Formality of the Wedding
The first major aspect to consider when choosing between a wedding tie or a bow tie is the formality of the event. One word that instantly comes to mind is the old, but ever-present, concept of the "dress code". We already covered this topic in another article, which you can access by clicking here. Applied to the occasion of a wedding the dress code, if communicated by the host, is your indication of which tie to wear. In the following table, we listed the most common dress codes and what tie to wear for each of them in descending order of formality:
| White Tie | This is the most formal dress code. As the name suggests, it demands a white bow tie from the visitors. |
| Black Tie | Black Tie events are slightly less formal, but still of high formality. Again, as suggested by the name, you are asked to wear a black bow tie. |
| Cocktail Attire | This dress code is another step down in formality. We suggest choosing for yourself: A necktie would complement the occasion well and make you fit in, while a bow tie can be a way of creatively expressing yourself. |
| Semi-Formal/ Dressy Casual | At these kinds of events, it becomes more appropriate to go with a necktie. Wearing a bow tie in this circumstance could get you unwanted attention. If you still don't want to blend in but give your Semi-Formal outfit a twist, you can choose a Harlem Tie instead of the conventional necktie. Its understated elegance is the perfect fit for Semi-Formal occasions. |
| Casual | Here the discussion about a wedding tie or a bow tie becomes obsolete, as neither is expected. |
Role in the Wedding
If your host didn't share a dress code in the invitation, that is no reason to overthink the situation. Nowadays, many wedding hosts are not expecting their guests to dress a certain way, as fashion as a whole has become more liberal. If you still want to make a thought-through choice, however, it can be helpful to consider your role in the wedding. People attending as regular guests are definitely on the safe side when going with a necktie. It is respectful and provides flexibility without being overdressed. If your best companion or brother appointed you a groomsman, it would be wise to talk to the other groomsmen before choosing between a wedding tie or a bow tie. Ideally, all of you aim for something that sets you apart from other wedding guests while not drawing too much attention to you individually. After all, you want the groom to stand in the limelight. A clever choice of tie communicated well with the groom can have a lasting impression on the other visitors. Consider for example to counterfeit the groom's outfit colors as the groomsmen with a set of distinct bow ties. A more modern alternative, which complements jewelry as well, would be a set of Harlem Ties. The groom could go with a golden button, while the groomsmen all wear a silver buttoned Harlem Tie. This ensemble would elevate each of the groomsmen while putting particular focus on the groom himself.
Conclusion
We hope that this discussion helped you to get dressed for the next wedding. If you're still overwhelmed, it is important to stress that in the absence of a particular dress code, a necktie is always a safe choice. Still, we would like to encourage you to use the occasion as an opportunity to express yourself in a more formal way. These days people seldom "dress up", but a wedding is the perfect occasion to explore the realms of classic, sophisticated menswear. Whether wedding tie or bow tie, if you can give your outfit a creative personal imprint, everybody wins.