Wedding handkerchiefs are the perfect wedding gift, whether for the bride, groom, mum, dad or guests… they are ready to capture the happy tears of your day.
Wedding handkerchiefs – who needs one?
Okay, right now the only person you know who uses a handkerchief in the real world might be your grandad but that’s about to change… and we’re here to tell you why.
A firm fashion favourite since the 17th century, the handkerchief has established itself as an attractive yet practical accessory over the centuries. While they might not always be flavour of the month on the catwalk, they sure do make sense, especially at a wedding when tears are pretty much a given.
So who needs one?
Believe us when we say that handkerchiefs can be used by anyone and everyone at a wedding, from the bride to the groom’s little nephew. You’ll be surprised at how versatile they are… they do more than just mop up tears you know (more on that later)!
If you are looking for a thoughtful and useful gift to give to members of the wedding party, then look no further. You can bet that the bride, the groom, their parents, their sisters, brothers and friends will all be grateful for one at some point during the emotional day.
Why your wedding day needs handkerchiefs
There probably won’t be a dry eye in the building while you exchange vows, but handkerchiefs aren’t just good for one thing. As well as being a trusty companion when you shed a tear at an occasion, you can see below that they really are one of life’s essentials.
To soak up tears
Of course, one of the handkerchief’s main uses is to dry away tears. And while weddings normally cause happy tears, the rush of emotion can still be overwhelming so having a hankie at hand can help those affected to compose themselves faster.
To minimise wastage of tissue paper
Thinking about putting pretty tissue boxes down the aisles so sniffly guests can grab some paper? Hold that thought!
If your budget can take it, why not look at getting handkerchiefs made for all your guests as a wedding favour? Instead of wasting tissue paper, guests can use their very own hankie – possibly adorned with your names and wedding day details – during and after the ceremony.
To help you out if you break a sweat
Picture this – the best man is sitting tight anticipating his big moment when he has to stand up to address the crowd, and he begins to break a sweat. You can either let him suffer and risk losing him to the restroom in the run up to the speeches or you can give him a handkerchief so that he can dab his brow when he feels the pressure start to kick in!
To save your makeup
When faced with the dreaded situation of mascara running down your face, whether due to tears, rain or sweat, you need a handkerchief to help you instantly save your makeup. A hankie can also be very useful when eating on your wedding day as this can be used to keep your lipstick in check until your next visit to the ladies’ room.
To help the environment
As previously mentioned, handkerchiefs are more eco-friendly than tissue paper.
A handkerchief can be re-used throughout the day and thereafter, thanks to being made from durable fabric. And not to worry about them being unhygienic – you can pop them in the wash on eco mode with some fabric cleanser (or, even better, scrub them by hand) and leave them to dry on the line, ready to be used again in no time!
As they can be personalised
As well as having your wedding details embroidered onto gift handkerchiefs, you can also go the extra mile and have personal messages sewn onto those belonging to your extra special guests. For instance, you could have ‘Mother of the Bride’, ‘Best Man’ or even ‘Superstar Niece’ stitched on them as keepsakes that they can treasure forever.
How to wear or carry a handkerchief on the big day
Although optional, handkerchiefs or pocket squares are popular amongst groomsmen as they look stylish and have the additional purpose of tying their outfit into the general colour scheme. That said, most men’s suits are made with pockets so an additional hankie can be folded up and placed in a compartment for easy access.
Women wearing tailored dresses may face more challenges when it comes to storing a hankie, but with a little imagination it can work!
There is the option of carrying a handkerchief in a small bag, alongside essentials such as makeup and mobile phone, but another option is to incorporate a handkerchief into one’s outfit. She could either tie it around her neck like a neckerchief or even have it draping from her clutch bag as a fashion statement (and this way it is always literally at hand!).
It is safe to say that the maid of honour or someone in the wedding party will only be too happy to hold a spare handkerchief for the bride in the event she needs it!
How to fold a handkerchief
There are various recognised methods of folding a pocket square, yet the simplest and most popular has to be the Presidential fold.
To achieve this sleek and clean look with nothing but a horizontal line of fabric showing above the pocket line, you need to fold it in half (to the width of the pocket), then fold up the bottom edges to create a rectangular shape. Then, tuck the bottom edge into the pocket and adjust until it looks smart and to your taste – et voila!
Now you know all about the benefits of handkerchiefs (for weddings and beyond!), we won’t be surprised if you secretly sport your wedding handkerchief everywhere you go from now on!