For The Groom: Stay Cool In Your Tux

Most of us don't spend too much time in formal wear...

By the time our wedding day arrives, we have probably worn a tuxedo less than five times in our life, so we're not likely to feel completely comfortable when we are forced to wear all that wool.

Personal note: I'm sure the brides are reading this now and are thinking "Boo hoo... My tux is hot... Boo hoo...".

I am sorry, ladies. I don't currently have a solution to helping you feel more comfortable wearing twenty yards of duchesse satin.

For the grooms, I recommend wearing one of these under your dress shirt.

The Under Armour HeatGear shirts are designed to help keep you cooler, wicking away sweat from your body. It will help you look and feel a little more comfortable throughout the day. During the ceremony, during that one-hour, pre-dinner photo session outside your facility, when the dance floor is full, etc...

If you're celebrating your wedding day on one of the hotter days of the year, wearing one of these shirts will be REALLY helpful.

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Listen To The Lyrics

Music is what enhances the mood of the wedding, giving people a soundtrack for their memories of your special day, so while selecting songs for the party can be fun, finding the perfect match can sometimes prove to be a little tough.

Often times, a bride and groom will choose a first dance song because the singer is one of their favorites and it seems romantic enough. It's only after they stop and listen they realize that on their wedding day, they’re playing a song about heartbreak or infidelity.

One song I am particularly fond of is Ben Folds' "The Luckiest". You can check it out here. The premise of the song is how, through sheer fate, he was able to find the girl of his dreams. He also tries to tell her exactly how deep his love is. Awesome song.

A relatively new choice for the father and daughter dance is the song "Daddy" by Beyonce. You can check it out here. Unlike the songs "Butterfly Kisses" and "Daddy's Little Girl", this song is from the perspective of the daughter speaking to her father. Since most Father-Daughter dances are done using a song selected by the bride, it's sort of nice to pick a song whose lyrics send a message to the father, instead of the other way around.

With lyrics like "I'm so proud of what you've become... You've given me such security... No matter what mistakes I make you're there for me...", it basically says "I am so lucky to have had a father like you".

If you're looking for a great song to end the night with, there are some more original ideas than Donna Summers' "Last Dance" or the song "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Yes, they are classics that will suffice for that moment the dance floor winds to a close, but they are also extremely cliche.

I often suggest a bride and groom consider what I call "Bookends". The first song played after the bride and groom entered the room was their first dance song, right? So, why not close the night with the first dance song and bring the whole evening back to the beginning, subtly reminding everyone in the room why they're there on that day? It also discourages the "one more song" chant...

If you're having trouble picking out songs for the big day, try this site. I've tried to complie songs that are not as common as the classic "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole or Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings".

Do you have any suggestions? Feel free to email me! Email

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More Than Just A Sports Bar

I have been meaning to post this for awhile.

Champps Americana in King of Prussia is one of my favorite restaurants around.

From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by smiling faces and seated wherever you like. If you're there to watch a football game you can sit in the clubhouse and be surrounded by numerous flat screen TVs showing nearly every broadcasted sporting event available.

If you're more in the mood for something a drop quieter, you can ask to be seated in the porch area. A giant stone fireplace is there for the chilly months, while ceiling fans keep you cool in the summer.

And, if it's a nice day, sit on the outside patio and listen to acoustic guitarists strum and sing while you enjoy a margarita.

The dining room is arranged on risers, culminating in a glass-walled kitchen. With the exception of a couple desserts, everything at Champps is made completely from scratch. Plus, the portions are very generous...

Most people would refer to Champps as a sports bar, but their extensive menu extensive menu goes way beyond burgers and waffle fries. My personal favorite is the popular Walnut-Crusted Chicken.

"Three pan-seared chicken breasts with walnut pieces and hazelnut pecan sauce. With sesame vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, and Tabasco fried onions."

Que magnifique...

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