can adjust accordingly in their preparedness to be by your side on the big day.

After that get down to compiling and inviting guests. Notifying them earlier will give them enough time to plan to attend and mark the day in their diaries. And at this point in time, budgetary considerations are of utmost importance. It is also at this point that you should be thinking of the ideal wedding ring and where to get it, making contact with the minister or priest and very importantly as well, the laws governing weddings in your locality. And by all means start making plans for your honeymoon. Get to consult with your bride on the ideal destination as well putting travel documentations in order if traveling out of the country is your plan.

As the months trickle by, make sure the groomsmen and the best-man’s outfits are ordered. Get fingers sized for the rings and remember to incorporate the bride’s family in your planning whenever necessary. This should also be the case with the wedding planner if you have decided to have their services. Get also thinking of the venue of the wedding as well as the reception and do all the necessary arrangements.

Make arrangements for guests accommodation incase there are those from afar and their other conveniences. With like two months to go, get thinking of the perfect gift to present to your bride, as well as to your ushers, groomsmen and of course the best-man. Also ensure all the marriage documentations are in order. Some states or churches require the taking of blood samples of the couple to be so if this is a requirement, get an appropriate time to comply.

Regularly consult with the bride to know the how far she is on her side of the planning and help out as much as you can. Make sure the rings are ready, the tuxedos are also in order and know when they are to be collected, the venue is confirmed and spruced up accordingly, etc. And of course on the material day don’t forget to look sharp and confident as you start your married life.

By Jason Hennessey

It is conventionally held that the wedding day is all about the bride. That is a notion that is debatable, so another place and time. But the truth of the matter is that the groom too has invaluable input that he can put into the works. Aside from helping his wife-to-be with ironing out details of how the whole thing will turn out, the groom will mostly be judged by the way he presents himself on the material day. The way he carries himself and the way he is groomed are therefore very important.

The groom has to have about him that complete aura of a gentleman about him. This being a special day, the last thing you want is giggles behind your back that your hair is not befitting or your tuxedo is an inch too long. Perfection is the name of the game here. Once you have settled on the date and day on the marriage, don’t just sit and wait for the big day. Seek advice from your proposed best man on the best kind of suit to wear on the day, coordinate with him so that the groomsmen tuxedos won’t clash with yours. By all means get a stylist if you have the muscle.

Your hair says a lot about you. So forget about a quick brush and a comb and think yourself ready to walk down the isle. Depending on your type of hair, get it waxed or sprayed. Use shampoos and gels to give it that shine worthy of a very important gentleman. Get also to choose the right scent of cologne. Attend to the minutest of details so that everyone who comes into contact with you is left with no doubt who is the main gentleman of the day.

The suit that you choose to wear should be made to precision by the letter. Have your tux specially made with express specifications so that it is neither an inch shorter or longer. A perfect suit complemented by a gentlemanly gait leaves no room for doubting the importance of the day to you. From your head to your toe, you should be able to exhibit that aura of someone who is sure of what he wants and means. There are numerous websites and wedding magazines where you can information and tips on the latest and most unique of gentleman grooming products for your big day.

If the wedding is based on a specific theme, get to research on that particular theme and groom yourself accordingly. Know the color combinations of the wedding settings and avoid stark color clashing. If for example your wedding has an Irish, some traces of green should be able to manifest here and there. Give the impression of someone who is able to capture the subtle aspects of modern style and fashion.

But simplicity might also hold the key to the perfect gentlemanly look. Emphasize on your strong points and try to work on your weak aspects. But by all means do not bluff as it might be blown leading to embarrassment. If you can’t get that multiple piece tux, do with what you can afford. Just be sharp and sure of what you are doing.