How to Choose a Bow Tie for Your Wedding

Choosing a bow tie for your wedding sounds simple.

Until you actually start looking.

Then suddenly you're choosing between different shapes, colours, fabrics, textures, finishes, sizes and styles. Then you've got the groom. Then the groomsmen. Then the bridesmaids. Then the suits. Then someone asks whether everyone needs to match.

And before you know it, you're having a serious discussion about bow tie symmetry.

Don't worry. It doesn't need to be that complicated.

The right wedding bow tie really comes down to a few simple decisions - what you're wearing, what style you're going for, whether you want the groom to stand out, and how everything works together.

Here's how to choose the right bow tie for your wedding without looking like you got dressed in the dark.

1. Start With the Suit or Tuxedo

Before choosing your bow tie, look at what you're wearing.

A bow tie should complement the suit rather than compete with it.

If you're wearing a classic black tuxedo, a black bow tie is an obvious choice. It's formal, timeless and difficult to get wrong.

But that doesn't mean you have to stop there.

A black suit gives you plenty of freedom. You can play with the shape, texture, finish or detail of the bow tie while keeping the overall colour classic.

If you're wearing a navy, blue, grey or coloured suit, you have even more options.

You could choose a bow tie that:

• Matches the suit
• Complements the suit
• Picks up another colour from the wedding
• Contrasts against the suit
• Adds a completely different statement

The important thing is that it looks intentional.

You don't want your bow tie to look like it was selected five minutes before leaving for the ceremony.

2. Choose Your Bow Tie Colour

Colour is probably the first thing most people think about when choosing a wedding bow tie.

And this is where things can get interesting.

Traditionally, wedding parties often choose a bow tie colour that coordinates with the bridesmaids' dresses.

There's nothing wrong with that.

If the bridesmaids are wearing burgundy, for example, burgundy bow ties can create a very coordinated look.

But matching isn't your only option.

You could instead choose a neutral colour such as:

• Black
• White
• Navy
• Burgundy
• Dark green
• Charcoal
• Grey

Or you could use a pattern or texture to introduce some personality without completely changing the colour palette.

Do wedding bow ties have to match the bridesmaids?

No.

They can coordinate without being identical.

In fact, sometimes a more subtle connection looks better than trying to make every part of the wedding party the exact same colour.

The bridesmaids don't need to become your human colour chart.

Choose colours that work together rather than obsessing over an exact match.

3. Choose the Right Bow Tie Shape

This is where a lot of people don't realise how much difference a bow tie shape can make.

There are several different bow tie styles that we have instock, including:

• Traditional or classic bow ties
• Butterfly bow ties
• Batwing bow ties
• Diamond point bow ties
• Vintage-inspired styles
• Statement bow ties

PLEASE NOTE MOST COMPANIES DO NOT STOCK THESE TYPES. (So find someone that does - ie Untied Tie Club wink wink.)

A classic bow tie tends to have a more understated and refined appearance.

A butterfly bow tie has a broader shape and generally creates more presence around the collar.

That can make it particularly effective for a groom who wants to stand out slightly from the rest of the wedding party.

Want to understand the difference in more detail?

Have a look at our guide:

Butterfly Bow Tie vs Traditional Bow Tie: What's the Difference?

The important thing is that there isn't one universally correct bow tie shape.

The right choice depends on the look you're trying to create.

4. Should the Groom and Groomsmen Wear the Same Bow Tie?

This is probably the biggest wedding bow tie question.

The traditional answer is yes.

The groom and groomsmen wear the same suit, the same shirt, the same bow tie and, occasionally, what appears to be the same personality.

But you don't have to do it that way.

One option I really like is keeping the same colour but changing the style.

For example:

Groomsmen: Classic black bow ties

Groom: Black butterfly bow tie

Everything still looks coordinated.

But the groom has something slightly different.

It's subtle enough that the wedding party still looks like a group, but noticeable enough that the groom doesn't disappear into it.

We've covered this in more detail in:

Groom vs Groomsmen Bow Ties: Should They Match?

5. Think About Texture and Finish

Colour and shape aren't the only things that make a bow tie look different.

Texture can completely change the feel.

A smooth satin bow tie gives you a very different look from a textured fabric.

You can also find bow ties with:

• Matte finishes
• Satin finishes
• Textured fabrics
• Patterns
• Prints
• Studded details
• Crystal details
• Unusual materials

This is particularly useful if you're sticking with a classic colour.

Take black, for example.

A plain black bow tie is classic.

A textured black bow tie is more interesting.

A black butterfly bow tie has more presence.

A black bow tie with crystal or studded detailing is a completely different statement.

Same colour.

Very different personality.

6. Decide How Much You Want the Groom to Stand Out

This is something worth deciding before you start shopping.

Do you want everyone to look identical?

Or do you want the groom to have his own moment?

Neither approach is wrong.

You could have:

Option 1 - Completely Matching

Everyone wears the same suit, shirt and bow tie.

Simple. Traditional. Cohesive.

Option 2 - Same Colour, Different Style

Everyone wears black, but the groom wears a different bow tie shape or finish.

This gives you a little more individuality without disrupting the overall look.

Option 3 - Groom Makes a Statement

The groomsmen wear classic bow ties while the groom wears something noticeably different.

This could be a bold butterfly bow tie, an unusual shape, a pattern or a more detailed finish.

The bigger the difference, the more the groom's outfit becomes a focal point.

7. Coordinate With the Bridesmaids - Don't Obsess Over Matching

If the bridesmaids are wearing a strong colour, you have a few options.

You can match it.

You can choose a complementary colour.

You can use a neutral colour such as black or navy.

Or you can pick up a smaller colour detail from the bridesmaids' dresses, flowers or other wedding styling.

For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing green, you don't necessarily need a green bow tie.

A black bow tie with a black suit can create a clean contrast while the green appears elsewhere throughout the wedding.

The goal isn't for everyone to look like they were dressed from the same catalogue.

The goal is for everything to look like it belongs together.

8. Popular Wedding Bow Tie Styles

Still not sure where to start?

Here are some common directions.

Classic Black Bow Tie

The obvious choice for a reason.

Perfect for tuxedos, black suits and formal weddings.

If you want timeless, this is it.

Black Butterfly Bow Tie

A little more dramatic than a standard classic shape.

Particularly good for a groom who wants to stand out while keeping the overall look formal.

Coloured Bow Tie

Great when you want to bring the wedding colour palette into the men's outfits.

Think burgundy, navy, green, blue or whatever colour fits the wedding.

Patterned Bow Tie

A good option if you want personality without going completely rogue.

Patterns can add interest while still looking polished.

Studded or Crystal Bow Tie

For the groom who thinks "classic" is good but "ordinary" isn't.

A little detail can completely change a traditional formal outfit.

Vintage Bow Tie

Ideal if you're going for a more distinctive or old-school aesthetic.

It can work particularly well with vintage-inspired suits and wedding styling.

9. Don't Forget the Rest of the Outfit

Your bow tie doesn't exist in isolation.

Look at the whole outfit.

Consider:

• Suit or tuxedo
• Shirt
• Pocket square
• Cufflinks
• Shoes
• Belt
• Watch
• Boutonniere
• Bridesmaids' colours
• Overall wedding styling
• lapel pin

You don't necessarily need every accessory to match.

In fact, you probably shouldn't.

If your bow tie is making a statement, let it.

If your suit is already distinctive, a more understated bow tie might work better.

Think about the outfit as a whole rather than trying to make every individual item compete for attention.

My Hot Take

I don't think weddings need to be boring.

There seems to be this idea that formal means everyone needs to wear exactly the same thing.

It doesn't.

You can still look incredibly polished while having some personality.

That's one of the reasons I love having such a wide range of bow ties at Untied.

Classic.

Butterfly.

Vintage.

Studded.

Crystal.

Different shapes.

Different textures.

Different levels of "look at me".

Because not every groom wants the same thing.

And honestly, that's the whole point.

If you're going to wear a bow tie on one of the most photographed days of your life, you may as well wear one that actually feels like you.

Classic if you want it. Different if you dare.

So, What Bow Tie Should a Groom Wear?

If you want the short answer:

Choose a bow tie that works with your suit, complements your wedding colours and reflects your personal style.

If you want a traditional look, a classic bow tie is hard to beat.

If you want more presence, consider a butterfly bow tie.

If you want the wedding party to look coordinated without making the groom identical to the groomsmen, keep the colour consistent and change the bow tie style.

And if you want to make more of a statement, don't be afraid to experiment with texture, pattern, shape or detailing.

There isn't one "correct" wedding bow tie.

There's the one that works for your wedding.

Wedding Bow Ties at Untied Tie Club

Whether you're looking for a classic black bow tie, a bold butterfly, something vintage or something that definitely wasn't selected by a committee, we've got plenty of options to choose from.

Browse our bow tie collection and find something for the groom, the groomsmen - or both.

Because your wedding might be traditional.

Your bow tie doesn't have to be.

Dare to Be.

Thanks, 

Andy