Ushers & Groomsmen Gift Ideas

Are you planning to hand out presents on your wedding day? Traditionally the groom gives the bridesmaids a little something, and possibly even the ushers get a look-in. As a couple, we completely failed on this front at our wedding. We'd run out of money and time, and apart from our wedding favours, no one received any presents, and I still feel slightly guilty about it! If I had my time again, I'd love to create bespoke cosmetic sets for my bridesmaids, and for the ushers....well, how about DIY-ing cocktail sets like these, according to their favourite tipple?

{Photo Credit} 1. Bourbon drink set by Victor Sizemore Photography, 2. Cocktail Drink Set, picture by Autumn Wilson Photography, view entire wedding on Style Me Pretty

{Photo Credit} 1. Hip Flasks by Captured Photography by Jenny, view entire wedding on Style Me Pretty

{Photo Credit} 1. Old-fashioned Shaving Set by Aravaggio Photography, view entire wedding on Style Me Pretty

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Wedding Trends 2015: Quirky Grooms

Loads of my friends are getting married this summer, and I've noticed a real sea-change in wedding styling. It's not all about the bride - grooms are getting in on the act. Bow-ties, floral shirts, tartan waistcoats, even powder-blue suits, the boys are putting as much thought into their wedding outfit as the girls. They're even surprising their brides with their look, turning the tradition of the 'first look' on its head. My favourite looks include linen for summer, colourful Converse sneakers teamed with a tailored suit, mismatched tie and shirt patterns, and waistcoats without jackets. Encourage your groom to raise the matrimonial stakes with accessories from fab UK suit companies like Dobell. For more fun unconventional groom ideas, take a look at my Pinterest board. Just hope your future husband doesn't go too far.....

Picture Sources: 1 / 2

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Wedding Trends of 2014 - Unconventional Ushers

Weddings are ALL about the girls. The bride, the bridesmaid, the flowers girls....the groom and ushers must feel a bit left out. But that's all set to change thanks to this latest wedding trend for 2014, and it's all thanks to our lovely American cousins. Over in California, ushers {or groomsmen, as they call them there}, stepped into the limelight years ago - with their trendy braces, bow-ties, and cute matching socks. And now, thanks in part to the popularity of American wedding blogs here in the UK, the trend is winging its way across the Atlantic. And I couldn't be more of a fan! British boys are deliciously dapper, and slightly eccentric - the perfect combo for an unconventional usher. Whatsmore, the UK is the home of smart Savile Row tailoring, so I reckon we're going to beat the American boys at their own game. More fantastic groom ideas on my Pinterest board. Take a look at more Wedding Trends for 2014.

{Photo Credit} Swoon By Katie, see more from this wedding shoot on 100 Layer Cake

Blooming Groom Inspiration

Floral fabrics have me in something of a spin at the moment. They're the go-to fabric for fashion forward brides this year - just take a look at the heavenly mismatched floral bridesmaids' dresses in this recently featured wedding for inspiration. But it's not just bridesmaids benefiting from the new growth {sorry!} in florals. Gorgeous grooms also look fabulous in a blossoming print, and I love these bow-ties and handkerchiefs from Etsy seller Fox & Brie. Made from new and vintage fabrics collected from all over the world, each tie is a limited edition, and handmade in-house. They're a fabulous addition to a gentleman's wardrobe, and no self-respecting usher should be seen without one!

♥ Want to see groom ideas? ♥ Or how about shabby chic wedding ideas? ♥

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Five Wedding Jewellery Traditions

Weddings are one giant tradition-fest! From the white wedding gown, to the church service, the best man's speech, the first dance and the bouquet toss, your big day will be a constant nod to tradition. You might find some of the customs restricting, but when it comes to bridal jewellery, you're going to L-O-V-E the traditions, mainly because the bride comes out of it pretty well!

1. Pearl Earrings - Traditionally the groom or the father-of-the-bride gives the bride pearls on her wedding day. The jewels symbolise unblemished perfection, purity and innocence, and the ancient Greeks believed pearls would help ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed brides from crying. Needless to say, I'm particularly keen on this custom!

2. Bridesmaids' Jewellery - I discovered this fabulous tradition when my cousin asked me to be her bridesmaid. Aged nine, I was thrilled to be given an elegant gold necklace. It was the most exciting present I'd ever received, and to this day I still have it as a momento of their wedding day. You don't have to spend a fortune on your bridesmaids' present - a lovely piece of prom jewellery from Jon Richard would be a lovely thank you gift for their help and support on your big day. Plus it'll make them look glam in the wedding pictures.

{Photo Credit} 1. Unknown | 2. Ben Q Photography - view the whole shoot on the Wedding Chicks

3. Cufflinks - Just like your bridesmaids, it's traditional for your ushers to receive a present on your wedding day. On our big day we skipped this custom, and gave our ushers sunglasses instead {we had a destination wedding in France}! But I did give my husband a lovely pair of cufflinks on the morning of our wedding day, and he now wears them every day to work.

4. Your Engagement Ring - a solitaire diamond is traditional, but we all know engagement rings come in every shape and size. Men are meant to spend one month's salary, but according to a recent survey, a third of brides are happy to chip in for their engagement ring!

{Photo Credit} 1. Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom - view entire shoot on Inspired By This

5. Wedding Ring - Of course! We all know about the tradition of giving wedding rings, but did you know it started in ancient Rome? It used to be just the bride who received a ring, but in the 1920s the American jewellery industry started a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging men to wear a wedding ring as well. Those Mad Men were pretty successful, and by the late 1940s, double-ring ceremonies made up for 80% of all weddings. Will your husband wear a wedding ring?

More posts like this one:

✽ Reasonable Engagement Rings

✽ Real Tipi Church Wedding

♥ Want to see wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about more bridesmaids ideas? ♥

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How To Be A Stylish Groom!

When it came to groom and ushers' accessories, our wedding was an epic fail. My husband never really got into the idea, and I'm terrible at male clothing. So although the ushers all looked fab, they weren't exactly matching! Now if I'd discovered French Knot Weddings before my big day, I would have been sorted. Just take a look at these incredible groom bow-ties and braces. Perfect for a shabby-chic wedding!

♥ Want more ideas for your groom? ♥ Or how about shabby-chic wedding ideas? ♥

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