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Holidash Blog
money clip

Money clip are one of those gifts that show up all the time on websites and in catalogues aimed at bridal couples. Looking for a gift for the men? How about a personalized golf ball, a silver flask, or a money clip? They're everywhere.

What this gift idea may lack in originality, it makes up for with its saying. It's a nice reminder, that the truly important, really valuable things in life cost nothing -- the love you share, for example. A sweet, romantic notion for the groom. For the father of the bride, who may be getting a little dizzy at how quickly his bank balance is receding, it might be just more than a little ironic. Could be the poor man will soon be thinking that the only things he ever will own from now on will be the ones that don't cost money.

Will you give it to him? Probably depends on his sense of humor ...
groomsmen in kiltsYou've decided to honor your heritage by wearing a kilt at your wedding. Problem is, it's the very first time in your life you've ever worn a skirt a kilt something that's not pants, and you're just not sure how to proceed. With a kilt, it's not a simple matter of pulling it up over your hips. You could ask the salesman for pointers, but you'd really rather not. (You probably don't stop to ask for directions when you're lost, either, do you?)

Not to worry. Click on the following link, which, with pictures and everything, gives you step-by-step instructions for getting that kilt to go on -- and stay there! If you're going full-on with tradition, scroll down the page for further instructions for dealing with the sporran, socks, straps, and brogues. (If you have no idea what any of those are, you really need this page!)

When you're done, no one will know you're not a native. Until you open your mouth.

It almost goes without saying that most brides will spend a few hours on their wedding day being groomed and pampered by hairstylists and make-up artists. The groom is usually left to his own devices, which often means a quick shower, shave and a splash of Hugo Boss. However, there's no reason why grooms shouldn't smarten up in style as well.

For London grooms, we love the service offered by Gentlemans Tonic, a "unique establishment in the heart of Mayfair that affords the modern man a traditional barbershop and a variety of lifestyle and grooming services." (For Americans, there is also an establishment in Houston, USA.)

However, forget about an old-fashioned barber shop. Banish all thoughts of something staid and dull. This is men's grooming with a modern edge. The private haircutting stations and treatment rooms boast high-tech music consoles and LCD screens and the service is all about understated quality and high-level care.

If you think your man would enjoy some pampering but would never admit to it, then why not do it for him and buy him a gift certificate? That way, he'll have no choice but to surrender and you get to have a deliciously stylish groom. It's a win-win situation.
woman in pink sun hatEveryone is pretty clear on what the bride and her mother will be up to for the duration of your engagement: planning a wedding! Some women give the impression that they've been planning this event in their head since the first wedding they attended at the age of six, and now the starting pistol has fired in real life, look out!

Thing is, your mom's a woman, too, and maybe she's been planning a wedding in her head, too. Only (in this wedding at any rate) she's got a son, not a daughter. What does the mother of the groom do?

While she doesn't do as much as the mother of the bride, there are a few things that are just for her.

Continue reading Groom's view - What does my mom do?

two men in morning suitsWhat's a stud set? Can I wear a tuxedo for a mid-day wedding? Which is more formal, a tuxedo, a suit, or a morning suit? Can you wear brown with black? How do you tie an ascot? Can I wear a suit and put the groomsmen in blazers?

If you suddenly find yourself actually worrying about things you'd never even heard of before you popped the question, you'll be relieved to know that there are people who know this stuff. People who can give you the information you need, and can manage to be down-to-earth about it all. People who understand that for you, this is important for one day, not as a way of life.

We're kind of partial to the Style Guy at GQ. He's smart and fashion-wise, but he's not a fashion slave. Fashion sense with an edge: perfect for the groom who is never going to be a high fashion guy -- he just doesn't want to spend his "big day" making an ass of himself.

A wedding day is about both the bride and groom of course but, to be honest, it's the bride who is usually the shining star of the day, with all eyes upon her as she makes her entrance.

Chaps, it's time to steal back some of the limelight and make a grand entrance of your own, with all the glamour and style of James Bond.

Ditch the traditional limousine and charter a helicopter. Rise Helicopters charge £740 (excl. VAT) to get you to the church on time. And they'll give you one hour to get there, so if you don't need that much time why not arrange for a flying tour of the area before you arrive at your destination?

Rise Helicopters offer a Platinum Wedding package that includes a bottle of Vintage Champagne and a £100 voucher for use at a luxury Spa.

For more details, check out their wedding service here.
All along you've assumed that after the big day your bride will become Mrs. Groom. You're sitting in the kitchen, chatting with her sister, and she very casually mentions that she will not be changing her name. Most women in the US do change their names, but a certain percentage (10 - 20, depending on who you read) do not. For some men, this is not a big deal: she's agreed to marry you, after all, live with you forever, put up with your goofy sense of humor, maybe even have your babies. That's plenty!

Others, the traditional sort, might find this a bit hard to take. They might see it as a personal rejection, and react accordingly. Of course, it's not a rejection. She's agreed to marry you, live with you forever... (you know the drill, we just said all that). But it can feel that way, anyway.

You might need to have a conversation. Not a conversation so that you can change her mind, a conversation so that you can understand why she's made this choice. Before the conversation, though, think for a bit -- really, really think -- about how it would feel to have to change your name to hers. Never mind that it's not "traditional", and thus "stupid". What would it feel like? And if even a teeny little part of you says, "I couldn't do that! It's my name!", you don't need to have the conversation with her. You already understand why.
champagne flutes toastingThe wine-kind, not the kitchen appliance.

One of the traditional duties of the male contingent, toasting can be done either by a specially-appointed (or even hired) MC, but most often it's done by the best man.

Anywhere you look, you can find a list of who toasts whom, in what order, and with what. Thing is, all the lists are different. Who toasts whom, in what order? Who knows?

This can be a good thing. With so many possibilities, you can do it any way you like! Another piece of even better news:

Continue reading Tips for the toast - love your list

bride and father, dancing

Fathers of the bride are often given no more than a passing sentence in the etiquette books, and it's an expensive one: "Traditionally, the wedding and reception are paid for by the bride's family." As bridal couples are more and more likey to have been living independently (and, most of the time, together) for some while before the wedding, they are also more and more likely to be paying for their own wedding. An increasing percentage of brides escort their own selves down the aisle.

Which leaves dad doing ... what, exactly? Some dads don't want anything more. Some are perfectly content to wear what they're told, show up when and where they're told, and otherwise stay out of the limelight.

If you'd like more input than that on this most important day, there are a few things you can be doing that your daughter will truly appreciate. Experienced FOTB Ken York has a few pointers for you. The first one starts with not your daughter, but her mother. Give her something (Ken suggests jewelery), and with the gift say something sweet and thoughtful about all her hard work in raising this lovely young woman. If that doesn't make you Man of the Year (or at least the Hour) in her heart, we don't know what will.

Other tips?

Continue reading Father of the bride - four tips for the wedding day

If you wear one of these chokers to work everyday, chances are you're pretty proficient at tying them already. But based on the number of clip-ons I see in the stores (DON'T do this), I'm willing to bet there are some of you out there who could use some pointers. Who better to help us here than tieguide.com, with their detailed instructions and photos, you're sure to look like a pro in no time.

Here are a few more pointers: start with your shirt buttoned up all the way and the collar up. Once you're done tying, put the collar down over the tie. The knot should sit between the two collar points. When properly tied, the tie should end around the middle of your belt buckle (if it's too short or too long, start over). Finally, achieve the perfect dimple. As you tighten the tie, put one finger into the hangy-down part of the tie right in the middle under the knot. Lightly squeeze each side of the tie as you tighten for a perfectly centered – and oh so adorable – dimple.
leaping groomsmen

Weddings have always been the bride's Big Day. Down through the generations, women have ruled this day, and the men nodded and smiled, wrote checks, and showed up on time wearing what they were told. Lots of men still do that, and are perfectly happy to be out of the craziness.

Not all men, though. Some men, more of you each year, want to be more than mere props in what is, arguably, one of the most important days in your life, too. You might not approach that day exactly like your bride does -- and vive la difference! we say -- but you're interested, and you want information.

Continue reading Wedding websites - for the groom

mother and son dance

This is Groom Week on AisleDash, and what better picture to illustrate the theme than with this terrific shot by Tracie Taylor Photography. We love this picture, not just because he's a very handsome fellow (who obviously gets his at least half his good looks from his mother), but because of the positive energy between mother and son.

There's an old saying that if you want to know what a woman will look like in twenty years, look at her mother. Well, we'd like to add another saying to the list: If you want to know how your groom will treat you in twenty years, watch how he treats his mother. We're thinking that in another twenty years, this man's bride will still be glad she chose him!

Thanks, Tracie, for sharing this picture with us.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool. We'll highlight one image every Monday. We're looking for brides and grooms and attendants and guests and cakes and shoes and anything else that was fabulous about your wedding day. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information, and please upload only photos for which you own the copyright.

Guys, you don't want to look like you're waiting for a flood in too-short pants or dribble your long sleeves in cake frosting. You want a tuxedo that fits. From Coleman's Tuxedos, here's a guide to every number you need to know to get that perfect fit. You probably want to strip down to at least a thin shirt and get someone to help with the measurements. Sounds fun already, doesn't it?

Grooms, if you're feeling a bit stressed by the mounting bills and can't justify spending an absolute fortune on your suit, yet don't want to let your bride down by looking anything less than tip-top, then worry not.

The answer to your dilemma might just be the Great Universal website. They have a superb range of affordable tailored fashion that isn't terribly wedding-y and can be worn again after the big day.

We like this Ted Baker suit, pictured right, at £329, featuring flat front trousers with plain bottoms and hand stitch seam effect and a single breasted jacket with two button fastening, centre back vent, six internal pockets, internal security zipped pocket and luxury lining.

Visit Great Universal for the full range of tailored wear.

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