Cufflink Contest + E-Session News

Alright, a couple quick notes from the east coast:

1. No pressure, but we've got some great entries for out Thermometer Cufflink contest, sponsored by BridesVillage.com. Leave a sweet idea for a personalized engraving (2 lines, 15 characters per line) on either the original post, The Groom Says Facebook page, or both!

Top the other entries, and you'll walk away with a kick-ass pair of these, customized with your smart-ass engraving:


Contest ends Sunday at midnight, PST. Winner to be announced Monday.


2. As many of you know, 2Es and I own and operate our own photography business (responsible for 95% of the images you see on this here blog), and we're thrilled to announce that our most recent "Nerd Chic" engagement session is featured on THE KNOTTY BRIDE this weekend. Check out the post HERE.

3. Oh, and scroll through recent posts to read through Justin and Audrey's French wedding recap (in two parts). English speakers welcome.

Alright, I'm on vacation. No one bother me.

Have a great weekend!
brian

Crossing the Aisle Vol. VIII

Next week -- watch out for the two-part post with awesome groom fashion guru and image consultant Julie Rath. For now, bask in some groom-friendly style, brought to you by the bridal blogs.

This one's a no-brainer

A STARBUCKS PROPOSAL STORY
via Green Wedding Shoes
Shane is Groom of the Month, no question. Because their first date took place at a Starbucks, he essentially brought Starbucks to the outdoors (props for not proposing in an actual Starbucks, Shane). Click on the link to GWS' post to check out all the details and planning that went into this kick-ass proposal, including the personalized iTunes download cards.

DIY Pencil Holder
via The Sweetest Occasion
No, this isn't the manliest link we've promoted here on TGS ... but we are always looking for ways to get involved. This Do-It-Himself project involves a saw, a piece of wood, a belt sander and a drill. Get to work, men.

When life gives you a piece of wood, make a wooden pencil holder.

INEXPENSIVE OPTIONS: GROOMSMEN GIFTS
via Kiss My Tulle
Kris gives us some gift options that won't break the bank. I mean, we love our groomsmen, we do ... but we also just spent $12K to feed a hundred people.

Outdoorsy groom attire via Ruffled Blog

REAL GAY ENGAGEMENT: DREW AND JOE
via So You're Engayged
I'm partial to this last link -- 2Es' engagement shoot with Los Angeles locals Drew and Joe. Joanna shot in LA's Downtown Arts District and at the LACMA street lamp exhibit, per the couple's request. This is Joanna's second appearance on So You're Engayged (her first was a real wedding in Connecticut with Herb and Alan, published in the fall of '09).

TGS Goes Corporate (with JWP)

Six months ago, I sent my boys (along with now Co-Best Man Odin) to The Art of Shaving Barber Spa in Midtown Manhattan for a luxurious pre-wedding shave.

Four months later, 2Es and I -- equipped with camera and facial hair -- visited the Los Angeles retail store for an interview, photo session and GROOM GIVEAWAY. 

And just now we learned that 2Es' photos are on The Art of Shaving website, gracing their re-designed Barber Spa page. Please check them out here, and tell TAOS how much you enjoy the new look and the new photos that go with it.

And please ignore the dude in the barber chair. It's clear he's not a model.

© Joanna Wilson Photography 2011

Newsflash: 2Es Relives Birth, Sells Images (AP)

Today is the 25th is March ... which means that today is my 2Es' birthday ... which means that I'm taking the day off to go shopping with her.

(Groom Points.)

But because it's her birthday, I had to share some exciting news. You might remember that Joanna documented our visit to The Art of Shaving here in Los Angeles and took some stunning photographs of the barber spa.

Well, it comes as no surprise that Joanna has sold a number of those photographs to The Art of Shaving, and they will be featured both on the TAOS website as well as in stores across the country.

Yes, you guessed it, my ugly mug will be there to greet you as well.

You can see the full gallery of images from The Art of Shaving on the Joanna Wilson Photography blog. And if you care to send Joanna some birthday wishes, you should follow her on Twitter. She's kind of like a big deal.