The best floral bow tie for a wedding depends on the season and dress code. For summer and garden weddings, choose a lightweight cotton floral bow tie in soft colors like dusty blue, blush, sage or sunflower. For formal and evening weddings, choose a floral with a dark background and a small pattern, like navy floral, black and gold, or cabernet floral. Pair the floral bow tie with a solid suit and shirt, and repeat one color from the flowers in the pocket square.
Floral bow ties are one of the most popular wedding accessories for grooms, groomsmen and ring bearers. They tie the wedding party to the bouquets, add personality to classic suits, and look great in photos. This guide covers how to choose the best floral bow tie for your wedding, how to pair it with suits, how to coordinate groomsmen, and how to care for floral bow ties.
What Makes a Floral Bow Tie Good for a Wedding?
A good wedding floral bow tie has a print that echoes the wedding flowers, a color that works with the suits, and a pattern size that fits the dress code. Small, detailed florals look more formal. Large, bright florals look more relaxed and playful. A pre-tied floral bow tie with an adjustable strap keeps every groomsman's bow tie identical in photos.
Best Floral Bow Ties for a Summer Wedding
The best floral bow ties for a summer wedding are lightweight cotton in bright or soft seasonal colors.
- Dusty blue hydrangea: Soft and classic for garden and coastal weddings.
- Blush and peach florals: Romantic colors that match pink and peach bouquets.
- Sage and eucalyptus: Greenery-inspired florals for boho and garden weddings.
- Sunflower and wildflower: Cheerful prints for rustic, barn and countryside weddings.
- Rifle Paper Co. florals: Hand-painted style prints that photograph beautifully outdoors.
Pair summer floral bow ties with light gray, tan, light blue or linen suits.
Best Floral Bow Ties for Formal Events
The best floral bow ties for formal events have a dark base color and a refined, small-scale floral pattern. A very large or bright floral can look too casual next to a tuxedo.
- Navy and midnight floral: Elegant with navy or charcoal suits and tuxedos.
- Black floral and black and gold: Polished for black tie optional weddings, galas and New Year's Eve.
- Cabernet and burgundy floral: Rich color for fall and winter evening weddings.
- Dark green floral: A sophisticated choice for winter and forest weddings.
Best Floral Bow Ties for Rustic and Fall Weddings
Rustic and fall weddings call for warm, earthy florals. Terracotta, burnt orange, mustard, sunflower and autumn floral bow ties pair beautifully with tan, brown and olive suits, vests and suspenders.
What Suit Colors Go With a Floral Bow Tie?
- Navy suit: Blush, pink, peach, gold, white and sunflower florals.
- Light gray suit: Dusty blue, sage, lavender and navy florals.
- Charcoal suit: Burgundy, blush, sage and black and gold florals.
- Tan suit: Terracotta, burnt orange, sage and dusty blue florals.
- Black tuxedo: Black and gold, navy floral and dark green floral.
Rule of thumb: Wear a floral bow tie with a solid suit and a solid white or light blue shirt. Let the bow tie be the only pattern.
Groomsmen Outfit Ideas With Floral Bow Ties
1. Everyone Matches
All groomsmen wear the same floral bow tie. This is the most classic, cohesive look, and pre-tied bow ties keep every bow identical.
2. Mix and Match in One Color Family
Each groomsman wears a different floral bow tie in the same color family, such as different dusty blue florals or different blush florals. Keep suits, shirts and shoes identical so the mismatched groomsmen look still looks planned.
3. Groom Stands Out
Groomsmen wear solid bow ties in the wedding color, and the groom wears a floral bow tie that includes that color. Or reverse it: groomsmen wear floral, and the groom wears a solid velvet or satin bow tie.
4. Ring Bearer Mini Me
The ring bearer wears the same floral bow tie in a toddler or boys' size, often with suspenders and a ring bearer badge.
5. Don't Forget the Dog
A matching floral dog bow tie lets the family dog join the wedding photos.
Floral Bow Tie Accessories
- Pocket square: Choose a solid pocket square in one color from the floral, or a matching bow tie and pocket square set.
- Suspenders: Solid suspenders in navy, gray, tan or brown balance a floral bow tie.
- Neckties: Groomsmen who prefer a tie can wear a floral necktie in the same print family.
- Bolo ties: For western weddings, a floral bolo tie brings the same botanical look.
How Much Do Floral Wedding Bow Ties Cost?
Most floral wedding bow ties cost between $16 and $50. Handmade floral bow ties from The Bold Bow Tie cost $17.50 to $32.50 depending on size, and every bow tie is pre-tied and made in the USA.
How to Care for and Store Floral Bow Ties
- Spot clean only. Dab stains with a soft cloth and warm water. Do not machine wash, wring or bleach a floral bow tie.
- Air dry flat. Let the bow tie dry flat so it keeps its shape.
- Avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade floral prints over time.
- Store flat or hanging. Keep bow ties in a drawer organizer, box or on a hanger so the bows are not crushed.
- Keep the wedding bow tie. A floral bow tie makes a lasting keepsake from the wedding day.
Where to Buy Floral Bow Ties for a Wedding
The best place to buy floral bow ties for a wedding is a shop that offers many floral prints, kids' sizes for ring bearers, matching accessories and fabric swatches. The Bold Bow Tie handmakes more than 75 floral bow ties in the USA, in sizes from 6 months to adult, with matching pocket squares, suspenders and floral dog bow ties.