Wedding season is upon us — a time of champagne toasts, black-tie celebrations, and long evenings of dancing. For the cigar aficionado, these events also present the perfect opportunity to savour a fine smoke, celebrate in style, and even introduce friends to the ritual. But navigating weddings with cigars requires a little planning and a touch of etiquette. Here’s your guide to enjoying the big day, cigar in hand.
Choosing the Right Cigar for the Occasion
Weddings bring together diverse guests, many of whom may not be regular cigar smokers. Keep this in mind when selecting what to bring or share:
- Light & approachable: Brands like Romeo y Julieta or Fonseca are perfect for groups, offering smooth, balanced flavours that won’t overwhelm beginners.
- Medium-bodied classics: Partagás Serie D No.4 or Montecristo No.2 strike the right balance for those with some experience.
- Something special: For the groom’s party or late-night celebratory smoke, consider a Cohiba Siglo VI or a Limited Edition — a true statement cigar.
Tip: A cigar sampler is ideal if you want to cover all bases, giving a variety of flavours and strengths for different palates.
Timing is Everything
Cigars are best enjoyed when the pace slows:
- After dinner: The traditional moment, when coffee and digestifs are served.
- Late evening: As the party winds down, a cigar can be the perfect nightcap.
- Avoid the ceremony & meal: Lighting up during vows or the starter course won’t win you friends.
If the venue has outdoor space, plan ahead. A cigar terrace, firepit, or balcony is ideal for a relaxed group smoke.
The Etiquette of Sharing
A wedding is a social occasion, so cigars can be a wonderful way to connect:
- Offer, don’t push: Not everyone smokes, so extend the invitation but respect a polite refusal.
- Have a mix of sizes: Petit coronas or Cuban minis are great for casual guests, while aficionados may appreciate robustos or Churchills.
- Bring enough to share: A wedding is not the time to guard your humidor jealously — generosity goes hand in hand with celebration.
Accessories for the Wedding Season
Be prepared — fumbling with a blunt cutter or dodgy lighter is no way to start a smoke in front of the wedding photographer.
- Cutter: A slim guillotine or punch cutter slips easily into a jacket pocket.
- Lighter: Windproof jet lighters are best outdoors. Choose something elegant that fits the occasion.
- Case: A smart leather case keeps cigars safe in your pocket and makes a stylish impression.
Top 5 Wedding Cigars
To make life easier, here are five tried-and-tested cigars that shine at weddings — each balancing quality, availability, and crowd-pleasing flavour. Sizes, gauges, and approximate smoking times are included so you can pick the perfect smoke for the occasion.
- Romeo y Julieta No.2 Tubos
- Size: Petit Corona (42 ring gauge × 129mm / 5.1″)
- Smoking time: ~30–40 minutes
- Smooth, mild-to-medium, and beautifully presented in tubes — easy to share and perfect for beginners.
- Montecristo No.4
- Size: Petit Corona (42 ring gauge × 129mm / 5.1″)
- Smoking time: ~35–45 minutes
- A worldwide bestseller. Medium-bodied, with classic Cuban flavour — approachable yet refined for mixed groups.
- Partagás Serie D No.4
- Size: Robusto (50 ring gauge × 124mm / 4.9″)
- Smoking time: ~50–60 minutes
- A Cuban icon. Rich, spicy, and bold — ideal for the groom’s party or seasoned smokers who want more intensity.
- Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto
- Size: Petit Robusto (50 ring gauge × 102mm / 4″)
- Smoking time: ~30–40 minutes
- Shorter in length but with a generous gauge, delivering creamy, elegant flavours in a compact format — perfect for weddings.
- Cohiba Siglo VI
- Size: Canonazo (52 ring gauge × 150mm / 5.9″)
- Smoking time: ~75–90 minutes
- The statement cigar. Luxurious, full-bodied, and memorable — perfect for toasting the couple late into the evening.
Making It a Gift
A box of cigars or a sampler makes a memorable wedding gift, especially for grooms, best men, or cigar-loving fathers of the bride. Pair it with a personalised cutter or lighter for an unforgettable touch.
Final Puff
Weddings are about celebration, connection, and creating memories — all things that cigars embody perfectly. By choosing the right cigars, smoking them at the right moment, and sharing generously, you can elevate the day for yourself and those around you.
So as the wedding season unfolds, stock your case, polish your lighter, and be ready to raise a cigar in honour of love, laughter, and happily ever after.