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The humble cufflink has been an integral part of men’s fashion for over 800 years and yet in the process of planning a wedding this essential little accessory can easily be forgotten.

 

Cufflinks were invented in the 17^th century for men who wanted something more attractive than ribbon or ties to hold their cuffs together. Men began using small chains attached to buttons as a form of cufflink. The first modern cufflinks were developed in the seventeenth century and were worn by royalty, the upper class and the wealthy. They were often made of precious metals and gems and displayed a person’s panache.

 

During the industrial revolution, new technology was developed and cufflinks started to be mass produced, making them affordable and accessible to the middle class. During this time it became the norm for men of all classes to wear cufflinks to formal events such as weddings.

 

With the increase in demand, high end jewellers began to create more expensive cufflinks using precious gemstones and gold for those who could afford them. According to the Guinness World Record’s website, the most expensive pair of cufflinks ever cost $39,750. These “V2” cufflinks designed by Afraq were made from diamonds, sapphires, platinum and 18-carat gold and were sold to Michael Jackson in 1996.

 

Cufflinks may be centuries old, but their classic style has allowed them to continue to be a highly fashionable male accessory. The cufflink is designed to make an impression of class and style.

 

 

Just as your choice of bridal jewellery suits your unique style, the groom’s cufflinks should display his. “Attention to detail is important for most brides and grooms on their wedding day. At the reception, dinner jackets normally come off and having something special on the cuff of the shirt which is noticeable and meaningful shows gratitude” explains Duncan from Absolute Cufflinks.

 

“Our most popular style of cufflinks for weddings are custom made cufflinks which can feature the wedding party individual names on each set of cufflinks and or an image, for example the bride and groom may have a logo made for the day and this is replicated onto the custom made cufflinks,” Buckley told Complete Weddings.

 

Classic cufflinks come in rectangular, square or circular shapes and are typically gold or silver. Classic cufflinks can feature gems or jewels (real or otherwise) and are perfect for the refined, traditional groom.

 

Silk knot cufflinks are made from braided knots connected with silk or elastic. These are often considered to be a more casual cufflink option that adds subtle style. They are perfect for beach or informal garden weddings.

 

Novelty cufflinks are a popular choice for themed or unconventional weddings. They vary in shapes, colours and styles and can be as crazy or conservative as you like, from cufflinks shaped like tiny guns to cufflinks shaped like cupcakes, there are hundreds of cufflinks that make the perfect statement about your wedding.

Cufflinks are an accessory the groom will keep for the rest of his life. Whenever he wears them he will think back fondly on his wedding day. While cufflinks are small in size they can hold huge sentimental value and as such you should treat shopping for cufflinks as you would treat shopping for jewellery. Be prepared to spend money as the cufflinks are likely to be one of the few pieces of jewellery the groom will be wearing- it’s important to ensure they are of quality.

 

“A more elegant cuff link should be worn with a tuxedo shirt, while a more casual cufflink, such as a sports’ oriented one, could carry a more casual message,” Duncan suggested. If you are struggling to decide on a style, remember that simplicity and style go hand in hand. Try matching the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses with simple cufflinks as the perfect method of creating unity in the bridal party.

 

Cufflinks can also be a great gift the couple can give the groomsman. Remember to choose cufflinks they will be able to use again. “AFL cufflinks are probably the most popular as the bride and groom normally provide these as gifts to the bridal party” Duncan said. These cufflinks are silver with the logo etched into the cufflink giving the cufflinks a formal appearance with a casual, fun edge.

 

Be cautious buying cheap cufflinks from online stores. “A lot of the cufflinks available online are mostly cheaper imports and fall apart after one wear.” Duncan warns. If you are intending to purchase cufflinks online review the sites policy on returns and refunds to make sure you are getting quality cufflinks.