Remind your guy exactly why he’s your main squeeze with an Advent calendar–style countdown. Twenty-five days out, give your groom this handmade memento that’s all about him. Type something sappy, keep it light, or skip words altogether and glue on little photos of you two instead. Our favorite option is a mix of all of the above. Every morning, he can peel back a tab to get a daily dose of love.
This shiny new take on the traditional lapel flower is an instant heirloom. Have a metal disc engraved for your fiance with your initials and wedding date. Then sew it to a ribbon bow and glue or sew the fabric to a flat-back safety pin (at craft stores).
Rembrandt Charms charm #4604 (rembrandtcharms.com for stores). Mokuba New York 9mm all-stitch satin ribbon #1120, color 25 (212-869-8900).
These handsome cuff links are actually metal shank buttons we had engraved. You can also sew the fancy buttons in place of plain ones on a shirt or jacket.
Let the guys grab a wee bit of the style spotlight with an artfully arranged pocket square in a bold print, like this Paul Smith polka-dot square.
Recalling the winning air of an award rosette, this little adornment flourishes even in the depths of winter. Use a kit (found at notions shops) to convert the fabric into covered buttons. To make, sew a smaller button on top of a larger one with embroidery floss. Glue to the head of a hat pin with jeweler's glue.
Give groomsmen a little something to remember their trip. These links can be custom-made with the topographical chart of your choice.
Cuff links, Tomato-Made.
Offer your fiance's groomsmen a range of tie colors so they don't look too matchy-matchy. Pick different shades in the same color family -- from vibrant red to soft peach, for instance. That way the group appears coordinated, but each guy looks unique.
Ties, Ties.com. Shirts, Brooks Brothers.
This yellow-gingham linen pocket square from Ben Silver is ideal for a summer soiree.
Incorporate the shades and symbols of autumn into festive boutonnieres for your groom or his groomsmen.
For a modern take on men's formalwear, have your groom skip the bow tie and rental tuxedo, and opt instead for a classic, single-breasted black suit and tie. Finish off with a crisp white dress shirt, cap-toe leather oxfords, suspenders, smoky onyx cuff links, and a pocket square, and, voila, the perfect wedding attire. And with just a few adjustments (nix the pocket square and the cuff links), presto, his outfit is transformed into one that he can wear to parties -- even to other weddings at any time of day.
The groom and groomsmen will have a special keepsake if they wear these everlasting beaded boutonnieres. You will need vintage or new beaded leaves and pearlescent floral pips, along with floral tape and green double-sided seam binding. The pips come four or five to a bunch. Cluster three or four sets of pips together with three leaves; wrap them with floral tape. Then wrap them again in the seam binding. Affix to lapels using straight pins.
Turn any buttons (even custom monogrammed ones) into a pair of personalized cufflinks you can give to the men in your life.
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