Photo: Courtesy of Etsy

It's safe to say Pinterest has proved itself the ultimate platform to plan a wedding over the last few months. Walk into the Brides offices and you will find us pinning everything from mouth-watering hors d' oeuvres to couture gowns to DIY ideas for your wedding day and beyond. But we all too often forget the role the groom plays in the big day. Let's be real here, he's pretty essential.

So we've rounded up some really sweet ideas courtesy of all you pinners out there:

1. Indigo & Cotton Tie. This floral print is so on-trend and would be perfect for a rustic affair. And come on, who doesn't love a groom in a skinny tie? (Pinned via Indigo & Cotton on Pinterest)

2. Boutonniere by Poppies & Posies. This quirky-cool boutonniere stars a brass lighter (found at a flea market) as well as some berries and greenery. Probably not for the more conservative fella, but definitely something unique that will catch the eyes of your guests. (Pinned via Brides.com on Pinterest)

3. 'In Case You Get Cold Feet' Socks. We found these on the SilkscreenExpress Etsy shop. Really cute idea to sneak into your fiance's dressing room for a little pre-wedding laugh. (Pinned via Etsy on Pinterest)

4. "Dude, will you be my groomsman?" Beer Label A very clever way to ask your groomsman to be part of your big day, while still looking muy macho. (Pinned via Katie DeVore on Pinterest)

5. First Look Moment. We had to throw in the cutest photo we stumbled across of one groom seeing his bride for the first time. We melted. You've gotta see this. (Pinned via Moment Junkie on Pinterest)

Want to hop on the Pinterest bandwagon? It's not too late and so easy. Simply head over to Pinterest.com and sign yourself up. Then start creating your own boards that inspire you. Our favorites here at the Brides offices are: Pets Down The Aisle, Vintage-Inspired Weddings and, The Groom (helloooooo, have you been listening??) Mark our words:

—Gray MacDonald


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Photo: Courtesy of Sid Mashburn

Whether your wedding's going the classic, white-tie route or buttoning down into a more relaxed feel, vintage-inspired grooms all have at least one thing in common: A pocket square. It's a staple in traditional formal attire, yes, but look for options with a fresh spin—like these pocket squares from Atlanta-based designer Sid Mashburn. Made from Italian cotton, the squares feature a variety of colors and prints (gingham here for those on the rustic path) with frayed edges for a dapperly deconstructed look.

Pocket square, $55, Sid Mashburn

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Courtesy of After Six (model)

Paying homage to Sean Connery's iconic, bow-tied turn as James Bond in the 1960s, After Six unveiled a new tuxedo style that combines a classic jacket with 007's license to... accessorize. The two-button, notch-lapel jacket is cut from Italian wool that's lined in violet and pipped in the brand's signature '1903' print—providing grooms with a suave foundation on which to build a killer wedding-day look.

Paragon Tuxedo jacket, $275, After Six

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Courtesty of the vendor

If Jessica Biel indeed wears Monique Lhuillier to her wedding (à la Reese Witherspoon, Vanessa Minnillo, and potentially Jessica Simpson), Justin Timberlake will no doubt conjure an equally fashionable groom's look. The man knows how to dress! As he should, being the co-founder of Southern-chic label William Rast, which offers these faux-tortoiseshell aviator sunglasses for men. On Timberlake or any other groom, the patterned shades put a modern twist on classic tuxedo or suit accessorizing.

William Rast sunglasses, $46.90, Nordstrom

Find more ideas for dressing your dudes and dads on our Grooms & Guys page.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Via Mr. Porter

"Elegant clambake" seems contradictory, sure, until you see how today's featured couple, Amy and David, fused their upscale style with the rustic appeal of a seafood spread. As their reception proves, a marriage of contrasts often yields the most exciting results, seen again here in the shocking yellow soles and plush navy suede of these Mark McNairy loafers.

The shoes offer grooms a snazzy cocktail party look leading up to a wedding or an easy-to-slip-off footwear option while traveling (to a Hamptons honeymoon, perhaps?). Plus, McNairy's design even channels a bit of the dapper New England vibe brought out by David and Amy's "corporate and crunchy, exotic and unpretentious" wedding style.

Suede loafers, $405, Mark McNairy

Find more ideas for dressing your dudes and dads on our Grooms & Guys page.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Via Farfetch

Outdoor weddings in colder settings require more attention to accessorizing for your groom—if simply so that he won't freeze before you make it down the aisle. Wintry add-ons like scarves and gloves needn't be neutral to pair with a formal tux or suit, however. As with every other detail on your wedding day, look for accessories with the same appeal and vivacity as found in your color palette.

For Christin and Ben, today's featured couple, that would mean finding a scarf with the rustic warmth of Aspen Mountain and the autumn colors of turning leaves. Scandinavian designer Henrik Vibskov offers one such scarf, $136, woven from cotton with fringe along the sides. Chicly tucked into a suit or simply thrown on with jeans and a sweater, Vibskov's scarf is probably the only way to fashionably wear pig print. (What, you didn't notice the little piggy faces before?)

—Phillip B. Crook

Illustration by Maurice Vellekoop/BRIDES

News flash: when it comes to sex, men and woman are really, really different. Here, three things he must know to keep things blazing in the bedroom.

1. She needs to turn off. They say the brain is a sex organ, but for women, it can also be a sexual saboteur. Stress and crazy to-do lists can send your wife's mind into a tailspin, effectively cutting off arousal. Prep her for passion by helping her relax: Give her a glass of wine, book her a massage at the spa, or have her take a hot bath while you do the dishes.

2. She needs validation. It's no secret that women have body issues—in fact, many are so self-conscious about the way they look, they avoid sex entirely. To help get her mind in the game and off the size of her thighs, make sure to tell your wife what you dig about her body on a daily basis.

3. She needs patience. Your girl is going to need more time than you do to get there. In fact, according to Louann Brizendine's The Female Brain, it takes an average of 3 to 10 times longer for women to climax than for men. The moral of the story: Foreplay is not optional, fellas!

Once you've mastered that, here are 15 ways to keep your marriage sexy.

—Lucy Henry

Q: Would you come clean if your fiancée asked you how many people you've slept with?

Photos: Luigi Menduni

"Yeah. I don't have anything to hide."
—Kareem T., 23

"Probably not. I'd make something up."
—Tarik F., 23

"I wouldn't be able to recall the exact number, so an estimation would have to do."
—Daniel C., 23

"There'd be some truth to my answer, but I don't think exact names and dates would be necessary."
—Mark S., 26

"Oh, God, no! I'd have to give a rounded number."
—Jeremiah S., 26

Imagine how dapper your heartthrob would look in this 1960s Valentine's print bow tie ($68) from New England-based General Knot & Co. We can't get enough of the mini hearts or the fact that it's reversible.

Want more groom's style ideas? Click here.

—Stephanie Davila

Photo: Cufflinks.com

Does your fiancé want to pay tribute to his favorite sports team—or, ahem, Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning—on your wedding day? Cufflinks.com makes an entire line of officially licensed NFL accessories, from cufflinks to money clips to tie bars, that incorporate his favorite team's logo quite tastefully. There's even a forthcoming Super Bowl XLVI commerative champion cufflink set for those that celebrated a victory this past weekend.

If football isn't his thing, there are tons of other themes to choose from, including collegiate sports, hobbies, even tech-inspired. Think you'll need wifi access during your reception? Planning on storing data in the middle of your vows? Look no further. There are even cufflinks that transform into a 4G USB drive or wireless internet hot spot.

Seriously. It's impossible for you not to find a pair that suits your other half.

BRIDES EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Save 15% on any order over $50 by entering BRIDES15 at checkout. Offer expires February 18th.

—Jackie Lebowitz

Photo: Courtesy of Men's Wearhouse

Vera, Vera, Vera. Seems like everywhere you turn her name appears: rings, dishes, dresses, bed sheets—and now tuxedos. Famed designer Vera Wang inked an exclusive deal with Men's Wearhouse for her debut men's formalwear line, Black by Vera Wang. The initial collection will consist of two rental tuxedo styles. The first is a black suit with a two-button notch, grosgrain lapel, and side-vented jacket with flat-front grosgrain striped pants. The second is a gray suit with a two-button, satin edge notch lapel, and side-vented jacket with flat-front pants. Both are contemporary in fit and style. The collection, which hits stores in late spring, will retail for $219.99. —Stephanie Davila

See more tuxedo ideas in our Grooms gallery, and visit our local vendors listings to find a tuxedo rental shop near you.

Photo: Meredith Hanafi Photography

Meet Daniel, a Brooklyn groom we featured this year in a laid-back Labor Day weekend wedding that he and his bride Melanie crafted to feel like an end-of-summer barbecue. Normally, one wears shorts and a collared shirt to such gatherings, but not Daniel. No, he barbecues in Burberry.

Channeling the "casual, stylish, and fun atmosphere" of his wedding, Daniel donned a blue Hugo Boss suit and a patterned Burberry tie, which he accented with a skull-printed pocket square and a silver tie clip. It's the kind of unapologetically cool style we crave in a man, and the reason why Daniel tops our list of the best-dressed grooms of the year.

Follow the jump to find out which other dapper dudes made the cut, and visit our Groom Style page to see more real wedding looks. —Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Jennifer Livingston/DETAILS

Our friends at DETAILS rebooted the standard black-tie uniform to offer men five fashionable ways to personalize their formal look. Grooms take note—with tips like these, you can easily punch-up your tuxedo or suit and preserve the sense of style that makes you, you. Because no one should have to get married feeling like just another penguin.

Tip: Don't Be Afraid of Velvet
The material is especially appealing in a jacket because its weight creates structure, and the light sheen will also add a festive touch to your outfit.

Tip: Go Navy
When you want to stand out without totally sticking out, this classic hue is a smart way to bend—not break—the rules.

Tip: Strike a Contrast
Pair a tux blazer with suit pants for a fashionably offbeat look. Make sure to choose dramatically different colors.

Pick up the DETAILS December 2011 issue or head to Details.com to see the rest of the tips, and visit our Grooms & Guys Style page for even more ideas. —Phillip B. Crook

Photos, clockwise from left: Courtesy of Target; Steven Torres; Courtesy of Rock Pop Gallery

If you're planning a reception with an alternative vibe, you can't go wrong with this adorable ring bearer ensemble from Gwen Stefani's new Harajuku Mini for Target line. The black corduroy jacket and bow tie keep it formal, while the plaid pants give the outfit just enough punk-rock edge. Finish off the look with a pair of black Cons and a ring bowl fashioned from a vintage LP—now your ring bearer is ready for the spotlight. —Allison Bean

If you're going traditional, check out our local listings for a tux shop in your area or see more cool ring bear looks here

Corduroy jacket, $25, bow tie woven shirt, $17, plaid punker pants, $20, plaid newsboy hat, $10, canvas slides, $17, all Harajuku Mini for Target; Converse kids Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers, $27, Zappos; 12-inch LP record bowl, $24.95, Rock Pop Gallery