The photographers all agreed that the groom and groomsmen who wore ties that ‘matched’ the bridesmaids’ dresses looked neat, but noticeably colour-coded.

Those wedding photographs where the groom and his male attendants wore ties that ‘complimented’ the bridesmaid dresses looked naturally elegant. 

When shopping for wedding ties, look for colours that compliment, rather than match.  ‘Compliment’ your ties with shades or hues of the bridesmaid dresses (such as complimenting a burgundy bridesmaids dress with a softer shade of burgundy tie).  

Black compliments everything and is always a safe and elegant choice for a tie or cravat.

Ties

The width of your tie should be approximately the same width of the jacket's lapel.  If the lapel is wide, the tie should be wide and if the lapel is narrow, the tie should also be narrow.   The ideal fashion tie width is 3.5 inches.

The texture of your tie should go with your suite / tux (a shiny silk tie is worn with a shiny silk shirt and a wool tie is worn with a wool suit).  

There is one golden rule though…your tie should be darker than the colour of your shirt.

Cravats

Cravats are generally more popular for more formal weddings and more special.  They are special as they are different…they are not worn every day and they make a nice alternative to regular ties. Cravats are usually more expensive.  Where cost is an issue and you need to buy ties for a number of people (including the page boys), you may need to reconsider.   If you have page boys or other children that require matching cravats, your options may be limited to the availability of sizes in the style and colour chosen.

Wedding cravats are available as pre-tied and self-tied.  Pre-tied are more popular as they are considered easier to put on, however there really is no difference between tying a self-tie cravats and a regular tie.

Weddings cravats are generally worn with wing collar shirts.  If you can’t find a wing collar shirt, a normal shirt will also do.   

Bow Ties & Cummerbunds

Bow ties are available in a wide range of colours and styles and can also be purchased as pre-tied or self-tie.  Bow ties often come in boxed sets that include matching cummerbunds (ensuring that the bow tie and cummerbund fabric and colour match exactly).

Hire or Buy

For many formal weddings, suits and other items are often hired from a wedding or formal wear hire shop. Hiring the groom’s and groomsmen’s formal attire can save you a considerable amount of money, particularly with suits and tux’s, as they're unlikely to be worn again after the wedding.

With ties however, it is not necessarily that simple as hire shops carry a limited range of colours and fabrics and these may not be in brand new condition. Unlike suits, the difference in price between hiring a cravat or tie and buying one brand new is not that prohibitive and you can wear most ties and cravats from a wedding again at other occasions.