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In Guys

Groom showers: What, why, and how

November 21, 2019 No Comments

We can’t claim that groom showers are a new trend. We can, however, say that it is a trend that has seemingly slipped under the radar. Now, you may be wondering what a groom shower is, why you would want a groom shower, and how you should go about planning one. Not to worry, we’re here to give you the low down. A groom shower, or BRO-dal shower as we’ve seen it called, may be something you want to consider.

A groom shower, much like a bridal shower, is a celebration of the upcoming nuptials. It is an occasion for the groom to bring together all of his closest male friends and family. Guests bring gifts, there is food and drinks galore, and everyone simply comes for some good conversation and quality time with the groom-to-be before the wedding. This is much, much different to the bachelors party. It’s much more low-key and family friendly.

Family friendly is key here; it’s what makes this event appealing. Some of your older or more conservative relatives may want to have pre-wedding celebrations with you, but you probably don’t want to invite them to the bachelor party. You may also have younger relatives like nephews or young cousins who probably would love to celebrate with you too but for obvious reasons, they wouldn’t be allowed at the bachelor party. A groom shower is how you accommodate everybody and make sure that you’re celebrating with everyone who is important to you.

So, how do you plan this type of event?

It’s probably best to keep it simple. You’ll have a wide variety of guests, so anything too specific or outlandish might be difficult to pull off. Fill the table with some snacks, put some decorations up, and perhaps plan some party games. Just don’t forget to invite all the relevant people.

If you want something a bit more interactive or activity-based, here are some ideas:

– Sports

You could plan a sports match of some kind. Separate your guests into teams and have a soccer (or your preferred sport) tournament.

– A cookout

A beer and a conversation around a fire. A classic way to spend a relaxing day.

– Mini fishing trip

Well known for its facilitation of bonding, we think a day trip to catch some fish is a great option. This one may be a bit tougher to co-ordinate.

How ever you decide to spend the day, groom showers are a great way to include everybody in your celebrations. You may want to drop some hints to your groomsmen so they can get to organising.

Images: Unsplash

In Advice

Simple tips for writing great wedding vows

November 19, 2019 No Comments

Writing wedding vows can be a daunting task. It can be overwhelming to attempt to sum up all the things that you want to say to your partner. The vows, which at the end of it only add up to a few minutes of talking, are a summary of the love you have for your partner, the promises you are making to them, and the hopes and dreams you have for your future together.

What makes this more difficult for many, is that it has to be done not only in front of your partner but also in front of all your guests.

We’ve compiled a list of tips to ensure that you’re writing the best wedding vows you can.

Things to say in your vows

– First, mention your own name and your partner’s name. There are probably many people in the audience staring at you; this could take away some of the intimacy of your vows. Emphasise the intimacy by adding something like, “I, Harry, take you, Sally.”

– Second, add some anecdotes and personal stories. The guests will enjoy listening to this, and your partner will enjoy the trip down memory lane.

– Third, make sure you’re saying meaningful things. Cute and funny stories will only get you so far. Say things that also show how serious you are about this commitment.

– This final one should be a no-brainer, but we know that the stress of vow writing can cause some forgetfulness so we’ll mention it just incase. Always say “I love you”.

Writing tips

– Do not, we repeat, do NOT write them at the last minute.

– Read through some samples of vows before you start writing. This may help you to work out what your tone should be and could give you some inspiration.

– Actually write your vows down. “I will remember them”, never works out.

– Cut out clichés and things that might embarrass your partner.

– Make sure your vows are not too long. Your audience may get fidgety.

– Get somebody to proofread it. An outside opinion always ensures improvements.

-Preparation tips

– Practice your vows. Say them out loud. Say them in the mirror. You’ll be nervous on the big day and the practice will ensure you’re familiar with what you want to say.

– Carry a written or typed copy of your vows with you. If you do end up stumbling on your words, this will be a great help.

– With all of these tips in mind, remember to also get creative and take into account the finer details and context of your relationship like Jimmy Gisondi, who wrote a set of vows not only for his bride, Kelsea, but also for his new step-daughter, Olivia.

In his separate vows to Olivia, he said “I promise to never treat you [like] anything less than my own child”. This thoughtful additional set of vows brought the crowd to tears.

Last but not least, don’t forget to add your personality. Your partner-to-be loves you for who you are, so staying true to yourself will make the vows unforgettable for them.

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Groomsmen pranks for an extra memorable day

November 14, 2019 No Comments

Pranking the groom on his wedding day can be risky business. He is likely already on edge and any small thing could set him off. If you’re planning on pranking the groom, be sure to tread carefully. After all, you don’t want to be the guy who ruins the day for the groom. “Harmless” is the mood you should aim for with your pranks.

What is a harmless prank, you ask? At a wedding, a harmless prank is anything that doesn’t offend the couple, doesn’t affect the day overall, and doesn’t come across as disrespectful.

If you’re looking for a few ideas, we’ve got some for you.

– “You’re late!!”

While the groom is asleep, change the time on his watch and phone. Set the time two or three hours ahead. Make sure you wake up bright and early to wake him up. Frantically run into his room the morning of the wedding shouting about how late he is. When he checks the time, he’ll panic too. Little does he know, he is not late at all.

– “You’re a joke”

This is not so much a prank, but usually gets people laughing. If you’re giving a speech, all you need to do is throw in tons of embarrassing stories about the groom. Another classic groomsman move.

If you want something a bit more risky, we’ve got two ideas for you. But be warned, pranks during the ceremony may not be well received, no matter how harmless. If you’re doing this, be certain that you know the groom AND BRIDE will take it well.

– “That’s not the ring!”

When the time comes to hand over the ring to the groom, hand him a toy ring or a ring pop instead. This is sure to catch everyone’s attention.

– “A for effort”

Get the other groomsmen in on this one. Each groomsman should hide a number written in bold inside their jackets. After the couple’s first kiss, get the guys to reveal the numbers as if they’re rating the kiss or giving it a score.

Finally, take a look at these two perfectly executed pranks on the groom, and decide if you have the pre-planning skills to pull them off:

– Best Man replaces bride in first look photoshoot

Groom-to-be Keegan prepares himself to see his beautiful bride for the first time. He is nervous and excited and surely can’t wait to see her. Little does he know, he is in for the surprise of his life. When he turns around, its not his bride but rather his best man in a wedding dress! If you’re going to try this one, you’ll have to get the bride in on it…and buy a wedding dress.

– Best man replaces groom’s suit

Best man Colm Carberry went out of his way to pull this prank on his brother. He requested that the suit company tailor a suit exactly like his brother’s, but two sizes smaller. He switched the real suit with the smaller one, and he set up a camera to catch his brother’s reaction to the extra small suit.

Which prank will you try?

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Statement suits for the stylish groom

November 4, 2019 No Comments

Everyone loves a man in a suit. Grooms have been relying on the old faithful, a classic black tux, for decades. However, today’s groom is one that is willing to take a risk. From bright colours to bright prints, there are so many ways for the man of the moment to stand out on his big day.

Go crazy with colour:

Make a splash with a coloured suit. A monochrome suit is the easiest way for a groom to make a fashion statement without being overly dramatic. Be sure to pick a colour that compliments the wedding colour scheme for a cohesive finish.

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Print perfection:

If you are feeling daring, go for a bold print. This will be sure to turn heads at your wedding. The key with printed suits is to stick to no more than 3 shades and a smaller print to avoid your outfit looking like a costume.

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Velvet fancy:

Take a page from Prince Harry’s playbook and rock a velvet blazer at your wedding. Velvet has been a thing for a while now. The fabric has become popular in weddings because it is sophisticated and glamorous yet simple at the same time. For an extra stylish element, contrast your suit lapel with a different colour or fabric.

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Drama alert:

Sometimes you just need to throw out the rulebook. Make the ultimate statement with these non-traditional grooms’ fashion looks.

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Image: Unsplash

In Engagements

Why we propose on bended knee

October 28, 2019 No Comments

You know the picture. The proposer suddenly lowers the knee to the ground, both hands clutching a tiny box. “Will you marry me?” they ask. It’s a picturesque moment, one we’ve seen reproduced time and time again. But why do we do it?

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While proposing has actually been around for centuries, proposing on bended knee specifically has not always been the tradition. In the olden days, wedding engagements were seen more as business arrangements than the romantic, heartfelt scenes we know today.

Proposing on bended knee has no specific historical origin, and largely seems to be a more modern invention.

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Most reports link the tradition to practices observed during medieval times.

According to engagementringbible.com, the tradition “dates back to the days of knighthood, chivalry and formal courtship (i.e. medieval times and beyond).” In these days, knights would bend the knee in front of their lord as a sign of respect and loyalty. Courtly love was the formal practice of romance. Knights would perform various deeds of service to prove their love for certain women. They would also kneel before the women as a sign of servitude.

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Kneeling was and is a common occurrence across many religions. Much Christian iconography depict figures kneeling before their Lord as a symbol of service. For many entering their places of worship, they will kneel before the altar in a sign of love and reverence.

The argument goes that these two occurrences blended together and became a way for people to express their love, thus evolving into the modern day proposal. The bended knee became a symbolic way to prove your undying love and respect.

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Nowadays, of course, people are not so strict about upholding this tradition. Many propose without kneeling, and the amount of women proposing to men has largely risen. Whether you kneel or not, at the end of the day it is about what feels right for you and your partner.

Image: Unsplash

In Engagements

Grooming basics for the bearded gent

October 7, 2019 No Comments

Guys won’t admit it, but we are pretty sure they spend just as much time on grooming their beard as a woman would spend doing their make-up. We’re not here to judge, after all, self-care is crucial! Instead, we’re here to offer a few tips and tricks to aid in growing and maintaining that luscious facial hair.

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Patience is a virtue

Just like a fine wine, growing your beard takes time, and the longer you wait, the better it will be for you to work with. Avoid unnecessary trims, shaves and being fidgety – patience is the number one thing that is needed to make it grow. This should take about 4 – 6 weeks, depending on how fast or slow your hair grows.

Necessary tools

A good beard starts with the basic tools. Beard oils to soften the hairs and to avoid irritated skin, a beard brush to comb the oils through and keep your beard tangled-free, and lastly, a set of trimming scissors to cut those stray hairs and keep them in check with the rest of your beard.

TRY: Red Dane Two-Phase Nourishing Oil

Mug wash

A beard is not only about the hair, but the skin underneath as well. Within the early stages of your beard growth plan, wash and condition your beard daily. This means washing it properly with your face wash and then working in that aforementioned oil from root to tip. Also, be sure to include an exfoliant weekly that can help remove the dead skin cells and avoid that awful itchy beard sensation.

TRY: Cowshed Bullocks Refining Facial Scrub

Vitamins & proteins

Yes, seems like a weird tip to include in the list, however, your beard hair relies on the necessary B vitamins which include B5, B3 & B9. A good diet will not only do your health wonders, but your beard too.

Beard-in-training

Regular combing and maintenance are a way of helping the beard hairs stay in place and grow in the direction you need them to. Combing them will ensure the hairs are straightened to some degree, and using a beard wax or oil daily will also ensure the hairs are tamed. Before you know it, your beard will grow exactly how it needs to.

TRY: Hairy Eye Average Joe Beard Balm

By Yashna Balwanth

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to include in the best man’s emergency kit

October 3, 2019 No Comments

As the best man, you’re being entrusted to be the groom’s greatest support. Whatever he needs, you have to be ready and willing to help him. You’ll even have to expect the unexpected. For this, you’ll need an emergency kit filled with tools for every requirement or emergency that might just pop up. Here is what every best man will need in his emergency kit:

Personal items:

Gum/mints:

No-one wants bad breath, especially not on their wedding day. Slip the groom some gum or mints to chew on before the ceremony to keep his breath minty fresh. Just remind him to get rid of it before getting married!

Medication:

If a sudden headache or wave of nausea hits the groom, you have to be ready with some tablets to quell his ills.

Tissues:

Weddings and tears go hand in hand. Keep tissues in your pocket to pass to your groom when the waterworks start flowing.

Lip-balm:

The groom will be having his most important kiss on his wedding day, so his lips need to be moisturised and in tip-top shape.

Hairbrush:

Fly-aways be gone! Keep a hairbrush/comb on hand to smooth the groom’s locks before he walks down the aisle.

Cash:

You never know when you’ll need some money. Make sure to keep a few notes in your pocket in case you need to tip any of the vendors or do a quick shop run.

Clothing items:

Cologne:

Your groom should be smelling his best on his big day. Keep a bottle of his favourite cologne on hand to spritz him with before he weds.

Sewing kit:

Keep a sewing kit on hand in case of seam rips or loose buttons. If you don’t know how to sew (let’s be honest), replace the kit with hem tape or safety pins.

Extra cuff links:

Things can go missing easily in high-stress situations. Have a spare set of cuff links available in case the groom misplaces one of his.

Shoe polish:

No one wants a dusty shoe. Have shoe polish on hand to shine the groom’s shoes and keep him looking polished.

Lint roller:

Dust, random hairs and loose fabric threads can ruin the groom’s overall look. Make sure to give him a once-over with a lint roller to have him looking his best for his big day.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

The groomsmen’s duties

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Being a groomsman is a big honour. But with great honour comes great responsibility. As a groomsman, you’ll be expected to fulfil a number of duties to aid the groom in his wedding journey. Here is a rundown of the groomsmen’s duties:

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Pre-wedding prep:

Get fitted for wedding attire:

As a group, the groomsmen will be fitted with wedding attire to match the wedding’s theme. If a suit is being made, you might have to send your measurements through so make sure to have those on hand. Depending on the couple, you may be expected to purchase or rent the attire yourself. Make sure to set aside money for this.

Attend pre-wedding events:

Wedding festivities do not start and end with the big day. There are a host of pre-wedding events you will be expected to attend, including the engagement party, bachelor party, rehearsal dinner and of course, the wedding.

Help plan the bachelor party:

As one of the groom’s last nights as an unmarried man, the bachelor party is an important event in the pre-wedding schedule. While it is traditionally the best man’s responsibility to plan the event, groomsmen often provide a helping hand. Assist the best man in whatever he needs to pull off an epic bachelor party. You might also be expected to assist financially, so keep that in mind.

The Big Day:

Support the groom:

The Big Day is bound to be stressful for the groom. As a groomsman, you’ll be tasked with keeping him calm throughout the day. Ease his nerves, give him pep talks when needed and make sure his look is complete before he steps out. If need be, take the lead and make sure all arrangements are organised, such as transport and liaising with photographers and caterers. This way, the groom has less to stress him out, allowing him to enjoy his Big Day.

Give a great speech:

While it is typically the best man’s job to give a speech, groomsmen can also be asked to say a few winged words. Give yourself enough time ahead of the wedding to write out a strong speech that highlights what makes the newly betrothed couple special.

Give a great gift:

By virtue of being in the wedding party, you should be close to the couple. As such, your gift should be personal to them. If you’re out of ideas, have a look at their wedding registry for inspiration.

Have fun!

Now that all the big things are done, you can enjoy yourself at the reception. It’s important that guests have a good time, because that’s part of what makes weddings memorable. Dance with everybody, get people talking and play games as you celebrate love.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

How to tie a bow tie

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Bow ties are a classic option that will add the finishing touch to your wedding day outfit. As dashing as they are, the sophisticated embellishment is a bit tricky to pull off. If you’re unsure and want to pull off the tasteful look yourself, here’s how to tie a bow tie on your wedding day, or any other day you want to look extra dapper:

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Step by step

Choose a great bow tie

Black is a classic colour to choose but if your wedding vibe allows for it, consider opting for a funky colour, pattern or material.

Sizing

To ensure you get that dashing and sophisticated look, adjust the bow tie according to your neck size. Ask a sales assistant to measure your neck when purchasing a bow tie. There should be an adjustable slider or a hook and holes that will allow you to make the bow tie bigger or smaller.

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How to tie

The most popular choice is the butterfly bow tie.

First place your bow tie around your neck facing up. Make sure that the right side is shorter than the left. Your left end is A and the right end is B.

Move A over to the right. It will be across from B. It should form an X shape.

Move A under B and bring it up through the neck loop.

You can now fold B towards the right and finally to the left, which will then create the bow shape.

The A side can now move straight down over the middle section (the bow shape)

A can be folded towards the chest.

Pinch the fold.

You need to push A through the loop behind B.

Finally, pull on the folded parts which will tighten it. Adjust the bow tie to be balanced on both sides.

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Who needs help with a bow tie?? @decerbosaurus thanks buddy! How to tie a bow tie #bowtie #formalwear #tie #mensfashion #menswear #howtotieabowtie

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In Fashion

The tie vs the bow tie

September 11, 2019 No Comments

Are ties out of fashion and has the bow tie taken over? The answer is NO! Both are equally acceptable and both are the ultimate accessory. As a groom, one of the most important fashion decisions you will need to make is whether you’ll be sporting a tie or a bow tie. With a variety of shapes, patterns, colours and styles, you really cannot go wrong with either, so here are some pointers:

The Tie

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Can you think of a more complementary pair than a suit and tie? There is no doubt that they just go hand in hand. When you want to keep it classic and slightly more traditional, the tie is for you.

A well-tailored suiting option is perfectly highlighted with a tie. It will complete the look, leaving you looking utterly dapper. The tie has many elements to consider, like the type of occasion you are going to, as it could work for a formal/semi-formal and smart causal event, but remember a tie should end near the middle of the belt buckle in all cases.

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Tie knots is where it gets a bit confusing because there are so many styles. Consider the type of shirt you’re wearing and the collar type of the shirt. A large triangle-shaped tie will look better with a widespread collar. A narrow knot will pair well with a straight point collar shirt

The Bow Tie

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Although you can wear a bow tie anytime, they definitely help you to stand out from the crowd. On your wedding day, you may want to keep it classic with black or white but this will not limit you, due to the variation of patterns and colours available.

The bow tie is clean and looks different, but remember to keep the rest of your outfit muted in order to let the bow tie make a statement.

If you are playing around with patterns, then stripes and polka dots are your go-tos. You can also play around with a variety of colours if you don’t opt for the classic black. Normally, the bow tie is classified as part of a more formal attire alongside the category of a black or white tie, but it doesn’t have to be as formal – we like to play it up, don’t we? But if you are associating it with a classic tuxedo, without a doubt, you’ll reach for your bow tie

It can also be worn outside of the formal bracket. This is where funky colours and patterns will play a big role as it can soften the formality and be more of a casual accessory, adding a bit of spark to just about any outfit.

By Amy-Lee Steenkamp

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