Five Easy Ways to be a Great-Looking Groom

Don't even think about dragging out those bright red high-tops, and banish the thought of those polka-dotted socks! Create your own, signature style for your wedding day with these ideas, provided by Liz Smith, wedding coordinator at Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont, a web retailer and cataloger of specialty bow ties and accessories.

Unearth a family heirloom. A four-in-hand or bow tie that's played a significant role in a family photo or special occasion can continue to make its mark on your wedding day. Unearth it from your dresser drawer, have it professionally cleaned, and wear it proudly!

Create your own family heirloom. If your fiancée is wearing an heirloom gown, or is having a gown made, consider using fabric left over from alterations to create a matching custom bow tie, cummerbund or pocket square. (A bow tie sometimes can be fashioned from less than a quarter yard of fabric.) After the wedding, you'll have your own heirloom to pass down to a son or nephew.

Match the wedding party. Groomsmen and ushers can coordinate with the bridesmaids, without looking like they're headed to the prom, when you select a hip pattern in a similar color palette. Your friends will have a groomsmen's gift they'll value for years to come. Plus, their ties will be infinitely more wearable than those dreaded bridesmaids' dresses!

Outfit the whole family. With custom neckwear, you can create a unified look for everyone in your wedding party—from grandfathers to little nephews—that's not limited to basic black. Beau Ties Ltd. has even created specialty bow ties for dogs who've walked down the aisle as ring bearers.