For the Groom: Allen Edmonds Neumok shoes

My husband has been searching for months for nice brown oxfords. And I really do mean months. I've spent more time in the Nordstrom men's shoe department than some of their sales people and I am not proud of that. But I did get a chance to check out some shoes that would look amazing on a groom or his groomsmen.

Photo: AllenEdmonds.com

One of my favorites is the Allen Edmonds Neumok Wingtip Oxford. And speaking of Nordstrom, they are in the midst of their Anniversary Sale, and the Neumoks are $100 less than normal price. A steal.

If you're not familiar with Allen Edmonds, just know that you're making an investment in a pair shoes that can last a decade if treated right. They are handmade in the USA out of premium leather and sport a hot-cork sole that molds to your feet over time. Give them a few wears (seriously it takes 3-4 wears to break in), and they will fit like a glove. And as the sole or shoe wears out, you can send it back to Allen Edmonds and it'll come back like new for a fraction of the cost you paid for new shoes. Check out this video. You're not just buying a shoe for one day, you're buying one for a years to come.

A rule of thumb is shoes as ornate as the Neumoks are not formal enough to pair with a suit. But that is an old man's rule. These shoes look amazing and would look just as amazing with a suit as they would with a pair of nice jeans. The colored laces add a little pop (though they do come with neutral laces) and could be a great finishing touch to the ensembles of the men in your wedding.

Photo: AllenEdmonds.com

The Neumoks come in various colors as well, including brown, olive, navy and red. You'll surely be able to find a color to satisfy. 

Do you have any other shoe recommendations?

Bullet Bottle Opener

Joe found a great gift idea for your groom or for your groomsmen. These bullet bottle openers are made with a demilitarized .50 caliber bullet casing that is about 5.25" long tall. A pretty neat and genuinely unique gift idea that is sure to be a keepsake for everyone in your grooms side of the bridal party.


(photo credit: Cool Material)

Chocolate Covered Jalapenos

Is your hubby looking for someway to help with your handmade wedding? Try getting him to whip up some of these spicy, yet awesome chocolate covered jalapeños. You can also order them from Chocolate Covered Company in batches of one or two pounds, in various chocolate types. These are also a great idea for bachelor parties, and are a different way to spice things up!


(photo credit: cool material)

Groom Socks

How cute are these "In case you get cold feet" groom socks from Silkscreen Express? Although we all hope our future husband wont get cold feet right before our wedding, these are definitely a cute reminder that that's a big no-no.


(photo credit: Etsy.com)

Five Honeymoon Ideas From Grooms Online

Have you considered letting your future husband choose your honeymoon location? Check out these five great honeymoon ideas from Grooms Online, complete with a masculine touch. These include the beautiful Saba Island (shown below), a dormant volcano with underwater pinnacles and lovely gardens. Though, these might not be locations for the faint of heart or for those that want to simply lounge around, they are sure to prove much more adventurous and maybe just a tad more memorable for both the bride and groom.


(photo credit: Attractive Traveler's Blog)

En Pointe: Bow Tie Shop

For those of you that have been following my inspiration boards, you know I'm a big fan of bow ties. Joe didn't wear one for our wedding (we're not sure if he's a bow tie kind of guy), but I think they're a great choice if your having a more whimsical wedding. I ran across an awesome bow tie shop on Etsy.com, En Pointe, and had to share. They create handmade made to order ties in lots of colors and styles all equally cute.


(photo credits: En Pointe Etsy shop)

Let Your Groom Take Charge (Just a Little)

(photo credits from left to right: bride and groom, groom getting ready)

So, we know that a wedding is often times a lot more stressful for a bride because she wants everything to be perfect. It's often the groom that is laid back and nonchalant about the whole event. But, that doesn't mean that we should forget about the groom and just concentrate 100 percent on what the bride "should know" and do in order to be prepared for her wedding! A bride may not be willing to let her groom take control of certain details, but it will be an enormous help if they let go of the reigns and let the groom take care of, well, himself. Now, hand over the computer to your soon to be husband and remove some things off your wedding to-do list.

When I was planning my wedding it was really hard to let Joe take control of some of our wedding details, but when I did, it was such a relief and it really did make me feel less stressed out and more like I could just relax and have some things taken care of by my future spouse. So, if you're not sure if you should step in or are scared your bride will shoot down all your ideas, I would truly suggest at least trying. She'll love you even more for it.

Whether you are a laid back groom, a groom that doesn't want to be involved in wedding planning at all (but should be at least a teensy bit) or a groom that is truly interested in helping but can't find a way to do so, read on my friends! There are many great websites that offer resources just for grooms that are a great place to start. Like...

Knowing how to choose a suit or tuxedo for your body type.

Mens summer suits.

Mens winter suits.

Groom Guide checklist.

What all men need to know about marriage.

The Groom's List website

If you haven't noticed yet, Friday's are all about the groom here at The Handmade Wedding, so do check back on our Manmade Wedding segment for great manly DIY projects, inspiration boards, and more!

Inspiration Board #9: Groom Accessories I

There are so many great bride accessories roaming around that often groom accessories get overlooked, but there are tons of great groom accessories as well. The following are just a few of my favorites from the web.


(Photo credits from top left to bottom right: cufflinks, salut flask, leather belt, skinny knit tie, silk groom hair serum)

Wednesday Giveaway: Handmade Cufflinks

This week we're having a really groovy giveaway sponsored by Andrea of Legal Miss Sunshine on Etsy.com. You can win a pair of her handmade vintage-style cufflink's for your soon to be groom, spouse, or significant other, in the style of your choice.

For a chance to win, become a follower AND visit Legal Miss Sunshine, then leave a comment telling us what the most romantic thing your future spouse or significant other has done for you so far in your relationship. Please include your email address in your comment so we can notify you if you win!

UPDATE: Congrats to Eve for being our cufflink giveaway winner! :]

Inspiration Board #5: Boutonnieres

A bride's bouquet is an important detail in a wedding, and so is a groom's boutonniere. There are so many details that you can take from your wedding and carry it over to the groom's boutonniere. From your wedding colors to little details such as feathers from your centerpieces. You can also start with a more unique boutonniere such as a mini guitar and add an element from it to the bride's bouquet. Here's some inspiration:



Photo credits from left to right: guitar and picks, flower boutonnieres, herbal boutonnieres, paper flower, feathers.

Inspiration Board #3: Bow Ties

Joe didn't wear a bow tie for our wedding, but I always wonder how he would have looked. I love the bow tie look in general, and think that it adds a whimsical feel to a wedding. Is the groom in your wedding wearing a bow tie?



Photo credits from left to right: yellow bow tie and vest combo, pug dog in bow tie, checkered yellow bow tie, flask, red and black bow tie.