Ten Affordable Essentials Every Guy Needs Before Walking Down the Aisle

Being the groom is, objectively, easier than being the bride. But as the big day creeps closer, your brain starts running highlight reels of everything that got you here. You’re doing mental gymnastics over the venue cost, wondering if your groomsmen actually liked their gifts, and triple-checking you won’t miss your honeymoon flight the morning after.

All valid concerns. But one of the biggest things not to forget? Yourself.

Between shelling out cash — and hopefully not opening a panic credit card — there are a few small accessories and tidbits you’ll want to have on hand before the big day. Maybe you’ve got multiple outfits lined up and need to stock up on proper dress socks. Maybe you’re still debating what color to wear to the rehearsal dinner. Maybe you left your shoehorn by the front door, and now you’re wrestling your loafers like it’s a CrossFit workout.

Even if you’re down to your last cent — or your last shred of common sense — here are ten affordable essentials to set the groom up for success the week of (and the day of) the big day.

Como Solid Silk Shantung Black Tie

A solid black, handmade Italian tie will always be a classic choice. Linen suit? Seersucker? Worsted wool? Flannel? It pairs nicely with all of them. It’s the sartorial equivalent of a great bassline: steady, versatile, and impossible to mess up.

Bad MF Gold Lighter

While I wish nothing but marital bliss to everyone involved in the nuptials, go ahead and tuck this in your pocket for a not-so-gentle reminder of who you are. On the inevitable day when you two disagree about something deeply important — like how to load the dishwasher or what “on time” actually means — let this memento guide you.

Rectangular Onyx Black Cufflinks

Whether you’re wearing a French cuff dress shirt or going full Bond villain at a black-tie affair, these keep things nice and subtle. Several cufflinks out there veer into novelty-magician territory, whereas these are tasteful without being distracting.

Solid Twill White Pocket Square

Repeat after me 100 times: I can never have too many white pocket squares. I can never have too many white pocket squares. It’s not a mantra — it’s a lifestyle. You genuinely cannot own too many. Tuck a few into every travel bag, weekender, and carry-on like stylish little insurance policies. 

Ribbed Black Dress Socks

If you’re going to buy multiples of anything, make it black dress socks. They’ll never steer you wrong. They go with everything, they hide stains, and they always look sharp with black shoes. And while we’re here: black shoes mean black socks. Period. No more white socks with black loafers — you’re not Michael Jackson circa Billie Jean.

Shoe Horn

You don’t realize how much easier a shoehorn makes putting on dress shoes until you actually use one. This brass beauty outmuscles the flimsy, plastic ones you probably wrestled with back in your mall days.

Navy Portable Flask

Pull a reverse Uno card on your groomsmen and be the one serving them before the wedding. Consider it a strategic investment — you never know when you’ll need to cash in that “get out of jail free” card from one of your guys.

Tuxedo Black Five-Stud Set

If you’re going to wear a tuxedo, go all the way — don’t half-step your way into black-tie glory. Bow tie? Check. Cummerbund? Check. Stud set? Absolutely check.

Dinosaur Silver Tie Bar

Wear this tie clip to your rehearsal dinner to show your soon-to-be partner that good guys aren’t extinct — and that you two are sticking together until the dinosaurs.

Black Tie Box Gift Set

In a time crunch for a coordinating tie and pocket square combo? Don’t panic — this set can be at your doorstep faster than you can say, “I do.”

SHOP WEDDING ESSENTIALS