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The 16 Best Gifts for the Groom to Celebrate the Big Day

Best Gifts for Grooms

Brides / Amelia Manley

When you're in the midst of wedding planning, it's easy to remember special presents for the people who are helping to pull together the event. The mother or father of the bride or groom, the maid of honor or the best man, and the bridal party—these are all integral figures who deserve thanks and appreciation for their roles in your wedding. But what about your partner? Wedding tradition calls for a gift exchange between the newlyweds in the days leading up to the big event. However, shopping for your new groom or bride can be tough. It's a big task to find something that truly expresses your love and appreciation on such a momentous occasion.

When shopping for a groom's gift, there are two main routes to consider: a sentimental gift or a useful one. (You may find even find a gift that encapsulates both). Sentimental gifts are an ode to your relationship—think maps signifying the history of your love or a personalized piece of wall art that calls back to your first date. Meanwhile, useful gifts are functional items that will help your partner beyond the wedding day. This can include things like a luxe weekend bag he'll sport on your honeymoon or a big-ticket item he's been coveting like a high-tech sound system or a new state-of-the-art watch.

To help you find the perfect gift for your perfect guy, we researched various gifts with these features in mind. For stylish accessories he can wear on the wedding day, we love the GeorgieDesigns Personalized Cufflinks and the Tissot V8 Swissmatic Bracelet Watch. For a thoughtful gift that you can put on display in your home, we recommend giving the LovetoArtCo. Three-Heart Map to your sweet husband-to-be.

Read on for the best gifts for grooms.

This set of monogrammed cufflinks combines practicality and sentimentality in one simple gift. Not only can you have them designed with a personal message, but you can have it done in your own handwriting for an extra-special touch. They're made from durable stainless steel and you'll have your choice of circle and square shape with steel, gold, rose gold, and gunmetal finishes. We can’t think of a sweeter gift for a groom to wear on the wedding day.

First date, engagement day, and wedding day—map out your love story with this sweet art piece. Each heart shows the locations some of the most significant milestones in your relationship occurred. Choose between three sizes (as well as framed or unframed options) and frames can be customized by finish so it can be matched to any decor. Your groom will be touched by such a thoughtful gift.

If you love your groom to the moon and back, this customizable constellation map will leave him starry eyed (pun intended). Pick the date and location (we suggest the day you met or got engaged), and this poster will feature a view of the night sky from that day and place. Choose between three sizes, framed and unframed options, and customize the font color and style. Each map is printed on matte paper with archival ink, so you know it's made to last.

This vintage-inspired scotch bottle set is perfect for a shot with the groomsmen on the big day, but it will also keep your groom happy for years to come. If they already have their own designated glasses, you can purchase just the decanter. Otherwise, it has two-glass or four-glass set options. Customize it with his name for a personal touch—it’ll appear engraved on the wooden box and etched in the glassware.

Melt your husband-to-be's heart with this custom map art print, which pinpoints the location of your wedding. Customize the color theme and frame, then personalize it with your names, wedding date, and venue location. Bonus: it's a gift that you'll get to enjoy too.

If you're looking for an affordable gift that will still pack a lot of sentimental value, try this personalized reel viewer. Simply send in your favorite photos of the two of you since the beginning of your relationship, and you’ll receive a made-to-order reel and viewer ready for viewing. The viewer comes in red, blue, black, and white color options, and you can opt to add in a reel redemption code to make another one later on (for your anniversary, father's day, and beyond).

If your groom is an avid MLB fan, this gift will be a home run. Dipping into the New York Times archives, this book is a collection of articles covering the most significant sports moments of a baseball team’s history. Pick your groom’s favorite team and have the cover embossed with their name for a personal touch.

Your groom will never have an excuse for being late with this stunner on their wrist. Crafted out of stainless steel with a sapphire crystal face, this watch manages to feel both classic and modern. But it gets even better—it’s also water-resistant for up to 330 feet, so they can swim or shower with it on. It also comes with a two-year warranty, so you can rest assured your purchase is fully protected.

This handsome briefcase carries it all—notebooks, laptops, pens, smartphones–you name it, there’s a place for it. But it’s just as gorgeous as it is functional, fashioned out of pebbled leather with a removable shoulder strap. There’s no doubt it’ll make your S.O. look smart and stylish heading into work. You can choose between black, espresso, and chocolate finishes, and you can get it monogrammed to add a personal touch.

If your groom is a beer connoisseur, they'll appreciate this this stainless steel mini keg that keeps beer fresh and cold for up to two weeks. A dispenser tap and copper finish give it old-school brewery vibes, while a monogram adds a personal touch. A stainless steel finish is also available, and each mini keg is available in 64 or 128 ounces. Make sure to give this to your groom after the wedding and not before—the groom and groomsmen might have too much fun with it.

Sleek and sexy, this gorgeous duffle bag is everything your groom needs for a weekend away with you. Made of goat leather and crafted by artisans in Morocco, it has room for everything from T-shirts and sweaters to an on-the-go shaving kit. The crossover strap is adjustable, but it can also be removed if they prefer to carry it by the handles instead. The interior is made from durable suede so this duffle will last your groom through your honeymoon and beyond.

If your groom is a tequila or mezcal aficionado, they'll love this unique spirit that's crafted from 100 percent pure agave in the Morales region of Mexico. Aged for 24 months in a French oak barrel and triple distilled, this golden elixir has heady notes of cardamom, caramel, and vanilla. Your groom can take a shot of this on the big day and mix it into homemade cocktails later on.

Made with Google Assistant and Alexa built-in, these smart speakers are great for streaming music, audiobooks, movies, and more. Even better, it can sync up with other Sonos speakers to create a full home audio system. It's equipped with voice control and emits plenty of bass.

To add a sentimental touch to your groom's favorite drinking glass with these adorable coasters. Pick four of your favorite photos as a couple and they'll be transformed into tumbled marble coasters with a cork backing. You can further the personalization with different captions on each—we recommend adding your names on one, your engagement date on another, and so forth. These coasters are built to last, and your groom can use them for a pre-wedding ceremony drink on the big day and any night after.

Pizza night just got that much better. This high tech tabletop oven recreates the conditions of a wood-fired pizza oven and turns out extra-crispy pies in only two minutes (and no need to stoke a fire!). Get the toppings ready.

This modern stainless steel flask keeps drinks chilled and portable—and you can get his initials (or a message) laser custom engraved on it. Pair with one of his favorite spirits to complete the gift.

What to Look for in Gifts for Grooms

Sentimentality

Finding the perfect gift for your favorite guy can be a challenge. It is your wedding day, after all! For a special token on your wedding day, you can't go wrong with a sentimental gift that represents your relationship and celebrates your love.

Sentimentality can also take the form of an experience that you can share together, whether it's a weekend trip back to the place where you first met or got engaged or a special dinner at your favorite restaurant. And remember—a thoughtful, handwritten card can be one of the most meaningful gestures (and definitely should be included with any gift!).

Customization

A personalized gift is always a good option—it shows that you've put thought, time, and effort to customize something that's just for him. Go for a gift with his monogram like a gorgeous leather tote, a pair of high-end cufflinks (that can also be worn for the wedding ceremony), or a custom box for storing his valuables. For something that's both personalized and sentimental, have a watch engraved with a sweet message or a piece of art that highlights his favorite song or lines from a poem.

Usefulness

You might also consider a gift that he can use on the wedding day or after all of the festivities are over. From a high-end bottle of tequila to new speakers for your home, a useful and practical gift is something that any groom will appreciate. Make sure to factor in the item's durability and price—f you opt for a practical gift, you want it to be something that can last him a long time.

FAQ
  • Do you have to buy a wedding day gift for the groom?

    It's a wedding tradition that the couple exchange gifts on or leading up to the wedding day. It makes for a sentimental moment that celebrates your love before heading to the altar. However, every couple is different, and depending on your preferences and budget, you might both mutually agree to forgo exchanging wedding gifts. Just be sure to have that conversation before the big day!

  • What is the best gift for the groom on your wedding day?

    Something sentimental or useful is the way to go for a wedding day gift for your groom. You know him better than anyone, so take his own interests into consideration. If he loves men's fashion, gift him with customized cufflinks or other accessories to wear for the ceremony. If he's a spirits aficionado, customized drinking glasses and a bottle of his favorite whiskey make for an excellent choice.

Why Trust Brides

Hillary Hoffower has been a Brides contributor since 2015, covering bridal fashion and wedding decor trends. Business Insider. In addition to Brides, she also has written for Fortune, Business Insider, and other publications.

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