Somebody has to hold the scissors. If that ceremony is yours to organize — a grand opening, a groundbreaking, a retirement send-off, a lifetime achievement award — the object in the photograph is the part everyone remembers. This is a straight answer on what to order, what it costs, and how far ahead to order it.
What are ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors?
Ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors are oversized, plated scissors made for the photograph and the cut at the same time. Ours measure approximately 12 to 14 inches in length, use sharpened stainless steel blades that cut ribbon cleanly rather than crushing it, and carry oversized finger loops so a mayor or a CEO can hold them comfortably in front of a camera. They are not props — they work.
Two finishes are stocked, and the choice between them is almost entirely about how the light hits them on camera.
Gold-plated or nickel-plated ceremonial scissors — which should you order?
Order gold-plated if the event will be photographed or filmed for press, and nickel-plated if the scissors will be handled by several people or reused across multiple events. Gold reads warmer and reproduces with more contrast against a red or white ribbon; nickel is cooler, more neutral, and hides fingerprints better in repeat use.
| Gold Plated Ceremonial Scissors | Ceremonial Scissors, Nickel Plated | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $167 | $123 |
| Overall length | Approx. 12–14 in | Approx. 12–14 in |
| Finish | High-polish gold plating | Nickel plating |
| Blade | Stainless steel, sharpened for actual cutting | Stainless steel |
| Reads best against | Red, navy, black ribbon; warm stage lighting | White, silver, pastel ribbon; daylight and outdoor sites |
| Best for | Press-covered grand openings, single flagship moment | Multi-site openings, franchise programs, reusable kit |
| Engraving | Available on request — contact us before ordering | Available on request — contact us before ordering |
See both in the Ceremonial & Presentation collection, or go straight to the Gold Plated Ceremonial Scissors ($167) and the Nickel Plated Ceremonial Scissors ($123).
What do you order for each kind of ceremony?
Different ceremonies need a different centerpiece. A ribbon-cutting needs scissors. A retirement or an award needs something the honoree keeps and carries afterward — which is where a presentation walking stick does work that a plaque cannot. Here is the whole range, priced.
| Occasion | Centerpiece to order | Price range | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand opening / ribbon-cutting | Gold or nickel ceremonial scissors | $123–$167 | Functional cut, oversized for the photo, reusable |
| Groundbreaking / site launch | Nickel ceremonial scissors + a formal walking stick for the principal | $123–$300 | Nickel holds up outdoors; the stick becomes the keepsake |
| Retirement presentation | Sterling silver or plated-cap presentation walking stick | $144–$600 | Carried afterward, not filed in a drawer |
| Lifetime achievement / civic honor | Alpacca silver crook or gold-plate cap walking stick | $534–$1,300 | Heirloom tier; reads as a serious institutional gift |
| Board or partner gift, multiple recipients | Plated-handle sticks ordered in a matched set | $144–$300 each | Consistent look across recipients at a controllable unit cost |
| Any of the above, wrapped | Walking stick & shoe horn gift box set | $26 | Presentation packaging for a stick handed over on stage |
The presentation pieces live in the same place as the scissors. For the formal end of the range, the Formal Walking Canes collection is the short list; for the heirloom tier, the Luxury Walking Canes collection runs to sterling silver and 14 kt gold plate. A specific example at the top of the range: the Sterling Silver Hallmarked Cap on genuine ebony, 36″ (from $586). And if the stick is being handed over in front of an audience, add the Walking Stick & Shoe Horn Gift Box Set ($26).
How do you plan a ribbon-cutting ceremony?
Work backwards from the photograph. The sequence below is the one that produces a usable image and a clean cut, in that order of difficulty.
- Set the date and confirm who cuts. Decide in advance whether one person cuts or several hold the ribbon. One pair of scissors and one cutter photographs better than four people crowding a frame.
- Order the scissors at least two weeks out. In-stock ceremonial scissors ship in 1–2 business days, and shipping is free on orders over $50 ($5.99 flat below that) — but ordering two weeks out absorbs a weather delay or a date change without drama. If you want engraving, contact us before you place the order, because engraving is arranged separately and adds time.
- Match the ribbon to the finish. Gold scissors against red or navy ribbon; nickel against white, silver or pastel. Get ribbon at least 4 inches wide — narrow ribbon disappears in photographs.
- Rehearse the cut once. Have the cutter hold the scissors and make one practice snip on a ribbon offcut. This is where you discover that the ribbon is being held too loose to cut, which is the single most common failure.
- Position the camera before the guests arrive. Shoot slightly below eye level, with the scissors and the ribbon both fully in frame and the signage behind the cutter.
- Plan what happens to the scissors afterward. Mount them on a plaque stand or in a shadow box in the lobby, or store them for the next opening. Nickel survives repeat handling better if this is a program rather than a one-off.
How much do ceremonial scissors cost?
Ceremonial scissors at this quality run $123 to $167. The nickel-plated pair is $123 and the gold-plated pair is $167 — the $44 difference buys the finish, not a better blade; both use sharpened stainless steel. Cheaper giant scissors exist, but they are usually unsharpened display props that tear ribbon instead of cutting it, which is exactly the thing that goes wrong on camera.
Presentation walking sticks span a much wider range — roughly $144 for a plated-handle piece to $1,300 for an Alpacca silver crook, with sterling silver hallmarked pieces landing around $270–$600.
Are ceremonial scissors actually sharp?
Ours are. Both finishes use sharpened stainless steel blades and will cut through ribbon, fabric and ceremonial cord in a single pass. That matters more than it sounds: a dull ceremonial pair gets sawed back and forth in front of a crowd, and that is the footage you end up with. Treat them as real scissors — keep them away from paper and cardboard, which dull an edge faster than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors?
Approximately 12 to 14 inches overall. That length is deliberate — it keeps the scissors visible in a wide photograph and gives finger loops large enough for someone wearing gloves or unused to handling scissors. Standard office scissors at 8 inches essentially vanish in an event photo.
Can ceremonial scissors be engraved?
Engraving with names, dates or a company logo is available on request. It is arranged case by case rather than added at checkout, so contact us before placing the order and we will confirm what is possible and how long it will take. If your date is tight, order the scissors unengraved and have them engraved locally after the event.
How far in advance should I order ceremonial scissors?
Two weeks is comfortable for an unengraved pair. In-stock orders ship in 1–2 business days, so the real buffer is for the ceremony moving, not for us. If you want engraving, or you need more than one pair for simultaneous openings, reach out three to four weeks ahead.
What ribbon width works best with ceremonial scissors?
Four inches or wider. Wide ribbon gives the scissors something to bite and gives the photograph a clear line of colour across the frame. It also needs to be held taut by two people — a slack ribbon will not cut cleanly no matter how sharp the blade is.
What is a good retirement or achievement presentation gift instead of a plaque?
A presentation walking stick. A plaque goes on a wall or into a box; a sterling silver or Alpacca silver handled stick gets carried, and it carries the occasion with it. The practical range is $144 for an Italian plated handle up to roughly $1,300 for a hallmarked Alpacca silver crook, with most institutional gifts landing between $270 and $600.
Do you supply ceremonial scissors for multiple locations or franchise openings?
Yes — the nickel-plated pair is the one to standardise on for a multi-site program, because the finish tolerates repeat handling and the unit cost is lower. Contact us with the number of pairs and the dates and we will confirm stock before you commit to a schedule.
Canes Galore is a veteran-owned business. Planning a ceremony and not sure what to order? Reach out — real people answer.
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