Suits You, Sir...Happy Birthday GROOM!

Groom Hire’s 15^thBirthday Party

26 – 27 November 2011

Groom Hire  is celebrating its 15^th birthday in serious style. On the weekend of 26^th – 27^th November, for one weekend only, GROOM will be discounting all its suits by 40%!

Open seven days a week and soon to be featured on ‘Don't Tell the Bride’, Groom Chester is situated in Chester's cosmopolitan city centre, surrounded by top restaurants, wine bars and speciality style stores.

Groom specialises in men's formal wear for weddings, back tie events, proms, Ascot and all other formal occasions, either to hire or to buy. With a wide range of designer slim fit tails, Albert's and Savile Row style short 2 & 1 button suits, in all the colours: black, navy, dark grey, mid grey and silver. They also offer a bespoke waistcoat, cravat and tie making service and promise to match any colour under the rainbow.

Store Manager Colin Wilkes says of the celebrations

"Groom Chester is one of five stores in the North West celebrating Groom’s 15^th Birthday during the last weekend in November. Over the weekend there will be a party atmosphere in the store, with bubbly, nibbles, cakes, balloons and unbeatable discounts. Come along and join in the fun!"

With professional wedding advisors Jenna and Maria on hand, you're sure to find a suave style that suits you...!

Happy Birthday GROOM, with love x

Speech Writing Advice from Simply the Best Man

Simply the Best Man is a website that does exactly what is says on the tin.  Practical, honest, witty - invaluable advice guaranteed to separate the best men from the boys. 

Kye Harman is tonight's Industry Expert, sharing his expertise on the all dreaded BEST MAN'S SPEECH. 

Guys, take note....

So you have been asked to be best man, you have gone through the usual stages as it sinks in. Firstly your Soon To Be Married friend/brother/cousin has finally acknowledged you are indeed the "Best Man", a fact you have believed all along, what’s more you’re finally going to get a free meal out of him.


Then the touching sentiment has dawned, that of all the people he knows he has chosen you to be by his side on the most important day of his life.

And finally you realise the massive task you now face, organising the stag do (can anyone actually co-ordinate his rabble of friends and family for a decent knees up?), taking care of the main man and seeing him through his big day and then there is the sphincter tightening realisation that you are going to have to write and deliver the killer Best Man’s speech.

But where do you begin? It is possibly one of the most daunting roles a man will face.

Thanks to sites such as Soon to be Married most modern couples plan their weddings with near military precision (although this is mostly down to the sensible bride rather than the hapless groom) however you might be called upon to help out. Make sure you communicate regularly with the happy couple in the build up to their big day offering your services where required. They have picked you for this huge honour for a reason so make sure you help out wherever you can.

Communication is king. Stay in regular contact with the happy couple, find out what roles they would like you to fulfil on the day and how they would like your help during the planning. The groom will probably have a few ideas of his own when it comes to the stag do, make sure you respect his wishes at all times (well… most of them). A day crawling from one bar to another en route to a lapdancing club might be your idea of fun but is it his? And will this land him in any trouble with the soon to be Mrs?

Also you might find the groom is starting to break under the strain of having to choose the best one out of 200 dresses that all look the same to him and other assorted tasks he didn’t see coming. The beautiful girl he fell in love with has suddenly turned into Bridezilla, and at times it will feel to him that no matter what he says or does, any word of him will bring forth accusations of not caring or pulling his weight and a few lonely nights on the sofa. Offering to get him out on “wedding fact finding missions” to the local pub might be an invaluable help.

The greatest advice we can offer to any Best Man is to get organised early. When facing such a massive task many guys revert to type and work under the delusion that “if I just don’t worry about it it’ll sort itself out and it’ll all be ok in the end” or are filled with such dread of everything that faces them that they simply bury their head in the sand and keep putting everything off until “tomorrow”. Bad idea. The more you put things off until the last minute the more of a panic you’ll find those last few weeks before the wedding. And come the big day the bride and groom will be panicking enough already without finding out that the man they thought they could rely upon above all others has spent the last few weeks trying to beat his highest score on “Call of Duty” rather than taking care of the tasks he had promised faithfully to accomplish.

Now it is fair to say that most women are far more organised than us blokes. One thing that certainly sets us apart is the matter of writing lists. Most guys at some time or other have noted how a female they know has an inbuilt propensity for writing lists for pretty much everything that happens or needs to happen in her life. While we guys find this notion completely alien. Lists are for girls right? Or are they? In fact men are actually the king of lists, it is indeed where we thrive. Not convinced? Name your top 5 films of all time? Greatest England starting XI? Top 10 albums of the 20th century? Lists are the corner stone of the most hotly debated bloke banter in pubs and offices the length and breadth of the country. So start with a list of tasks the future Mr and Mrs wedded bliss have asked you to take care of before the wedding. A list of the names and numbers/email address of the stag attendees, a list of everything you’ll need to attend to on the big day.

It’s really not as scary as you think. Communicate. Get organised. Write those lists. Soon you’ll find you’re halfway there and that on the day you will indeed be the BEST MAN. As for that speech, well we’ve got a few tips for you there as well. Come check us out at Simply the Best Man and we’ll guide you through every part of the perfect speech.

As for those lists… we thought we’d share of few of our own. Although obviously we don’t like to think of them as “lists”. These are just a sample of our “Top 10’s”. We don’t write lists…. Lists are for girls!

Top 5 Stag Do Daytime Activities

1. Clay Pigeon Shooting

2. Paintball

3. Go Karts

4. Quad Biking

5. Racing School

6. White Water Rafting

7. 4x4 Off Road Driving

8. Mud Buggies

9. Tank Driving

10. Infantry Experience



Top 6 Stag Do Anthems

1. White Wedding - Billy Idol

2. It’s Over - Roy Orbison

3. Love Is The End - Keane

4. See You On The Other Side - Ozzy Osbourne

5. Modern Love - David Bowie

6. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It - REM


Top 8 Stag Weekends

1. Golfing Weekend
For the competitive streak in you why not get a bit of Tiger Woods style action (minus the prostitutes, press exposure and loss of endorsements).

2. Road Trip
Hire some classic wheels or VW camper vans and take the groom on a road trip back down memory lane to all those happy places he’s never going to be allowed to see again.

3. Canal Barge
3 men in a boat? Why not hire a couple of canal barges and find every fine hostelry along the way.

4. European Trip
The world’s your lobster. See the big picture and go find yourselves a new playground to have fun in.

5. Carry On Camping
Tents, tinnies and tantrums. Can any stag do survive the riggers of a camping trip and live to tell the tale?

6. Activities Weekend
Quad biking, go cart racing, clay pigeon shooting, hovercraft racing. Why not visit one of many activities centres and do the whole lot?

7. House Guests
“They stayed in a house a very big house in the country...” Why not pack up all you need and find your own solitude away from the regular stag crowds and hire a holiday home for a weekend. We recommend BBQs and take-aways rather than suffer each others cooking.

8. Kidnap
Try any of the above just don’t tell the groom. Simply tell him what to pack, turn up on the day and bundle him in the back of a waiting car. Be sure to make it authentic and leave the bride a ransom note telling her where to pick him up and what the price of his safe return will be.

Thank you Kye, we look forward to hearing from you soon! x

Make Elbow Room for the Groom...

Get A Free Copy Of The Ultimate Wedding Guide For Men

Weddings have traditionally been seen as the bride's big day, with many women planning the details - including the all-important dress - from childhood. However, weddings traditionally also involve a groom and Staggered, the UK's leading men's wedding website, have just launched their ultimate wedding guide for men - and best of all it's free from www.iamstaggered.com/2011-Staggered-Directory


"The 2011 Staggered Directory covers absolutely everything a groom, best man or father of the bride might need to know," explains Staggered Editor Andrew Shanahan. "Men can pick up a copy for free and it will guide them from the proposal right through to the honeymoon and cover all the important areas like speeches, stag-dos and planning."

Although the groom is often overlooked, he is gradually becoming a much bigger part of the wedding. In large part this is because the financial responsibility for the wedding is now falling on the groom and his bride-to-be. One survey showed that in the 1960s nearly half of weddings (44%) were paid for by the father of the bride - and these days 71% of couples fund the average £21,000 cost themselves. So whereas the wedding used to be about the dad creating the daughter's dream day - now the groom is in more control.

"Let's be clear - absolutely no one is saying that the wedding isn't about the bride any more," Shanahan says. "However, the wedding is the start of a couple's marriage - so it's right that the day itself reflects both of them and who they are as a couple. The groom has a very big say in that and creating a celebration that is all about them and their relationship. To do that they need help and that's why they should get a copy of the Directory."

Grooms, best men, fathers of the bride (and even brides who just want to have a look) can get a free copy of the Directory from www.iamstaggered.com/2011-Staggered-Directory/

As a digital publication it makes it easy to send to a friend, print or download. It can also be viewed on various mobile platforms. If you need any extra incentive you can also win a £5,000 honeymoon in Mauritius and cutting-edge wedding suits from Hugh Harris.

Grooms, Get the Savile Row Treatment Closer to Home

‘Bespoke’ is a word quite often bandied about in the wedding industry; bespoke gowns, bespoke cakes, bespoke poems. In fact, the term "bespoke" is understood to have originated in Savile Row when cloth for a suit was said to "be spoken for" by individual customers. It’s an important word as it's a commitment to personalise your wedding day to you. A vow, if you like. The bride’s dress fits like a glove, the cake is to your taste, the entertainment to your personalities, the first dance represents your true love, de-der de-der de-der....
So what about the Groom?
There are quality boutiques out there offering exclusive and diverse collections for hire, but a made to measure suit will allow the groom to shine (almost) as much as his beloved!

Bespoken Dreams got suited and booted with Martyn of Roodduke, a bespoke tailoring company in Yorkshire.

Style and SubstanceWe are a contemporary tailoring company dedicated to providing our customers with the opportunity to look their absolute best and providing them with the highest levels of service and quality.

At Roodduke we take a fresh, highly original approach to made to measure yet maintain the supreme quality that is synonymous with traditional UK men's tailoring. When you are looking for the finest tailored garments, where better than the home of some of the world’s finest fabric producers? Situated amidst Yorkshire’s world renowned woollen mills we take inspiration from the areas’ rich heritage then add a contemporary twist.
The formidable heritage of Yorkshires woollen mills attracts the finest tailors from around the globe, and the enviable history of made to measure and bespoke suits in Yorkshire makes it the ideal location for us.

PhilosophyWhen buying a bespoke suit, you expect the highest standards and our aim is to deliver them. A perfectly fitted suit, expertly tailored, designed by you in a limited edition of one. Every man has a perfect suit; here is where to get it.
We pride ourselves on our relaxed but professional approach, our levels of customer service and attention to detail.

Stylish SurroundingsRelax in our private showroom with a coffee, beer or a glass of wine while looking for inspiration in our range of up to date style magazines.
We appreciate that our customers have busy lives and therefore we offer a visiting service covering most of the UK, regularly visiting the North West and can visit you at your home or work at a time to suit you.
We do not put a time limit on achieving what each customer desires and therefore your personal appointments will be for as long as you require.

Fabrics
We offer many of the finest most luxurious fabrics from the world’s leading manufacturers such as Scabal, Dormeuil, Dugdale Bros and Holland and Sherry, names synonymous with the showrooms of Savile Row, largely woven in British mills only a few miles from our York showroom. This means we have fabrics suitable for all seasons and climates and for every occasion, from wedding suits to formal evening wear and business suits to something for a day at the races.

ProcessDuring your initial appointment, we will discuss all your requirements in order to choose the most appropriate fabric for you. From there you will browse through our fabric collection to choose your colour, style or pattern. You will design your garment in terms of, single or double breasted, number of buttons, button stance, pocket type, lapel type, lapel width, side or centre vents etc.
At this point we take your measurements, which will be cut into a pattern unique to you. 5-6 weeks later your suit will be ready for your fitting, and at this point we will decide if any adjustments are necessary. If required, a further fitting will follow approx 1-2 weeks later. Once this is done, your suit will be ready.

Whether our grooms are looking for something simple, classic and timeless or something more outlandish, wearing a perfectly tailored suit that reflects your personal style, made from one of the finest fabrics available will give you the ultimate confidence on your special day.

Please contact us to book an appointment or discuss your requirements.

Roodduke Ltd.
The Garth
Little Skipwith
York
YO8 5SQ

T: 01757282597
M: 07912675337
info@roodduke.com
www.roodduke.com

One Fashionista in a Guy-Candy Store! Dress for Success Roadshow

Back in August, I blogged about 'Fashionistas in a Candy Store', the exclusive A/W'10 sneak preview evening held at the Liverpool Malmaison, hosted by none other than the delectable my-wardrobe.com and Grazia magazine.
Last Wednesday evening, I was lucky enough to experience Mal Life again, this time with my.wardrobe.com and Esquire magazine's Dress for Success roadshow. Yep, MW were back on the road to showcase their A/W'10 hottest trends to the fashion savvy men of Liver-cool. And boy, was I one Fashionista in a Guy-Candy Store! Working four keys trends, the male models were as delicious and cool as the Moscow Mules, (enough to knock your on-trend-on-show-coloured-stripey-socks off. Ankle flashing is so now).

What we drank: Moscow Mule cocktails and Moretti beer
What we ate: mini burgers, finger fish and chips, goats cheese and red onion marmalade tarts
Goody bag: A £50 my-wardrobe gift card, £5 Niven & Joshua gift voucher, lavender e shave cream, Myla black sheer briefs and November issue of Esquire magazine.

Male guests were spoilt to 'lifestyle stations’ offering advice on grooming from experts Niven & Joshua, 'shopping for your partner' from leading luxury lingerie specialists Myla, choosing wine for every occasion from Malmaison Someliers and style and shopping advice from my-wardrobe.com and Esquire’s Fashion expert team.

With my-grooms in mind, my-favourite pick of the evening was the elegant glamour that referenced the modern bohemian gentleman; PS Paul Smith's black taped edge velvet dinner blazer teamed with a black spot bow tie and a black spot print silk dress scarf. This look screamed 'Daniel Craig', a worthwhile investment to rock both weddings and day-to-night alike. Simply dashing.

The preppy colleigate look showcased Our Legacy's navy angora and cashmere mix single breasted blazer with a two button front fastening (just DON'T button up the second one)! Dark denim and brogues completed the neat, well balanced look.

Lots of inspiration for Mr. Dreams Christmas box, from the weekend casual double breasted layered cardigans to the contemporary 3.1 Philip Lim grey cuff trousers.

We had the absolute pleasure to chat with my-wardrobe's PR director, the lovely Lauren, Niven & Joshua's marketing supremo (Niven & Joshua offer a selective collection of the highest quality skin care products and accessories from experts around the world) and Myla's lovely representative Krishma, who's beautiful array of luxurious lingerie was simply breathtaking. Lust List alert.

The highlight of the night HAD to be the exciting draw for one lucky guest to win a £250 gift voucher from my-wardrobe, a £50 gift voucher for Niven & Joshua, and an underwear set of own choice from Myla. The extremely generous girls and boys of my-wardrobe and Esquire certainly made MY-night! Thank you once again. Mwah.

www.nivenandjoshua.co.uk

www.myla.com

www.my-wardrobe.com

www.esquire.com