Events of Sophistication - Cigars & Cufflinks

Dapper & Debonair

The bride is not the only one who should have all eyes on her on the day of the wedding. This is one day where you will want to dress your absolute best and turn quite a few heads yourself. Whether you choose a suit or a tuxedo, your attire should not only compliment your bride, but should compliment you. Your attire also should reflect the type of wedding you are having – formal, semi-formal or casual.

If you are having a formal wedding, a tuxedo is definitely in order. If your wedding is semi-formal, you will be dashing in either a tuxedo or a nice, classic suit. If you are getting married on a beach, you can certainly nix the tuxedo, if you like and opt for linen slacks and sandals. Regardless of what you choose, make sure that it is tailored to fit you. A polished look will include a nicely trimmed beard and/or mustache, hair cut and do not forget the manicure as your photographer will want to take pictures of your hands with your wedding ring.

The Last Hurrah

There are many options to celebrate your last days of bachelorhood. Just as weddings have become about incorporating the personalities and interests of the couple, bachelor and bachelorette events are doing the same. So, for your final moments as a bachelor, turn it up a notch. The typical night out at the strip club is so passé. Besides in this day and age of camera phones, do you really want to risk having some embarrassing photos or footage of you show up on Facebook and Youtube? Of course not, so, consider doing something that will be more memorable and less likely to get you in trouble with your new bride.

Now, you are not supposed to plan your own bachelor party. That is one of your best man’s biggest responsibilities. So give him some ideas and let him handle the rest!

The “Wow” Factor

There is one thing that all couples want to hear after the wedding—how amazing it was. Months later, they want their guests to still be talking about the food, décor, music -- basically everything, and that is was the best wedding that they ever attended. This is where the “wow” factor comes in. A signature wedding that expresses the personalities of you and your bride will surely impress your guests.

Weddings are no longer cookie cutter events, but couples are thinking outside of the box and incorporating ideas reflecting their hobbies, cultural backgrounds, etc. into the every element of the wedding. In addition to the typical band and DJ, celebrity impersonators, comedians, belly dancers and magicians are becoming wedding staples and will leave your guests wanting more. Now, creating a signature wedding does not have to be elaborate. Simple, special touches such as a signature drink and dessert buffet will do just fine.

Selecting a Pro

The service professionals that you choose can make or break your wedding and if your fiancée leaves this responsibility to you, you will want to get it right. You think she is a Bridezilla now, choose a dud for a DJ and see what happens. Seriously, careful care must be taken when entrusting this very special day to a photographer, caterer. etc. Saving money is important, but not at the expense of securing quality professionals.

Be prepared to do a lot of research. Unfortunately, not all service professionals are reputable and everyone with a camera is not a photographer. So, do not select an amateur photographer to “practice” on your wedding.

The Honeymoon

In case you didn’t know, planning the honeymoon is your responsibility and your fiancée may have already started dropping hints of where she would like to go. But, don’t panic. You can do it! There are so many resources available to you to plan the perfect honeymoon anywhere in the world. You want to make sure to choose a place that you will both enjoy from location, accommodations, climate and activities. Also, to make the process seamless on all levels, choosing an all-inclusive package (transportation, accommodations, meals and some activities) is the best way to go. Your dream honeymoon can be domestic or international.

But, planning the perfect honeymoon takes time and research. If you do not have time to take this on, enlist the help of a travel specialist who will handle every detail from flight, hotel, your itinerary, even luggage tags.

The Money Train

Budget -- this is a word to which a lot of people have an aversion. However, it must be discussed when you are planning a wedding because the most important aspect of planning your wedding is the budget. So, the first step you must take if you have not done so already is to discuss the overall your budget with your bride to make sure that you are on the same page. You should both agree on the cost of the wedding as well as the honeymoon.

Some major factors that impact the budget are: number of guests, entertainment, food and beverage, month, day of week and venue. Not having a budget or going over the budget can cause unnecessary tension between you and your bride. If you are not fortunate enough to have an unlimited budget, you have to be careful to put limits on what you spend. Remember, you have to live after the wedding and you do not want to live on Ramen noodles.