Planning a wedding is a bit like spinning plates. You've got the venue, the flowers, the seating plan (good luck with that one), and somewhere on that never-ending list is a question that catches a lot of couples out: what colour tie should the groom and groomsmen actually wear?
It sounds like a small detail. It isn't. The ties appear in almost every photo you'll ever look back on, and the wrong shade can clash with the dresses in a way you won't notice on the day but will absolutely notice in the album. The good news? Matching your tie colours to your wedding dress colours is genuinely easy once you know a few simple rules.
So grab a cuppa, and let's sort your groomsmen out properly.
Should the tie match the bridesmaid dresses exactly?
This is the question we get asked more than any other, and the honest answer is: it's up to you, but here's what works.
An exact match looks sharp, coordinated and intentional. If the bridesmaids are in sage, the groomsmen wear sage ties, and everything ties together beautifully (pun very much intended). This is the most popular approach for a reason, and it photographs brilliantly.
A complementary match is the slightly braver option. Instead of matching the dresses exactly, you pick a tie colour that sits comfortably alongside them. Think dusty blue ties with blush dresses, or mocha ties with sage. It gives your photos a bit more depth without anyone looking like they got dressed in the dark.
Whichever route you go, the golden rule is the same: check the actual colours side by side before the big day. What looks like "sage" on one website can look like "avocado gone wrong" on another. (This is exactly why we sell swatches, but more on that later.)
What tie colours work with a white or ivory wedding dress?
Here's the lovely thing: almost everything. A white or ivory dress is a blank canvas, which means your tie colour decision really comes down to your overall wedding colour scheme rather than the dress itself.
That said, ivory has a warm undertone, so it pairs especially nicely with warmer tie shades like mocha, blush and soft greens. A pure white dress leans slightly cooler, so blues and crisp sage tones sit beautifully next to it.
If the groom wants to stand out from the groomsmen (and he should, it's his day too), a classic trick is putting him in a slightly different shade. Groomsmen in fern green, groom in light sage. Same family, subtle difference, lovely photos.
The best tie combinations for popular bridesmaid dress colours
Right, let's get into the specifics. These are the pairings we see working time and time again at real weddings.
Sage green dresses
Sage has been the wedding colour for the last few years, and it's not going anywhere. For a matched look, a light sage tie is the obvious winner. If you fancy contrast, mocha and light brown tones look gorgeous against sage, especially for rustic or barn weddings. Sage and blush together? Chef's kiss.
Blush and pink dresses
Blush dresses are soft and romantic, so keep the ties in the same gentle territory. A baby blush tie gives you that perfectly matched, airy look. For something with a bit more presence, sage or dusty blue ties against blush dresses is one of the most photogenic combinations going.
Blue dresses
Blue is wonderfully forgiving. If the bridesmaids are in a rich blue, an Aegean blue tie matches beautifully, or you can lighten things up with blush or soft neutrals for contrast. Navy suits with lighter blue ties is a timeless combination that has never once looked dated in a wedding photo. Not once.
Burgundy, plum and aubergine dresses
Deeper tones like aubergine are perfect for autumn and winter weddings. An aubergine tie against a grey or navy suit looks properly elegant. If you want contrast rather than a match, soft neutrals like light mocha stop the whole look becoming too heavy.
Neutral, champagne and mocha dresses
Neutral wedding palettes are having a real moment, and mocha is leading the charge. A light mocha tie with cream or champagne dresses gives you that warm, understated, expensive-looking finish. Green tones also sit brilliantly alongside neutrals if you want a hint of colour in there.
Does the suit colour change which tie you should pick?
It does, and it's worth thinking about the suit and dresses together rather than separately.
Navy suits are the most forgiving and work with practically every tie colour, from blush to fern green. Grey suits love soft pastels, so sage and baby blush both shine here. Brown and tan suits, which are hugely popular for relaxed and outdoor weddings, pair naturally with greens and mocha tones. And black suits suit deeper, richer colours like aubergine or Aegean blue.
If you're ever unsure, hold the tie against both the suit fabric and the dress colour. If nothing makes you wince, you're onto a winner.
How do I make sure the colours actually match?
Here's the bit that saves weddings. Screens lie. The sage green you see on your phone is not necessarily the sage green that arrives in the post, and it's definitely not guaranteed to match the bridesmaid dresses hanging in the wardrobe.
The fix is simple: order fabric swatches before you commit. A swatch costs about the same as a chocolate bar, and it lets you hold the exact tie fabric against the actual dresses in normal daylight. No guesswork, no nasty surprises, no frantic tie shopping three days before the wedding.
Honestly, if you take one thing away from this article, make it that. Swatches first, ties second.
Frequently asked questions
Should the groom's tie match the groomsmen's ties?
He can match exactly, or wear a slightly different shade from the same colour family to stand out. Both look great. What you want to avoid is the groom in a completely unrelated colour, which tends to look accidental rather than stylish.
Do the pocket squares need to match the ties?
Matching tie and pocket square sets are the easiest way to look put together without any effort, which is why all our ties come with a matching pocket square included. One less thing to think about.
When should I order the ties?
Earlier than you think. Aim for at least two to three months before the wedding, which leaves time to order swatches, confirm the match, and get the ties sorted without any last-minute panic.
What if the bridesmaid dresses are patterned or multi-coloured?
Pick out one colour from the pattern, ideally the softest or most dominant one, and match your ties to that. Plain ties against patterned dresses always works. Patterned ties against patterned dresses is a gamble we wouldn't recommend taking on your wedding day.
Ready to find your perfect match?
Choosing tie colours doesn't need to be stressful. Match or complement the dresses, keep the suit colour in mind, and always, always check with a swatch before you buy.
Browse our full collection of wedding ties with matching pocket squares, or order a few swatches for £1.29 each and see the colours against your dresses in real life. Your future self, flicking through the wedding album in years to come, will thank you for it.