Do Groomsmen Get Gifts?
Wedding traditions are born of long forgotten events that used to occur during wedding celebrations. There was a time when the best man and groomsmen assisted a would-be groom in riding to the next village to bring the bride home. (Reference 2) Groomsmen no longer serve as the bride's escorts but they do participate in the preparation, the ceremony and the reception. In gratitude for their service, the groom gives a keepsake or some personal item to the groomsmen.
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Who Selects the Gifts
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The groom is responsible for selecting and purchasing gifts for his best man and groomsmen. Gifts don't have to be expensive but they should be meaningful to the recipient.
Gift Ideas
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Keepsake gifts such as key rings, money clips, cuff links, grooming sets, pocket knives, watches or flasks are often given. Day books or pens engraved with the groomsman's initials may also be given as thank you gifts. Monogramming is optional but may also include the wedding date.
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Something Different
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"The Bride's Book of Etiquette" by the editors of Bride Magazine suggest that the groom "may offer to pay for his usher's accessories when they rent their tuxedos." These items normally include cummerbunds, shirts and bow ties, depending on the tuxedos chosen for the wedding party.
When to Give your Gifts
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Before the wedding ceremony, the groom gives his groomsmen their gifts. The rehearsal dinner is a common occasion for gift giving, although any pre-wedding event is acceptable.
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References
- Photo Credit champagne image by Cyril Comtat from Fotolia.com
