Groomsmen Gift Guide

In our wedding industry, much of the emphasis is placed on the bride and their bridesmaids. Every Instagram post, Pinterest pin and magazine article usually focuses on the girls. Rightfully so, yet we can not forget the men, after all they are your husband’s best friends. Today, my post goes out to them. I am rounding up some great gift ideas for your groom’s guys in this groomsmen gift guide.

For starters, take note of your guys’ interests. You may want to consider personalizing your gift to their personality.

For the sophisticate

Nothing impresses houseguests like personalized barware. Groovy Guy Gifts has some great options including this glass and wood decanter. I recently received this decanter engraved with a masculine “V” for my brother-in-law who is getting married next year (yay a family wedding!).  I chose not to have the ball engraved, but that might be a great way to make each gift as unique as the guys you want to honor. It is really a handsome piece and would make a nice addition to any bar cart. I also love the look and shape of this golf themed decanter as well as the idea of personalized whiskey stones to complete the gift.

For the working man

Whether he is working behind a desk or with his hands, there are some great gift ideas to be shared.  One of my favorite items might be this waxed canvas apron with leather details. I love how versatile it is depending on your friend’s hobby.

For the jet setter

Traveling for business or for pleasure, you can still travel in style with one of these masculine and fashionable gifts. I am clearly a fan of waxed canvas and this dopp kit is another fave.  Uber hopping is hard work, so make things easy with a simplified wallet like this minimalist leather number.

Whatever you choose to gift them is just the icing on the cake of your friendship, but it sure is nice to thank them for standing by you for all those years as well as on your wedding day.

Photo credit: Love & Light Photographs

Florals: Reynold’s Garden Shop

Venue: Mallard Island Yacht Club

 

Colorful August Tented Wedding

Next up in our Summer Series is Maggie and Kevin’s colorful, fun tented backyard wedding on the water. Maggie contacted me in early June and they were hoping to get married in mid-August. We had just two months to plan EVERYTHING and I was very excited to get started.  We met right away in Kevin’s parents’ house and thought “This could work!”. Just kidding! It was a stunning property and right on the water.  Since we did not have much time to waste, I got working immediately to reach out to some of my favorite people and luckily everyone was available for the date.  Our first meeting was with Sperry Tents to make sure that the tents for dinner and dancing would fit. We figured out a plan to have lighting over the pool, a circular tent for dancing and a large tent for the dinner and drinks. The flow was perfect and really utilized the space nicely. My next call was to Christina Lilly Photography and so glad she was there to capture all of the pretty on a day where the sky matched our color palette.

Maggie and Kevin decided on a bright & colorful day that really highlighted the season and capitalized on the wildflowers that are so abundant in August. We knew that Anne and Blade Floral would be the perfect fit.  Anne and I were both excited to tackle a wedding that wasn’t afraid of color! Don’t miss Maggie’s vintage dress- stunning!

Maggie loved the look of indigo and we hand-dyed runners and round linens to bring the vision to life. I love the indigo against the water and the sky and how each one was unique.

Their ceremony was intimate and officiated by their good friend. I love how personal each couple can make their ceremony. After all, that is what the day is about. Anne created carnation garlands as vibrant as a rainbow and of course we knew that this spectacular tree had to be in the background.

The dinner was very important to Maggie and Kevin. Maggie, being of Greek heritage, knew that she wanted to make sure her guests were well fed. Those Greeks know hospitality and she wanted to create a unique menu that catered to meat eaters and vegans alike. Cue Cardinal. They did an amazing job and the food was spectacular and seasonal. Since the menu was so important, so needed to be the tables they dined upon. We used farm tables for the head table, and rounds for the guests with assorted amber goblets, sunny menus from Gubba Gumma, agate table numbers, calligraphy by Mary Kate Moon, candles galore and vibrant centerpieces by Blade.

Since this is the Summer Series after all, I will end with these quintessential summer portraits by Christina Lilly. Maggie and Kevin wanted the morning of their wedding to be relaxed and fun so they opted for no bridal party and to get ready together complete with room service and ocean views. Christina has such an eye! She always gets the most artistic photos.

Thank you Maggie & Kevin for trusting me to bring your vision to life in just a few short months. It was truly a pleasure to work with you! I wish you a lifetime of blue skies,

Vendor Credits: Photography Christina Lilly Photography //Floral Blade Floral & Design //Calligraphy MaryKate Moon // DJ Sounds to Go// Catering Cardinal //Tent and Lighting Sperry Tents NJ // Specialty Rentals Dovetail Vintage Rentals// Standard Rentals Party Rental Ltd.// Paper Goods  Gubba Gumma