How to Coordinate Bolo Ties for Your Groomsmen (Without Looking Like a Costume)

You’ve made the call: your wedding party will be sporting bolo ties. It’s a bold, confident choice that speaks to a style rooted in heritage and individuality. But there’s a fine line between a cohesive, devastatingly cool wedding party and a group that looks like they’re wearing a rental costume. The secret isn’t in matching; it’s in coordinating.

Forget the old idea of identical, cookie-cutter outfits. Modern wedding styling is about creating a unified aesthetic where each individual’s personality can still shine through. As specialists who have curated and worn these pieces for years, we’ve developed a set of guiding principles to help you nail the look with the effortless confidence of a seasoned style editor.

Rule #1: Aim for Cohesion, Not Clones

The most sophisticated approach is to establish a common thread that ties the groomsmen's bolo ties together, without them being identical. This creates visual harmony while looking natural and unforced. Think of it like a band: each musician plays a different instrument, but they’re all playing the same song. The goal is to give each groomsman a slightly different, yet complementary, piece of art.

Rule #2: Choose a Single "Anchor Element"

To achieve this cohesion, select one—and only one—unifying element for the groomsmen's bolo ties. This becomes your "anchor." Here are three effective methods:

• Anchor by Artist: Select bolo ties all made by the same Zuni or Navajo artist. Even if the designs or stones vary slightly, the artist's unique style—their specific way of casting silver or setting stones—will create a subtle, expert-level connection between the pieces.
• Anchor by Stone or Material: Choose a common stone, like Black Onyx for a formal affair or a specific type of turquoise for a rustic theme. The shape, size, and silverwork around the stone can vary for each groomsman, but the shared material will create a strong visual link.
• Anchor by Technique: Unify the look with a shared silversmithing technique. Imagine all the groomsmen wearing different Tufa Cast bolos. The designs would be unique, but the signature granular texture of the silver would tie them all together beautifully. The same works for the clean, graphic style of Hopi Overlay.

Rule #3: Ensure the Groom Stands Apart

Within this coordinated group, the groom must be visually distinct. His bolo tie should be the "lead instrument." It can be set apart in several ways:

• By Size or Complexity: His bolo slide could be larger or feature more intricate silverwork.
• By Rarity of Stone: While the groomsmen wear Kingman turquoise, the groom could wear a piece of prized, matrix-free Sleeping Beauty turquoise.
• By a Contrasting Element: If the groomsmen's bolos are all-silver, the groom’s could feature a gold accent or a striking, singular stone.

Rule #4: Balance the Rest of the Outfit

Finally, remember the "one star element" rule. The bolo ties are the statement. The rest of the groomsmen's outfits should be a sharp, classic, and understated canvas. Opt for well-tailored suits or vests in solid, neutral colors like charcoal, navy, or tan. By keeping the suits simple, you let the craftsmanship of the bolo ties take center stage and completely avoid the "costume" effect.

Ready to explore the possibilities and find the perfect pieces for your wedding party? Our curated Wedding Bolo Tie Collection is the ideal place to discover a range of styles, from single artistic statements to coordinated sets that embody the principles of true Western elegance.