Corsages and Ties
Two things that prove to be a challenge when getting ready on the big day are attaching buttonholes and tying ties.Back in the "good old days" even if a man didn't wear a tie to work, he wore one on Sunday to church. These days, often the only time many men wear a tie is at their wedding or when they are a groomsman. For the man who is unskilled at the tie, I recommend they ensure they have at least one person there on the day that has some idea of what to do. Sometimes the easiest way is to get the experienced person to prepare the tie around their own neck and then pass it over. Ties and the fixing of ribbons to the front of the cars are by far the longest items of preparation for the boys. From a videographer's perspective, the trials and tribulations of achieving these tasks provide superb footage and result in considerable entertainment for the couple afterwards, however sometimes it's good not to have too many stresses on the day!
Things to remember with your ties…
Make sure the ties are the same (if they are supposed to be) especially if you are hiring them. Despite every effort being made, sometimes the wrong tie ends up with the order. Boys, if you have been delegated picking up the suits, do yourself and your bride a favour and check everything is there and that everything matches. It may seem like overkill, but trust me it is better to kind out if there is a problem before you leave the shop, not half a hour before you leave for the ceremony!
If you are like Jai and are over 6 foot, make sure your tie is long enough, especially if you are going to tie a Windsor. Your tie should also be tied to the right length with the "v" tip meeting just above the pants – when standing upright it should just be touching. Remember it is just as bad to have a tie finishing halfway up the tummy as it is to have a too long tie sticking out the bottom of a vest!
Corsages are also a nightmare to put on. I haven't worked out the reason for the "buttonhole" on the suit lapel, but it doesn't seem to be of any use! Whatever you do, the corsage does not need to go through the buttonhole. Step away from the scissors, the quick-unpick, the Stanley knife or sharp object from the kitchen, the button hole is purely aesthetic and is meant to just stay there as is. If you want proof of it, lie the jacket out and sit the corsage on the jacket where the buttonhole is, it is just too far out and too high for it to look good fixing it there.
The best way to attach the flower is to position it on the lapel in the appropriate position which I believe the centre of the flowers composing the corsage centered on the lapel. Starting with the pin on the outside of the lapel, push the pin through a small portion of the fabric, then push the pin through the back of the stem (about 1/3 from the back), then repeat with the pin going through a small part of the fabric. All in all the pin will have an in, out, through, in and out.
Ladies should fix their corsages in the same way, just above the heart on the left. If the dress is of fine floaty material and the corsage is heavy, it may need to be fixed to the bra strap. Models tape to stick the dress down to the decolletage may also be helpful to get it all sitting in place.
