NECKPIECES

Unless your outfit dictates that no neckpiece is needed, then you will need to pay close attention and have a long and hard think about that small piece of material that will be round your neck on the Big Day.

Available in a huge variety of colours are designs, the neckpiece is often used to colour-coordinate with the overall colour scheme with the groom sometimes choosing a different colour to provide some individuality. Once you’ve chosen what neckpiece to sport on the day, your final challenge is to tie the damn thing – an article entitled ‘Tying the Tie’ is on it’s way and will be available in 2007 – in the meantime, the outfitters will be more than willing to provide advice and if you’re still struggling don’t be afraid to ask a friend or relative to help you out.

So, on with the neckpieces, and you essentially have five options from which to choose:

Neckties

Particularly popular in the seventies and eighties, the neck tie has recently been usurped from top-spot at Weddings and has taken somewhat of a bettering at the hands of the cravat, and more recently the ruche. I hope that everyone will know what a necktie looks like so there is no need to patronise you by explaining the ins and outs of one (on the off chance that you don’t know what one looks like then I suggest you mention this to your wife-to-be before the Big Day to give her plenty of time to reconsider her acceptance to the proposal!). An ideal accompaniment to a lounge suit or short jacket, the neck-tie can also be worn with many other jackets but there are, dare we say it, more suitable alternatives. Available in a huge range of styles and colours, many people who opt for a traditional necktie will buy one rather than hire one and they do have the added advantage of being able to be worn again after the day.