Trivia time!
Ranunculus, saponaria, hydrangea, peonies, dahlias, alstroemeria, ornithogalum, phlox, tuberose and zinnia are different kinds of:
a. geological eras
b. sexually transmitted diseases
c. flowers
d. sexual terms
e. none of the above
The correct answer is: (c) flowers. If you got that correct, then you must be a woman.
Welcome to the first installment of “how to choose”, where we touch upon how to choose the item, things she may be saying, and what us grooms are really thinking.
Today’s how to choose subject is how to choose flowers. Yes! We start this off with an enthusiastic bang! That’s what she said.
She may be asking you what kind of flowers you would like for the wedding, or if this ranunculus is cuter than that calla lilly. Your correct answer should be: “sure” or “yes”. Really men, who cares?! A flower is a flower is a flower. What we’re thinking about while they ask us about bouquets or flowers for the tuxes runs more along the lines of “is my team winning the game?” “I think I got this booger in my nose that needs picking, should I pick it here or in the restroom?” “What did I get myself into?” Oh what? You need my opinion on an orchid? They’re cool. It looks great!
Fight the good fight or defer?
Definitely, definitely, definitely defer. Really, who cares? Flowers are colorful and they smell good and all that. They may even cause you to cry… due to allergies. No need to get into the details. Save yourself the hour meeting, let her pick whatever she wants, and watch your game or tv show, or do your favorite activity.
So when you hear: [term of endearment], what do you think of these snapdragons? You should say: They’re cool, they look great!
See men? It’s that easy. DONE! Now go reward yourself with that ice cold brew for all of the hard work you provided for this.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Good Reading$
Stop the fantasies and romantic bs for a minute. Pause the slow motion scene of your significant other, beaming, walking through the door towards you.
Money does matter.
There, I said it. If it does not matter, then why do couples fight over it and even divorce over this concept of money? Have you had the talks yet over this? If not, do it now. Do it before you get married. It may be tough, but it is better to cut your losses now then later. Read up…
From The Motley Fool:
Newlywed Financial Boot Camp
Joint vs. Separate Accounts
How-to Guide: Manage Money With Your Mate
From Kiplinger:
Ten Questions to Ask Before Saying ‘I Do’
Prenuptial Agreements
Marriage and Money
That is a good start for now. I will post more down the line as I come across them.
Ok, now unpause your scene and go enjoy your relationship. But make sure to have these tough talks.
Money does matter.
There, I said it. If it does not matter, then why do couples fight over it and even divorce over this concept of money? Have you had the talks yet over this? If not, do it now. Do it before you get married. It may be tough, but it is better to cut your losses now then later. Read up…
From The Motley Fool:
Newlywed Financial Boot Camp
Joint vs. Separate Accounts
How-to Guide: Manage Money With Your Mate
From Kiplinger:
Ten Questions to Ask Before Saying ‘I Do’
Prenuptial Agreements
Marriage and Money
That is a good start for now. I will post more down the line as I come across them.
Ok, now unpause your scene and go enjoy your relationship. But make sure to have these tough talks.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, Monday Wedding Days. Tuesday, Wednesday Wedding Days. Thursday, Friday Break Days. Saturday What a Day to Take Another Break With You
Let’s do an exercise. Close your eyes… wait open them back up to read this.
Think back to when you were five years old, in kindergarten. It’s a sunny day outside. After eating lunch out of your Transformers or My Little Pony lunch pail and playing on the monkey bars or sand box outside, the fun gets interrupted when the bell rings to go back into the classroom. Dreading the schoolwork to come, the teacher surprises the class and tells all of you to lie down. And close your eyes. Why? It’s nap time. Quiet time…
Now open your eyes to the present. What was so great about the quiet time then that can be applied now? If you’re thinking: the fact that we need quiet time from all of the wedding planning, then you are correct!
Ladies! You know we love you, but you have to give us men a break from the wedding talk. The thoughts of the wedding and its planning do not run through our minds constantly. Set days to talk about the wedding planning, and set quiet days and/or times where absolutely no wedding talk goes on. You’ll give your man the refreshing break his ears need.
That’s not to say we’re not listening or don’t care. We do. We just don’t think about it 24/7 like you do. It’s more like 30 min/4.
[in the living room during quiet wedding time]
Groom to be: [watching the football game on TV]
Bride to be: Hi (insert your term of endearment)! How are you? Watcha doooin?
Groom to be: [still watching the game]. Good. Thanks.
Bride to be: Who’s winning the game? Ohhh the Pirates? Coool!
Groom to be: Uhhh, the Raiders.
Bride to be: Ahh ok. I’m hungry, what do you want for dinner? I chose the reception spot today without you. Oooh let’s go eat pasta!
Groom to be: [stops watching the game] What the (insert your favorite word)?
Yes, we hear every word.
Think back to when you were five years old, in kindergarten. It’s a sunny day outside. After eating lunch out of your Transformers or My Little Pony lunch pail and playing on the monkey bars or sand box outside, the fun gets interrupted when the bell rings to go back into the classroom. Dreading the schoolwork to come, the teacher surprises the class and tells all of you to lie down. And close your eyes. Why? It’s nap time. Quiet time…
Now open your eyes to the present. What was so great about the quiet time then that can be applied now? If you’re thinking: the fact that we need quiet time from all of the wedding planning, then you are correct!
Ladies! You know we love you, but you have to give us men a break from the wedding talk. The thoughts of the wedding and its planning do not run through our minds constantly. Set days to talk about the wedding planning, and set quiet days and/or times where absolutely no wedding talk goes on. You’ll give your man the refreshing break his ears need.
That’s not to say we’re not listening or don’t care. We do. We just don’t think about it 24/7 like you do. It’s more like 30 min/4.
[in the living room during quiet wedding time]
Groom to be: [watching the football game on TV]
Bride to be: Hi (insert your term of endearment)! How are you? Watcha doooin?
Groom to be: [still watching the game]. Good. Thanks.
Bride to be: Who’s winning the game? Ohhh the Pirates? Coool!
Groom to be: Uhhh, the Raiders.
Bride to be: Ahh ok. I’m hungry, what do you want for dinner? I chose the reception spot today without you. Oooh let’s go eat pasta!
Groom to be: [stops watching the game] What the (insert your favorite word)?
Yes, we hear every word.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Groom Word of the Day [ahyl] [ruhn-er]
Tonight, I attended a wedding preview at the venue that we are having our reception at. After scarfing down all of the hors d'oeuvres to get rid of my hunger (oh yeah and also make mental notes in an attempt to choose some for our reception), talking to vendors, checking out a potential centerpiece (what?), I was drawn to the sound of running water coming from the central pond. Focused on the water, my mind spaced out as I took steps toward the serene sound. As I inched closer to the serenity from the wedding madness, my moment of tranquility was rudely interrupted when I caught myself almost fall over vertically. It's like I had stepped on a banana in a cartoon. I looked down to find the culprit, when I noticed that the color of the floor was a shade of white that differed from the rest of it. What could it be? Just then I learned that the culprit--this white piece running along the floor--was called an “aisle runner”.
Aisle Runner. Pronunciation: [ahyl] [ruhn-er]. Definition: ?
Fellas, what is an aisle runner and its purpose? Hmmm... Eh, who cares, I’m bored…
If any of you know what this mysterious item is, feel free to share with the rest of us so that we can fill in the definition.
Aisle Runner. Pronunciation: [ahyl] [ruhn-er]. Definition: ?
Fellas, what is an aisle runner and its purpose? Hmmm... Eh, who cares, I’m bored…
If any of you know what this mysterious item is, feel free to share with the rest of us so that we can fill in the definition.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The B Word. And It Does Not Rhyme With Itch
Before we begin anything else, I think it is extremely important to touch upon this dreaded subject that begins with a “b”. Yes, the budget. I’m sure you were thinking of another word. But it is not a dreadful or painful thing to do. Unless either or both of you are super rich or come from a line of wealth, you will need to have a budget. There are numerous articles out there that tell you how to set one. I highly recommend that you read up on these articles.
Since everybody’s situation is different, from a simple guy’s perspective, ask yourself the following:
Do:
Definitely fight the good fight when necessary to stay within budget. Or get creative in making extra income in order to make your wedding happen the way you want it to. The last thing you want to do is not set a budget, spend wildly, and then realize when the bills come that you spent in way over your heads.
Since everybody’s situation is different, from a simple guy’s perspective, ask yourself the following:
- Who’s paying for the wedding?
- Are either of your parents going to pitch in?
- Where do you save, where do you splurge on vendors? For instance, (after discussion with each other) if photography and a creative photo album means more than capturing the event on video, then allocate more in the budget on the photographer.
- What percentage of your income are you willing to put towards it?
Do:
- Devise a spreadsheet or some kind of payment tracker that tracks all of your payments to your vendors and contains a calculation towards the budget you decide on.
- Make sure to discuss it amongst yourselves if anything has a hefty price tag.
Definitely fight the good fight when necessary to stay within budget. Or get creative in making extra income in order to make your wedding happen the way you want it to. The last thing you want to do is not set a budget, spend wildly, and then realize when the bills come that you spent in way over your heads.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Short Preview of Things to Come
Things chosen for my upcoming wedding:
Church, check.
Reception, check.
Photographer, check.
Videographer, check.
DJ, check.
Honeymoon and honeymoon suite, check.
Engagement party, check.
Save the dates, check.
Tuxedo fittings, check.
Stay tuned for the “How to Choose” series.
Unfortunately, there is a little more to it than just showing up on the day of the wedding. We will help you to be mentally prepared for what’s to come until then.
Church, check.
Reception, check.
Photographer, check.
Videographer, check.
DJ, check.
Honeymoon and honeymoon suite, check.
Engagement party, check.
Save the dates, check.
Tuxedo fittings, check.
Stay tuned for the “How to Choose” series.
Unfortunately, there is a little more to it than just showing up on the day of the wedding. We will help you to be mentally prepared for what’s to come until then.
Welcome to A Groom's Perspective!
Wedding planning…
I know what you’re feeling. How involved do you really want to be? Colors, dates, runners, seat covers, cake toppers… what the heck are those? Do the numerous talks about planning and next steps make you shudder on the inside? Do people constantly ask you “how is the wedding planning going?” and you realize that you really do not have an answer to that?
You’re not alone! I’m here to share my thoughts, stories and numerous experiences. Feel free to share yours, come here to vent and most importantly laugh at our stories. Have you been through the grind already? Please do share your experiences here. It can’t be all that bad right? Oh that’s right, there’s the rest of our lives thing to come, this is just the first step.
I know what you’re feeling. How involved do you really want to be? Colors, dates, runners, seat covers, cake toppers… what the heck are those? Do the numerous talks about planning and next steps make you shudder on the inside? Do people constantly ask you “how is the wedding planning going?” and you realize that you really do not have an answer to that?
You’re not alone! I’m here to share my thoughts, stories and numerous experiences. Feel free to share yours, come here to vent and most importantly laugh at our stories. Have you been through the grind already? Please do share your experiences here. It can’t be all that bad right? Oh that’s right, there’s the rest of our lives thing to come, this is just the first step.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)