Romantic Valentine's Day Date Ideas

How to Romantically Spend Valentine's Day?

Valentine's day is just around the corner and I'm sure you must be planning various things in your mind in order to treat your beloved in the best way. Catch up some wonderful ideas to celebrate Valentine's day over here.

Guys Valentines Day Is Coming

.... I guess if you are proposing you want to add a few nice quotes with that engagement ring. This will give you great brownie points:::

This year, consider adding a love quote to a homemade Valentine's Day card or add a love quote to a gift. Modern romantics may even want to consider sending a love quote text message to their loved one or an email. Love quotes are the perfect way to say "I love you" on Valentine's Day or any other special occasion. The top ten love quotes come from a variety of inspirational people.

1."We are shaped and fashioned by what we love." by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2. "There is no remedy for love but to love more."by Henry David Thoreau

3. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--they must be felt with the heart."by Helen Keller

4. "Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love."by Virgil

5. "The love we give away is the only love we keep."by Elbert Hubbard

6. "And in the end, the love we take will be equal to the love we make."by The Beatles

7. "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."by Aristotle

8. "Real love stories never have endings."by Richard Bach

9. "To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage."by Lao Tzu

10. "Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."by

Franklin P. Jones

Five Romantic Ideas for Valentines Day

The February 14th holiday of Valentines Day is the perfect time to ring in the romance. It may be cold and dreary outside, but you can make sure that it's warm and snuggly inside by implementing one of these romantic suggestions for Valentine's Day.

#1 Destination: Romance

When money is no object, then your course of action is clear: pack a bag and catch a plane to somewhere sexy and seductive. From Las Vegas to Antigua, luxury hotels are offering a host of amazing get-away weekends for couples. But time is a ticking, so get on the horn now to your travel agent, or better yet check out a discount travel website for last minute deals.
For a less expensive option, look into local B&Bs. Even if it's just a 20-minute drive away, you will feel like you are in a different world - which is all you need to jumpstart the romance. In either case, call ahead to the hotel or booking agent and request champagne for your room.

#2 Under the Stars

Even if a destination get-away does not fit in your budget, there are plenty of romantic destinations right in your backyard. An ideal choice is the planetarium. In fact, what is more romantic that a night under the stars? Especially when there isn't snow, sub-zero temperatures and frozen fingers to contend with. If your town doesn't have a planetarium, call up your local university and ask for the astronomy department; they might have a night sky.
Some planetariums have already jumped on the romance bandwagon and are offering special Valentines Day showings, complete with love songs crooned by Frank Sinatra playing in the background. But even if your planetarium hasn't caught the love bug, the regular showings are still plenty romantic - and probably a good deal less expensive.

#3 The Lessons of Love

Check out dance lessons, cooking lessons, horseback riding lessons, or even rock climbing lessons. Whatever you and your partner are in to - or want to get in to - is the prefect choice for a Valentines Day date. For more inspiration, check Craigslist for local offerings. The Minneapolis Craigslist, for example, featured a recent ad from a massage therapist looking to teach couples the fine art of a perfect backrub.

#4 Take to the dance floor.

Dancing cheek to cheek is the quintessential romantic move. Look for local jazz clubs for a quiet intimate setting. Of course, on Valentine's Day, if you really want some privacy, the ideal setting is your own living room. Push the couches and tables back to the wall and string up some white lights. Then turn on your favorite crooner and dance the night away.

#5 Write your own Valentine.

With the thousands of greeting cards available for Valentine's Day, the most romantic way to share your love is by doing it with your own words. Just write what is in your heart and even if you are not the poet laureate, your valentine will undoubtedly be a treasured keepsake.

Valentine's Day Ideas That Won't Break Your Budget

No matter what you do or where you go, the day will be romantically wonderful if you keep it simple, fun and personal.

That hand-written love note, for example, will be treasured for a lifetime, while the fancy dinner will be worked off the next day at the gym. So don't stress if you are in a tight spot this Valentine's Day. Even on a shoestring budget, you can still lavish love and affection in grand style.

Here are several suggestions that just ooze with romance without breaking your budget:
Build a roaring fire and relax together with mugs of hot chocolate. Be sure to buy mini heart-shaped marshmallows to float in the cocoa

Fill your sweetheart's office with red and pink balloons purchased from the dollar store.
Whip up a sinful chocolate fondue that you feed to each other by candlelight.

Celebrate Valentine's Day on February 15th, when all the accoutrements are half-off.
Read poetry aloud to one another - try "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe or "Life in a Love" by Robert Browning.

Have a picnic. Even if it's freezing outside, you can spread out the tartan blanket on your living room floor. Or better yet, pack some wine and cheese in a wicker basket and surprise your sweetie at the office.

Go electronic. Blitz your baby with emails or SMS' declaring your love throughout the day. Send a funny little valentine every hour on the hour.

Make your own valentines. There are crafts blogs galore with step-by-step tutorials for Martha-esque cards. Even if your talents are a bit less refined, the thought still counts.

Create a trail of flower petals, leading from your front door to your bed. (Florists just toss past-their-prime roses. But even if you don't want to dumpster dive, a few roses go a long way.)
Head for the hills. Take a hike in your nearest national forest - or even the woods behind your house. Pack a thermos of hot cider and some chocolate truffles.

Play Love Scrabble, where the words you spell out are amore, sweetheart and passion.
Give each other massages. Or, if the budget allows, hire a pair of massage students to come to your house and give you a couples' massage.

Pop a bowl of popcorn and curl up in front of a classic romantic comedy like "Sleepless in Seattle," "When Harry Met Sally," or the classic Cary Grant flick, "I Was a Male War Bride".

"Hey ladies you can do this incase you have no ideas."

Are You Thinking About Proposing?

As December is responsible for over 32% of the country's proposals and with Christmas Eve being on a Saturday. . .we want to wish our nervous friends who have that ring box in their pockets the best of luck and know come Monday, we will be right here to take you through the fun process of planning your big weekend. 

 

Illustration by Karen Kurycki /For The Washington Post

Bachelor Party Games

It's your friend's last night of bachelorhood before he enters a new phase of his life filled with extra responsibilities and duties. You've got to give him a great farewell party. A bachelor party has to be planned well, so that it can be executed even better. The most important part of such a party are the bachelor party games. These games are the life of a party, which make the party worth dancing all night long. Let's see what are some of the bachelor party games and bachelorette party games too!

Bachelor Party Games for Men

Cheers!!
A bachelor party cannot be started without intoxicated souls. After all, it's the only way the groom-to-be can lose all his inhibitions and follow his intuitions. Drinking games are the way to begin games for bachelor party. 'Name It', is a great game to start with. Place a pot at the center and make all the participants (everyone participates) contribute a bit of alcohol to the pot from their glasses. The groom starts, by naming a famous personality. The next, person names a celebrity, with the last letter of the previously said name. Say, the first name is 'David Beckham', the next has to begin with 'm'. The one who misses, has to drink the pot and start over. The person has to keep drinking till he comes up with a name. Wonder what names crop up after high levels of intoxication!

Poker
A grand game of poker with real money to bet, is a night long of conniving fun! This way you can have the classic stripper idea at the party too. A variation can be made with lap dancers. With choices galore, poker definitely qualifies in the list of bachelor party games ideas. The exotic performances for the 'last rites' of bachelorhood, are sly and can lead to some steamy secrets contrary to the next day's wedding vows. So what's going to be Mr Groom's strategy to hold himself clean?!

Movie Night
If you've been scandalized by the aforementioned ideas, don't worry. Clean bachelor party games do exist. This idea is not a game, but just a plain idea. A guys night-in to watch some of the guy-favorites. Matrix, Die Hard, Hangover, The Bachelor Party and just make your call. Order some pizza, nachos and store huge amounts of movie snacks for a night of virtual entertainment. If this gets boring, grab your keys and hit the road to hop clubs for the last time.

Trivia
It just takes a tad bit of romantic trivia to make bachelorette party games. List down some trivia of her husband-to-be such as: 'what's his favorite color?', 'what's his favorite song?' and so on. These are basically questions that never matter. With one wrong answer, the bride-to-be has to down a glass of beer. To get the others hammered, pass on the questions about bride to the guests. You can frame questions such as, 'what is her favorite cuisine?', 'which is her favorite movie?' and so on. Get the absolute trivia to make these questions, as getting all them sloshed is the aim. The real fun bachelor party games, begin post the spirits are high!

Get more of •Unique Bachelorette Party Ideas
•Bachelorette Party Ideas
So these were some of the fun bachelor party games. Don't get yourself stuck in the rut of party decorations and party invitations. Disposing them is another problem and you can pretty much invite everyone on the phone. Just make sure you have the right plan, enough supplies and an inexhaustible verve for a party!

By Mukta Gaikwad

So What Do You Know About Purchasing a Diamond?

Reading all about diamond qualities is no substitute for seeing and handling diamonds for yourself. A diamond can not be judged purely on the details given on a diamond report or certificate. We have been offered many diamonds that sound fabulous on paper but when seen in real life they just don’t work.

If you are planning on purchasing a diamond, it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified as the cost of a diamond is determined by the 4 C’s which are the top most criteria one needs to become familiar with - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Please refer to the following:


CUT
The cut of a diamond allows it to make the best use of light. When a diamond is cut correctly, light is reflected from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the stone. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Please do not confuse the cut of a diamond with its shape. Diamonds can be cut into a number of shapes, depending on the qualities of the rough stone before it is cut.

The most popular diamond shapes are round, marquise, pear, emerald, oval and heart. Whatever the shape, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter. When the cut is right the diamond gives more sparkle.

Diamonds range in color from faint yellow or brown to very rare pinks, blues, greens, and other colors known as "fancies."

The best color for a diamond is no color at all. A totally colorless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, resulting in the light being dispersed as the color of the rainbow.

Colors are graded from totally colorless to light yellow. The diferences from one grade to the other are very subtle and it takes a trained eye and years of experience to color grade a diamond

CLARITY

A diamond's clarity is determined by using a 10-power magnifying glass and a trained eye.

FL Flawless - No inclusions or surface blemishes under 10 x magnification

IF Internally Flawless – no inclusions and only insignificant surface blemishes under 10x magnification.

VVS1 – VVS2 Very, Very Small inclusions – extremely difficult to see and usually only visible on a microscope or to an experienced grader with a loupe.

VS1 – VS2 Very Small inclusions, visible with 10x magnification but should still be difficult to find.

SI1 – SI2 Slightly Included, usually easily found with a loupe but still ‘eye clean’.

When viewed without magnification the difference in appearance between these clarity grades will be negligible.

I1 - I3 Included - inclusions visible to the naked eye (sometimes referred to as P1 – P3 or piqued). As these inclusions are becoming more visible they may affect the outward appearance of the diamond, the best I1 clarity diamonds will have an inclusion visible to the naked eye of a trained grader but not to the untrained eye and will still be very bright.

Most diamonds contain very tiny impurities know as "inclusions." An inclusion can interfere with the light passing through the diamond.

The fewer the inclusion, the more beautiful the diamond will be.

Diamonds have the capability of producing more brilliance than any other gemstone. A diamond that is free of inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore very valuable

CARAT-WEIGHT

This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats.

One carat is divided into 100 "points," so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 ct.

The carat-weight of a diamond is the easiest measurement to determine.

Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

Don't rush into your diamond purchase. Take your time and evaluate your choice carefully. It took thousands of years for nature to form your diamond and the skill of a master diamond cutter to bring your diamond to you. The time you spend now can bring you a lifetime of pleasure.


CERTIFICATION – Whilst most diamond reports or certificates that you will see use the same terminology the standards to which each laboratory grades can vary and the difference between the most highly regarded reports and lesser reports can in our experience be as much as two grades. If we offer a diamond for sale with a certificate it will usually be from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) or IGI (International Gemmological Institute). As non of these laboratories have a base in the UK if you would like a report to be issued on any of our non certificated diamonds we will usually use AnchorCert based in the Birmingham Assay office and this will be charged at the cost price of the certificate (usually around £40.00 -£60.00 dependant on the size of the diamond).

Signs of a Good Relationship

There are a few signs of a good relationship shown by both partners when they want their relationship to work. This positivity is mentioned in the form of an article put together just for you, take a look.


Does he get you flowers? Does she blush when she sees you? Is he protective? Is she your best friend? There are so many beautiful things about healthy relationships, that you cherish and hate to imagine your life without. From the time you meet each other, till you realize there is no one else who understands and knows you better, every moment (bad or good) is special. Every time you see the person you love, you feel that rush you felt when you saw him/her for the first time.

Call it cliché, but that's how love is! It's old fashioned and cheesy, but crazy and wild. It makes you do stupid things, but pulls you out of them just as easily. It gives you butterflies in your tummy as well as the strength to stand up for it before the world. When you have experienced all this for one person, you are surely in a relationship which you don't want to end. Thus, to find some signs of a good relationship, take a look at the following paragraphs.

What are the Signs of a Good Relationship?

When you are in a relationship, there are many aspects which take the front seat in your life. With many priorities and preferences changing, you get to decide if you are in a relationship, which is worth moving forward with. There are also a few factors on which relationships depend and when you face certain situations together, you realize the depths of your feelings. Many a times, couples confuse the early signs of a good relationship to be constant throughout, but end up disappointed with unfulfilled expectations that follow. What makes a good relationship is, to take things very slowly and find out if both of you are in the same emotional place at the same time. It is also necessary to find out if both of you want to continue this way. Mentioned below are a few signs of a good relationship which you will notice if you are in one.

Traits of a Good Relationship
As mentioned earlier there are a few factors on which a good relationship resides and these are very important for any of them. You can definitely use these as good relationship tips if you want to improve on what you have.

Traits of a Good Relationship
As mentioned earlier there are a few factors on which a good relationship resides and these are very important for any of them. You can definitely use these as good relationship tips if you want to improve on what you have.

Respect
Showing respect to each other is a very important factor in every relationship. If you think that you are above each other depending on many reasons, you will never be happy. When you get prejudice in between you, you will never respect each other for who you are. Therefore, make sure you treat your partner as an adult and respect him/her.

Loyalty
Being loyal to each other is also one of the important signs of a good relationship. If you are having second thoughts about being in one, get out of it as soon as possible since you will only make things worse for the later. But if you are sure about sticking to your partner for a lifetime, my relationship advise would be, stay loyal and don't let the world affect you.

Trust
Having faith in each other is the biggest need of any good relationship. Don't have doubts about your partner if you trust each other and have confessed it. But taking advantage of that trust to indulge in unruly things is also not advised. If you want a future with someone, you have to earn their trust which is the hardest thing to do once you lose it. Infidelity (emotional and physical), is a very common fear many couples live with.

Dependability
When you are in a relationship, you also have to make sure if your partner is worth depending on emotionally, more than financially. If there is no maturity in the relationship and understanding that you share, you will never be able to go through life with each other. To depend on someone as a friend first and then a lover for understanding circumstances and situations is more important for any individual mind.

Space
The last thing you would find in every good relationship is the affection you have for the other person. You can have major relationship issues, if space is absent. When you are affectionate, you won't find it difficult to provide the required amount of space in it. You can't create a suffocating environment for anyone, as you have to respect a certain breathing space that person needs.

In conclusion I would say, there is nothing called a perfect relationship as imperfections are what makes it perfect. However, with these signs of a good relationship you can surely think about improving yours and cherishing what you have, as you may not have it tomorrow.

By Aparna Jadhav

Grooms Cakes: How to Design a Cake That's All About Him

by Just Weddings


The grooms cake has been a long-standing tradition, especially in Southern weddings. While the wedding cake was meant to represent the bride, the grooms cake was meant to represent, well, the groom. These days, couples are moving back towards that tradition of having two cakes at the wedding. Paired up with an elegant wedding cake, there is another cake with the groom's personal interests in mind. Grooms cake ideas range from sports to hobbies to patterns, depending all on what his passions are. Often the groom's cake is a surprise that is given by the bride. As tradition would have it, the cake is actually meant to be the bride's gift to her future husband.

Sports

Sports are always a classic when it comes to the groom's cake. Many men love sports and most men have at least one sport they adore. A grooms cake idea can include designs that are fashioned after a particular sport. Hockey fans, for example, can have a sheet cake decorated like an ice hockey rink – players included! Football fans can have a football field with their favorite team's logo in the center and even a scoreboard on the side with the bride and groom as the names of the teams. Baseball fans can have a cake sculpted to look like a bat and baseball cap with tickets to the wedding sticking out. If the groom has a particular team he is a fan of, a grooms cake can be carved into a team's logo or even just use the team colors as the inspiration.


Hobbies

Some men are more into a hobby than a sport. Hobbies can include gaming to fishing to yard work. Depending on the groom, you will want to at least integrate a hobby as the theme or use it as the entire cake decoration. For example, for the man that loves to fish, a large 3-D cake sculpted like a fish coming out of water is a unique selection. For men that love to play video games, a grooms cake that is carved to look like an Xbox or Playstation, with the remote included, is another popular choice.

All About Him

Sometimes it is hard to select just one thing to fashion a cake after, especially if the groom has multiple favorites on his list. Create a two-tiered cake showcasing all of the favorites of the groom. For example, have one tier focus on his career or education, while the other tier focuses on hobbies, sporting teams or even just has a list of his favorite bands written right on the cake. The more personal touches you can add to your groom's cake, the more he'll love it.

Source for sports cake: The Hudson Cakery

Source for fish cake:Cakes VA

This post was originally published on JustWeddings.org.

Dilemma: Should I Propose in Front of Her Family & Friends?

Your friends over at marriage.com have recently launched an awesome new version of their site where brides and grooms can ask wedding questions and receive advice from a community of experts. today we’re sampling one of their hot topics pertaining to casual weddings. today, we’re sampling a user question on whether or not the groom should pop the question in front of friends and family.

Boy meets girl. Boy dates girl. Boy falls in love with girl… and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. So he saves up, does research, and buys the perfect engagement ring. Things are going great, (he’s pretty sure she’ll say yes), but there’s just one VERY important detail that needs to be planned—the proposal, of course! Even if you know what you’re going to say, don’t underestimate there where/when/how—any girl will tell you that proposals are a big deal (asking someone to marry you and be your wife is no small feat)! Just take a look at all of the “proposal fail” videos on YouTube—asking in the wrong environment (or at the wrong time) can be downright deadly, embarrassing, or just plain awkward for your future bride.

Here’s one common dilemma prospective grooms often face: Is it appropriate to propose in front of her family/friends? Better yet, is it a good idea? We got that very question from one concerned groom-to-be. Marty W. asked, “Should I propose in front of her family/friends? And should I let them know I’m planning on asking? (I’m pretty sure she’s going to say yes, btw, so no worries!) I was thinking it would be nice if they all came out afterwards and we could go out and have a celebratory dinner. Advice?”

Good question, Marty. We headed to our Marriage.com community to see how engaged couples, expert wedding professionals and married couples were responding—with lots of helpful proposal tips:

Right off the bat, one former groom (now a married man) Dan L . recommended making the proposal mostly private—no family or friends—since it’s a lot of added pressure. Except for maybe a photographer “covertly hidden taking a photo or video of when you get down on one knee”, you really shouldn’t need anyone else there but you or her. And the photo/videos are just a mere suggestion to please her oh-so-curious and excited family (trust us, when she calls them, they’ll want details of absolutely everything—the proposal, the ring, what she said, if she cried, what you said, etc). Just make sure your bride-to-be is the type who loves documenting all of her important life events—you definitely won’t want to use this idea if she’ll find it creepy!

Looking for the perfect balance of a personal proposal (but still want to keep her family in the loop?), take a smart tip from one of our Marriage.com experts, Julie Pryor, who had the perfect solution to this question-popping conundrum. When it comes to proposals, Julie suggested a personal proposal (with “just the two of you”) and then a “celebration with her family for later in the evening or the next day”—a great way to have her family to feel like they were part of their daughter AND future-son-in-law’s intimate moment, without actually having them there! Great idea, Julie.

If you feel like her family would still like to be involved, consider having them hide and wait somewhere (a restaurant, another location, etc) – then when you and your newly engaged fiancée come in, all of you can celebrate together!

In the end, though, we agreed with Roxanna, a user who stressed that it really depends on the girl. She brought up some great points: “Think about it carefully– does she like to celebrate her birthday with all of her family? Is she really close to them– are they the first to hear about all of the big news in her life? Even if those things are true though, she might not want the proposal to be in front of family and friends.” She also mentioned that ideally, the couple should be very close to both families if he’s planning on proposing in front of so many people.

Bottom line? “That’s a lot of pressure, and no matter how sure you are that she’ll say yes, she might want to keep the moment private and special with just you. Think carefully in terms of your relationship and if she would like that type of thing– if you have any doubts, I would shy away from it,” said one smart user. We agree! Thanks to all of the wedding experts and engaged couples at the Marriage.com forum for your ideas and advice! Want to see what people are saying about this topic? Check out the conversation here.

Re-Post From The Man Registry
Sunday, August 7th, 2011

Grooms Checklist

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
Wedding Source

It’s Your Wedding, Too: What are You Riding Off In?

One of the main things that most people overlook is the wedding car. For the bride, generating a fantastic entrance is important; from the moment that she arrives in the church towards the moment that she faces the groom in the end of the aisle, all eyes are on her. However, right after the vows have already been swapped and the company have cheered, the happy couple’s exit really should be just as impressive as the entrance, and what better means to accomplish that than in a limo, classic car, or antique car?

Renting a car for your wedding is very popular and common these days. There are many companies that offer a lot packages either by the hour or four hour mininum.

Not all limousines or rental services are the exact same. There is a wide range in the quality of the vehicles along with the level of professionalism and reliability offered from business to firm. You ought to call a number of various businesses just before you decide which to pick, and have an notion of what you’re trying to find in a limo. These factors will allow you to make your choice:

Spending budget This can be a really essential factor to think about, as your spending budget is a limiting factor for both the size of the limo as well as the time period of the rental. Most limousine businesses rent out their cars for a minimum of three hours and cost more for their products and services during the night than they do in the day.

Size The size of your limousine depends upon how you intend to make use of it. If you want to transport the entire bridal party from the ceremony to the wedding reception, you’ll want a huge, spacious vehicle, proportionate towards the size of the party. However, if the automobile will only be used to carry off the wedding couple at the end of the night, an inferior vehicle will suffice if the couple is on a budget.

Style There’s much more to think about than just seating capacity when picking a limo for your wedding. As an example, even though black limousines are one of the most common, you might prefer white for your wedding. Not all limo companies carry white vehicles, so you could need to call around. If a limo isn’t your style, ask the company what other luxury vehicles they provide.

Finally, make you sure you call two days before your wedding to confirm that you car will be there the day of the wedding. This way you will avoid in any complications. However, professional these companies are always make sure that everything is good as you expected. In addition, before choosing a wedding car make sure to get in contact with previous clients who used the services before or check their Web sites and go through customer feedback.

Six Do’s and Don’ts for Throwing the Best Bachelor Party

From the moment he pops the question, there’s one thing groom-to-be thinks about more than anything else – the bachelor party. This isn’t a new phenomenon either, as bachelor parties are rooted in ancient history. Many believe that the Spartans were the first to hold bachelor parties as a celebration of the groom’s last night as a single man. This celebration included dinner and drinks with many a toast given in the grooms honor. The term bachelor itself, used as we do today, first appeared courtesy of Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales in the 14th century.

Bachelor parties have come a long way since then, and more importantly, they’ve become much more creative. Unfortunately, they’ve also tended to get more out of hand as well. In more recent times, bachelor party debauchery has even contributed to numerous celebrity break-ups. Paris Hilton, Mario Lopez and Ali Landry have all had relationships affected by the grooms last night out.

From fancy five-star dinners to a weekend in Vegas, there are many different ways to throw a bachelor party. But regardless of your party preference, there are some basic tips and advice worth following. These bachelor party dos and don’ts can make or break the celebration – and even the groom if you’re not careful.

1. Don’t let the groom pay
No matter how generous he is, the groom shouldn’t have to pay for anything during his bachelor party. It’s his last night out as one of the guys, so take care of him. Certain exceptions can be made, especially if the celebration spans a weekend or longer. But make sure to cover him when it counts – after all, it’s his celebration, right?

2. Do something different.
If your group always hangs out at the same bar or goes to the same restaurant or club, don’t go back to that place for the bachelor party. Take the groom somewhere different – hopefully somewhere nicer too. Whether he’ll admit it or not, this is a big deal for him, so do something special. Go all out, that way there are no regrets when he looks back on the night 10 years from now.

3. Don’t let yourself get tired
This is particularly important for weekend excursions or trips to Vegas. No, we’re not talking about doing anything illegal here, but some real simple things can help make sure everyone’s energetic and enjoying the party. Sleep can be hard to come by on a bachelor party weekend, so know where to find a good cup of coffee if you’re on an overnight trip. Better yet, bring one of your own coffee makers along with you. This can save you some serious money too – Starbucks gets expensive!

4. Do some advance planning
As great as it made the plot of The Hangover, don’t try to hold a bachelor party any closer than three days before the wedding. There’s just too much that can go wrong. Trust me – the bride and her family will thank you. Be sure to start planning early, as well, especially if there are a number of guys traveling for the occasion.

5. Don’t let the groom do anything he’ll regret
He’s still engaged, after all, so don’t let him get too out of control. It’s the best man’s job to make sure the groom behaves, which is actually the second most important thing he has to do – other than plan the bachelor party. Everyone else is on his own, just make sure to keep an eye on the groom. If Mario Lopez can get caught, then there’s no reason to expect that he won’t.

6. Do remember to have fun
Despite all the excitement and planning going into the bachelor party celebration, the most important thing is to just have fun. At the end of the day, it’s all your friends together celebrating an important moment in the groom’s life. Don’t lose sight of that amongst all the other craziness that may or may not be going on. And remember that at the end of the day, it’s not where you are or what you’ll do that matters – it’s who you’re with that really counts.

Mike Tennant is a freelance writer and columnist from Orange County, CA. Mike currently works with Air & Water Inc., where he helps newlyweds pick out their first wine cooler and tries to make other home appliance shopping exciting.

Grooms Wedding Attire – Traditional Wedding Attire for your Groom

Usually the grooms wedding attire will dictate what the other male members of the wedding party will wear so he needs to choose the right attire in the right style. With a formal church wedding it is traditional to wear top hat and tails whilst a simple trouser suit is suitable for a less formal wedding. But whilst you maybe fussing over various styles and fabrics it is easy to forget that the choice for his wedding attire is fairly varied too!

Morning dress is a traditional grooms wedding attire choice for a formal wedding, whether it is in a church or civil ceremony. Traditional morning dress consists of tailored grey stripe trousers, a black or grey tail coat, wing collar shirt, waistcoat, silk tie or cravat and a top hat (which can be optional). The waistcoat and tie or cravat can be color coordinated to match the wedding colors.

If morning dress doesn’t appeal you could choose a frock coat which is slightly more flamboyant and can be made from plain fabric, patterned brocade, velvet or silk. These are longer length coats which usually reach mid thigh and are worn with a standard or Nehru style collared shirt which should be white. Trousers should be black and plain and should be accompanied by a cravat.

Highland dress or kilts are popular grooms attire choices all over world especially for those with family links to Scotland. Kilts come in a range of different tartan fabrics and are available in a morning or evening dress style.

If you groom is a member of the armed forces then he may wish to wear his military uniform for your wedding. If the other members of the wedding party are not of the armed forces then different attire will need to be chosen for them.

A lounge suit is a popular choice for a modern or contemporary wedding and will give grooms the opportunity to splash out on a designer suit. The other members of the wedding party will not mind purchasing their own suits either as they can have something they could wear again.

Black tie is an elegant choice for an evening wedding and ‘black tie’ should be written on your wedding invitations if you intend to make your wedding a black tie affair. This can be a dinner jacket, trousers, white shirt and bow tie, although traditional black tie would include a tail coat jacket which is cut shorter than those in morning dress. If the male guests wear black tie then the female guests should wear evening dress.


By Georgina Clatworthy, The Wedding Source

Wedding Day Do’s and Don’ts for the Groom

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin of GutsyGroom.com

All the planning is done, the guests have arrived, the menu is chosen, the DJ is booked and it’s the big day. A lot of planning has gone into this day, but it’s not over yet. On the wedding day the bride gets hair and make up done and is gushed over by the photographer and all her bridesmaids.

But the groom always seems to get left out…when was the last time you saw photos of the groom and groomsmen getting ready??? This doesn’t have to be the case, you’ve been involved in the planning process and now you deserve all that other good stuff on your wedding day.

I’ve compiled a list of a few do’s and don’ts for you, some of these are common sense, but after doing as many weddings as I’ve done…Trust me, as straight forward as some of these seem there’s always that one guy.

Make A Timeline And Stick To It!!!

We always include an extremely detailed itinerary for our couples and we do all we can to stick to it. That being said I have been standing at the groom’s hotel door banging on it because he missed breakfast. Getting up on time is key. For more than the obvious reason, if you start the day on time you’re not playing catch up all day and your stress level will be lower. I suggest not only setting the alarm clock, but get a minimum of TWO wake up calls and then make sure you have a friend come to the room and bang on the door until you answer it.

Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Once you’re up and about it’s time to get some food in ya. Make time for breakfast, I say this because you’ll be very busy all day and may not have time to eat another real meal until you sit down to dinner. And that is a long way off. BUT…Don’t order room service. Have breakfast with your parents, or your groomsmen, if you eat breakfast with your groomsmen you know they are up as well, and that they haven’t overslept.

Treat Yourself To A Little Something

This may seem like a no-brainer, but no matter how nice it is outside and how your buddy says you have plenty of time…don’t try to squeeze in 18 holes before the ceremony. From experience, please trust me on this one. Not to say you can’t do anything but sit around the room. Book a massage, get a facial, warm towel treatment and straight razor shave. The photographer is gonna want pictures of the rings, so maybe get a manicure the morning of the wedding, that way the nails will be in top form for the photos and all that hand shaking you’ll be doing later.

Don’t Forget Your Bride

While you’re having your massage and getting shaved, don’t forget about your bride. Make a plan with your best man for him to take over the wedding day gift you got for her. Have him take it directly to her room, but make sure she’s awake and dressed etc. I found a good time to do this is when you know the photographer will be there, you know she’ll be up and have all her friends around, so it’s the perfect time to deliver the gift.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Don’t be afraid to indulge yourself on your wedding day. You deserve it. Do things that relax you (although I would steer clear of the bar) and make you feel good. Don’t forget to eat whenever you get the chance, even if you think you’re not hungry. If your groomsmen are coming to your room to get suited up, have the photographer there as well, most photogs bring a second shooter so grab that guy and have him take your pre-wedding shots. But while doing all of this, don’t forget about your bride. The great thing about hiring a planner is that you get to do all the good stuff on your wedding day and the planner makes sure it all runs smoothly…giving you the time to enjoy that massage you’ve booked for yourself.

3 Things the Groom Can’t Forget On His Wedding Day

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin

There is so much to try to remember on your wedding day. Most of this stuff should be handled by your wedding planner, but I want to talk about the stuff you, as the groom need to do. It seems pretty straight forward and common sense, but you have no idea how many guys just don’t think of this stuff…we’re not really known for being the greatest thinkers, so I’m gonna help you out.

Wake Me Up, Before She’s Gone, Gone!

Everyone gets out of bed in the morning. If you’re like me you hit the snooze button a few times. I have even missed a few wake up calls that have made my trips to the airport quite stressful. So here be my advice. When you’ve called down to get that wake up call, call down again and get another. After you’ve done that, set the alarm clock in the room, and set it LOUD. After that, grab your cell phone and set the alarm on that. The last thing you want to do is sleep in and be rushed or late to your own wedding, or even worse…miss the whole thing. I always include a “groom wake up service” that I carry out personally; I will come to your room and bang on that door till you get up. Any good planner should be doing this.

If You’re Not Hungry…Eat Anyway!

This starts with breakfast of course. After your 4 alarms go off and I have banged on your door, head down and eat a good breakfast. Wedding days are hectic and you don’t know when you’ll get another chance to eat a meal before dinner. Have some sort of food on hand throughout the day as well. This probably won’t be a meal, but get some protein bars or shakes to get you through the day. Always try to eat whenever possible. Have the photographer bring some sandwiches so you and your bride can grab a quick bite while other people are having their pictures taken. Or maybe have shots taken of you and the groomsmen all eating hotdogs (this will work for the entire wedding party as well). Plus, this way you’ll have some food in you when you hit the cocktail hour.
Hydration Not Libation

Don’t get all boozed up before the ceremony. And don’t let your guys get hammered up either. Some officiant’s will call the whole thing off if they even get a whiff of alcohol on any of the wedding party’s breath. So don’t take the chance. Do drink other stuff though, Gatorade and the like are good, they at least put some of the nutrients back into your body. If you’re outside in July in a tux, dude, you’re gonna sweat. So keep yourself hydrated. Stay away from Red Bull, Rockstar and that crap, if you need an energy drink to get through the day (I use them for weddings) go for the little 5 hour energy shot. Sure they don’t taste all that great, but they don’t have that crash at the end. When the ceremony and speeches are done, now you can head to the bar.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Make sure you take care of yourself on your wedding day. You want to be able to enjoy it to the fullest and God knows you’ve put a lot of thought into it. People will be bombarding you all day, shaking hands, taking pictures…you’re gonna be “on” for at least 10 hours that day. So keep hydrated, fed and leave enough time so you’re not stressed and rushed.

Two more quick things if I may. While you’re getting ready and enjoying your tasty sports beverage, send some flowers or a gift over to your bride. Have your best man, or a hotel employee walk it over. This will put a smile on her face and that’s always good for you. And lastly…write down your thank you’s for your speech. Even if you don’t write out the whole speech, make sure you know who you need to say thank you to and don’t forget anyone. And above all, take time to point out how great the bride and her bridesmaids look. Guess that was three.

5 Wedding Planning Tips for Grooms

Guest Blogger: Simon Daykin

OK guys, everyone gives out wedding planning advice. Most (myself included) forget everything they hear. I’m gonna let you know of 5 easy tips you can make to make the planning process easier on the groom and bride. And if we’re honest here…a happy Bride makes the process SO MUCH EASIER! So take heed fellas, grab a pen or hit print on your computer and file these away for a rainy day so you can surprise your Bride-to-be with your awesomeness.

Be A Groom Who Takes

By this I mean take stuff OFF her plate. Go through the things on her “need to do” list, find stuff that you’re interested in and take them over. It’s not that tough and could be fun. If you like music and food, take those and own them. Look for DJ’s or bands, get their demo cd and check them out. Go to the hotel and talk to the chef, see if you can help design the menu. You will of course want to take your fiancé to the tasting but you can do all the leg work leading up to it. Don’t just sit back and let her try to do everything. The marriage is a team effort, so is the wedding and the planning should be as well.

Listen, Listen, Listen

As the planning process goes along, your Bride is going to need to talk to you. You must listen to her. She may not need you to fix anything, she may just need you to listen. (If you get confused, as I do…ask her what she wants you to do, but ask nicely) Sure there are forums and what not, but sometimes she will have to talk to you. Be patient and see what she wants you to do. She may be complaining about how many DJ’s she is having to contact (See above section) if she is complaining about getting overwhelmed, then see if she wants to hire a planner (Here’s a good one). The most important thing to do is listen to her.

Take Time For The Two Of You

Make time for the two of you to do stuff that isn’t wedding related. Sounds simple but a lot of people forget this one. Go out to dinner, but don’t talk about the wedding, go see a movie, you’re not even allowed to talk there. Go out with friends and have a good time. Try to do something non wedding related at least once a week. It’ll help you get back to normal. My wife and I run this company together, we work together every day, it’s pretty hard to not talk about wedding planning at dinner…but we try and so should you. It helps. So feel free to surf blogs and gossip pages while you’re at work so you have something to talk about when you get home.

Give A Little Along The Way

Give her stuff, it doesn’t have to be huge things. Sometimes flowers and a nice card will make all the difference to her. Things to let her know you are thinking of her and you love her and you can’t wait to get married to her. You can set this up in your work calendar so you get prompted when the time comes. She’ll think it’s spontaneous (but you’ll know better) You can get romantic about it and as the days lead up to the wedding, you could send her something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Just be sure to explain it in the card you attach.

Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up
Speak up grooms!

Speak up grooms!

This wedding is a combination of both of you. Don’t forget this. Sure you need to listen to her, but you need your ideas heard as well. Don’t let her mash all your ideas into the dirt like a poorly protected quarterback (holy crap, I think that is my first sports reference in 2 years of writing this!!!) Sure you may need to compromise on some of your ideas, but make sure you are heard and that she listens to you as well. The wedding should be a true combination of BOTH your personalities, just as the marriage will be down the road

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

The planning process can take its toll on couples, that shouldn’t be news to anyone. But there are simple ways you can help to make it easier. If you don’t support her, the whole thing is gonna suck, if you don’t get your ideas heard, you may get angry and resent you never got the wedding you wanted. So try to make the wedding planning process a team thing. It can be fun. It doesn’t have to be work. How tough would it be to have the boys over on a Saturday, break out the bottles and concoct your signature drink? Yeah, not that tough really is it!?!? Will it really be a chore to eat a few steaks to see which one you like the best? Nope. So grab that list, take over some items and get on that. Own those items guys. She’ll love you for it…wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

So in closing, take the time to just hang out with your fiancé, and you can start this over the holidays as well. Not every conversation needs to be about the wedding, if she doesn’t believe you…show her this E-zine. I’m apparently an expert in this stuff so my word counts. Good luck guys, I know you can all do it.

Don’t Be THAT Guy At Your Own Wedding

By Guest Blogger: Simon Daykin

My last guest post dealt with THAT guy at your wedding. I received quite the response so I thought I’d go one more mile down the road and address how you, the groom, can avoid being THAT guy at your own wedding. Trust me, it happens. There are plenty of reasons for this occurrence. They range from nerves, lack of eating, mixing boozes to good old hard partying and lack of control. I’ll hit a few here, the usual suspects but I can’t get into some of the deeper, crazier reasons, because that’s between you and your shrink! You DO NOT want to look like this guy at your own wedding…do you??? Of course you don’t!

Eat It! Just Eat It!

Each one of us has joked, at one point or another about getting a good base before a night of drinking. Well as far as I’m concerned, there is truth to that. Food in the belly makes sure the alcohol takes longer to get into your blood stream. Making the wine make its way through a 16oz steak will help you. But this is not just a night…oh no…this is a FULL DAY! So make sure you eat, eat whenever possible, whatever possible. Eat a good, solid, manly man breakfast, then eat lunch, solid proteins and the like. From the ceremony to the cocktails there is a long time…so I suggest bringing food along. I’m not saying that you pull out a hero sandwich just before you say “I do”. But have the photographer bring along some food for the photo shoot or stick a sandwich in your pocket. Keep the food coming whenever you can and try not to get hungry.

Go To Bed Early…And SLEEP

This is not directed at your wedding night…oh no…this is directed at the night BEFORE your wedding night. Never make this night your stag night! There is no reason to go out and get all “Jersey Shored” the night before your wedding. You’ll only regret it later.

Use this night to have a great dinner, either with your Bride to be, your family or all your guests. When they start to drink it all up, you make your exit. They may rib you, but they will understand. In all honesty, I would have a quiet dinner with your Bride to be, and your families. Keep it an early night. And if it’s all family, no one will try to pour shots down your throat. Head to bed early, go over your vows and your speech to make sure all your I’s are crossed and your T’s be dotted, then go to sleep. You’ll need your rest for the coming day. Trust me on this, falling asleep, or even WORSE…passing out at your wedding is not on!

Consumption

Usually there will be some booze at the wedding, and mostly there will be a lot of the stuff. Doesn’t mean you have to drink it all though. Remember to pace oneself…patience is a virtue. So be patient boys. If you want to drink, then have a drink…no need to go double fisted. Remember you need to be able to last the night and “then some”. Yes I do mean the wedding night. If you drink away your “performance” then I can’t help you. But I can help you before this happens. So slow down, and not only will you be able to give a ROCKSTAR performance on your wedding night but you’ll look better in all your photos and you won’t be tossing back you dinner on your guests or slurring your speech. The speech you spent so long working on. There is plenty of time to have a few too many…your wedding day is not one of these times!


Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Most, if not all of the guys I know love to head out and “tie one on”…myself included. But let’s be honest here. Your wedding is not the time to do this. You have asked a bunch of your closest friends and family to join you in a celebration with your families and your future wife. So you need to be a part of that celebration.

I’m not saying you don’t drink…I would never say that! But what I am saying is put yourself in the best position to handle your booze fellas, book your stag a few weeks out. That gives you plenty of time to recover. If you have out of town pals coming in, set up a pub night a few days (if possible)before the wedding to hoist pints with them. Don’t do it the night before. Never do it the night before!

Drinking is a slippery slope, you feel good one minute, then you’re all over the floor the next. You need to be on your feet, shaking hands, taking pictures and being a great guy, you need to be on your “A” game. It’s just one day, you can do it. Be cool!

You got questions? I got your answers! Feel free to drop me a line if you want to, I’m here to help you guys. My email is simon@gutsygroom.com and you have access to me. So I suggest you use that. I can also hook you guys up with the best wedding planner in the biz…you need a great planner, I got one, I also come in the package so all your questions during the planning process you may have…I’ll be there to help you out. You can check out our work at www.fireflyoccasions.com and book your free consultation by emailing us at info@fireflyoccasions.com. That is all for this time boys…

Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin of GutsyGroom.com

Statistics say that about a third of you grooms out there and are going to attend some sort of bridal show or expo. As a planner & event designer, I attend this event twice a year, so I’m going to impart some tips to you on how to survive this day, keep your bride happy and make it out alive.

Comfort And Style

The trick is to mesh the two. You need to walk around all day, stand on concrete and look good while doing it. You wouldn’t wear track pants to go buy a new car, so why slum it for the Bridal Show? Project a high end image and high end vendors will be drawn to you. This is simple attraction. Vendors interview you just as much as you interview them, so put on a nice shirt, good pair of jeans and a kick ass pair of COMFORTABLE shoes. I’m not saying show up in a 3 piece suit, but dammit man, LOOK GOOD! I started going to this event in a T-shirt and jeans years ago, now that I plan 6 figure weddings, I dress the part.

Versatile Clothing Is Good

A dress shirt is good, as I find that they seem to blast the A/C, but when all those people get into that space…man it gets hot. I get cranky when I overheat so I always make sure I can change my body temp quickly and whenever possible, without having to carry anything. So with a dress shirt, you can roll up the sleeves, let off some steam and this will keep you in a better mood and not overheated all day.

Sure you can take a sweater off, but then you have to carry it.

I also recommend, that if you bring a coat, leave it in the car. It’s not that far from the car park to the doors, and you DO NOT want to be carrying around a coat all day. With Calgary you never know what the weather will be like, but trust me, if your fiancé brings a coat, odds are you’ll be carrying it around when she gets hot. So leave yours in the car so you won’t be carrying around two. And avoid the coat check (if there is such a thing) as that’s just another line you’ll have to wait in.

Happy Feet Ain’t Just For The Penguins

ALWAYS make sure you have a comfy pair of shoes on. You’ll be walking around all day and standing while you chat to vendors or your fiancé does. The floors in the Round Up Center are concrete. Being on concrete for hours on end takes a toll on the feet. And after the feet go, the legs follow and then it’s all downhill from there. I usually wear a pair of sneakers or the shoes I picked up at the Bridal Centre (patent leather sneakers) I’m not saying head out and buy new shoes for the show, go through the closet and see what you have. But make sure they have a nice, comfy sole on them. Cushioning will get you through the day and save the pain in your legs when you hit hour 4. This is a big venue and you’ll be doing A LOT of walking.

Hydration Is Key

So I know that the show is on a Sunday and Saturday nights are a great party night. But this is only ONE day out of countless weekends you’ll have in your life. Do yourself AND your fiancé a favor and don’t go out and get sloshed on Saturday night. Trust me on this, you’ll pay for it tenfold the next day.

So no hangovers OK guys!?!!

That being said, the recycled air will dry you out almost as fast. I suggest bringing a large water bottle, sure they sell water and but there is that whole line thing again. Bring Vitamin water, Powerade, whatever gets you through. I strongly suggest passing on your Red Bull type drinks as they induce a rather nasty crash after a couple of hours. (And if you leave that coat in the car, carrying a water bottle around isn’t that bad.) If you do need a “pick me up” type drink I suggest those little 5 hour energy drinks they sell at the gas station. I use these on long road trips and I can say they work, and have little to no crash at the end. I think they may include a bottle of water in your “welcome Package”…but you’ll go through that in no time flat. And remember to eat as well…the burgers are actually quite good.

Take It All In

This type of event can be very overwhelming, so take your time. If you find a vendor you like, get all their contact info, make a note on it so you don’t forget what it was you liked about them and keep it somewhere safe. There is so much info passed out at these things that the good stuff can get lost in the shuffle. If you can make an appointment with the vendor on the spot for a later date, do so. Take the time to talk to the vendor and get a feel for them and the services they offer. If you take an interest in stuff instead of hanging back and moping, the day will go by faster, your fiancé will love you for it and you’ll be able to get some of your ideas incorporated in your special day as well.


Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

While this may not be the greatest day ever…it doesn’t have to be the worst. Follow the simple steps listed above and it’ll go smoothly. If your fiancé brings other people, ie: her mother, maid of honor, any bridesmaids…anyone really. Listen to what they have to say, add your opinion, but NEVER get into a fight with any of them. You can discuss all the info you gather when you get home with the only person who really matters…YOUR WIFE TO BE. It means a lot to your bride to have you involved so suck it up and go in with your head held high and the best of intentions. You may actually have a great time.

A New Way for Grooms to “Pap” the Question

Your marriage proposal story is one that you and your future wife will tell for years to come. But to truly capture the occasion, why not have a professional photograph or film it, so you’ll never forget a single detail and can also share it with family and friends? Headed by veteran photographer — and former paparazzo — James Ambler, New York City-based Pap The Question helps grooms really wow their future fiancées and take their proposals a step further by preserving the special moment forever.

Today, we’ve asked James to tell us a bit more about his company and its services for grooms who are ready to “pap” the question.

What types of services do you offer for capturing groom’s proposals?

We offer three packages — all of which can be tailored to individual needs — that include 1.5 hours of photography. With the Paparazzi Proposal package ($450), we talk with the client beforehand to discuss the location and details, take some candid shots of the couple walking along prior to the proposal, and then capture the moment he drops to one knee, asks the question and her reaction. We then upload the pictures to our site, so that the couple can view them and share them on Facebook with friends and family. We also send the client a CD of the pictures. Our second package ($600) is the same as the Paparazzi Proposal package, with the addition of video footage of the proposal. Our third, elite package ($750) includes photos and video, as well as hidden camera footage. Dropped off the day before, the guy wears this hidden camera in his shirt pocket to record audio as well as video of him putting the ring on her finger. We then edit the audio and video footage together so that you can see the full proposal unfold.

We also offer full consultancy for our clients on customized packages, planning the day, suggestions on location, venue, and bad weather alternatives, as well as an additional posed engagement photography session that can be shot later on. In addition, we work with Brilliant Event Planning, a proposal planning service in NYC that can help guys with ideas or suggestions. We’ve also teamed up with Tea and Sympathy in NY, which can provide a traditional English picnic at your location.

How did you come up with the business idea for “Pap The Question”?
I came up with the idea after I got engaged two years ago and friends asked if we had any pictures of the day. We didn’t, but it planted a seed in my mind. After checking into engagement photography in NYC, I identified a gap in the market in this area. With my experience as a paparazzi photographer, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to offer this service to guys to really take their proposals to the next level.

How do you plan the process with grooms?

We map out the day with the groom so that he knows exactly where he should be, and to determine the best position for us to capture the action. If possible, we like to visit the location prior to the proposal day to get familiar with the area. On the day of, we position ourselves, take some preliminary shots of the couple together, capture the engagement and reaction, as well as get some after shots.

Will the bride-to-be notice that you’re there?

We make sure to stay as far away and hidden as possible, but it depends on the location. We did an engagement recently on Brooklyn Bridge and had to be fairly close to the couple because there were so many people, but with locations like that there are usually hundreds of tourists with cameras anyway, so we can blend in. In Central Park, we can stay 300 to 400 feet away, so you won’t see us.

How soon will the groom receive the photos or video of the proposal?

After we’ve completed the shoot, we’ll edit and send the photos that day. If the client chooses to use the hidden camera option, we have to wait to get it back, but typically edit the video the next day. The pictures are then posted online as quickly as possible, so that the happy couple can share it with friends and family or on Facebook.

What’s the best proposal or reaction you’ve captured to date?

I think the best engagement so far was Matt and Vicky’s. He said some really cool things and the video and photos looked really fantastic. Her reaction was also great. Matt ended up telling her about us being there, which made her laugh, so we did some set up shots afterward. Every engagement is different in its own unique way, which is what makes it so much fun to photograph.

What if things go awry or, God forbid, she says “no”?

If it’s very crowded and we need to be closer so we don’t miss the shot, there’s an increased risk of being spotted. But that hasn’t happened to date, and we plan to keep it that way. If things do go awry and she says no, we offer 75% of the money back and a beer if they want it!

Pap The Question is a New York City-based paparazzi proposal photography company that specializes in capturing marriage proposals in photos and on film. You can connect with them further by following on Twitter and liking on Facebook.

pap the question is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Have you considered hiring a photographer to capture the memories from your marriage proposal? Drop us a message in the comments section below telling us what type of shots you would want and how you would keep the whole thing a secret from the future Mrs.

A Groom's Traditional Duties

Although one mother-of-the-bride told her future son-in-law, “You only have one job: show up on time,” grooms have a few more duties on their list.

•Select the engagement ring – although now-a-days brides may also be involved in choosing the engagement ring.

•Choosing his wedding party: best man, groomsmen and ushers

•Choosing the attire for the groom’s wedding party – in keeping with the style of the wedding

•Selecting thank-you gifts for his wedding party

•Arranging – and paying for – lodging for his wedding party

•Selecting a gift for the bride

•Compiling the groom’s part of the guest list and making sure that his parents provide their guest list.

•Planning the honeymoon – Today, this, is more of a joint venture

•Choosing wedding bands together

•Arranging for and purchasing the marriage license

•Making arrangements for transportation from the ceremony to the reception site, if necessary

•Planning the bachelor party or event (if applicable)

•Giving the ceremony officiant the fee or donation, or arranging for the best man to present such fees

•Standing in the receiving line, if there is one, or - with the bride – being sure to greet all the guests at the reception

•Making toasts and responding to toasts at the rehearsal dinner and the reception

•Dancing the first dance with the bride, dancing with the couple’s respective mothers and the maid/matron of honor

•Cutting the cake with the bride

By Peggy Post

Honeymoon Cruise Ideas - 3 Top Tips - Strictly For the Guys

This is for the guys so excuse me if it is not strictly PC. Political correctness has no part in checking honeymoon cruise ideas and it has to be kept secret. OK? So lady readers look away now.

Guys, you love your bride-to-be and you want the best but you are a little short of money maybe?. Never mind. With a little careful planning and tightening of the belt you will be able to WOW your girl with one of the many honeymoon packages available online. But come on...this is YOUR honeymoon and you love your girl and you want the best of course. So here are my 3 honeymoon cruise ideas for you.

Avoid cheap honeymoon packages! They are full of other honeymooners and you want to be alone in that significant world of your own. This is YOUR experience; do not share it with others! Choose from one of the luxury cruise travel packages even if it is for a shorter period. Luxury beats cheap any day.

Avoid late booking. Book well in advance and get the peace of mind knowing that all is well planned. Guess what? You will go around with a silly smile on your face for weeks, secure in the knowledge that everything is sorted out and you have a secret. Make sure you keep it a secret !

Avoid tacky! Knock her off her feet, wine, dine and romance her on one of those luxury cruise travel packages, anywhere in the world. Do the best you can afford for that wonderful woman and treasure the moments for ever.

There you have it guys, my honeymoon cruise ideas. And to you ladies reading this (yes, I know you are there) please do not under any circumstances steal your man's thunder. He loves you and wants the best for you so do not tell him you read this OK? It will be our little secret ;-)


By Jamie Seymour