Bachelor parties are a time when guys get together to mourn the passing of a fellow comrade. He won’t be passing to the “other side” as in the afterlife. Rather, he’ll be going to the “other side” of relationship status: from single to married. Sadness commences, as it is generally understood that said comrade, in the newly crafted iron clutches of his wife, will never be fun again.
And while these last days of single-life fun should be celebrated with unmatched rowdiness and shenanigans that will bear their own title (e.g. The Peanut-Butter Violation of 2013), there are certain things that should be avoided to save the husband-to-be and his company from any fallout with the wife and her company.
Fortunately, Hollywood has provided, in its varied examples of bachelor parties, several of these. Below are a few DON’TS taken from some of the best, and worst, bachelor parties on film.
Don’t Bring Animals
Man and animal have coexisted successfully for millennia. But for some reason, when you throw in alcohol, that timeless, sacred bond goes out the window. Things get crazy. Things get weird.
Take the movie The Hangover. How would you like to wake up to a tiger in your bathroom? Or avoid kicks from a donkey that did cocaine like in Bachelor Party? And of course, we can’t forget the animal erotica that cannot be unseen from Clerks 2 (you can Google that one on your own time).
Respect the beasts, and yourselves. Leave them at home or in the wild where they belong.
Don’t Get a Stripper
While there’s always at least one guy who wants to hire an exotic dancer, it can very well spell bad things. Hence the title of the movie Very Bad Things.
In the movie, the bachelor party ceases to be anything truly enjoyable because the partygoers have to struggle to figure out what to do with a dead dancer who was accidently killed. Check out the movie On Demand with your cable provider or on Netflix to see how the guys deal with the situation. It gets messy.
Avoid the stripper altogether to save yourselves from a disastrous situation and/or the wrath of the wife should word get out. There’s plenty of trouble to be had without one.
Don’t Lose Yourself
Losing someone at the bachelor party is inevitable. Someone is bound to fall into a ditch somewhere or meander off, only to wake up naked on someone’s porch. Don’t be that guy.
As a groom, you definitely don’t want to pull a Jason Lee and wake up in bed with a woman who’s not the bride, like in A Guy Thing. Or worse, be a bachelor who wakes up only to find he got married the night before, which was the premise for the classic bachelor movie How to Murder Your Wife.
Drink and be merry, but know when to start really pacing yourself (didn’t say you had to stop drinking).
Don’t Veer Off Course
If you’ve ever been to a bachelor party before, you know it’s usually not too long before someone suggests moving to a different venue—typically somewhere “crazy” you’ve never been before. While spontaneity is fun and exciting, going somewhere you’ve never been can put you in a bad part of town or in worse-case-scenario situations, such as the one in Stag Night (also available with most on demand providers).
If you’re the organizer of the party, have a solid game plan and backup options should a change of venue be necessary. Know where you’re going and how to get there, and how to get the other guys there in one piece as well.
While Hollywood’s bachelor parties are entertaining, they aren’t necessarily something you have to shoot for. You know yourself. You know your friends. Follow these essential DON’TS and you’ll find yourself at the best bachelor party any guy could ask for.
New styles emerge every season, in both men’s and women’s fashion, and it is only natural that many of these trends carry over in wedding attire as well. Below are three trends that any soon-to-be-married man should know about.
Contemporary Black Tie
Black tie – consisting of classic tux, formal dress shirt, and bow tie – is a formal dress code that also happens to be one of the most popular ones chosen for groom and groomsmen’s attire. While classic black tie leaves little room for adding personal style, 2013 is the year that gives you a bit more leniency for this rigid dress code. For one, you may want to consider a double-breasted tux – a style that has recently re-emerged on red carpet events, and has earned celebrities like Tom Ford and Hugh Jackman plenty of “best dressed” awards. Secondly, think about a modern bow tie style. Two great choices here are narrow batwing bow ties as often worn by Daniel Craig (a style that perfectly pairs with narrow lapel, single-breasted jacket), as well as wider spread (aka butterfly) bow ties made from velvet (an ideal accessory for your double-breasted tux featuring wider peak lapels). Finally, think about your footwear. Black tie typically asks for elegant dress shoes made from either polished calfskin or patent leather. Should you seek something a bit more fun and 2013 appropriate then think about a pair of color contrasting Converse or even going barefoot (perfect for beach weddings) – two trends that have already started to get popular during last year’s wedding season.
3-Piece Suits
Don’t quite want to take the formal black-tie route, but want a look that rivals in elegance and sophistication? Then the three-piece suit consisting of pants, jacket, and vest will do the job. The benefit this ensemble has over the tux is its versatility. It is an outfit that can be worn with or without vest, and will come in handy much more frequently than a tuxedo would. When picking out a 3-piece suit, think about a style that compliments your body type. Thin and tall men do very well with a modern cut suit that is slim fit and featured narrow notch lapels. Heavier set men, on the other hand, would be more flattered by a slightly boxier cut suit that has body-proportionate wider lapels. When picking out a tie, make sure that the width of the tie compliments the lapels of the suit. Very narrow lapels, found on modern European designer suits, look best with skinny ties that are 2-2.5 inches in width. For all other suits ties in the 3 to 3.5 inch width will be excellent.
Summer Fabrics & Colors
If you are in the midst of wedding planning, then you probably have learned that weddings are all about color themes. Just like trends change from one year to the next, so do wedding colors. For 2013 popular hues are greens (especially emerald, mint, and jade), turquoise (teal and aqua), as well as gold. While your suit and shirt allows for very little color experimentation, it is the accessories that will accomplish just that. Neckties and bow ties certainly come to mind here, but also great for 2013 are colored socks, pocket squares, as well as boutonnieres.
About the Author
Hendrik Pohl grew up in Germany and now lives together with his fiancée in San Francisco, CA. He is the founder of Bows-N-Ties.com – an online retailer specializing in wedding neckwear. In 2012, he has helped more than 50,000 groomsmen pick out the perfect accessories. His business has been featured in popular wedding blogs such as StyleMePretty, 100Layercake, OnceWed, and dozen others. When he is not managing his business, he enjoys photography, visiting fashion shows, and writing about the latest men’s fashion trends.
There is no better time to kick off your wedding celebration than the rehearsal dinner. This is a wonderful time to sit down, relax, and chat with folks you haven’t seen in awhile.
This event is typically hosted by the parents of the groom, but this is no longer a hard and fast rule. The couple often hosts the event, or it could be put together by a group of friends and family members.
Let’s get started with some advice and tips to make this a memorable occasion.
Shake Things Up
The menu for the rehearsal dinner shouldn’t mimic the wedding menu. For example, if your wedding dinner will be a formal, sit-down affair, go with something more casual for the rehearsal dinner, such as a buffet. Additionally, if beef and chicken are the stars of the wedding menu, go with Mexican or Italian for the rehearsal meal.
Choose a Theme
The rehearsal dinner can be a fun event if you incorporate a theme, such as a Western Feast or tropical Luau. Consider a nautical theme that would allow you to charter a boat and have dinner onboard. Better yet, pull up to a dock where you have set up a beach picnic.
Formal Events
There is nothing wrong with choosing a more formal affair, but save yourself a few headaches and let a restaurant host your party and cook the food. It is cheaper in the long run and they will offer you a large room where can enjoy some hors d’oeuvres while you catch up with people you haven’t seen in awhile.
Invitations
Rehearsal dinner invitations are not required, but are a nice touch. This will give you a chance to let everyone know when and where the event will be held, and provide directions if necessary. TIP: Keep the rehearsal dinner invitations bland and basic. The last thing you want to do is overshadow your beautiful wedding invites.
Additionally, be sure to invite each member of your wedding party. This includes all adults who will be attending, along with their spouses or dates. All relatives of the bride and groom should be invited, whether they are part of the wedding ceremony or not. The musicians do not need to be invited unless they fall under a previous category. Children should be welcomed, but you can encourage parents to find other arrangements if your event is being held in the evening.
Play the Host
It’s your responsibility to make sure everyone has a chance to meet everyone else. This can be done by mingling and introducing people as you go along, or taking a few minutes after everyone is seated to introduce everyone.
Thank You Remarks and Gifts
Once everyone is seated, take a moment to make a toast to your parents and your spouse’s parents for everything they have done for you (whether they did anything or not!). This is also the time where you can hand out your bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, usher gifts, etc.
Here is part two in our guide to planning the ideal honeymoon. If you missed the first installment, check it out here:
Upon Further Review
Check out reviews for your intended destination, but don’t get too carried away. A complaint about the air conditioning from two years ago is a non-issue if it has been fixed. Conversely, if the same complaint is being made repeatedly, it’s something to consider.
Make it Flexible
Don’t get the wrong idea; we aren’t suggesting that you wait to make reservations until the last moment. However, it’s best to leave the honeymoon activity plans until you arrive that first night. The plans leading up to, and then the wedding itself will leave you drained and exhausted. Reserving a trek through wine country for your first honeymoon day may seem like the perfect idea three weeks before the wedding, but when you arrive, you may feel like just lounging on the beach or hanging out in the hotel spa.
Mr. and Mrs. (insert your name here)
This happens more often than you might think. Don’t let this be you! The happy couple can’t wait to be wed, and make the honeymoon reservations using the wife’s new married name. That’s a sweet idea, but she won’t have legal documents with her new name yet and you may be unable to check into your hotel.
Embrace your Hotel
Remember that the best part of any trip is getting away from the norm and experiencing new things. Many people want to travel overseas, but still want things like food and accommodations to be “just like at home.” If that’s the case, either stay in the U.S. or be ready to expand your mind.
Avoid a Wardrobe Malfunction
There is no need to pack every item of clothing you own, but you should have enough to dress in layers if you must. If you are traveling overseas, leave the heels at home. Many overseas honeymoon destinations have cobblestone streets that are heel killers. Instead of those heels, pack a few more lingerie items.
The wedding plans are set, the reception hall has been booked, and the groomsmen gifts have all been bought. That leaves just one major detail to plan, the honeymoon. A couple’s honeymoon is the ultimate in dream vacations. You have watched all your friends jet away to exotic locations and had to sit through hours of vacation videos and photos, both of which do nothing but make you jealous. Well, now it’s your turn. In this two-part guide, we will explain everything you need to know to plan that perfect dream honeymoon.
Wild or Mild?
A honeymoon doesn’t have to involve tanning on a white sandy beach. If your partner is not a beach person, don’t force the idea just because you think that’s what you are “supposed” to do for a honeymoon. Find a destination that pleases both of you, or plan a combination trip that packs beach time with a little wine tasting and jungle adventure.
Time = Money
Never has a truer statement been written. Because of this, don’t travel to the other side of the globe if the time you have is limited. I have friends who traveled to multiple locations around the world for their two-week honeymoon. They had a good time, but returned so exhausted that it was hardly worth it. If 50 percent of your honeymoon pictures take place on a plane, you have made an error in planning.
Too Good to be True?
Couples often get lost in the excitement of choosing a honeymoon package and end up buying the first great “deal” they stumble on. Keep in mind that this destination may be discounted for a good reason. The hotel could be in the middle of construction or expecting a hurricane during your travel dates. A little extra homework goes a long way.
Make it Original
It happens all too often; you know a couple who recently got married and they couldn’t stop raving about their honeymoon, so you decide to embark on the same adventure, only to find out that what worked for them doesn’t work for you. Remember to tailor your adventure around what interests you and your spouse, whether it’s the beach, food, history, or even a sports-themed honeymoon.
It happens to every couple. They are talking to a friend or family member and a comment is made that leaves them completely dumbfounded. Mixed in with the well-wishes and congratulations will be some rude and appalling comments, so it’s best to be prepared for it.
Here are some ways to handle typical annoying comments:
“Do you think you are ready to get married?”
This usually comes from a person who is projecting his or her own feelings of uncertainty. This person is not at a place where it feels right to commit to one person, so how can you be ready?
Comeback: Show complete confidence and leave the person with no doubt that you and your soon-to-be spouse are ready for an eternal commitment. “We are totally in love and ready to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“You haven’t been engaged long enough.”
The news may seem shocking to some, especially if you and your fiancé have been discussing engagement privately for a while, yet only recently made it official. This person fears that you won’t have time to plan a special wedding.
Comeback: Let this person know that the wheels were already in motion and that this announcement is just a way to make it official. Don’t make it seem like the moment you or your fiancé popped the question was a complete surprise.
“You have been engaged too long.”
This is the opposite end of the spectrum and you are bound to get this if your engagement has gone beyond a year. Just bear in mind that someone who says this may not have ill intentions, he or she may just be caught by surprise.
Comeback: Most likely, there is a valid reason why the engagement lasted so long, so let people know what that was. Many couples delay a wedding to settle into new jobs, complete a degree, save enough money, or perhaps the wedding vendors you had your heart set on were booked a year in advance, as many are.
“It won’t last.”
This will come from the person who has a knack for raining on a parade. The person may be involved in a bad marriage or perhaps a past partner has soured this person on the idea of monogamy.
Comeback: This is when it’s a bit tougher to hold your tongue. You want to take the high road, while also letting the person know that you do not appreciate what was said. Try asking the person if there was traffic this morning on the Pessimism Parkway.
“Is that ring the one you wanted?”
No matter how beautiful the ring is, you will get these comments. Someone will see it as too large, too small, not glittery enough, too glittery, and everything in between. This comes from a general feeling of jealousy and the ring is an easy target.
Comeback: It’s a woman’s right to show off her ring after being engaged, and it’s the guy’s right to be proud of what he has given. If someone makes a negative comment, just take the focus off the ring and tell everyone how happy you both are.
The thought of marriage can make the best of men shudder. I have to share a bathroom? I have to share a bank account? I have to share the rest of my life with only one person? These are probably major reasons why many guys get cold feet.
Well, if you think that’s scary, I have something even scarier to show you; themed weddings. You know what I’m talking about; these couples have their entire wedding party dress up like idiots to promote a theme of some sort because they think it will make for cool pictures. Here are some of my favorite knuckleheads:
Personally, if I were her, I would have held out for Superman. She will be wishing she had the “Man of Steel” on the honeymoon. At least Superman works alone; Batman always has his butt-kissing sidekick around.
This is part of a mass ceremony hosted by China Air. Not surprisingly, all the couples were pilots and their flight attendants. Isn’t fraternization supposed to be frowned upon in the workplace? Secondly, who in hell is flying the planes?
Marriage and “the Dark Side” go hand in hand; I get that correlation. However, I do have one question for the bride and groom. You do know that Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are brother and sister right? That first kiss is really going to creep out your guests.
I can’t say much because I’m not entirely sure what theme is here. Is this a hillbilly wedding or are they just poor? Perhaps they are so stupid that they might really forget which one of them is the groom.
This is my favorite one of all and I truly wish I were invited. The theme here is obviously gardening or fruits. Those may be the best melons I have ever seen.
This is cool. I grew up on ‘80s hair bands and I think sporting a fake mullet to complete your wedding theme is a neat idea. Wait; there is no theme? That’s really his hair? My bad, moving on…
There really is no need to dress up like zombies. After a year or so, your spouse will seem like a lifeless zombie anyway. In addition, do you really want to pledge to spend eternity with someone who never actually dies? That’s a LONG time. On a side note, doesn’t the chick look like she is about 11-years-old?
The Henry VIII theme is an interesting idea. However, I think someone should tell the bride that Hank 8 is famous for chopping off his wife’s head!
A wedding is a solemn day, shared by two individuals who wish to enter into a lifelong bond. Family and friends come to enjoy the event and have a little fun. The bridesmaids are sporting the jewelry they received as gifts and the groomsmen are in the back having a drinking game with their new mugs and flasks.
All fun aside, the bride and groom have undoubtedly paid a large sum of money to a photographer to capture every special moment on film. Sadly, not every picture is worth keeping, and it’s these gems that we will focus on as we have a few laughs at the expense of others (isn’t that the American way?).
FOREver Love
I don’t care how good she says she is. She could be Tiger Woods and I wouldn’t care; there is no way I am trusting someone to swing a golf club and just miss my face.
Are You Done Yet?
I’m not really sure what effect they were going for here, but I think we are all thinking the same thing. Regardless of what he is doing off-camera, she seems very bored by the whole thing.
Samurai Wedding
That is a pretty big cake, but is the sword really necessary? This has a trip to the emergency room written all over it.
Aren’t I Pretty?
It is every bride’s desire to look better than each member of her bridal party. Congratulations, you succeeded bigtime!
Creepy Much?
It was so sweet of this kid to pose for a picture with his grandma during his wedding. Wait, that’s his wife? Pardon me while I go throw up!
Gimme a Y
Y is for Yeti and W is for “What the hell were they thinking?” Not only do you make your bridal party dress up like Yetis, but PINK Yetis to boot.
Budget Conscious
This is the final sign that the economy has hit an all-time low. Either that or hubby blew all his money on the bachelor party. Next stop; the honeymoon at Motel 6 down by the river.
Keg Stand Bride
This is one lucky groom. How was I not invited to this?
Damn!!!
Here is a bride and her bridesmaids posing for a memorable photo. I know, it’s not hilarious, and it certainly isn’t disturbing in any way, but aren’t you glad we included it anyway?
Take a break from the hassle of choosing groomsmen gifts and making honeymoon reservations to check out these wedding disasters.
Let these videos serve as a reminder that it could always be worse!
This is such a solemn occasion in the ceremony and it is going so well. At least until the bride’s teeth fall out! Here’s to hoping there is no corn-on-the-cob at the reception dinner.
Here’s the clumsiest groomsman on the planet. I sure hope this bride was wearing swim trunks underneath that dress. I bet she didn’t think that her wedding would come with a free baptism.
This wedding banquet in Israel literally brought down the house. All kidding aside, this was truly a disaster and not funny in any way. Over 20 people were killed and hundreds injured during this horrific accident.
This is why I would never involve animals in a wedding. These horses get spooked and nearly kill half the bridal party. This could have been much worse than a dislocated shoulder.
They say that rain during a wedding is a sign of good luck. If that is true then this couple is in for some great times, thanks to large hail and gale force winds that delayed the proceedings.
No offense to anyone from Russia who may be reading, but this is exactly why we would never lose a war with these clowns. Here’s a tip: if you can’t drive a motorcycle, don’t throw your bride on the back and make a speeding entrance down a pedestrian walkway.
How romantic is this? This is a couple so deeply in love, exchanging vows to one another as they begin a life together. As an icing on the cake, the grooms vomits before he can say, “I do.” That must make the bride feel good!
I just had to laugh at this one. This venue is gorgeous and you can tell that they are trying to make this a classy event. All goes awry when the bride enters, trips on her own dress, and ends up scurrying out in just her underwear. If they were going for an event that no one would forget; mission accomplished!
- Thou shalt not mention any ex-girlfriends or the Bachelor Party (what happens in Gomorrah stays in Gomorrah).
