The Groom’s Tie: How to Choose the Right Color and Style for the Big Day

Discover how to choose the right color and style for the groom’s tie and have him look picture perfect on your big day!

Floral groom’s tie, perfect for a modern or boho wedding.

There is a fair amount of time spent picking out what the bride will be wearing on the big day, but it is important not to overlook the groom’s style. Let’s be honest, we know the bride is going to get the majority of the attention here, but the groom is going to want to look and feel great too, after all.

How To Choose the Right Color and Style for the Big Day

Sorry guys, when it comes down to the color of your tie, I’m sure the bride will have a say. But if your wedding palette has two colors, the groom can wear one of the shades while the rest of the guys wear the other.

Now that the color has been decided, let’s move on to picking the right groom’s tie. Many grooms email us asking about the fabric of a particular tie so I decided I could give a little rundown of the most common fabrics for ties.

The Groom’s Tie: How to Pick the Fabric

It’s best to start with the month the wedding will be held. Fabrics like cotton and linen who are light and breezy are perfect for summery weddings. Other fabrics like wool, tweed, cashmere and different wool blends are more suited for the winter.

Rayon, polyester and silk wear well all year round. But buyer beware when it comes down to silk neckties! There are many kinds of silk out there and the quality varies. The most commonly used for men’s ties are doupioni silk (its threads are uneven and irregular), shantung (very smooth and has hardly any slubs), silk linen (it actually has the look of linen) and satin which is glossy and smooth on one side and matte on the other.

Peach textured groom’s tie. Always consider the collar width before picking the tie style! Photographer: Kristen Weaver.

Blue tie fit for a civil ceremony, a daytime wedding or an elopement by zeusfactor

The Groom’s Tie: Let’s Get To Know Their Styles

What to wear? What to wear? Depending on the formality of the affair, you may want to take your pick of the following types and styles of groom’s ties. But you must also consider the collar style and width before picking the tie! Let’s review some of the groom’s tie styles.

The Necktie

A classic. This is the long tie most commonly associated with working in an office. But, that’s not to say it should not be worn for a wedding. Match the tie to the wedding colors to give a splash of color and fun to the groom’s look.

Love this handmade cotton floral tie for the civil ceremony. The groom will look so modern! (Get it here)

The Ascot

If your groom has been searching his entire life for an excuse to wear an Ascot, now is the time. An ascot is much more formal and is a folded tie that is wider than a necktie and usually won with a stickpin or tie tack. Typically, Ascots are a patterned material, but they can be neutral, think blacks or grays, or the wedding colors to match the décor.

Bow Tie

Bow ties are a symmetrical ribbon of fabric that tie together to form two loops that sit at the collar of the groom’s dress shirt. Most commonly, bow ties are worn with tuxedos, but fun, patterned bow ties also pair well with suits. Grooms can wear black bow ties for very formal looks or match the bridesmaid’s dresses when wearing a tuxedo.

Modern black suit with velvet bow tie, shawl collar, and “crown folded” pocket square.

The Euro Tie is a middle ground between the necktie and the Ascot. Gold orange paisley silk cravat.

Euro Tie or Cravat

The Euro Tie is a middle ground between necktie and Ascot. It’s a long tie with a square bottom, knotted at the beck and worn with a spread collar shirt. It’s formal but not quite Ascot-level formal.

Here is a great tip for grooms to look great on your big day. Make sure the widest part of your tie matches the width of the lapel chosen for your wedding.

Photo Gallery to Help you Pick your Most Fabulous Groom’s Tie

How to “Tie The Knot”: The Half-Windsor Knot

There are many ways to tie a knot (pun intended) 😉 but today we will share how to tie the Half-Windsor knot! Medium to light thickness for ties are this year’s trend. Therefore, the half-Windsor is easier and more fitting. It is also nice and symmetrical but not quite as bulky as the Windsor knot.

Modern groom’s tie in gray with a Half-Windsor knot. Brooklyn Wedding by Lauren Balingit Photography.

Remember that your body type matters when picking a tie. The half-Windsor is narrower and longer and looks best on slimmer taller guys.

1. Lay the tie around your neck and stand in front of a mirror. The wide end should be on your right and the small or narrow end should be on your left when looking into the mirror. The wider end should hang about 12 inches lower than the smaller end.
2. In front of you, cross the wide end over the narrow end, making an “X.”
3. Still holding the wide end, go under the small end and to the right
4. Now, pull the wide end up to the center towards the necktie
5. Bring the wide end through the neck loop from the front towards the back and left.
6. Cross the wide end over the narrow end to the right
7. Now bring it upwards again, this time from beneath the neck loop
8. Pull it through the loop you just created in the front and then straight down
9. Use both hands to adjust the tie until it sits tight under your collar.
10. You look terrific!! 🙂

Grooms now is your time to shine as brightly as the bride. Ok, maybe not as brightly, but don’t miss this chance to show off your personal style when picking your tie! Most of the groom’s ties can be found and shipped worldwide at Dessy. Check them out! Now back to the brides! Discover these Timeless, Elegant and Sexy Wedding Dresses for the Modern Bride!

How good are you at tying the knot? Discover how to tie a half windsor knot! (Don’t worry, this is not it) 😉 Wearing a tie makes you look confident.

Match the tie to the wedding palette to give a splash of color and fun to the groom’s look. Wedding photography: Claryphoto.

Matte satin bow tie and pocket square. Dessy.

There are so many ways to wear a tie… Check out this Cat Greek Ascot by Boris Mocka.

The tie patch is a wonderful keepsake that will add to the love, happiness, and remembrance of your big wedding day! (Get yours here!)

Men’s neck ties in Dupioni silk. Dessy.

Discover More Stunning Wedding Ideas

Wedding Photography Credits: Borrowed & Blue Weddings, Bows n Ties, Dessy