Fab 5: Stylish boutonnieres

Think beyond roses, baby's breath and bows and let your groom don a boutonniere that's stylish and, well, a little more manly. Calla lilies are always a popular choice for a sleek modern look, but reach a bit further outside the box and check out these fabulous five options:

1. Modern Elegance
   
   Creamy white flowers accented with a bit of purple create a stunning accent against a black tux. Match the accent color to the tie for pulled together look.
   Image from Get Married
   
   
2. Starring Role
   
   Two stephanotis flowers paired with a sprig of berries create a modern boutonniere for the costar of your wedding day.
   Image from The Knot
   
   
3. Unexpected Twist
   
   Leave the floral behind with this all green bout made of succulents and green amazon coleus for a decidedly non-feminine look.
   Image from Brides.com
   
   
4. Something Blue
   
   Whether your wedding colors are blue or your groom wants to get in on the "Something Old" tradition, lean toward the unexpected with these charming blue blooms.
   Image from The Knot
   
   
5. Keep It Simple
   
   Let his boutonniere accent, not distract. This lily of the valley bout is simple and understated.
   Image from Wedding Channel
   

Fab 5: Groom's cakes for every personality

A Southern tradition, groom's cakes have recently become very popular in Western Pennsylvania and across the county. Brides present the cake as a gift to their groom, and usually choose a design that fits their new husbands' personalities. The cake itself is typically richer than the wedding cake--choosing a chocolate groom's cake, for instance, can provide a flavor option for your guests if you're serving a white wedding cake. Though typically served at the reception, you could also use the groom's cake as dessert at the rehearsal dinner, or even a Sunday brunch.

While groom's cakes certainly aren't a necessary component, I love the fun designs and options available. It's also a great way to reward your guy with a little bit of his personality, after a year of putting up with wedding planning. And so here are five creative groom's cakes, each fit for a different kind of guy.

1. The Poker Player
   
   He's got the guys over every weekend for some Texas Hold 'Em, so why not present him with a cake fashioned after his favorite game? This miniature poker table cake is complete with the playing cards and poker chips.
   Image from Hot Breads & Cakes
   
   
2. The Gamer
   
   If your groom's always glued to latest video games, serve up a cake shaped after his favorite game system. This XBox 360 cake (pictured for use at an XBox anniversary party) looks real enough to play.
   Image from IGN
   
   
3. The Car Nut
   
   Your groom's the kind of guy who spends his weekends under the hood, and never misses a Nascar race. Give him a cake designed to look like his favorite classic or race car.
   Image from Cakes by Sam
   
   
4. The Partier
   
   His favorite pastime is, well, drinking. He links to hang out with the guys at the bar, tailgate before football games and relax with a cold one in front of the TV. Get him a cake that looks like a can or bottle of his favorite brew.
   Image from Cakes by Graham
   
   
5. The Sports Fan
   
   He lives and dies with his favorite sports team, so get him a cake that shows his passion: a football helmet, hockey puck, baseball and glove or college mascot will do the trick. This Terrible Towel cake was originally designed for a birthday, but would be a great Steelers groom's cake as well.
   Image from Cake It or Leave It
   

You might be interested in:
The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Guide:
Everything the happy couple needs to plan their wedding with ease!
Compiled and written by a bride, this e-book includes ideas, wedding guest list, budget & checklist, contact list, reception ideas, gift list and more!

Wedding planning resources for grooms

Hey, brides aren't the only ones with a say in the wedding, right? Here are a few sites for all you grooms out there:

• Groombug (from Junebug Weddings)
• Groom 411
• Happily Whipped
• Grooms Online

Also, check out the blog entries from Mr. Monkey, who recently married Mrs. Monkey, over on Weddingbee for some male perspective on planning a wedding. I hope Weddingbee adds more groom bloggers soon!

Guys can plan weddings, too

Grooms 411 gives guys a place to go for wedding planning advice. A good deal of the content is more humorous than helpful, but hey, it's a start.

The site also features a page for brides with tips on getting their groom involved.