Personalized Accessories for Your Wedding Suit

While you might think the grooms’ attire consists of one choice – tuxedo or suit – there are actually way more details that inject personality and creativity into your outfit. And when you incorporate personalized details, you end up with a look as one-of-a-kind as the couple getting hitched.

Whether it’s a pastel tie with the groom’s initials or a pair of steel cufflinks engraved with the wedding date, these small details add to the story that you’re starting when you say ‘I do’.

We asked wedding event designer Emily Burton for her advice on how to take your wedding from normal to custom with something as simple as the suit accessories you wear.

When it comes to your wedding suit accessories, 3 types of personalization work best: laser engraving, debossing and heat pressing.

Laser engraving uses a laser beam to vaporize the metal of the object being personalized. It’s an extremely fast method and creates clear text with sharp precision.

Using a laser to engrave is also safer for the metal than other types of engraving because no actual tool touches the surface of your jewelry.

“The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalized messages on wedding suit accessories. Engraving the date of the wedding to a tie clip or having the couple’s initials added to his watch make the small accents extra special.

And don’t forget the groomsmen too! Custom cufflinks with their initials engraved or a pair of suspenders with a personal text make excellent groomsmen gifts.”

Not sure what to write? Check out engraving tips and ideas here.

Debossing is a technique used on leather belts and walletsto personalize them.

The process involves pushing the chosen design into the leather to make an imprint. Debossing leather does not harm the back of the material and is considered safer than embossing for high-quality leather goods.

What is the difference between embossing and debossing?
Both embossing and debossing are perfect for customizing leather products, and they both use a metal piece that is heated and pressed into the material.

The main difference is that with embossing, the design is pressed from underneath. With debossing, the design is achieved by pressing from the front.

Embossing can hold a bit more detail than debossing but alters the front and back of the product.

“Debossing can be used for way more than just the invitations and other decorations.

It’s an easy way to make all the groomsmen’s gifts extra special, too. Having each groomsman’s initials debossed on a leather belt or wallet is a nice way to thank him for joining you on your wedding day. And it’s a great way to make sure all their belts match!

And if you’re looking for a subtle gift for the groom... a leather wallet, debossed with your monogram, is a keepsake he’ll actually keep.”

Whether you’re shopping for the groom or looking for groomsmen gifts, nothing is as special as a personal touch.

“Create something cherished and worn for a lifetime. It could be a small pair of cufflinks with the happy couple’s new monogram or a tie with the couple’s shared last name.

Finding a unique groomsmen gift doesn't have to be difficult either.

• Make sure what you give comes from the heart.
• Don’t rush out and buy the first thing you see.
• Take an extra minute and consider what that man would really like.

I’ve had a lot of wedding couples give ‘Weekend Care Packages’ as groomsmen gifts. These include items like a shaving set with an engraved razor, a deck of playing cards and a monogrammed bottle opener.

It doesn’t have to be the same gift for every person in your wedding party, either.

If one of your groomsmen is a pocket square connoisseur, then create a custom one with his initials. If your best man could use a wallet, then have a classic bifold wallet debossed with his name.

And if the bride-to-be is shopping for a wedding gift for her groom, don’t forget that you can personalize an accessory with more than just a monogram. Think of where you first met, the place where you first kissed or even the date when he proposed. All of these are wonderful memories and may just fit the character limit on your customized gift.”

• Less is More – “Choose 1 or 2 accessories to customize. It’s not kindergarten… you don't need everything to have your name on it.”
• Make it Clear – “Whatever message you decide on, make sure your bride will understand it when she sees it. An inside joke isn’t funny if you’re the only one laughing.”
• Match the Wedding Colors – “Make sure every accessory matches the overall color scheme of the wedding.” Double-check before ordering because personalized items can not be returned. For more on matching,
  read Emily’s advice here.
• Make the Bride the Star – “Yes, it’s your big day… but it’s mostly her big day. Whatever accessory or personal touch you choose, make sure she’s the star of the show. And then keep doing that until death do you part.”