Here are some ideas that are both formal and fun! Fresh flowers, ribbon, fabric, crepe paper, berries, herbs, acorns… this little ornament provides a great little outlet for your creative abilities!

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All photos compliments of Martha Stewart Weddings

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Dahlia + Polka dot tie = Cheerful and fun!

Flowers + Berries + Leaves = Striking and Earthy

Beaded flowers + Ribbon = Handsome Keepsake

Crepe paper + Creativity = Long-lasting flower!

Orchids + Ribbon = High Style

Ribbon + Button = Loads of fun (Get the How-T0)

Beads + Floral tape = Very vintage

Mini rosebuds = Gorgeous (roses never need anything else!)

Nerines + Mizuhiki cord = Japanese good luck

Ribbon + Fabric glue = Unique!

Oak leaves + Acorns = Jaunty and Autumnal

Muscari buds + Jacquard ribbon = Refreshing

Edelweiss flowers + frog berries + dusty-miller leaves= WOW!

Boronia branches + Hot pink = Manly (oh yes!)

??See even more gorgeous boutonnieres– floral and otherwise– at Martha Stewart Weddings!

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1. Personalized MP3 Cooler Bag

For the man who likes to celebrate outdoors, this brilliant bag is, quite simply, a portable party! Snacks and music go, great if you’re planning a beach or destination wedding, pool party rehearsal dinner or picnic engagement party!

Removable speaker panel, a battery-powered amplifier, a Velcro pocket for a standard-size mp3 player, a detachable jack, an adjustable shoulder strap, a top carry handle, a front zippered pocket, and an inner insulated cooler compartment, PLUS free embroidered initials, all for $49.95. Get it now!

2. Personalized Barbecue Cooler Kit

This is the perfect gift for any guy who is master of the grill. It’s fabulous for tailgating, camping, or heavy-duty picnicking.

This roomy cooler bag features: a front zippered pocket with a stainless steel grill brush, a spatula, and tongs; back zippered pocket holds a large tablecloth. Add on free personalization of your groomsmen’s initials or monograms, all for $62.95. Get it now!

3. Personalized Groomsmen Dresser Kit

Practical yet sentimental! This thoughtful men’s gift is a handsome valet tray where you can tuck in a photo to remind him of the good times you’ve shared! Personalized with his initials, this dresser set becomes a keepsake he’ll treasure as the years go by.

Black leatherette, with white topstitching and black velvet lining, four compartments, and photo box lid keep accessories and favorite memories safe. Free silver-plate personalization! Only $43.20. Get it now!

4. Personalized Groomsmen Cufflinks

Whether your groomsmen wears wingtip or laydown tuxedo shirts, these initialed classic brush silver square cufflinks will please your guy… and the ladies. Only $26.95. Get them now!

5. Personalized Mini Foosball Game Set

Now it’s foosball time all the time! You can play a little game wherever you go (just not during the ceremony!)…  Get your groomsmen hooked!

Miniature, portable, travel size Personalized Mini Foosball Game Set is made of silvertone metal and brass colored metal a features a replica of a real foosball game table complete with 2 sets of team players and 2 silvertone metallic balls. Free personalization up to 20 characters. Only $22.95! Get yours now!

6. Personalized NFL Wall Clock

Add a dose of team pride to your groomsmen’s game rooms with these impressive Personalized NFL Wall Clocks! Proudly made in the USA, these colorful NFL wall clocks feature genuine quartz movement. Available in 32 teams, these clocks may be personalized with up to 2 lines of 12 characters each. Only $28.95! Get it here!

7. Sean Travel Set

A handy-dandy gift for the man on the move. Especially apropos if you’re having a destination wedding. The handsome aluminum carrying case contains a razor, spare razon blades, small and large nail clipper, shaver, file, cuticle cutter, cuticle cleaner, and tweezer. Only $38.95! Get it now!

8. Engravable Silver Pocket Tool

This silver pocket all-in-one-tool gets back to the basics with stuff they’ll need for the great outdoors and regular, everyday pursuits. It includes needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, large/medium/small flat screwdrivers, clip-point knife, phillips screwdriver, bottle/can opener, fish scale, and saw. Pocketknife can be engraved with up to 12 characters, plus a nylon carrying case. Only $15.95. Get it now!

9. Engravable Curved Business Card Case

This attractive business card case thanks the professionals in your wedding party with distinctive style. No more lost or crumpled business cards! Sturdy chrome with a brown leather overlay, contrast stitching, and free engraving. Only $21.95. Get it now!

10. The Thinker Desk Pen Holder

This exquisite reproduction of Rodin’s famous sculpture, “The Thinker” is attached to a heavyweight base with a pen rest. Doubles as a paperweight. Sure to be the centerpiece of any office, this attractive statuette complements modern and traditional décor for a stunning effect. Only $35.95. Get it now!

Franklin + Gower is based in my hometown of L.A. (the label takes its name from the notable intersection with a prime view of the Hollywood sign) but you can call for an appointment, or visit them on the web, where ordering is easy.  You can go with something ready-made, or customize to suite your superior style.  Furthermore, as StyleMePretty reports, “Franklin + Gower can create all the pieces you need to perfectly complement your entire bridal party. You name it, blazers, pants, shorts, ties and accessories… trust us your guy is going to enjoy the attention.”

Today’s stylish groomsman are wearing tuxedos with long ties, and with vests instead of cummerbunds. “More and more grooms are ordering cravat [long] ties, non-pleated shirts, and three-button jackets, which is a more modern option,” says Brian Regenstreich, manager of Zeller Tuxedos in New York.

2. Beyond the Tux

For a casual affair, it’s OK to dress the guys in blazers, and match something in their outfits (a pocket square, a tie, a belt, their socks!) with the overall color scheme. For a great casual look, have your party wear khaki pants and a navy blazer. Another way to coordinate is to order extra fabric from the bridesmaid dresses to make matching ties for the groomsmen.

3. Include Grandpa

A lovely way to pay respect to your elders is by getting them matching tuxedos. “More and more grooms come in with their grandfathers,” says Regenstreich. “If the grandfather is not officially in the party, at least he’ll feel like he’s part of the celebration with the tuxedo he wears.” If you wan them to look distinct from the rest of the wedding party, have the grandfathers wear the same style tux and shirts, but in a slightly different shade.

4. Wearable Gifts

If your groomsmen are professional/business types, they are likely to spend a lot of their week in a suit or blazer. A nice gift idea is something unique and personalized that will not only add to their wedding day style, but that they’ll use again and again. Cufflinks with their initials are great, or you can go for individual designs that suit each guy’s personality. (For the banker, get dollar signs or ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ links; for the sports fan, a baseball and mitt.)

5. Vary the Boutonnieres

It’s nice to have a coordinated wedding party, but it’s totally acceptable to mix things up a bit. For example, the best man’s boutonniere may be different than the other members of the party. Or you could make every single groomsman’s boutonniere different, but match them with the bouquet of the bridesmaid he escorts down the aisle.  If you want something more original than flowers, or if you want a more masculine look, consider boutonnieres of wheat, herbs, or leaves.

From The Knot

It’s a delicate task, but here are some tips from the Knot to help you get it done!

How Many?

You can choose as many–or as few– groomsmen as you like. The groomsmen often double as ushers and help by seating the guests. the groomsmen also escort the bridesmaids down the aisle, so you may want to keep the boy-girl ratio even. If you decide on having a few groomsmen but want to include more friends or relatives, you can include them as ushers and let them help seat your guests.

What About Her Brother? Or Your Sister?

Your bride may have her heart set on a brother or good friend as groomsman. As long as you get along with the guy, it’s the right thing to include him. The opposite is true too: If you’d like your sister to serve as bridesmaid, your bride will probably agree. There’s another option for the forward-thinking types: your sister can stand on your side, in an official groomsman role, and your fiancee’s brother can stand on her side with the bridesmaids!

Who’s the Best Man?

He should be someone close to your heart, obviously. But aside from that, there are other factors you may want to consider:

• Tasteful: Since he’ll make the first toast at the reception, you want someone who’s a good public speaker and can avoid making inappropriate remarks.
• Responsible: After all, he’s the one holding onto the ring until you slip it on your new wife’s finger! Plus, the more dependable he is, the more you can look to him to help you with wedding-related chores.
• Fun! It’s his job to organize the bachelor party, but just make sure his idea of fun is somewhat similar to your own!
• Calming: It would be ideal to have a comfortable presence beside you before, during, and after the ceremony. ]

Photo from Groomsmen.com

Maybe it’s for this reason that some choose to don tuxes for their wedding festivities. If you plan to wear a one to your wedding, it’s not something that should be left to the last minute. Wedding Channel says that choosing a tuxedo can be nearly as challenging as picking a wedding gown! There are many options, including multiple pieces – a jacket, vest, shirt, neck-wear, and shoes. Since each piece comes in a variety of styles, the variations are practically endless. If you will be renting a tux for yourself and/or your wedding party, take a look at t his helpful hints from Wedding Channel:

Do’s

1) Do look for a tux provider with multiple locations. This is especially important if members of your wedding party live out of town. A store with locations nationwide provides the most convenience — your traveling bud can rent in his hometown, pick up at your location, and return the tux in yet another.

2) Do rent from a store that carries a large in-house inventory. Although your tux will probably be sent from a warehouse location, make sure that the store itself carries a wide selection of tuxes. In the unlikely event that something happens to the suit you ordered, you need to have backup at your fingertips.

3) Do visit your store three to five months prior to your wedding. For the most efficient use of your time, schedule an appointment with a store consultant, who can take your measurements and help you choose a style.

4) Do like your bride and do some research to find a style you like. Bring in a picture so your consultant gets a feel for the look you’re going for. If flipping through your girl’s bridal mags isn’t your thing (and it probably isn’t), surf the web instead. Research a number of stores and browse through their collections, or even customize your own outfit. Print out your dream tux and see if your store can replicate it.

5) Do ask your consultant for recommendations that will complement your body type. There are a variety of cuts for jackets, lapels, shirts, and ties, and the lay tux renter usually does not have the eye or skill to know what looks best on his physique. A professional will have a better sense of which jacket will have the most slimming effect, or which tie best accompanies your shirt style.

6) Do budget accordingly – plan to spend around $150 per person. Don’t forget to factor in any additional accessories, such as cufflinks.

7) Do schedule a final fitting one week before the wedding. If you’ve been pumping iron or hitting the treadmill, you might need some last-minute alterations.

8) Do narrow down exactly who will be wearing a tux. All the men in the wedding party should choose matching formalwear, but you can also have your fathers, brothers, and ushers dress up with you.

Don’ts

1) Don’t wait until the last minute to rent your tux. The very minimum most stores will allow you to rent is two weeks in advance. You should also order early so any mishaps or changes can be made in time.

2) Don’t forget to consider how your men from out of town will be fitted. If there isn’t a store outlet near them, they should send in their measurements to you ahead of time.

3) Don’t let your out-of-town groomsmen send you self-measurements. Your tux shop needs to have accurate measurements to ensure a good fit. Tell your out-of-towners to have their measurements taken by a professional tailor.

4) Don’t assume that all your groomsmen will be responsible enough to remember all dates and details about rentals. Keep them updated with emails and calls to ensure that they meet all the necessary deadlines.

5) Don’t forget to return your tux the next day. After the reception comes to an end, your mind will be on your honey and you honeymoon, so arrange for your best man to return your tux for you.

Men, in my opinion, are always harder to shop for than girls. So I was excited to find a website dedicated solely to men’s gifts- MyGroomsmenGifts. They have a wonderful selection of gifts for your groomsmen, the best man, attendants, ushers and dads! (Groom, too!)

It’s customary to give gifts to thank the members of your wedding party for being a part of your special day. Whether your groomsmen are young and hip, or conservative, seasoned renaissance men, MyGroomsmenGifts has a great selection! There are sporty gifts, elegant gifts, useful gifts, luxurious gifts… all those manly things you’ll find on any guy’s secret wish list.

If you’re watching your budget, you can even “Shop by Price.”

Make your gift more unique and personal by having it engraved or embroidered with your groomsmen’s name or initials. Personalized gifts include travel bags, baseball bats, hip flasks, cufflinks, shaving kits and portable cooler bag chairs, all of which can be engraved or embroidered with your groomsmen’s name or initials.

Is your guy a sports fan? There are lots of sporty gifts including themed cuff links, personalized beer mugs, team watches, and more!

Is he more of the executive type? Give him something elegant and useful, like The Thinker pen holder, marble book ends, or personalized desk clock!

Does your groomsman like to party? There’s quite an array of flask and barware for even the most enthusiastic social drinker!

Those are just a few ideas! There are hundreds of gifts to choose from, and you are sure to find something awesome, even for the guy who has everything!  Note: MyGroomsmenGifts is also the perfect destination for other special occasions–birthdays, Father’s Day, Bosses’ Day, anniversaries, retirements and graduations.