Photos from www.blumenthalphotography.com.au

To get Emily’s natural beauty look, accessorize with a hand made hair flower for your locks. We discovered a great example on www.etsy.com.

Well, I am sorry I haven’t written you guys anything in a while. I’ve been super busy with weddings, upcoming events and my soon to be arriving son, yes we have a name and no, we’re not telling anyone! Ciara, the dogs and I are pretty much ready for our newest arrival but I had some stuff to get sorted before we were all set. So we took care of that and now I’m back and ready to go.

We had a great wedding this past weekend, the ceremony was supposed to be outside, but the weather decided not to cooperate and we had to move it inside. We had a great backup plan (As anyone planning an outdoor ceremony should) and everything went amazing. You can check out pics on our Facebook fan page. We have 2 more events this weekend, I’ll be setting up for the Strathcona Tweedsmuir School prom and our associate planners Kendra and Betti will be at a Sweet 16 party we planned. Next week I have to leave Ciara (sad face) and head off to San Diego to shoot a conference for one of our entrepreneurial clients. I hear the weather is nice down there. Packing the swim trunks!

The shirt above can be found at Indochino as part of their new “Blueprint Collection” and the pocket squares, as always can be found at Pocket SquareZ.

A while ago I wrote about dealing with THAT guy at your wedding. I got quite the response so I thought I’d go one more mile down the road and address how you, the Groom can avoid being THAT guy at your own wedding. Trust me, it happens. There are plenty of reasons for this occurrence. They range from nerves, lack of eating, mixing boozes to good old hard partying and lack of control. I’ll hit a few here, the usual suspects but I can’t get into some of the deeper, crazier reasons, coz that’s between you and your shrink! You DO NOT want to look like this guy at your own wedding…do you??? Of course you don’t!

Eat It! Just Eat It!

Each one of us has joked, at one point or another about getting a good base before a night of drinking. Well as far as I’m concerned, there is truth to that. Food in the belly makes sure the alcohol takes longer to get into your blood stream. Making the wine make its way through a 16oz steak will help you. But this is not just a night…oh no…this is a FULL DAY! So make sure you eat, eat whenever possible, whatever possible. Eat a good, solid, manly man breakfast, then eat lunch, solid proteins and the like. From the ceremony to the cocktails there is a long time…so I suggest bringing food along. ; I’m not saying that you pull out a hero sandwich just before you say “I do”. But have the photographer bring along some food for the photo shoot or stick a sandwich in your pocket. Keep the food coming whenever you can and try not to get hungry.

Go To Bed Early…And SLEEP

This is not directed at your wedding night…oh no…this is directed at the night BEFORE your wedding night. Never make this night your stag night! There is no reason to go out and get all “Jersey Shored” the night before your wedding. You’ll only regret it later.

Use this night to have a great dinner, either with your Bride to be, your family or all your guests. When they start to drink it all up, you make your exit. They may rib you, but they will understand. In all honesty, I would have a quiet dinner with your Bride to be, and your families. Keep it an early night. And if it’s all family, no one will try to pour shots down your throat. Head to bed early, go over your vows and your speech to make sure all your I’s are crossed and your T’s be dotted, then go to sleep. You’ll need your rest for the coming day. Trust me on this, falling asleep, or even WORSE…passing out at your wedd ing is not on!

Consumption

Usually there will be some booze at the wedding, and mostly there will be a lot of the stuff. Doesn’t mean you have to drink it all though. Remember to pace oneself…patience is a virtue. So be patient boys. If you want to drink, then have a drink…no need to go double fisted. Remember you need to be able to last the night and “then some”. Yes I do mean the wedding night. If you drink away your “performance” then I can’t help you. But I can help you before this happens. So slow down, and not only will you be able to give a ROCKSTAR performance on your wedding night but you’ll look better in all your photos and you won’t be tossing back you dinner on your guests or slurring your speech.&nb sp; The speech you spent so long working on. There is plenty of time to have a few too many…your wedding day is not one of these times!

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Most, if not all of the guys I know love to head out and “tie one on”…myself included. But let’s be honest here. Your wedding is not the time to do this. You have asked a bunch of your closest friends and family to join you in a celebration with your families and your future wife. So you need to be a part of that celebration.

I’m not saying you don’t drink…I would never say that! But what I am saying is put yourself in the best position to handle your booze fellas, book your stag a few weeks out. That gives you plenty of time to recover. If you have out of town pals coming in, set up a pub night a few days (if possible)before the wedding to hoist pints with them. Don’t do it the night before. Never do it the night before!

Drinking is a slippery slope, you feel good one minute, then you’re all over the floor the next. You need to be on your feet, shaking hands, taking pictures and being a great guy, you need to be on your “A” game. It’s just one day, you can do it. Be cool!

You got questions? I got your answers! Feel free to drop me a line if you want to, I’m here to help you guys. My email is simon@gutsygroom.com and you have access to me. So I suggest you use that. I can also hook you guys up with the best wedding planner in the biz…you need a great planner, I got one, I also come in the package so all your questions during the planning process you may have…I’ll be there to help you out. You can check out our work at www.fireflyoccasions.com and book your free consultation by emailing us at info@fireflyoccasions.com. That is all for this time boys…

So you may have a suit, you may not. You may not know where to start when buying a suit. So here I come to save the day. Keep it simple for your first or multi use suit. The Black Performance Suit is especially well suited for men who want to look good but keep it simple. A simple black suit (well made and fit to your body of course) is a great place to start. This suit will take a beating and still look great and wrinkle free. Perfect for taking pictures, shaking hands and dancing the night away with your new wife. The blazer also has a great sheen, it makes wearing the blazer out to the club after your wedding on Friday night not only easy, but very appealing. From the wedding to any party, this black performance suit has you covered. Something you can wear to the wedding and to a ton of events and parties after the wedding as well. And yes, I do own one of these in Charcoal. Damn fine suit!

Click here to start shopping. And don’t forget to visit www.pocketsquarez.com to get a colorful pocket square to add the pop of color a black suit craves.

Well it’s been a crazy few weeks…I’m talking weather here boys. A few days ago I had the top off the Jeep, now I’m sitting here in a big wooly sweater. So hey there summer, it’s Simon here…ya wanna show up soon, this snow is really starting to get silly. Oh well…could be worse I guess. My new tattoos are all healed up and it’s almost time to get back in the chair with Vince Wishart from www.wish-art.net for the final sitting to finish that arm up. My folks are coming to visit on Friday, we’re having baby showers on Saturday…1 for my wife and 1 for me (I never miss an excuse for a party) so they are in town to hang out, check out the baby bump and hang out for a few days. We haven’t seen them in a while so both Ciara and I are really looking forward to the visit.

We’ve got a really cool wedding coming up towards the end of the month, we’re shutting down a street in Downtown Calgary for the ceremony…so stay tuned for pictures of that…It’s gonna be way cool.

It’s been a busy few weeks since we last chatted. We hired a bunch of new staff coz we’re booking mad weddings. I painted my future son’s room, built him his crib, a change table-dresser thing and Ciara sorted out all his clothes and put them into said dresser thing. Plus I did a 7 hour tattoo sitting with my Tattoo guy Vince Wishart, an amazing artist who I whole heartedly recommend to all my friends looking for ink, check out his talent at www.wish-art.net. Arm’s a bit sore, but I can still type so it’s all good. Our Associate Planner Kendra went up to Kicking Horse Resort in British Columbia to be wined and dined and the group had to be rescued from the mountain top due to a freak snowstorm…the photos are up here so you can check out the perils we face each day to make sure your wedding is the one your guests will be talking about for all the right reasons. Better us rescued than you right!?!?

I also had a top secret meeting last week that I can’t talk about, so you’ll have to stay tuned to see what that is all about…it’s pretty cool…well I think it is anyway! Seems winter is getting one last kick at the can before it leaves us and makes way for sunny, sunny days. We’re still taking bookings for 2010 and we’re meeting with couples who want to get a head start on their 2011 weddings. It’s never too soon to book a Wedding Planner to make sure you get the vendors, venue and dream wedding you want. Click here to secure your free consultation with us info@fireflyoccasions.com.

Throughout the history of weddings there has always been that one guy…the guy who sets up camp at the bar and then does really stupid stuff. He thinks it’s hilarious, but it’s really not. He may steal the mic, try to heckle the speech makers or get too “friendly” with the female guests, bridesmaids or hotel staff. It’s usually a touchy subject on how to handle this type of a fellow so I thought I’d impart some insight to the issue. No, it doesn’t involve large men, big sticks and bruises. But it needs to be addressed and I’m gonna address it! Rule number one…the Groom is NEVER involved, and a wise man once said…”Be nice…until it’s time not to be nice.”

A Planner Can Do More Than Plan

I can’t tell you how many people I have been asked to “cut off” at the bar! I don’t like doing it, but sometimes it needs to be done. Also, most wedding planners don’t come with a guy on staff. Luckily, www.fireflyoccasions.com usually does. If you find yourself having to deal with THAT guy at your wedding, you (as the Groom) never get involved! Your first plan of attack is to go to your planner, let them know what is going on and have them deal with it. This way, you don’t get dragged into the problem, especially if it’s a family member or close friend. This way the planner is the bad guy and your family Christmas dinner will be free of “hey, remember when you cut me off at your wedding…you little wanker” comments. Planners know how to deal with these issues and to be honest, it’s your day, you need to enjoy it and this will not be fun for you in any way shape or form.

You’re Paying Them, So Use Them

The hotel staff is there to help you! So if you don’t have a planner (shame on you) head over to the nearest hotel staff and let them know the deal. It can be the server at your table or you can ask the server to send over the banquet manager. Fill them in on the details and tell them what you want to be done. Don’t leave any room for error. You can ask them to “keep an eye” on the person, or just cut them off. If they are going to cut them off, I suggest having a couple (depending on the size of the guest) of staff at the bar when the barkeep tells the guest the sad, sad news. Things may get heated, but the staff will know what to do. If the guests comes to you after the fact. Tell your guests that the hotel has rules and they were just following them. Again, this shifts any blame AWAY from you and all is well with the world.

When All Else Fails, Call In The Groomsmen

This one can be a bit dodgy so play it by ear and know that I say this as a last resort. Usually coz the groomsmen have also been drinking and may know this guy so it can be tough. But in tough times, you need tough men. You can still have the barkeep cut the guest off, but send the groomsmen over to help escort that guest out of the area. Make sure they get up to their room and let the staff and groomsmen know to keep an eye out for them should they return. If they do see that guest again, head over to the hotel staff, don’t let the groomsmen handle it, unless you trust them! Tell them to be nice…the last thing you need is a “scene” at your wedding. I heard of a wedding were Granny got tasered…seriously, true story!!! And that is not what you want.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Everyone loves the sweet nectar, and weddings seem to be a free for all when it comes to drinking, that one event when you can go balls to the wall. Well, not so! Guests need to be respectful of you and your Bride. Sure, get wasted and have a nap at a table if you need to, but don’t go overboard and make an ass of yourself. They are still a guest and should behave like this is your home.

Whoever is dealing with this issue needs to know that violence is NOT an option. Even if the guest takes a swing, be nice!!! Bring enough back up that they won’t even consider getting all UFC. Again, be nice, calmly explain that the hotel has decided to stop serving them, they can stay but they will have to stop drinking. I have done weddings with private security, regular security and I have been the security at a few and always, always we have been nice and calm. If you can, have your guys explain to them why they are being removed while they walk them to the door, then close the door!

So back to rule numero uno…as a Groom, NEVER, EVER get involved. I mean NEVER!!! Take care of it, yes, but never address the guest in person. This is your day and you don’t need that shit. You have people there that can take care of it for you. Dance with your Bride, talk to your friends and have someone else deal with THAT guy.

Click here to secure a free consultation and we’ll take care of the rest, yes…even removing unruly guests that took a wee bit too much advantage of a defenseless open bar!

A classic American style choice, the White Dinner Jacket tuxedo is ideal for a summer wedding, or any black tie event. Not something many men seek out to purchase, the white jacket and accompanying black pants with satin stripe looks surprisingly fresh and classy on almost any guy. This timeless look remains trendy today, James Bond wore it back in the day and it’s still cool now. Plus when the wedding is over you can pair the jacket with a pair of faded jeans, chucks and open collared shirt and you’ll still be the best dressed guy at the party.

Click here to start shopping and if you need a pocket square to go with that tux (everyone should have at least a few), check out www.pocketsquarez.com.

After the DJ has played the last song of the evening, after the last guest has toddled off to bed and yes, after the last bridesmaid has hooked up with a groomsman, you’ve still got one last job to do. It’s your wedding night!!! I don’t have to spell it out for you so I won’t…but you need to “up” for the job. This means being awake, alert and not fall down, drooling, word slurringly plowed! Sure you can still have a good time at the reception, it is your party after all and you did pay for some of that sweet nectar, but rein it in guys. You don’t want to look like a fool when she gets you up to that room, the candles are glowing and your drunken snores all but drown out the romantic music.  But it’s not ALL about the sex…yeah I know, but humor me here OK?!? I have a few tips on creating the mood, being able to “seal the deal” and continuing the mood into the next day…the first day of the rest of your life.

Spruce Up That Hotel Room

A hotel room is a hotel room, trust me…I lived in them most of last year due to a hectic travel schedule. But you can change all that. You can put your own touches into the room and create a super romantic atmosphere…and the best thing is, she doesn’t have to know anything about it and your wedding planner can help you. And when I say help you, I mean they do it and you get all the credit. www.fireflyoccasions.com offers a Honeymoon Suite program that will blow her mind and make you look like a freakin’ hero! While you are dancing, we will pop up to the room, lay out the robes, and slippers, make sure the champagne and strawberries are set up, we include battery operated candles, so no matter how “spirited” you get, there is no risk of fire. If the groom (you) hooks us up with an iPod, we set that up and have the romantic tunes playing softly as the couple enter later on. Rose petals form a pathway to the bed and we make sure the pillows are oh so fluffed. But the great thing is…you can take all the credit!

Pace Yourself Young Man!

Sure the bar is open, and sure they have your drink of choice, well they better, it’s your damn wedding! But that doesn’t mean you have to “Bogart” the bar. Leave some for the rest of your guests and pace yourself. You don’t want to slur your way through your speech and end it by raising your glass and puking all over Aunt Gertrude. Be aware of how much you’re drinking, and of how much you have eaten. This is key! Take the time to eat your dinner, you picked out the food so eat the food. And make sure your bride eats as well. Have some drinks with dinner, you’ll need champagne to toast with, my advice…sip don’t gulp…and don’t let your buddies get you wailed on shots. They had their chance to do that at the stag, now it’s just too late…sorry. They should understand but if they don’t…have a groomsman deal with it. Don’t get plastered, this is the day when all eyes are on you…you don’t want to make a fool of yourself and you want to be able to “finish” the night properly. Last minute coffee DOES NOT WORK!!!

Waking Up To Romance

I know it’s not easy, but think ahead. In my experience women love breakfast in bed…and if someone else makes it and delivers it to your room that is all the better. Add in an order of champagne and orange juice for a little early morning delight and you got it made son! Again, this is a simple thing, not too hard to do and your planner can also take care of this for you. Simply give your planner your breakfast order, discreetly BEFORE the wedding and don’t let your bride know. The planner can place the order, set up the time and VOILA!!! Breakfast in bed with little to no effort on your part. Just make sure you’re awake and coherent enough to answer the door (See previous paragraph). Plus, if you have scheduled a buffet for your guests that you plan to attend, a good solid breakfast in you will give you the energy to shake hands and smile for a few hours…and if you happen to be late as a result of the mimosas I’m sure they will understand.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

So there you go, a few simple tips on how not to “blow it” on your wedding night. These are easy to implement things that will make you look like one hellofaguy in the eyes of your bride. You don’t have to break the mold or bring down the moon, but it’s always nice to surprise your bride with some things she never thought you’d think of. And that, my friends is where I come in.

Keep in mind that sure, the bar is open (free) but in the end, you did pay for it, so it’s not really free is it? Watch your consumption, if you wanna get all legless, that’s what the stag is for. Your wedding night should be memorable…that means you need to remember it!!! So pace yourself at the bar and lay off the shots, you’ll thank me in the morning when the mimosas show up and you’re ready to go!!!

If you’re looking for a planner that can handle all your planning needs and a planner that comes with the greatest resource a groom could need (ME) then click here to drop me a line and secure a free meeting to make sure your wedding planning, wedding day and all that other good stuff is in the best hands it can be.