Can you guess the question that I get every weekend at weddings? There are a ton, but none repeat as much as, “Hey, how do you tie your tie like that?” Now I would be willing to bet there is no way you guessed that one. Ties seem like such an afterthought, but for guys it’s about the only thing we can control on the wedding day. Every wedding I shoot one of the groomsmen, the groom, a guest, or even the bride asks how I tie my tie. My favorite was earlier this summer when the bride asked if I would tie the grooms tie to make sure it looked liked mine. I know you’re thinking what’s the big deal, it’s a tie. If you’re a groom chances are your tie was picked to match the rest of the wedding colors. If you’re a groomsmen, let’s face it, you and your tie are an accessory to the bridesmaids. You know all the other details will be perfect. Your tie should be too.
I can thank my Dad for instilling in his boys the constant pursuit for the perfect knot. Thirty plus years of suits and ties and the man never settled for less than perfection. Three tips he gave us:
- The length
- The end of your tie should touch the middle of your belt. Yes you can have a giant knot and still have your tie the right length.
- The knot
- Consider the width of your collar when deciding on the knot size. Wide collars need a larger knot.
- The dimple
- Take your time. Make it look good. This is a little detail most overlook.
Jeff Mix at Tom James shared these graphics on how to tie a tie. He is a great resource if you’re looking for a new suit for your rehearsal dinner, a new shirt and tie for your wedding day, or even a custom tux.
