The decision isn’t really black or navy. It’s self-tie or pre-tied, solid or patterned, matched to the pocket square or matched to the boutonniere, and how loud it gets to be next to the rest of the groom attire.
Satin in a soft palette, paisley you can spot from the back row, feathers in a wooden box. We’ve gathered our favorite groom bow ties to inspire your own. And if you fall in love with any of these looks, click through to see the full wedding! For even more inspiration, browse our Real Weddings directory.
Our Favorite Groom Bow Ties
First up: groom bow ties spotted on real L&L weddings, satin and paisley and feather alike. Click any link to see the full day. Scroll further for shoppable options.
Multicolored Paisley Bow Tie
Red, teal, gold and cream paisley on a navy suit, and it works because everything else stays quiet. White shirt, no pocket square competing for the same attention.
The boutonniere goes the other direction entirely: blush garden roses, a pale rosebud, silvery brunia, eucalyptus. Loud tie, soft flowers.
See Wellsley and Austin’s Mount Ida Farm Wedding →
Bow Tie and Pocket Square Cut from the Same Fabric
Lilac satin twice: once at the collar, once folded into the breast pocket. Against the gray suit and the weathered red barn behind him, it’s the only color in the frame.
See Madelene and Logan’s Old Mill Farm Wedding →
Burgundy on a gray three-piece. The pocket square is folded flat so only a sliver shows, which keeps the bow tie the thing you look at.
See Kelsey and Vince’s Temecula Wedding →
Blush satin on a black tux with a pleated bib shirt and black studs. Formal enough for a black tie invitation, soft enough to sit inside a pink and green palette.
See Kimberly and John’s South Bass Island Wedding →
The same rust and orange paisley in both places, and the pocket square is stuffed rather than folded so the pattern reads from across the room.
Black shawl lapel tux, cream shirt, and he let the paisley carry the whole look.
See this Steampunk Styled Wedding at the Mariners’ Museum →
Bow Tie Matched to the Boutonniere
Red textured bow tie, red ranunculus, and a gold safety pin standing in for a boutonniere pin. The navy tux with black shawl lapels keeps it from tipping into holiday territory.
If you want more ways to build the flower half of this pairing, we have a whole gallery of unique boutonniere ideas.
See Sarah and Steven’s Powel Crosley Estate Wedding →
A single lilac tulip against a charcoal three-piece, picking up the purple in the paisley without matching it exactly.
The white pocket square shows about a quarter inch. That’s the whole point of it here.
See Olivia and Jacob’s Champaign Wedding →
The red center knot of the bow tie turns up again in the red wrap around the boutonniere stem. Blue thistle and dusty greens pull from the blue in the paisley.
See Katie and Ryan’s Jewel Toned Texas Wedding →
Gray Polka Dot Bow Tie
Gray chambray with white dots, hand tied so the ends sit slightly uneven. On a brown herringbone suit it reads relaxed without reading careless.
The boutonniere is a purple fishing fly, hook and all, which is what happens when you get married at an antique boat museum.
See Ashley and Caldwell’s Antique Boat Museum Wedding →
Gold Paisley Bow Tie
Tan and gold paisley, self-tied, sitting against a gray checked jacket and a pale gray shirt. Two patterns at very different scales, which is why you can wear both.
The boutonniere is dried: a cream bloom, a fern frond, papery gold leaves. Very much the moody secret-garden thing this shoot was after.
See this Vintage-Inspired Woodland Shoot →
Turquoise Satin Bow Tie
Bright turquoise satin against heather gray. The groom wore a Clayton ultra slim suit with a gray vest and a white shirt, and the bow tie is the Malibu style from Jim’s Formal Wear.
Succulents and dusty greens in the boutonniere keep the whole thing coastal instead of costume.
See Lauren and Bradley’s Tybee Island Wedding →
Berry Bow Tie with a Navy Three-Piece
Deep berry pink against navy, worn under a straw cowboy hat with a boutonniere built on a bullet casing.
Burgundy and blue was the palette for the whole day. This is the smallest piece of it and probably the clearest.
See Jammie and Eric’s Branded T Ranch Wedding →
Emerald Green Bow Tie
Emerald green at the collar and a jacket lining covered in a multicolored geometric print. He’s holding the jacket open on purpose, which is the correct move when you’ve paid for lining like that.
The lilac suspenders with brown leather tabs make three patterns in one photo, and it still holds together.
See Amanda and Ben’s Addison Grove Wedding →
Red Print Bow Tie with a Gingham Pocket Square
Two patterns, two scales. The bow tie is a tight red and white geometric print, the pocket square is a much bigger red and blue check, and neither one cancels the other out.
This is the counter-argument to the matching set: pick one color, then change everything else about how it shows up.
See Sarah and Zach’s Shelburne Farms Wedding →
Blue Floral Print Bow Tie
Blue floral cotton, self-tie, photographed twice: once hanging loose around the collar before it’s tied, once flat in a wooden box next to the flowers.
Kelly and Matthew picked a different floral tie or bow tie for every guy in the party, so nobody matched exactly and everybody looked like they’d been dressed on purpose.
The boutonniere picks up the same palette: blue thistle, a burgundy snapdragon, a white bell flower, navy ribbon trailing off the side.
See Kelly and Matthew’s Summer Camp Wedding →
Feather Bow Tie
Layered teal and green feathers in a Brackish box, shot on stone before it went anywhere near a collar. Feathers hold that fanned shape all day in a way fabric doesn’t.
See this Cheerful Spring Wedding at Mercury Hall →
Black and white guinea feathers, and the lid is engraved with their date and the line they chose: hand in hand, walking each other home.
Half the gift is the box. Worth knowing if you’re buying these for the groomsmen too.
See Bethany and Kenneth’s Wedding →
Sage Green Bow Tie with Suspenders
Dusty sage cotton, tan suspenders, white shirt with the sleeves pushed up, no jacket in sight. Both hands are on the tie like he was about to straighten it and thought better of it.
For an avocado farm in Valley Center, this is the right amount of dressed.
See Sal and Gregory’s Avocado Farm Wedding →
Champagne Satin Bow Tie
Champagne satin, slightly oversized, over a white shirt and a navy waistcoat with no jacket on top. The peach rose is pinned to the waistcoat instead of a lapel, which is the move when the jacket comes off before the ceremony anyway.
For a neutral palette wedding at a private lakeside home, this is about as soft as formal gets.
See Madeleine and Adam’s Lakeside Wedding →
Lilac Textured Bow Tie
Pale lilac with a fine woven texture, caught mid-tie with both hands still on the ends. Gray waistcoat, pale pink shirt underneath.
If you’re building a lavender and gray palette, this is the shade to ask for by name.
See Kennedy and Johnathon’s Shady Wagon Farm Wedding →
Navy Ikat Print Bow Tie
Navy with a blurred white ikat print, propped against a pair of tan leather cap toe oxfords with the belt lined up alongside.
Worth staging on the morning of even though it’s on his neck twenty minutes later. It’s the one photo that shows the fabric up close.
See Kate and Ian’s Coastal Maine Wedding →
Sheet Music Paper Bow Tie
Folded from sheet music and worn over a pleated tux shirt, shot next to a bouquet of rolled paper roses.
It’s a styled shoot built entirely around paper for the first anniversary, so treat it as a portrait session idea rather than an all-day one.
See this Paper Anniversary Styled Shoot →
Stars and Stripes Bow Tie
Flag print bow tie packed into a box with a wooden beard brush, beard balm and beard oil. The gift and the accessory arrive together.
Whether it makes it down the aisle or only into the getting-ready photos is his call.
See Chrissy and Ryan’s Delray Beach Wedding →
3D Layered Oak Wood Bow Tie
The 3D Wooden Bow Tie is made from oak wood and 100% American cotton, with an adjustable strap that fits neck sizes 13 to 19 inches. It works on kids, women, and men alike, so it’s a practical pick for a wedding party that doesn’t want everyone in the same off-the-rack neckwear. The set comes with a matching pocket square, 9.8 inches on each side, and both pieces are built to hold up past a single occasion.
Care is straightforward: wipe the wooden section down gently and machine-wash the cotton strap on a delicate cycle. Store it somewhere cool and dry. Bulk customization is available, which makes it a reasonable option for large wedding parties or corporate gifting. It’s a specific, well-made thing that does exactly what it promises.
Black Satin Peacock Bow Tie
This bow tie is handcrafted with natural, ethically sourced peacock feathers set against black satin, and it reads as exactly the kind of thing someone wears when they want their outfit to do the talking without saying a word out loud. The feathers catch the light; the satin keeps it grounded. It’s a lot, in the best possible way.
The adjustable band fits necks up to 18 inches, and it arrives in a gift box, which makes it easy to give or just keep presentable until the big night. Shipping comes with duties paid, so no surprise charges at the door. Care is straightforward: a gentle reshape and the occasional light spritz of hairspray keeps the feathers in order.
Custom sizing is available if the standard fit doesn’t work. Contact the maker directly to sort out the specifics.
Double Tiered Coral Paisley Bow Tie
This pre-tied coral paisley bow tie is made from silk and adjusts from 13″ to 20″, so it fits a range of collar sizes and still leaves room after a full dinner. No tying required, which means one less thing to stress about on the wedding day.
It comes with a matching pocket square, 2.5″ x 4.5″, that pulls the whole look together without any extra effort. Coral paisley reads festive without veering into costume territory, and the set works just as well for a groomsman as it does for a guest who wants to dress with a little intention.
Handcrafted Walnut Denim Bow Tie
This bow tie from GeddyShop pairs walnut wood with denim fabric, finished with natural beeswax and water-based lacquer. It measures 11.5 x 5 cm and comes on an adjustable band that fits up to 50 cm. Each one is made to order, so you’re getting something built for you rather than pulled off a shelf.
Personalisation options include patterned designs and custom engraving. The blue version is currently sold out; the pink is available now. If you want a groom’s accessory that’s a little unexpected without being a whole thing, this is a solid pick.
Handmade Full Grain Bow Tie
“The Baker” is a pre-tied bow tie handmade from full grain leather, available in black or brown. The minimalist cut works well with a leather belt and suspenders, and it suits a rustic or boho wedding without trying too hard.
Sizing runs small (14″-15″), medium (15.5″-16.5″), and large (17″-18″), so measure your neck before ordering. Pair it with matching leather suspenders and the whole look comes together cleanly.
Khaki Burlap Groomsmen Bow Tie
The Khaki Burlap Groomsmen Bow Tie is a textured khaki brown bow tie made from burlap, sized for both kids and adults so everyone from the ring bearer to the best man is covered. Gala M. makes each one by hand on Etsy, where she holds star seller status with consistent five-star reviews.
Because these are made to order, build in some lead time: Gala needs 2-3 days for standard orders and up to 5 days for larger wedding orders. Shipping runs 7-10 business days after that, so order early and you won’t be scrambling the week before the ceremony.
Kinetic Walnut Gear Bow Tie
WKWilsonWoodBowTies makes this one from actual laser-cut wood, with moving gears set in deep walnut and bright birch. The steampunk styling is deliberate and unapologetic: real mechanical parts, real contrast between the two woods, and a silhouette that reads more modern workshop than black-tie rental.
It measures 1.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide, and the adjustable tuxedo strap fits necks from 13 to 24 inches. Six left in stock.
Peach Coral Floral Bow Tie
This peach and coral bow tie comes in both self-tie and pre-tied styles, cut from cotton with a floral print that reads fresh without trying too hard. The adjustable neckband runs from 14″ to 18″, and custom sizing is available on request.
It measures 2 3/8″ tall by 4 1/2″ wide. Coordinating neckties, pocket squares, and baby and youth bow ties are sold separately if you want the whole wedding party to match. For a custom listing or a free fabric sample, send the seller a message.
Sparkling Champagne Sequin Bow Tie
This champagne sequin bow tie is made from 100% cotton, with a sparkling sequin bow and a solid champagne neck strap that sits neatly under a dress shirt collar. It fits neck sizes from 9″ to 14″ and comes in an adult version that stretches to 18″ or longer on request, so it works from babies through to grown-ups.
Free swatches are available if you want to check the color before committing, though returns for color-matching reasons aren’t accepted. Orders are usually ready within 1 to 2 business days, with expedited shipping available. One practical note: any neck wear is a hazard for small children, so keep an eye on the little ones while they’re dressed up.
Sustainable Cork Butterfly Bow Tie
The Sustainable Cork Butterfly Bow Tie from Mandujour Handmade is pre-tied and made from cork wood and polyester. The butterfly shape sits wide and flat, and the cork texture gives it a warm, slightly mottled surface that reads nothing like standard fabric. It’s the kind of piece that gets noticed without trying too hard.
The neckband adjusts for fit, so there’s no fumbling at the collar before the ceremony. Light enough to forget you’re wearing it, it works just as well at a wedding as it does on a random Wednesday when you feel like dressing up. Buy it for the person in your life who treats getting dressed as a genuine creative act, or keep it for yourself.
Texas Flag Reversible Bow Tie
This reversible bow tie from Great Knots gives you two looks in one: the Texas flag on one side, classic navy gingham on the other. Both sides are handmade in the USA, so the construction holds up to a full day of wear. The adjustable hardware means you’re not fighting with it between the ceremony and the reception, and it comes in either a pre-tied version with a gingham band or a self-tie style if you prefer to do it yourself.
The Texas flag side reads bold; the gingham side reads clean. Wear whichever fits the moment. Great Knots also makes coordinating pieces in the same pattern, including a pocket square, cummerbund, and a dog bow tie, so the whole wedding party can match. For special orders, contact Great Knots directly at info@greatknots.com.
Wild Cheetah Bow Tie
This bow tie is cut from cheetah print cotton and comes pre-tied, with a self-tie option available for adults and kids who prefer to do it themselves. Sizes run from baby through adult, and there are pet sizes too if your dog has opinions about coordinating. A matching pocket square is available if you want to commit to the look.
Each piece is handmade by Rachael at GuysAndTies on an industrial sewing machine, so no two are quite identical. Works for weddings, cake smashes, or anything else that calls for a print that doesn’t blend in.
FAQs
Should the groom’s bow tie match the boutonniere?
It doesn’t have to, and the pairings we like most only connect at one point. A single lilac tulip next to a purple paisley tie. A red ribbon wrapped around a stem, echoing the red knot at the collar. Pick one color they share and let everything else be different.
Matching them exactly, same shade, same intensity, tends to flatten both. The flowers stop looking like flowers and start looking like an accessory.
Self-tie or pre-tied?
Self-tie sits slightly uneven, and that’s the look most of these photos are trading on. Pre-tied sits perfectly symmetrical and stays that way through dinner and dancing.
If he’s going self-tie, he should practice a few times before the morning of. The getting-ready photos are usually taken while he’s still fighting with it.
Should the groom wear a different bow tie from the groomsmen?
A small difference helps him read as the groom in a line-up: a pattern where they wear solids, or a deeper shade of the same color.
The other direction works too. Kelly and Matthew gave every guy a different floral print, so nobody matched and it still looked deliberate.
What color bow tie works with a navy suit?
Navy takes warm colors well. Burgundy, rust, berry pink and red all sit against it cleanly, and a patterned tie with navy somewhere in the print ties itself to the suit without disappearing into it.
Navy on navy is the one to be careful with. If the shades are close but not identical, it looks like a mistake rather than a choice.
Can he wear a bow tie without a jacket?
Yes, and a waistcoat or suspenders will do the work the jacket was doing. Both give the shirt some structure so the bow tie has something to sit against.
If he’s skipping the jacket, pin the boutonniere to the waistcoat instead. It holds better there than on a shirt.
Don’t forget to pin this to your Wedding Fashion Board for later!
