Most groomsmen gifts end up in a drawer. Branded hip flasks, novelty socks and engraved bottle openers get a laugh on the morning of the wedding and are never seen again.
The better approach is simple: give them something they wear on the day, so it is in the photos, and that still works at the next wedding, job interview or long lunch. That usually means cufflinks or a tie bar.
Cufflinks: the obvious choice, with one catch
Cufflinks are the classic groomsmen gift for good reason. They are worn on the day, they suit every future formal occasion, and a decent pair lasts for decades.
The catch is the shirt. Cufflinks need a French (double) cuff or a convertible cuff. If the groomsmen are hiring suits or buying their own shirts, confirm the cuff style before you buy. Five pairs of cufflinks and five button-cuff shirts is an awkward discovery on the morning of the wedding.
Browse our wedding cufflinks, and if anyone needs a refresher, send them our guide on how to put on cufflinks.
Tie bars: the safer bet
A tie bar works with any shirt, any cuff and any tie. It also keeps ties straight through hours of photos, speeches and dancing, which the photographer will appreciate.
The only rule is width: a tie bar should be narrower than the tie. If the groomsmen are wearing slim ties, choose a slim bar. See our tie bars and tie pins.
If budget allows, a cufflink and tie bar set in the same finish is the most complete option.
Matching or individual?
Identical pieces look uniform in photos and are simple to organise. Individual pieces feel more personal, but they take more effort and can look scattered in a line-up.
The middle ground works best: same metal and finish, slightly different designs. Polished silver-tone across the board, for example, with a different face or stone for each groomsman. The group looks cohesive and each person gets something that suits them.
Whatever you choose, keep the metal consistent with the groom's own accessories and the wedding band if it is visible. Our men's wedding jewellery guide covers how the groom's pieces fit together.
Check stock before you commit to matching
If you want five or six identical pairs, check availability first. Many of our pieces are held in small quantities, and a design with only two in stock will not cover a full bridal party. Pick the design, confirm the quantity, then order everything together.
Engraving: put it where it does not date the piece
Initials or the wedding date make a gift personal. Placement matters. An engraving on the face ties the piece to one day. An engraving on the back of a cufflink or the reverse of a tie bar keeps the meaning and leaves the piece wearable at any event.
Plain-faced designs give the most room for engraving. Our engravable cufflinks are a good starting point. Confirm the lead time before ordering and check spelling and dates in writing; an engraving mistake cannot be undone.
Setting a budget per head
Set a figure per groomsman, then multiply it out before you fall in love with a design. A common approach is the same gift for every groomsman and something slightly more considered for the best man.
Quality matters more than price here. A well-made pair in stainless steel will outlast and outwear a cheaper plated pair, and it holds up better for anyone with sensitive skin. If that is a concern for any of your groomsmen, our guide to jewellery for sensitive skin explains which metals to choose.
Presentation
A proper case turns a good gift into a keepsake and gives them somewhere to keep it afterwards. Look at our cufflink cases, or for the best man, a watch and jewellery case. Add a short handwritten note. It will be kept longer than the box.
Timing
Order at least four to six weeks before the wedding, longer if engraving is involved. Give the gifts the night before or the morning of, so they can be worn on the day. Handing them out at the reception means they miss the photos entirely.
Do not forget the fathers. The same piece given to both fathers is a small gesture that tends to mean a lot.
Common questions
How much should I spend on groomsmen gifts?
There is no fixed rule. Spend what you can sustain across the whole bridal party, and choose quality over quantity. One well-made piece beats a box of filler.
When should I give groomsmen gifts?
The night before or the morning of the wedding, so the gift can be worn on the day and appear in the photos.
Should groomsmen gifts match?
They should coordinate. Same metal and finish across the group, with room for small differences in design if you want each gift to feel personal.
What if some groomsmen do not wear French cuffs?
Choose tie bars instead, or a cufflink and tie bar set so the tie bar can be worn with any shirt.
Should the best man get something different?
Often, yes. The same gift as the others plus a small extra, such as a case or a matching tie bar, works well.
Start with our wedding cufflinks and tie bars, or visit our South Yarra store to see pieces side by side before you order for the whole party.
