Wedding Neckties

[CMcG]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that silver/grey silk neckties are the most appropriate (traditional?) choice for a wedding. Can anyone add some details to this?

- Does it apply to any level of dress where one would wear a four-in-hand tie?
- Should the tie be solid or are patterns also common? If patterned, what types?
- Is there a reason for this guideline?
- Would this apply equally to the guests, as to the wedding party?
- Is this true for either a kilt or a suit?

Wedding season is upon us...

[davidlpope]

I wore a silver and black repp stripe necktie with a morning coat for my wedding. Each groomsmen wore a striped tie, but they were all different colors.

[creagdhubh]

I wore a silver and black repp stripe necktie with a morning coat for my wedding. Each groomsmen wore a striped tie, but they were all different colors.

Sounds lovely David!

[Cygnus]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that silver/grey silk neckties are the most appropriate (traditional?) choice for a wedding. Can anyone add some details to this?

- Does it apply to any level of dress where one would wear a four-in-hand tie?
- Should the tie be solid or are patterns also common? If patterned, what types?
- Is there a reason for this guideline?
- Would this apply equally to the guests, as to the wedding party?
- Is this true for either a kilt or a suit?

Wedding season is upon us...

I believe the reason for this is that a grey necktie is the traditional standard for (non-Highland) Western formal morning dress. I'm fairly certain that it only applies to formal morning dress (though the recent wedding in the UK shows that people are being quite adventurous in their tie colours these days, even with their cutaway coats).

I have seen striped ties, like the ones mentioned by davidlpope, worn with morning dress, though I'm not sure I've ever seen any other patterns. If I have, they were subtle enough not to stand out too much.

What guests should wear depends entirely on what is requested in their invitations.

I've been happy to discover that Highland attire really follows its own rules, so most of the rules above don't apply. In fact, I believe Jock once posted some photos of himself attending a wedding in his kilt that shows how it is done. Those of us living outside of the UK (and maybe within) should be careful, though, in our choices, as I don't think many people understand the differing rules for traditional highland dress. One could wear a grey waistcoat and tie with a black Argyll jacket to show consideration of the traditions of the "lowlanders" and still attend kilted.

[robbiethepiper]

I always wear a plain silver/grey tie from Kinloch Anderson. Believe this would be equally appropriate if for some reason wearing trousers. Formality of wedding or my status have no effect on my choice unless a specific request has been made...Robbie

[SlackerDrummer]

I have seen striped ties, like the ones mentioned by davidlpope, worn with morning dress, though I'm not sure I've ever seen any other patterns. If I have, they were subtle enough not to stand out too much.

As I mentioned on another thread, I recently watched Four Weddings and a Funeral for the first time (only a decade and a half late), and noticed that even with the appropriate morning suit (coat, waistcoat, pants) Hugh Grant's character and all his friends were wearing shirts and ties that you might see with any lounge suit. I have no idea, however, of the accuracy of the costuming, though it seems were in not correct it would have been easier to dress them all up in rental wear.

[Jock Scot]

I've been happy to discover that Highland attire really follows its own rules, so most of the rules above don't apply. In fact, I believe Jock once posted some photos of himself attending a wedding in his kilt that shows how it is done. Those of us living outside of the UK (and maybe within) should be careful, though, in our choices, as I don't think many people understand the differing rules for traditional highland dress. One could wear a grey waistcoat and tie with a black Argyll jacket to show consideration of the traditions of the "lowlanders" and still attend kilted.

Sigh, and sigh again.

With the greatest of respect to all, this is precisely why if we are going to wear Highland attire, then we really ought to follow the kilt conventions reasonably closely so that in the long run those outwith Scotland will HOPEFULLY begin to understand Highland conventions rather more and not get even more confused by the "incorrect" adaptations that confuse the issue for all concerned.

In fact that applies to a national attire from wherever it hails from, if we choose to wear it..

[SlackerDrummer]

In fact that applies to a national attire from wherever it hails from, if we choose to wear it..

What he said.

[Jock Scot]

What he said.

But,but, BUT, he is not carrying a brace of revolvers(sorry mods) and and And is he wearing spurs?

[artificer]

What he said.

As Mr. Blackwell and Noel Coward both roll over in their graves...