Yes, A Wedding Book For Dudes

I know what you are going to say, “A wedding book for guys?  Tony have you lost it?”

But no, I haven’t.  This book is a must read for any groom-to-be.

Be The Man: The Man Registry Guide for Grooms comes from Chris Easter, founder of The Man Registry (which is another site you should be visiting, fellas!)  Inside this book, which you can pick up on Amazon for just $9.99, is a comprehensive guide from engagement ring shopping to everything you need to know after the wedding day has come and gone.  There is even a section on legal advice and issues, from vendor contracts to getting a marriage license.

It will even tell you the appropriate way to ask for cash as a wedding gift, without coming across as tacky and inconsiderate.

For example, for many guys, it is there responsibility to plan the rehearsal dinner.  Nine to twelve months prior, you should already be scouting venues and caterers, if needed.  If you wedding is four months away, you are already behind.

And it is written in a style men can understand.  Here is an excerpt from the chapter on Engagement Ring Shopping:

Setting your bling budget is the first (of many) important decisions you’ll make throughout the wedding-planning process.  But remember, this isn’t the time for hasty decisions or impulse buys.  Try thinking of this ring as a pair of World Series tickets.  If you had one chance to pick any seat available, you’d pick the best one you could afford, right?  Your decision may mean staying in one night per weekend for the next six months or buying a 42-inch TV instead of the 60-inch version, but it’ll be worth it.

- Be The Man, The Man Registry  Guide for Grooms

Again, it’s over 200 pages of information dudes need to know.  Brides, I know you are reading this blog post – pick up a copy for your man.  He may question why you bought it, but trust me, when you aren’t looking – he will read it!

(And brides, this would be a great read for you as well.  It might help you understand what he is thinking throughout this process, because face it, most guys won’t tell you what frustrations or struggles they are dealing with.)

The Good

The Bad

“You know, I’m just waiting once for the gal to say no.”  Talk about karma, Mr. Play-By-Play Announcer.

All the details are posted there, but do note the following: For your ballot to count, you must vote for 15 vendors!

And of course, make sure you vote Tony Schwartz Weddings for Best DJ for Reception

If you are stuck on vendors and would like to see who I voted for, feel free to email me at Tony@TonySchwartzWeddings.com

A) this put a smile on my face and it has to do with weddings

OR

B) this blog needs some Bieber Fever!

Watch the video first, then vote in the poll below for why I posted it!

VOTE

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

As you may remember in a prior post, Joya & Emre set the wedding industry ablaze with their lip dub video of the Black Eyed Peas – “The Time (Dirty Bit)”.  Now, we have yet another one for your inspiration, Melinda & Nick’s lip dub of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – “Home”.

The video was produced by One Tree Photography.  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Check out the awesome reaction on Gustabo’s face when he sees the storm approaching.

Did anyone else see the irony in the sand ceremony?

Be Awesome, Like Barney Stinson

Let’s be honest guys: we spend far less time trying to pick out a tuxedo or suit for the wedding day than your fiancé will on picking her dress.  But that isn’t to say it is as simple as walking in and out of a tux shop in a matter of minutes to finalize the deal.  You will need to prepare yourself with the answers to these questions – or you will quickly become overwhelmed by the choices and decisions to make.  Some of these questions you will need to run by your fiancé, as her input is important, in addition to the time and stress it will save you rectifying bad decisions.

Suit Up or Tux Up?
Understand the formality of your wedding – is it black tie, formal, semi-formal or dressy casual?  Typically, the first two indicate the groom and groomsmen to don tuxedos, whereas the latter two would be more accepting of a suit.  In most cases, a dark suit with an off-white shirt will always work.  But if your personality is more daring and/or adventurous, a khaki or white suit will shine for summer and destination weddings.

Formal Style
The formality of the wedding will also determine which style elements you will want to consider – think of these as the finishing touches.  With a tuxedo style elements will likely include a bow or neck tie, pocket square, tail coasts, cummerbund and/or vest.  If you aren’t familiar with these items and how to rock them, hop on Google and learn before you head to the tux shop.

Rent or Purchase?
For most guys, the answer is always rent – as it usually one-third of the purchase price.  Especially when considering donning a tuxedo – rent.  Unless you are invited to black-tie and other formal galas often, it will just sit in the back of your closet.

However, if you know you will be attending a few weddings in the near future, or if you often wear a suit for work, purchasing your suit may be a better investment.  In addition to the sentimental value, you will have a suit that has been tailored to look awesome on you and this will translate into how awesome you feel when you wear it in the future.  If this is your decision, opt for a more traditional suit as it will still be in style for the years to come.

Color?
No matter your suit color, you will always be presented with this question: “And now for the ties and vests.  What color are you thinking?”  Save yourself the time, and the impromptu stress of a phone call to your bride-to-be, by discussing the colors of your wedding with her ahead of time.  Ask the following:

• Is her wedding dress white or off-white?  (Pro Tip: Carry a photo of it with you.)
• What is the color scheme for the wedding? (Pro Tip: Carry a sample palette of the colors with you.  See a theme yet?)
• What are the colors of the bridesmaid dresses? (Pro Tip: If I have to say it, have your Best Man slap you for me.)

Stand Out or Be The Same
The final question is: Should my groomsmen wear the same style and color scheme as me or not?  Traditionally, the wedding party would wear identical clothing, but today it’s completely acceptable for the groom to differentiate.  Subtle ways include a slightly different boutonniere, more obvious ways include different tie or vest colors to a different suit color.

In Conclusion
Whether you choose a suit or tie, the key is to look good, feel confident and be awesome.  Many grooms don’t take the time to prepare and as a result, waste a lot of time and creates stress.  Remember, it may not stress you, but it may stress your fiancé – so use the advice above and SUIT/TUX UP!

If you have any advice you’d like to share with other grooms, or you have questions, feel free to write them in the comments!

Jeff Gurwin painted the mural you see on Avenue A and Second Street in New York City to propose to his girlfriend Caitlin Fitzsimmons.  Afterwards, every man with a girlfriend named Caitlin made plans to casually stroll down Avenue A and Second Street with his Caitlin, pretending he organized the entire thing.  (I’m kidding!)

Makes most proposals pale in comparison, huh?

Good enough for Bond, good enough for you.

There is nothing more classy than a nice tux, a beautiful woman and a cocktail in hand – okay, you got me, I was watching James Bond earlier today.

Regardless, a cocktail is the perfect compliment to a classy, sophisticated function such as a wedding.  Many Seattle couples are opting to include a signature drink to save on costs of hosting an open bar – especially the way some of their friends drink – and for us men, the signature drink is just not manly enough as it needs to accommodate the ladies as well.  So, if opting for a signature drink verses a hosted bar – make it fun and choose a signature drink for the bride, AND a signature drink for the groom.

Because gentlemen, if the cocktail isn’t strong, sour and stings a little on the way down – it’s not a real man’s drink.

As always, please drink responsibly.

Ten Manly Cocktails To Consider (And Try!) for Your Signature Drink

Bulleit Neat

No frills here – its just you and the bourbon.  This just screams, “Rugged Man”.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. Bulleit Bourbon

How to prepare it: Pour Bourbon in glass.

Billionaire’s Margarita

Everyone loves a good margarita – but let’s face it, this drink was created for the ladies.  Here’s a twist that keeps it festive, yet still gives it a macho feel.  Why the name Billionaire’s Margarita?  Order one in your suit, on the day you feel like a billionaire, and you’ll certainly look the part.

Ingredients:
5 oz crushed ice
1 oz Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia
1/2 oz Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire
2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 lime wedge

How to prepare it: Fill a shaker with ice, add the Jose Cuervo, Grand Mariner and lime juice.  Shake well, pour into glass with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

A Hole in One

Into golf?  Be a gentleman, yet give an underlying tone that you love sports and athleticism – therefore you are a man.  It’s very swanky and has a good country-club socialite as well, perfect for those golf course weddings.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Johnnie Walker Red Label
1 tbsp honey
3 oz unsweetened tea
1 leomn wedge

How to prepare it: Add the Johnnie Walker, honey and unsweetened tea in a glass. Stir and serve over ice.  Garnish with the lemon wedge.

Kamikaze

Want to show how adventurous, bold, outdoorsy you are?  Do you take risks, tell everyone around about your battle scars, or just try to be the tough guy?  This is the drink for you.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
1/4 oz triple sec
1/4 oz lime juice or sour mix

How to prepare it: Shake all three ingredients together, pour in a shot glass and serve.

Black Velvet

Perfect for the groom who wants to show both his manly, beer-drinking side and his classy, champagne-drinking side.

Ingredients:
3/4 pint Guinness
1/4 pint champagne

How to prepare it: Fill a shaker with ice, add the Jose Cuervo, Grand Mariner and lime juice.  Shake well, pour into glass with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

Tom Collins

This is a perfect drink for those hot, summer weddings.  And hey, if you need to get away from the distant aunt who always used to pinch your cheeks and offer you a quarter to rub her feet, the excuse, “I hear my buddy Tom Collins calling, I’ll be right back” always works.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz Tanqueray gin
1 oz lemon or lime juice
1 tsp sweet and sour mix
1 splash club soda
1 maraschino cherry
1 orange slice

How to prepare it: In a shaker, mix Tanqueray, juice and sweet and sour mix over ice.  Shake well, then strain in a Collin’s glass that is pre-filled with ice.  Next, add club soda and garnish with the orange and cherry.

Captain & Coke

Just like Captain Jack Sparrow, rum is the drink of choice for the man in charge – the one that knows he is in control and all eyes are on him when he walks into the room (okay, so maybe they are looking at the beautiful girl in white next to you, but really, we all know they are checking out that sharp tux you are in).

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
6 oz cola
1 lime slice

How to prepare it: Stir the Captain Morgan and Cola in an ice-filled pint glass.  Garnish with the lime slice.

Manhattan

If “Mad Men” is one of your favorite shows on TV, this is your drink.  If you haven’t tried this before, do yourself a favor and order it your next time out on the town.  You don’t know it yet, but you just ordered a very manly drink.

Ingredients:
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz. bourbon
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel

How to prepare it: Mix the vermouth, bourbon and bitters with three ice cubes in a mixing glass.  Gently stir.  Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry.  Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the juice.

Sidecar

Have you and your bride-to-be ever been to France?  If not, its okay, because this drink has French origins, France is romantic, every manly man has a romantic side, and on the most romantic day of your life, your bride… well, you can figure this one out.

Ingredients:
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz brandy
3/4 oz lemon juice

How to prepare it: Fill a mixing glass with ice and add in all three ingredients.  Shake and pour into a cocktail glass.  For added taste, wet the rim of the glass and coat with a thin layer of sugar.

Vesper Martini

Two words: James Bond.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
1 splash olive juice
1 olive

How to prepare it: In a shaker with ice, add the Smirnoff and olive juice.  Shake it and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with an olive.

Are you discussing an open bar versus a signature drink selection for your upcoming wedding?  For those whose wedding has already passed, did you choose an open bar, signature drink, or something else and how come?  Would you consider any of these cocktails for your own wedding?  Discuss with other grooms in the comment section below.

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Tony Schwartz Weddings was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Tony Schwartz Weddings is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Tony Schwartz Weddings for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Tony Schwartz Weddings is the very best DJ within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/tony-schwartz-weddings-seattle/c13aabff50777b8b.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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