Summer means a few things for us down here at 8|7: Tank tops, dance parties, cut off jean shorts, convertibles, margaritas, beer, hanging out on porches, grilling pretty much anything, bike rides, yard games, and shooting BB guns.

Of course, there is another thing you can guarantee and that is a slew of patriarchal slave ceremonies wedding invitations. Maybe you are the bride or groom to be or you’ve been chosen to stand up next to said brides and grooms. Or you may be sitting on the waiting list just in case someone didn’t RSVP. Whatever way you put it, if you want to embrace life, you have to do more than just put on your fancy clothes and show up to eat/drink/dance. From bachelor and bachelorette parties to showers to gifts, there is a lot going on at a wedding, even if you’re not walking down the aisle.  If you’re like us, then you know that sometimes the monotony of weddings can get the best of you. But we’d like to maybe introduce some things that might take a new spin on your wedding adventures.

Firstly, let’s approach the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties.

Get away from the cliche. Yeah, penis-shaped things and bar-hopping are all great, but what makes that any different from every other night? Not much (at least for us). Instead, try one of these ideas.

-Rent an RV and find a parking spot downtown for the weekend.

-Buy a house in Detroit for $1 and demolish it.

-Jell-o party. (*giggle*)

-Find the best way possible to waste $100.

Whatever you do, don’t be mundane about it. With these endeavours comes the great opportunity for making things. It so happens that we’ve had some practice with that, especially in the area of t-shirts. One of our printers, Phillip has a wedding coming up & is the best man, and is assigned to the bachelor party. It will include a game of whiffle ball on the beach in San Diego then a bonfire with stories and shenanigans. Instead of hitting up the bars and renting a party bus, he decided to make team shirts for the whiffle ball game. One being Full House, the other being Family Matters. A real feud is established as these two teams will face off against one another to decide who wins the battle of best 90’s family sitcom.

So, after the bachelor/bachelorette party is taken care of there comes the gifts. Let’s be honest, no one ever really registers for anything exciting. You don’t want to be a weenwad and nothing says “I just don’t care that much about you” like a lame kitchen appliance. You want to be remembered. Go off the grid. We’ll help you get there. Here are a few custom screen printed Moleskine notebooks that Phillip designed for the wedding couple.

It doesn’t have to be a notebook, it could be dish towels, linens, a poster or matching lover t-shirts. In any case, you won’t be just another spatula; you’ll be unique, crafty, thoughtful, and remembered forever or at least until they get divorced.