Beautiful wedding accessories with a little more personality

Your wedding should look like your wedding.

Not a copy of somebody else's Pinterest board. Not a room full of identical suits and accessories because that's what everyone else does. And definitely not a collection of things you've bought separately that somehow don't quite work together.

I'm Emma, founder and maker at Arsenic & Old Lace, creating handmade wedding ties, bow ties, pocket squares and groom accessories from my studio in Nottingham.

Whether you're looking for a classic wedding tie, a colourful floral bow tie, something beautifully British in wool or tweed, or a completely individual look for your wedding party, I'll help you find something that feels right.

And yes, you can absolutely have a bit of fun with it.

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Wedding Accessories With Personality

The groom's accessories might be a small part of the overall outfit, but they're often the bit that brings everything together.

A well-chosen tie can pick out the colour of the flowers.

A pocket square can complement the bridesmaids without matching them exactly.

A bow tie can give a classic suit a completely different personality.

And a beautiful fabric can turn a fairly ordinary suit into something that feels distinctly yours.

That's why I don't believe wedding accessories have to be boring.

Your wedding is one of the few occasions when you've got a very good excuse to dress up properly. Make the most of it.

Handmade for Your Wedding

Every Arsenic & Old Lace accessory is handmade for you in Nottingham.

I select the fabrics, cut the pieces, sew and finish the accessories and check everything before it leaves the studio.

There are no enormous production lines here.

It's me, my sewing machine, rather a lot of fabric and occasionally a cup of tea that has been reheated several times because I've forgotten about it.

Being a small independent business means I can take the time to make things properly.

It also means you can talk to me if you're unsure what you need.

Not a call centre.

Not a chatbot.

Me.

Choose Your Wedding Style

Neckties

A classic necktie works beautifully with everything from traditional wedding suits to more relaxed modern tailoring.

Our handmade neckties are available in different widths and a range of distinctive fabrics, from colourful cottons to wool and tweed.

Explore Neck Ties

Self-Tie Bow Ties

There's something rather special about a self-tied bow tie.

It's traditional, slightly imperfect and has that wonderful feeling of actually having dressed yourself rather than simply clipping something around your neck.

If you can master the knot, you'll have a skill for life.

Eventually.

Explore Self-Tie Bow Ties

Pre-Tied Bow Ties

For those who want the look without the last-minute panic.

Pre-tied bow ties are particularly useful for larger wedding parties, page boys and anyone who would rather spend the morning of their wedding doing literally anything other than practising a bow-tie knot.

Explore Pre-Tied Bow Ties

Pocket Squares

Sometimes the smallest detail makes the biggest difference.

A pocket square can pick out colours from your tie, flowers or bridesmaid dresses and bring the whole outfit together without looking overly coordinated.

Explore Pocket Squares & Accessories

Necktie or Bow Tie?

If you're torn between the two, don't panic.

A necktie is classic, versatile and works beautifully with almost any wedding suit.

A bow tie creates a stronger sense of occasion and can be particularly effective if you want your accessories to have a little more personality.

Then there's the question of self-tie or pre-tied.

There's no wrong answer.

It comes down to the look you want, how traditional you want to be and, frankly, how much patience you have.

I've written a whole guide to help:

Self-Tie vs Pre-Tied Bow Tie: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing Your Wedding Colours

This is where fabric gets really exciting.

You don't necessarily need your ties to be the exact same colour as the bridesmaids' dresses.

In fact, exact matching can sometimes look a little too much.

Instead, think about colours that sit comfortably together.

Sage green with ochre.

Navy with blush pink.

Burgundy with soft neutrals.

Forest green with warm autumnal tones.

Or a beautiful floral print containing several of the colours already present in your wedding.

A patterned tie can be particularly useful because it can bring several colours together without looking as though you've tried too hard.

And that's usually my favourite sort of styling.

It looks effortless, even when you've spent three weeks thinking about it.

Not Sure About Your Colours?

Order a free fabric swatch.

Seriously.

Screens are terrible at showing fabric accurately.

That beautiful sage green you can see on your laptop might look completely different next to the bridesmaid dresses.

A swatch lets you see the actual colour, texture and scale of the print before you commit.

Put it alongside the suits, dresses, flowers and shoes and see what actually works.

And if you're stuck between a few options, I'd much rather help you choose before you order than have you panic three weeks before the wedding.

Fabrics With a Story

This is probably where Arsenic & Old Lace differs most from a conventional wedding accessories company.

I don't just choose fabrics because they're "wedding colours".

I choose them because I love them.

You'll find beautiful cottons, wool, tweed, Liberty London prints, William Morris designs, floral patterns, botanical prints and heritage-inspired fabrics throughout the collections.

Some are colourful.

Some are subtle.

Some are gloriously eccentric.

And some are the sort of fabric that makes you stop halfway through the studio and think:

"Oh, that's going to make a fantastic tie."

That's often how the collections begin.

British Fabrics, British Style

I'm particularly drawn to fabrics with a sense of history.

William Morris designs.

Liberty London prints.

Tweed.

Wool.

Botanical patterns.

Floral textiles.

These fabrics have character before I've even turned them into a tie.

And because Arsenic & Old Lace is based in Nottingham, I love the connection between what I'm making today and Britain's long relationship with textiles and tailoring.

It's one of the reasons I don't want the accessories to feel disposable.

I want you to wear them again.

The Groom Doesn't Have to Match Everyone

Here's something I'm increasingly fond of.

Let the groom be the groom.

You don't have to put everyone in exactly the same tie.

Perhaps the groom wears a slightly different fabric while the groomsmen wear coordinating accessories.

Perhaps the groom wears a self-tie bow tie and the best man wears a necktie.

Or everyone wears the same fabric but chooses a different style.

There are so many ways to make a wedding party look cohesive without turning everyone into clones.

Your wedding should have some personality.

Wedding Accessories for the Whole Party

As well as groom's ties and bow ties, I make accessories for:

• Groomsmen

• Best men

• Ushers

• Fathers of the bride and groom

• Page boys

• Ring bearers

• Wedding guests

Whether you're dressing two people or a whole wedding party, I can help you find a combination that works.

And if you've got a particularly complicated colour scheme, don't worry.

I've seen complicated.

Very complicated.

Personalised Wedding Accessories

Sometimes it's the tiny details that make something special.

I can offer personalised options, including custom labels, so your accessories can become something you'll keep long after the wedding.

A date.

A name.

A message.

A little reminder of the day.

Because once the cake has been eaten and the flowers have gone, those little details can become surprisingly important.

Sustainable Wedding Accessories

I'm careful about how I talk about sustainability.

I'm a small business making physical products and sending them to customers, so I'm not going to pretend that has zero environmental impact.

It doesn't.

What I can do is make better choices wherever possible.

I choose fabrics carefully, use reclaimed and vintage fabrics where appropriate, try to avoid unnecessary waste and use considered packaging.

I'm much more interested in making better things that people want to keep than encouraging people to constantly replace them.

For me, sustainability isn't about making enormous claims.

It's about making better choices wherever I can.

Your Wedding, Your Way

Your wedding might be a grand country celebration, an intimate city ceremony, a relaxed summer wedding or something completely unconventional.

There isn't one correct way to dress for it.

You might want traditional navy neckties.

You might want Liberty floral bow ties.

You might want tweed.

You might want everyone matching.

Or you might want the groom in something completely different.

I'm here to help you find what works.

How It Works

1. Choose your style

Decide whether you'd prefer neckties, self-tie bow ties, pre-tied bow ties, pocket squares or a combination.

2. Choose your fabric

Browse the collections and find something that works with your wedding colours, suits and overall style.

3. Request a swatch

See the actual fabric before committing.

4. Coordinate your wedding party

Keep everyone matching or mix styles and fabrics to create something more individual.

5. Add personal touches

Custom labels and personalised details can make your accessories genuinely yours.

6. I make everything by hand

Your accessories are cut, sewn, finished and checked in my Nottingham studio.

7. Wear them

Preferably without spilling red wine down the front during the speeches.

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Why Choose Arsenic & Old Lace?

Because you don't have to settle for something generic.

Because you're dealing directly with the person making your accessories.

Because the fabrics have character.

Because handmade means there's a person behind every stitch.

Because you can request swatches before ordering.

Because your wedding accessories can be coordinated without being identical.

And because I genuinely care about what I'm sending you.

I'm not interested in selling you the most expensive tie I can.

I'm interested in helping you find the right one.

Wedding Tie & Bow Tie FAQs

What wedding ties do you make?

I make handmade neckties, bow ties, pocket squares and other accessories suitable for grooms, groomsmen, best men, ushers and wedding guests.

Do you make wedding bow ties?

Yes. Arsenic & Old Lace offers both self-tie and pre-tied bow ties in a range of fabrics and designs.

Can I get matching ties for my groomsmen?

Absolutely. You can choose matching accessories for the whole wedding party or mix different styles using coordinating fabrics and colours.

Can I order a fabric swatch before buying?

Yes. Free fabric swatches are available so you can see the actual fabric before making your decision.

Can wedding ties be personalised?

Yes. Personalised options and custom labels are available for selected accessories.

What colours work well for wedding ties?

Popular wedding colours include navy, sage green, burgundy, ochre, blush pink and neutral tones, but patterned fabrics can also bring several wedding colours together beautifully.

Should the groom and groomsmen wear the same tie?

Not necessarily. Matching accessories create a traditional coordinated look, while different styles in complementary fabrics can give the wedding party a more individual appearance.

Are your wedding ties handmade in the UK?

Yes. Arsenic & Old Lace is based in Nottingham, England, where the accessories are handmade.

How far in advance should I order wedding accessories?

I'd recommend ordering as early as practical, particularly for larger wedding parties or personalised orders. This gives you plenty of time to choose fabrics, order swatches and make sure everything is exactly as you'd like it.

More Wedding Inspiration

If you're still deciding what to wear, I've written a few guides to help.

The Evolution of the British Tie: A Historical Journey

A deep dive into how British neckwear evolved from cravats and early neckcloths to the modern tie.

Self-Tie vs Pre-Tied Bow Tie: Which Should You Choose?

Everything you need to know before deciding which bow tie is right for you.

How to Style a Tie in Hot Weather

Because weddings and British weather don't always agree with one another.

Read all the Arsenic & Old Lace blogs

Find Your Wedding Tie

Your wedding day might be the reason you buy the tie.

It doesn't have to be the last time you wear it.

Choose something you love enough to wear to another wedding, a race day, dinner, Christmas, a party or simply because you've decided that Tuesday deserves a better tie.

That's always been the point of Arsenic & Old Lace.

Beautiful things shouldn't spend their lives sitting in a box.

They should be worn.

Shop Wedding Ties & Bow Ties

Handmade in Nottingham. Made for you. Never boring.