I was unbelievable excited when I discovered this company! Traditional ring engravers will do one or two lines, with a limited amount of characters. Jerry Beirn of Wedding Vow Rings has taken engraving to a whole new level, perfecting an engraving method that allows him to engrave entire wedding vows inside your man’s (or your) wedding ring!! You could also have a peom, song lyrics, verse or other special moment engraved!

They have more then 200 different ring styles you can pick from, both traditional and comtemporary including white gold, yellow gold, titanium, platinum and sterling silver. If you already have a band you love, they can engrave your existing band as well!

If you’re looking to make your man’s wedding band really special, here is an article from Jerry Biern that you should find quite interesting.

Engraving Your Wedding Bands? New Technology Creates Romantic Possibilities.

What is more romantic than looking inside of your wedding band and seeing a personalized engraving with special meaning for the you and your spouse? There are a few ways to accomplish this task that your jeweler will recommend and now some new processes available that increase the limits of the message that can be created.

Let us review the traditional methods most currently being used in the marketplace - First, there is hand engraving done by an artisan engraver using a hand tool called a graver. It is not a perfect process and the results will depend on the quality and skill of the craftsman doing the work. Also commonly used is machine engraving which is much more precise but usually limited to one row of words using up to 20 characters.

Now, a specialty process adapted to a not so new technology, called laser engraving, has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for wedding couples who are thinking of engraving their rings. Wedding bands are now being created with entire messages that are clearly readable and up to 225 character long. This allows the ability to write whole passages, even entire wedding vows, on the inside of the wedding bands. Currently , bridal couples are engraving civil vows, religious vows, love poetry, even Shakesperean sonnets. This sentimental and romantic addition to your wedding bands can forever be a reminder of the commitments made, and add a special and unique touch to your wedding day.

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Write out your wedding guest list and ask your family to do the same.

Choose your best man and ushers for the wedding.

Decide on wedding attire for yourself and your groomsmen.

Shop for gifts for your groomsmen and present them at the rehearsal dinner.

Shop for a personal wedding gift, such as jewelry or lingerie for your bride.

Select wedding rings along with your bride. A nice touch is to have the rings engraved.

Plan the honeymoon several months before the wedding to ensure reservations.

Apply for the marriage license several weeks before the wedding and give it to your best man prior to the ceremony.

Give the officiator’s fee to the best men prior the wedding ceremony.

Be certain that you and your bride have all necessary paperwork such as birth certificates, blood tests, Baptismal certificates, passports, etc.

Make arrangements with your best man to have any rental items returned following the wedding.

Article by:

Elaina M. Jorge is a professional wedding&event planner. She is the owner of Enjoy Yourself Events, LLC and has recently partnered with Sweet Auburn Festival, Covenant House of Georgia and Give N Take Network to coordinate multiple special events in 2007. Visit www.EnjoyYourselfEvents.biz.

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This year I learned a lesson the hard way when it comes to boys tuxedos. My son, who is 5, was in his first wedding party and the bride told me I could either buy a tux, or just rent on with the guys. You would think, since I am a wedding pro, I would have done research and foudn out what was best. Nope, I just assumed renting would be cheaper right? $145 later, I realized how VERY wrong I was! Of course, by that time, the wedding was only a week away and it was to late to order a tuxedo so I was stuck shelling out the money.

SO.. how could this have been avoided? Well, the bride had said he could wear any tux, as long as it was black. The groom and his guys did some shopping around and picked the cheapest place to rent for tux they wanted - but I never checked for kids prices. In fact, as it turned out, at this location the boys tux cost the same as the adults! Now, a little research probably would have led me to a rental shop that offered a better deal - but that may not have been the best answer either.

Remember, I avoided buying because I though renting would be cheaper? Well, I was checking out Tuxedos And More who specialize in tuxedos for infants and children. The same tuxedo that I rented for $145 sells on their website for $60! The only difference is that I would have needed to by shoes to go with it. Not a big deal, he has nice dress shoes already - so if I hade purchased his tux I would have saved $75!!

But what am I going to do with a tux he’ll probably never use again? Okay first of all, it’s CHEAPER then the rental, and he’ll never wear the rental again either will he? Besides - a tuxedo that has only been used once is resaleable provided it isn’t damaged - I could have listed it on eBay, a local classifieds or wedding classifieds and gotten at least $30 - bring my savings up to $105!!!

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY:

- RESEARCH EVERYTHING, never just assume you know what’s cheaper. And do your research early - leaving the tux till the week before the wedding cost me a lot of money!
- Renting isn’t always your best option, sometimes buying can save you money in the end.

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CarolinaCCS, one of our readers, posted this as a comment on the post about guys and planning. It is such a good idea that I thought it deserved a post all it’s own:)

“My fiance likes to be involved in some things, but not all of the details. I asked him to give me a Top Ten list — things he really wanted to happen.

Now, we have Wedding Meetings - an hour on Sunday, and two shorter ones on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s the easiest thing in the world - we’ve been known to have an agenda to keep us on track.

He often got annoyed or distracted when I mentioned details in passing. The meetings allow us not to get on each other’s nerves — me, when he barely gives me a nod about our china pattern and him, when I ask him for another check for a vendor he’s never heard of… It’s quite nice.”

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Now here is a website EVERY groom should visit!! There are checklists, ring shopping advice, proposal ideas, fashion advice, bachelor party ideas, tips for great toast/vows and more! There are also sections for Best Man as well! Send you guy over to the Groom Guide for great, no-nosense advice just for guys!

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Bachelor parties are about guys getting together, sharing old stories, and maybe creating some new ones. They are a chance for the best man to send the groom off in style, in appreciation for years of friendship. Traditionally, this has involved drinking one’s fair share of alcohol, heading off to a gentlemen’s club, and waking up the next morning in a strange place with a new tattoo. Recently, a new trend has emerged. Guys are now spending weekends immersed in outdoor adventures: leaping out of airplanes, roping cattle, reeling in trophy fish, and riding wild whitewater.

Picture it: 10 buddies sitting in a rubber raft, getting tossed back and forth, and paddling like crazy through a menacing drop-off the guides call, “The Meat Grinder.” Besides whitewater rafting, parties can perform airborne ballets after leaping from planes at 10,000 feet, reel in fish ranging from 30 lb king salmon to 300 lb sharks, or drive hundreds of cattle alongside real-life cowboys. As an added bonus, guys return from the adventure, with pictures, mementoes, and memories that will always remain special.

Although these adventures bring a fresh, new idea to the bachelor party concept, groups are given many opportunities to do some old-school partying. Typically, the extreme adventure locations are located off the beaten path, requiring a couple-days excursion. Everyone usually congregates in a major city near the adventure site and spends the first night enjoying the urban nightlife. Day Two kicks off with an early morning rise, followed by a trip out into the wild for the adventure activity.

Some detailed examples of adventure-based bachelor parties paint a clear picture of exactly how extreme adventure combines with traditional fun to produce an unforgettable experience.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting is an adventure that can take place in multiple locations across the country. As long as there is a flowing river, someone will put a boat in it. The trick is finding the rivers that will take you to the edge, without throwing you over it. Under the guidance of an adventure expert, guys paddle, dodge, and hold on through class IV and V rapids, all while taking in spectacular views of the scenic beauty and wildlife. To compliment the adventure, the group spends the first night at an upscale hotel in a bustling downtown area and the second night in more rustic accommodations surrounded by nature. This combination creates a solid mix of fun and adventure.

Cattle Wrangling

Imagine living out the movie, City Slickers. Saddle-up the crew, ride the open range like old-time cowboys, and drive longhorn cattle through rugged mountain terrain. In the morning, work alongside real cowboys to move the thundering herd to greener pastures. Enjoy the sights and sounds of rolling rivers, towering mountain ranges, and native wildlife while attempting to control the wild herd. After the drive, see if anyone lasts eight seconds on the mechanical bull before taking aim at the skeet shooting range. Recount the day’s highlights during a Texas-style-barbeque dinner including steaks, potatoes, and plenty of beer. Before you dive headfirst into the cowboy lifestyle, enjoy a night with upscale hotel accommodations, fine dining, and outstanding nightlife characteristic of the adjacent downtown area.

Charter Fishing

In groups of four to six people, the guys board separate charter boats and compete in a private fishing tournament. Someone not only has the satisfaction of wrestling a trophy fish into the boat, but also the sweet taste of victory in catching the winning fish to beat the rest of the bunch in the tournament. While everybody breathes in the fresh air and takes in picturesque views, the expert captains and crew guide the team to the hot spots and teach the boys how to reel in the big one. After a full day of fishing, camaraderie, and competition, a chef “cooks the catch” at a restaurant overlooking the water. Since most fishing trips are located in beach side towns, nights will be spent at Buffet-like bars sipping Margaritas, watching the fade over the horizon.

Skydiving

What’s better than jumping out of a plane, free-falling for over a minute at 120 mph, and seeing for miles in every direction? Doing it all with some of your closest friends. After some basic training, everyone flies to 13,000+ feet and prepares for the jump. Hearts pound, men begin to fade to the back of the line, and adrenaline pumps as everybody peels out of the plane into the open sky. Once everyone has returned safely to Earth, the party begins. The boys enjoy beers in the hanger, a bonfire on the grounds, a delicious catered dinner, and a viewing of the days skydive video. To enhance this exceptional skydiving experience, upscale accommodations, fine dining, and locally distinct nightlife in a lively downtown setting complete the package.

Regardless of the adventure theme you choose, it will be important to make the outing an “experience” rather than just a trip. Answer these questions when planning your weekend to remember:

• What adventure activity is the group interested in?

• What areas of the country offer this type of activity during the group’s seasonal
time frame?

• Is there a major city near the event where people can fly to at a reasonable price?

• What hotels offer high-class accommodations and fit the group’s price range?

• Is there a restaurant with a private banquet facility near the hotel, where champagne toasts and words of encouragement can be uttered without upsetting the other patrons?

• What are the best bars?

• How will the group get from the hotel to the adventure outfitter?

• If the adventure is outside of the city, where will the group stay the second night?

These are just some of the questions that will come up as the event planning takes shape. The most important part of the trip is making sure the groom has a great time. So, if you are the best man, make sure to have his best interests in mind at all times. If all goes as planned, you will have successfully orchestrated a weekend filled with memories to last a lifetime and maybe even overcome some fears along the way.

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Article written by:
Darren Hitz, Founder of Adventure Bachelor Party (ABP).
ABP plans unique, adventure-based trips for groups of friends looking to make great memories. By planning everything from the lodging to the adventure, ABP allows the groom and his friends to enjoy the experience without all the worries and hassle of planning a group trip. Contact ABP at www.adventurebachelorparty.com or call 248-910-8152.

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