The Ultimate Father of the Bride Gift Guide: 20 Ideas He'll Love
Stuck on what to buy as a wedding gift for the father of bride? Fret no more, we've compiled the ultimate father of the bride gift guide
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Your wedding day is a big day for your dad; whether or not he’s walking you down the aisle, making a father of the bride speech, or simply taking in the occasion, it’s likely to be an emotional one for him. With this in mind, some people like to buy a father of the bride gift.
After all, the wedding party are often given little tokens of affection, so why not treat the original man in your life to a little something too? We've rounded up 20 of the very best father of the bride gift ideas to inspire you.
“For couples close to their family members, buying a father of the bride gift is a lovely idea, as it gives the receiver something to remember the day by,” says wedding planner Sophie Walker, of Sophie Walker Weddings.
“If you’re wondering what makes a good father of the bride gift, I would suggest cufflinks, a personalised tie clip, or even a personalised tie that’s been embroidered. Something that they can use on the day, and when they use it in future it brings a smile to their face when they remember the happy occasion.”
Read on for our edit of the best father of the bride gifts to thank your dad.
1. Best Dad Mini Hardback Photobook - Papier
Remind your dad of all of your best moments together, with this adorable photobook. It includes 40 pages worth of photos and will be perfect for him to flick through on your wedding morning to keep the nerves at bay.
This would be a cute post-wedding day gift, so you could include photos from the big day too.
- Expert Take: If you want to include more memories, the book also comes in a 100 page version, where you can add up to four photos per page.
2. Father Of The Bride Handkerchief - SoleSmith
If your dad is a weepy one, this luxury handkerchief is a lovely father of the bride gift for him to keep in his pocket on the big day, for dabbing his eyes at the end of the aisle, during the speeches, or even during the father-daughter dance.
- Expert Take: This comes in a gorgeous presentation envelope, meaning you don’t need to worry about wrapping it.
3. Dance Lessons
If you’re planning a father-daughter dance, booking your dad some fun dance lessons to do together is a lovely gift for the father of the bride - and something enjoyable for the two of you to do in the run up to your big day. Search for local dance classes in your area and away you go!
- Expert Take: Obviously you know your dad best, but be 100% sure he’s keen to do a father-daughter dance before you sign him up for this! Nobody wants to be boogying with a reluctant dancer.
4. Church Pencil Sketch - Letterfest
If you’ve chosen to get married at a sentimental location, be it a family church, where you were christened or even when your parents got married, a sketch of the location is a lovely, sentimental father of the bride gift which would look perfect hung up in his home. Just provide a photo of the destination and it will be hand drawn in Devon.
- Expert Take: You can personalise all elements of this father of the bride present, from the frame, to the font to what the copy says.
5. Father of the Bride Socks - Etsy
Who wouldn’t want a nice soft pair of new socks for the big day? These black and white foot essentials can be personalised with your wedding date and make for a lovely reminder of the special day.
- Expert Take: You can customise the colour of the text on these father of the bride socks, creating personalised socks to match your wedding theme. We like the pale blue.
6. Father of the Bride Cufflinks - Sophi Design Art
These delicate cufflinks come in gold, silver and black and can be customised with a message of your choice. We like the idea of your wedding dates, but you could put your dad’s initials, making them great for re-wearing on other occasions.
- Expert Take: As well as the cufflinks themselves, you can customise the box they come in for an extra special touch. This could be where you engrave your wedding date, rather than on the gift itself.
7. Simple Father of the Bride Card - Little Olive Branch Co
Your father of the bride gift doesn’t have to be expensive. This sweet card is enough to let your dad know you appreciate all that he does for you, and leaves room for you to be as sentimental as you like as it’s blank inside for your message.
- Expert Take: This card can be customised with your wedding date on the front, making it an extra special keepsake from your day.
8. Father of the Bride Wine Bottle Label - Etsy
If your dad loves wine, this personalised wine label is ideal for sticking onto a bottle of his favourite tipple. There are two lines of text at the bottom that you can customise to say anything you like.
- Expert Take: We love that this father of the bride present means you can buy a bottle of wine he actually likes, yet still personalise it. Genius!
9. Father of the Bride Whiskey Tumbler - Twisted Pickle Gifts
Sticking with the alcohol theme, this engraved tumbler is perfect for dads who enjoy a night cap. Customise it with your wedding date - and maybe even buy a bottle of his favourite spirit to go with it.
- Expert Take: This can also be bought engraved with Mother of the Bride - meaning your mum isn’t left out of the festivities!
10. Personalised Whiskey Tumbler In Solid Oak - MijMoj Design
On the subject of tumblers, this engraved solid oak one is a stylish father of the bride gift idea.
You can engrave up to 20 characters on the front and 50 on the back, for a longer message, be it a thank you note, or simply a nod to his role at your wedding.
- Expert Take: Got a tee total dad? No problem, nobody said this had to be used exclusively for whiskey!
11. Parents Of The Bride Mugs - Sweet William Designs
Tick off your father of the bride and mother of the bride gifts in one purchase with these patriotic Union Jack flag design mugs - perfect for summer weddings thanks to the cute bunting illustration.
- Expert Take: You can also get these with mother and father of the groom, if they’re on your gift shopping list too.
12. Father of the Bride Pint Glass - This is Nessie
Keep your father of the bride gift simple with this classic pint glass - perfect for the dad who likes minimal fuss. He can put it into his glass rotation at home, or keep it on the shelf as a memento of the happy day.
- Expert Take: Use this as part of his table setting on the wedding day - he’ll be delighted when he sits down at his place and notices his gift, and maybe it’ll even take the edge of his pre-speech nerves.
13. Father of The Bride Rose Bush Gift - The Gluttonous Gardener
For the green fingered father of the bride, this is the gift that keeps on giving. The gift includes a blossoming pink rose, a personalised wooden plaque and full care and growing instructions, with the bush and-packed in a timeless reuseable wooden crate
- Expert Take: Personalise the crate as you see fit, be it with your dad’s name, your wedding date or a heartfelt message - it’s your call!
14. Personalised Father of the Bride Thank You Card - Ink and Fred
This cute card can be personalised to make it look just like you and your dad, from your dress style to his hair, skin and suit colour - he’ll be wowed by the attention to detail!
- Expert Take: Your dad likely isn’t expecting a father of the bride gift, so a personalised card is sure to make him smile even more than expected on the big day.
15. Personalised Embroidered Initials Washbag - Lisa Angel
Just because it’s father of the bride gift doesn’t mean his role in the wedding has to be on the present. A simple monogrammed gift always goes down well, if you ask us, and this embossed washbag is timeless.
- Expert Take: Make this an extra special gift by filling the washbag with your dad’s favourite things, be they after shave and skincare, or chocolate and sweets.
16. Personalised Photo Filmstrip Leather Bookmark – Lisa Angel
If your dad is an avid reader, why not give him this personalised bookmark from Lisa Angel? You can add your own lines of text to the top and select four pictures. We'd add some from recent years, and a couple of cute childhood snaps too.
- Expert Take: If you’re also buying a father of the bride card, you can slip this little token inside too, saving you time wrapping it. Slip it inside his order of the day, if you're inclined!
17. For the Stepfather of the Bride Card – Yellowstone Art Boutique
If you’ve got an important step-father in your life, don’t leave him out of the father of the bride gift-giving! A simple yet poignant message says it all and will mean a lot to him to be included.
- Expert Take: These cards are created from recycled paper made in the Lake District - sustainably minded father figures will approve!
18. Three Month Friday Night Curry Subscription - The Spicery
Whether your dad loves a classic tikka masala or can handle the heat of a fiery vindaloo, this three-month curry subscription from The Spicery would be an amazing father of the bride gift and is something a bit different too.
They also offer a range of other subscriptions for the dad who loves spending time in the kitchen, such as Mexican recipe kits and three-month subscriptions for BBQ food from around the world.
- Expert Take: If your dad is a real fan of curries, you can easily up the subscription to six or 12 months to keep him well fed for a whole year.
19. Handmade Personalised Initial Leather Hip Flask – Parker & Co.
A hip flask is a popular father of the bride, best man and bridesmaid gift and is sure to go down a treat with your dad. The flask is made from durable stainless steel and protected with a stylish, 100% genuine leather cover — you can personalise this gift by having your dad’s initials added to the cover, which comes in black or brown coloured leather.
- Expert Take: Present it to your dad ready-filled with his favourite tipple for him to calm his nerves ahead of walking down the aisle or making his speech.
20. Personalised Father Of The Bride Jewellery Box – £45, Dust and Things
Ideal for dads who can’t keep their side of the bed tidy, this personalised father of the bride gift can sit on his nightstand and house everything from his specs and watch, to ear plugs and an eye mask.
The lid of this box features a leather loop handle for easy access and three separate compartments to help make sorting an easy task.
- Expert Take: Though it sits at a sizeable 5cm tall with a 25cm diameter, you'll be surprised at how efficient this item is in terms of storage; it also looks sleek, meaning it won't clutter countertops or bedside tables.
Do You Buy The Father Of The Bride a Gift?
While not as commonly considered as bridesmaid and best man gifts - perhaps because traditionally, the father of the bride would have made a contribution to funding the weddings, there’s no reason to leave the father of the bride out of the gift giving.
“For couples close to their family members, buying a father of the bride gift is a lovely idea, as it gives the receiver something to remember the day by,” says wedding planner Sophie Walker.
Does the Father of The Bride Give a Gift?
No, not traditionally. If he’s a particularly generous guy, he might give his new daughter- or son-in-law a sentimental gift, such as his own wedding day cufflinks to wear, but it’s not customary for the father of the bride to give a gift.
Gestures are of course always welcome - we know one father of the bride who treated his new son in law to a spin in his vintage car on his wedding morning - something he’d been requesting throughout his decade long relationship with the dad's daughter!
If the father of the bride wants to treat his daughter, we’re sure that would be gratefully received, but never expected. Again, perhaps this is because traditionally, the father of the bride contributed to paying for the wedding, so no further gift was needed.
Wondering about who pays for what at a wedding? We've got a complete guide.
