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.

 By Georgina Clatworthy 

If you are busy with your wedding planning, then you maybe at the point where you need to consider who the members of your wedding party will be.  Your wedding party will consist of the brides attendants – maid of honor, bridesmaids & flower girls & pageboys; the groom will be attended by the best man & ushers. 

But what exactly are their roles before, during & after your wedding?  Here is a quick guide to help you out: 

Maid of Honor

Choose a close friend or family member who you can rely on to help you make sure everything goes smoothly.

The maid of honors duties will include:

• Arranging the bachelorette party
• Organizing the bridal shower
• Looking after any monies that may need to be on the wedding day
• Help the bride get prepared & dressed
• Help the bride stay relaxed, happy & stress free
• Take care of the younger bridesmaids, flower girls & page boys
• Arranging the bride’s veil once she arrives at the ceremony
• Holding the brides bouquet during the service 

Best Man

Again your best man should be a close friend or family & someone who you can trust & rely on.  The best man’s responsibilities include:

• Organizing the bachelor party & taking care of the groom during it
• Ensuring the groom arrives at the ceremony on time
• Organizing the ushers & making sure they know their responsibilities
• Looking after the rings
• Make announcements at the reception & direct the guests to their tables
• Give a best man’s speech at the reception & read out messages from absent guests
• Organize the transport for the happy couple after the reception
• Collect & return any hired suits after the wedding day

Ushers

Your ushers can be any friends or family you like & whom you know will be willing to help out on the wedding day.  Their roles will usually include:

• Handing out the wedding programs at the ceremony & directing the guests to their seats
• Taking care of the bride’s mother & the grooms parents
• Helping the best man with his responsibilities
• Arrive before the groom at the ceremony venue & sort out all the facilities
• Answer any questions guests may have
• After the ceremony make sure all guests know where the reception is & have taken all their belongings with them 

The people you choose to stand alongside you in your wedding party are really a personal choice & whilst most couples will instantly choose close friends or family, it really is worth thinking about whether they are the right person for the job.  Make sure that whoever you pick is reliable, supportive & trustworthy.  There could be no bigger disaster than the best man not turning up or forgetting the rings or the maid of honor getting drunk on champagne before you even reach the ceremony.

If you are worried about offending someone, try to find other roles for them instead, such as readings at the service, being in charge of the presents or guestbook, or being witnesses. 

Remember good friends will respect your choices & will understand your reasons.

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.

By Jason Hennessey

There is no shortcut about appearing sharp and crisp on your wedding day, unless of course, you do not attach much value to it. But if you truly hold the biggest day of your life dear and close to your heart, you can not afford to appear drab and unfit. Depending on the time that you have before the wedding day, there are several things that you can do to shed some fat and get into shape.

First you need to get into some diet that will fasten the burning up of calories in your body. Get nutritional advices on low carb but healthy foods that will lower the levels of carbohydrates being absorbed into your body. Also get to spread your meal times. Instead of having one very heavy meal at a given time say, lunch or supper, eat at spread out times during the day in small meal portions. This will help your metabolic rate and ease up digestion and absorption of foods into your body. Many a nutritionist will tell you six mini meals in a day. In short, eat less daily and avoid junk.

Another sure way to shed unnecessary weight is to hit the gym real quick. Get onto a weight-loss workout plan with a professional instructor. Work on some weights that will burn up excess fats and leave your body in the perfect physique in time for the wedding day. Your back, shoulders and chest are the areas you should concentrate much on. Keep to the workout plan without fail and adhere to it religiously.  And intensity also matters a lot. Let that short period that you have allocated yourself for exercise be intense and without breaks or interruptions. The ideal allocation of time in the gym is between 30 minutes and one hour for like three times in a week. But make sure not to overdo it.

And there are some factors you have to consider.  Get your tuxedo at the last possible moment so that any weight loss can be reflected in the size of your tuxedo. And you also have to be realistic. The workout plan should not be torture on you but rather set a target that is achievable. So should be the dietary plan. Don’t expose yourself to malnutrition in the name of dieting. A frail looking groom is no substitute for an overweight one either. Someone said always avoid extremes.

Apart from the gym workout, it is also very prudent to engage in exercises like walking around and avoiding lazing around. Sometimes the panacea to most overweight issues lies in the simple things we do. If the mall is just a few blocks down the road, opt to walk instead of driving. You will be surprised to find that a considerable amount of calories is burned up in such a simple exercise.

In short, your wedding day being some sort of test to your gentleman-ness, discipline is highly required of you. Be it in dietary issues or in exercising, you have to show your guests and the world that you truly deserve that beautiful bride.

By Jason Hennessey

So the groom has broken the all-important news to you. You are going to be the best man in the biggest day of his life. What an honor, you must be thinking. Of all his friends and close-knit group of buddies, I am on top. But once the impact of the news sink into your brain, you get to realize that it has as much to do with honor as it has with the belief he has in your abilities. This is because being the best man is not the easiest of tasks.

Looking at friends, it means he has weighed and evaluated you as the person who can effectively hack it and thus entrusted it to you. Your skills in leadership of the groom army of soldiers known as the groomsmen get its first test during the pre-wedding. From the very start, your ability should never be caught wanting. Remember this is a pale shadow of the main task so the slightest mess up will greatly dent your credentials. Next in line comes the stag or bachelor party. Though not solely on you, you play a very significant role. Being just but a ‘servant’ of the groom, consult him in all your planning as he is the one who knows best how best to say goodbye to the bachelor club.

As the team leader of your legion of groomsmen, the tuxedos and everything else to be adorned by them during the material day should be to perfection. This is your responsibility. Make sure they get all the specifications if they are going to be getting them individually but if possible, go get all of them yourselves and tailor them to each of them. You also have a role in advising the groom on what to wear but that’s just your role, to advice. What he wants wear is his absolute prerogative but you suggestions could come in handy.

Be on the alert for anything unexpected. You have to be in possession of all important or emergency numbers should anything go out of line of the planned proceedings. The bridal party numbers, the minister, the ring bearer and the sort. Stuff happens and they might be late or circumstances might hinder their appearance. Have a plan B in place. Before the material day, you have to organize your team to get the chapel decorated and spruced up, the reception venue in order and all that goes with it and the guest sitting arrangements.

The material day should not get you napping. Whether it is in sitting guests, the photo shoot, order of proceedings or delivering that keynote speech that you should have prepared earlier, military precision is paramount. You should always be in charge lest you embarrass the groom and his bride. And of course your gait and the way you hold your head and general appearance. As much as it is not your day, it won’t hurt to impress a lass or two for future reference. Make sure during both the ceremony and the reception, your men are in charge and all the conveniences of the groom and his girl like the get-away car are ready and waiting. Make it a day worth remembering.