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5 Classy Groomsmen Gift Ideas They’ll Actually Keep & Appreciate

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Choosing the perfect gift for your groomsmen can be a daunting task. Grooms often want to express their gratitude for their groomsmen’s support and companionship in a way that is both meaningful and practical. Gone are the days of generic gifts that collect dust on a shelf, or immature gifts that get a laugh once and end up in the trash during the next Spring Cleaning. Instead, consider gifts that your groomsmen will genuinely appreciate and use beyond your wedding day. Here are five groomsmen gift ideas that strike the perfect balance of utility, elegance, and sentimentality.

1. Personalized Leather Goods

A timeless, masculine and sophisticated choice, personalized leather goods make for excellent groomsmen gifts. Consider items such as monogrammed wallets, dopp kits, or passport holders. High-quality leather not only exudes luxury but also ages beautifully, making these gifts enduring keepsakes of your friendship. Ensure the personalization includes their initials or a meaningful message, adding a touch of individuality. Ideas for groomsmen gifts like these are easy to find from reputable shops on Etsy.

2. Customized Watches

A well-crafted timepiece is a gift that never goes out of style. This gift also allows you some room to choose specific styles for each of your groomsmen, according to their personal style. Opt for watches that are classic yet distinctive, reflecting each groomsman’s personality to add a meaningful spin on a traditional gift. Many brands offer customizable options, allowing you to engrave the caseback with initials or a short message. Avoid engraving your own wedding date on the gift, though. While special to you, and in some ways to your groomsmen, it isn’t their wedding and thus won’t be a date they commonly celebrate or remember forever.

Whether it’s a sleek minimalist design or a sporty chronograph, a watch is a practical accessory that will remind your groomsmen of your special day with every glance. Find great options at MVMT or Fossil.

3. Artisanal Spirits, Wine, or Coffee Sets

For groomsmen who appreciate finer things, consider gifting them a set of artisanal spirits, wines, or coffee if they are sober. Choose premium bottles that align with their preferences, whether it’s a rare whiskey, a selection of craft beers, a curated assortment of wines, or a grind or roast local to your wedding location to share with the traveling groomsmen.

These groomsmen gift ideas can even be paired with personalized glassware or accessories like whiskey stones, a corkscrew set, or even a clever pour over kit to enhance their drinking experience (My husband recently received this VSSL nest pour over kit from his best friend after serving as a groomsman in his wedding. He has used it everyday since!) This gift not only celebrates your friendship but also encourages moments of relaxation and enjoyment.

4. Experience-Based Gifts

Not all gifts have to be tangible. Instead, you can create lasting memories by giving your groomsmen an experience they’ll cherish. Consider arranging a group outing such as a golf day, a brewery tour, or tickets to a sporting event or concert. Alternatively, gift them an experience voucher for activities like gourmet cooking classes, adventure sports, or a luxury shave/haircut if they would enjoy an afternoon of pampering.

5. Custom Tailored Apparel or Accessories

Invest in bespoke clothing or accessories tailored to each groomsman’s taste and style. Consider custom shirts, ties, cufflinks, or even pocket squares crafted from luxurious fabrics. Alternatively, opt for bespoke leather belts or shoe care kits that reflect their attention to detail and personal grooming. These items not only serve as practical additions to their wardrobe but could even help them save costs if it covers the need for wedding day wear. Two birds, one stone!

Choosing the right groomsmen gifts involves considering their individual preferences and interests while reflecting on the significance of your relationship. By opting for groomsmen gift ideas that are both practical and meaningful, you ensure that your groomsmen feel appreciated for their role in your special day. Whether it’s personalized leather goods, customized watches, artisanal spirits, unforgettable experiences, or bespoke apparel, these gifts will surely convey your gratitude and celebrate the enduring bond you share. Invest in gifts that resonate with your individual groomsmen, leaving a lasting impression long after the wedding bells have stopped ringing.

Is your bride looking for gift ideas for the bridesmaids? Check out this journal post I wrote on that topic, next!

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Engagement Photo Ideas That Tell Your Story

Every couple has a unique story, and the best engagement photo ideas go far beyond posed smiles. Recently, I photographed “A” & “L’s” engagement session—an ENP couple who requested that I protect their privacy and not share identifiable images online. Their request wasn’t just respected; it opened the door for a deeply intentional session filled with quiet, meaningful moments that beautifully reflected their relationship.

As a photographer specializing in storytelling and editorial imagery, I want couples to know that your engagement session can and should feel personal. You don’t need to perform for the camera—you just need a photographer who knows how to turn your real-life love into visual poetry.

Why Engagement Photo Ideas Should Be Personal

Many couples think engagement photos are just about dressing up and smiling at the camera. While I definitely capture classic portraits, that’s only a fraction of the full story. The best engagement photo ideas come from understanding who you are as a couple—your rituals, your connection, your humor, and your journey.

For “A” & “L,” that meant starting their session in a quiet park, sitting side-by-side on a bench where they’ve spent countless hours reading their Bibles and journaling together. These aren’t just habits—they’re emotional anchors in their relationship. Photographing those rituals added a depth to their gallery that no traditional pose ever could.

And then there was the ring: “A” wears a gold band on his right hand as a symbol of engagement in his culture. On their wedding day, that ring will move to his left. It’s a tradition full of meaning—and one I made sure to feature with a detailed, editorial-style shot that tells that part of their story.

Editorial Engagement Photo Ideas for Storytelling

When we think of great engagement photo ideas, editorial photography might not be the first thing that comes to mind—but it should be. Editorial doesn’t mean impersonal or overly styled. It means refined, intentional, and expressive.

I guide my couples with subtle posing, always encouraging movement, touch, and interaction. In “A” & “L’s” gallery, I included:

  • Classic portraits (yes, the ones grandma wants for her mantel)
  • Thoughtful candids full of laughter and genuine connection
  • Detail shots of meaningful objects like their Bibles and both “L” and “A’s” engagement rings
  • Wide, environmental shots that add context and a sense of place
  • Quiet in-between moments that feel like stills from a film

These engagement photo ideas create a well-rounded gallery that feels less like a checklist and more like a visual love letter.

Tips to Plan Meaningful Engagement Photo Ideas

Want to make sure your session is just as unique and story-driven? Here are some ways you can help me create something truly special:

1. Share Your Love Story With Me

Before the session, I’ll send you a short questionnaire. This helps me understand your personalities, how you fell in love, what you value, and how you spend time together. The more I know, the more authentic your photos will be.

2. Bring Meaningful Props

If there’s a book you both love, a blanket from your first date, or items that symbolize your relationship (like “A’s” gold band), bring them! These kinds of details give your engagement photo ideas texture and significance.

3. Pick a Location That Matters to You

Sure, sunset fields and rooftops are gorgeous—but so is the cozy corner of your favorite café or the trail where you go on weekend walks. Let’s choose a spot that feels like you.

4. Let the Moments Unfold Naturally

My sessions are never rushed or overly choreographed. I’ll offer guidance, but the best photos happen when you’re genuinely present with each other. Laugh, talk, cuddle—just be yourselves.

How Your Love Story Inspires Timeless Engagement Photo Ideas

At the end of the day, engagement photo ideas should celebrate what’s true and beautiful about your relationship—not a one-size-fits-all concept. With “A” & “L,” we created something soft, editorial, and sacred without ever showing a full face. Their images still speak volumes, because they are layered with authenticity, intention, and emotional storytelling.

If you’re looking for an engagement session that feels deeply “you”—with all the variety, intimacy, and editorial beauty you’ve been dreaming of—I would be honored to create that with you.

Looking for an Atlanta-based wedding photographer? Let’s design your dream engagement session together. Click here to inquire and save your date.

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