Vendor Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Tux and Tulle (CLOSED)

While worrying about the bride's gown or bridesmaid dresses, or shopping with your mom to buy her MOB dress, we often forget about the groom and his groomsmen. What are they going to wear? What if you're looking for a little more style, color or diversity? What if the selection at Men's Wearhouse just ain't cutting it for the look you're going for? After browsing through groom and groomsmen attire options, I found our newest Vendor Spotlight, Jane from Tux and Tulle on Etsy. Jane shows us how a tie can give a normal suit its edge and personality. Playful, stylish and fun, with a little bit of vitntage and a little funky sensibility, her ties can add a unique look that you and the men in your wedding party can really enjoy.

True, a lot of our men will insist they don't care and will wear anything, and well, I don't really buy it. When it comes down to it, men do want to look sharp on their day...yep, I said it...because it is his day, too! And can you believe it, a lot of guys do have an opinion on what looks good. I showed my FH the tie Jane sent me for a product review (I had to see if it passed the guy test) and what do you know, the future hubs really liked it! The tie is a cotton teal blue and gold tie and will make a striking addition to your wedding party attire. While the fabric is cotton (perfect for a less formal or outdoor wedding), the patterns, color and workmanship give them a very classy appearance. Not only are these unique tie alternatives for your groomsmen, but these bold prints and colors make them great gifts for the guys who regularly don a shirt and tie, or maybe for the guy who just likes to dress up every now and then (trust me, they're out there!). Jane also makes dupioni silk ties for a more formal look, and can also custom make an order.

At less than $20 a tie, these are affordable alternative options for your men...and maybe fun, stylish gifts for them to keep after the wedding! So, without further ado, here's Jane from Tux and Tulle!

What got you started in making neckties for men?
I created neckties and bow ties for my daughter's wedding in August 2009 and have been creating ever since!

How would you describe the style of ties you make?
I like vintage style floral fabrics but have recently loved making lots of stripes, poka dots and bold prints. Also, dupioni silk is one of my favorite fabrics to work with because of the vivid color selection. I make skinny ties, regular size neckties, children's neckties and pre-tied bow ties.

It's been often assumed that the groom and groomsmen don't really care what they wear. After making ties and accessories for men for as long as you have, how true is this assumption?
I have been pleasantly suprised by the number of emails I have received from men who are very serious about their neckties! They are truly interested in colors and styles and often want to give their neckites as gifts to their groomsmen.

When picking the groom and groomsman's attire, what should brides and grooms remember?
Remember to add color to your wedding! The difference in the pictures is amazing and the color adds a real vibrancy whether your wedding is indoor or out! I think often grooms want to stick with basic black and white but taking a risk on color and prints is worth it! Also, mix it up! Some of my favorite orders have been ties of the same hue in different prints.

Groomsmen are often difficult to shop for. What makes a perfect groomsman's gift?
I think it should be something personal, something that will remind the groomsmen of the fun and memories of the event. Of course, it would also be great if the gift could be used again in real life!

Tell me something unique about your products.
I think my fabric selections are unique. One of my recent neckties has chandeliers with glitter. That will take a brave groom! The sky is the limit on color, prints and fabric choices so each necktie I make can be one of a kind.

Links where we can find out more of your work:
My neckties can be found on ETSY at http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuxandtulle

The GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to Jane, we're giving away one tie of the winner's choice! Perfect to start off your groomsmen attire, or as a gift for that special guy!

The RULES
1) Go to Tux and Tulle Etsy shop and comment on your favorite item for one entry. This is mandatory! Contestants who do not do this will be disqualified. Remember to leave your email address or some way to contact you with each entry!

Additional entries (remember to leave separate comments for each additonal entry)

2) Become a new follower of this blog (1 entry)
3) Are currently a follower of my blog (2 entries)
4) Become a facebook fan of “I Do” Budget Weddings (2 entries)
5) Blog about the contest and include a link to the giveaway. Each entrant must also include a link to Tux and Tulle in their post (3 entries)
6) Buy anything from Tux and Tulle (5 entries)
7) Follow “I Do” Budget Weddings on Twitter (1 entry)
8) Tweet on this giveaway and include a link to this giveaway in your tweet (1 entry)
9) Grab my button and place it on your blog (1 entry)
10) Subscribe to "I Do" Budget Weddings emails (1 entry)
11) Enter any one of my current giveaways and tell me which giveaway you entered (1 entry per giveaway)

The deadline to enter this contest is 11:59 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010 (PST).  A winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck! (This Giveaway is CLOSED)