Personalised Cufflinks

Cufflinks are one of the few bits of a wedding outfit where you’re allowed a bit of personality without upsetting whoever chose the colour scheme. Personalise them and they stop being an accessory and start being a keepsake: something that comes out of the drawer for every wedding after this one, and gets a nod from anyone who spots the engraving.

Whether you’re buying a pair for yourself, the groom or the whole line-up of ushers, here’s what’s worth engraving, what to check before you hit order, and a few places to start looking.

What can you put on personalised cufflinks?

• Initials or a monogram. The safe bet. Classic, smart and nobody will ever accuse you of trying too hard.
• The wedding date. One cuff for the date, one for the initials of the happy couple. Handy for the groom on future anniversaries, too.
• The role. “Best Man”, “Groom”, “Usher”, “Father of the Bride”. Good for matching sets across the wedding party.
• Venue coordinates. A subtle one that only the people in the know will get.
• A photo. The couple, the dog, or a picture from the stag do if you’re feeling brave. Probably best kept off the groom’s cuffs.
• A hidden message. Many engravers will do the back of the cufflink, so you can add a line that only the wearer knows about.

Things to check before you order

• Order early. Engraving adds time to any order, and personalised items usually can’t be rushed. Don’t leave it to the week of the wedding.
• Check the spelling. Then check it again. Personalised items generally can’t be returned, and “Best Mna” is a very expensive typo.
• Look at the engraving space. A small cufflink face will take initials comfortably, but a full name or a long date can end up cramped.
• Pick the right fixing. Bullet and T-bar backs are the easiest to do up on the morning, which matters when your hands are shaking before the speech.
• Think about the metal. Sterling silver looks the part, stainless steel is tougher and usually cheaper, and gold plating suits a warmer colour scheme. Try to match the watch or the tie clip.
• Check the shirt. Cufflinks need a double cuff or a cufflink cuff. If your shirt has buttons, they’re going nowhere. See our best man shirts guide.

Personalised cufflinks as a gift

Personalised cufflinks are a go-to wedding party gift, and it’s easy to see why: they get worn on the day, they’re small enough to post, and there’s a decent chance they’ll still be in use long after the wedding photos have gone into a drawer.

If you’re the groom, a matching engraved set for the best man and ushers is a tidy way to say thanks. If you’re the best man, a pair with the wedding date makes a cracking present for the groom on the morning. You’ll find more ideas in our gifts for the groom section.

Not sure personalised is for you? Have a look at our best man cufflinks for ready-made pairs, a bit of history and how to choose.