Meaningful Father Of The Groom Gifts To Say Thank You
The father of the groom often has the quietest role of the day - no speech in many weddings, no walking anyone down the aisle - and gets thanked last.
So the gift is really a thank you: for the upbringing, for the help with the wedding, and for whatever he has quietly paid for. Something he can keep, wear or write in works better than another hip flask.
Honest note: we make cards, pin badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. Journals and gifts of that sort are recommendations from elsewhere.
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Wedding and thank you cards, printed in the UK and posted flat.
Keepsakes that mean something
- A life story journal, given as an ask rather than an object: fill it in and pass down what you know about marriage and family. It is a compliment as much as a gift.
- A framed photograph of him with the groom, from years ago rather than the wedding.
- A print of the family home or the church - Shop the range
- A restored copy of his own wedding photo.
- A letter from the groom, which is the thing he will actually keep in a drawer forever.
For the day itself
- Cufflinks or a tie bar he can wear on the day and afterwards.
- A pocket square matching the party, boxed the night before.
- A pin badge for the lapel - Shop the range
- A good whisky, if he drinks it, with a note about the year.
- A card handed over on the morning, before everything gets busy - Shop the range
When and how to give it
- Morning of the wedding, while he is getting ready, is the usual moment and the calmest one.
- Give it privately. Parent gifts in front of a room turn into a performance.
- Write the card yourself, in your own handwriting, both of you signing.
- Name the specific thing - the lift to training every Sunday, the deposit, the phone calls.
- Do the same for the father of the bride, even if the roles on the day are unequal.
What to write
- "Thank you for everything you taught me about being a husband - I'll be borrowing most of it."
- "You've been the example I've measured myself against. Today's a good day to say so."
- "Thank you for raising me to be the sort of man she'd say yes to."
- "For every lift, every loan and every sensible word I ignored at the time - thank you."
- "Today wouldn't be happening without you. Thank you, Dad."
Found your words? Now find the card
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How to write it so it lands
- Give it on the morning, privately.
- Handwrite the card yourselves.
- Name one specific thing he did.
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Frequently asked questions
What do you buy the father of the groom?
Something he keeps or wears: cufflinks, a pocket square, a framed old photograph of him with the groom, or a life story journal asking him to pass down what he knows. The handwritten card matters as much.
When do you give father of the groom gifts?
On the morning of the wedding while he is getting ready. It is the calmest point of the day and it gives him time to read the card properly.
How much should a father of the groom gift cost?
Most UK couples spend GBP 30 to GBP 80 on each parent gift, with the wording of the card doing most of the work.
What do you write in a father of the groom card?
Thank him for one specific thing rather than everything: the lifts, the example he set, the help with the wedding. Both of you sign it.
Do you have to give the groom's parents a gift?
Nothing is obligatory, but it is common in the UK and easily done with a card and one modest keepsake for each parent.
Do you make the life story journal yourselves?
No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. Journals and books are recommendations from elsewhere - the only things linked to our own shop are ours.