Choosing the right ties or cravats
for your wedding doesn't have to be a trial! Trudging
around endless shops on the weekend, not seeing what
you want, finally finding something vaguely suitable
only to be told it can't be supplied in the quantities
you need...the Internet makes things so much easier
- just log on and a quick search later you've found
what you want! There are a few things you can do to
make the process as smooth as possible and to help you
along we've included some general advice about buying
ties, and some handy hints specifically for wedding
ties and accessories.
Quick Links: Wedding
Ties | Wedding
Cravats | Boy's
Wedding Ties | Cummerbunds | Wedding Accessories
Things to consider when buying your wedding ties:
- Ties or cravats?
- Bow ties and cummerbunds
- Matching colour schemes
- Hire or buy?
- Cleaning and caring for your ties
- Ties or Cravats?
There are no rules about wearing ties or cravats to
your wedding, though cravats are more popular for formal
weddings. Perhaps cravats are different because they
are not worn every day, making a change from regular
ties. Cravats are usually more expensive though, which
is worth bearing in mind if you are on a tight budget,
especially if you have to buy ties for a number of people.
You will also pay a fair amount more if you choose silk
over polyester.
Wedding cravats come in pre-tied and self-tie forms,
and which you choose is simply down to personal preference.
Pre-tied cravats are more popular because they are more
freely available and considered less hassle but in reality
tying a self-tie cravat is no different to tying a regular
tie. Don't be afraid to give it a go!
Most cravats used for formal occasions, such as weddings,
are worn with wing collar shirts, though normal shirts
can also be used so don't be concerned if you can't
find a wing collar shirt.
Don't forget that if you have pageboys or other children
who require matching ties or cravats this can limit
your options as not all ties and cravats come in matching
boys sizes.
- Bow Ties & Cummerbunds:
Some people prefer bow
ties for their wedding. Bow ties can also be obtained
in a wide range of colours and styles.
As with cravats, bow ties come either pre-tied or
self-tie, though the range of pre-tied bow ties is far
greater than self-tie. You may struggle to find your
exact colours if you opt for the latter.
Many bow ties have matching cummerbunds,
and often come in box sets which are ideal as they are
perfectly matching items. Often, even if bow ties and
cummerbunds are only available separately they may well
be made from the same material, so any differences in
colour are unnoticeable.
Apart from the standard plain colours, bow ties and
cummerbunds are also available in various patterns and
tartans, though these are usually more expensive. There
is also usually a considerable difference in price between
silk and polyester (which often has a silky or satin
smooth finish anyway), so opt for polyester if you want
to save a few pounds!
- Matching colour schemes:
If your wedding's colour scheme is a "traditional"
colour, for example scarlet red or ivory, you are more
likely to find matching ties or cravats, as these colours
are widely available. The more specialised the colour
you pick, the more flexible you will need to be in your
choice of ties, as it's unlikely your exact colour will
be made by tie manufacturers. For example, there are
numerous shades of green but only the two or three most
popular shades are made as men's ties, so you may find
you need to get the closest match, or have them made
for you (a pricey option, especially for ties that will
only be worn once).
Check out the returns policy if you're buying online
- most good shops will allow you to return ties within
a specified time if the colour isn't right, so you can
easily order a couple of different coloured ties and
return the ones that don't match. Just don’t return
them after you’ve worn them at your wedding!
- Hire or Buy?
With many formal weddings, suits and other items are
often hired from a wedding or clothing hire shop. This
obviously saves a considerable amount of money, especially
on suits, as they're unlikely to be worn again after
the wedding. With ties however, this can be a little
more difficult, as often the shops only offer a limited
range of ties or cravats. As anyone who has worn a hire
tie will know, they may also not be in new condition.
Unlike suits, there is often far less difference in
price between hiring a cravat or tie and buying one
brand new. Most ties and cravats worn for weddings can
be used at other occasions as well. In fact, the most
popular ties for weddings are plain coloured polyester
satin or silk ties which are equally popular for daily
wear, so at an average of £10 - £15 are
extremely good value.
Many of the plain polyester satin ties also have matching
boy's ties (which are hard to get hold of) and again
can be worn time and time again.
- Cleaning and Caring for your Ties:
Once you've bought your ties or cravats, make sure
they don't get creased or crumpled. Lay them out flat
in their original packaging or hang ties on a tie rack
if you have one. If you try them on, make sure you undo
any knots completely and hang the tie up for a couple
of days to let the creases clear away.
If on the wedding day something spills on a tie or
cravat try to deal with it quickly to avoid permanent
staining. Don't rub the spillage - dab it with a dry
cloth to soak up as much as possible. If the stain’s
something that can dissolve in water, like gravy or
fruit juice, let it dry and then gently dab or rub it
with the narrow end of the tie. Silk reacts differently
from polyester, so this method may not work 100%, but
it should help.
If you find you need to iron the tie for whatever
reason, don't iron it directly - cover the tie with
a cotton cloth and iron on a cool setting.
Although some tie instructions recommend dry-cleaning
a tie, many people find this changes the shape and feel
of the tie. Check with your dry cleaner how they clean
ties to make sure your tie retains its original shape
and texture.
We hope you have a great wedding! If you have any questions
about buying ties for your wedding, or would like to
share your experiences and tips, please get
in touch!
- Other useful articles:
Guide to Buying Ties
How to Tie a Tie
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