Quick Answer
What is the corte da gravata tradition?
Corte da gravata ("tie cutting") is a lighthearted Portuguese reception custom where the groom's necktie is cut into small pieces mid-party and "sold" or auctioned off to guests, with the money collected going toward the couple's honeymoon fund. The same basic custom, under similar names, is also common at Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian weddings — Portugal shares it rather than being its sole origin.
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Last updated:
What is the corte da gravata tradition?
Also called: tie-cutting tradition, leilão da gravata.
Corte da gravata turns one small, disposable piece of the groom's outfit into an impromptu fundraiser — his tie gets snipped into strips partway through the reception and auctioned off, piece by piece, to a crowd that's usually a few drinks in and happy to overpay for a scrap of silk. It's shared across several Latin-European wedding traditions, but remains a popular, expected moment at many Portuguese receptions.
How it works
- •Partway through the reception — often right after dinner, before dancing ramps up — the best man or MC cuts the groom's tie into small strips.
- •The pieces are then sold or auctioned to guests, sometimes framed as a raffle, with guests bidding or paying small amounts for a piece.
- •Money collected is typically earmarked for the couple's honeymoon, and the total is often announced to the room as part of the fun.
- •The same custom, under different local names, is well documented at Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian weddings — it isn't exclusive to Portugal.
Planning notes
- •Have the groom wear an inexpensive backup tie for this moment — the good one worn for ceremony photos shouldn't be the one that gets cut up.
- •Decide in advance who runs it — usually the best man or the wedding MC — so it doesn't stall mid-reception waiting for a volunteer.
- •Slot it right after dinner and before the dancing picks up, when guests are relaxed but the room still has everyone's attention.
- •Give the photographer a heads-up so the auction moment — often one of the livelier, funnier parts of the night — gets captured.
Line up every reception moment in advance
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Does the groom wear his good tie for this?
Usually not — most grooms bring a cheap second tie specifically to be cut up, so the tie worn for the ceremony and photos stays intact.
Is corte da gravata a uniquely Portuguese tradition?
No — a very similar tie-cutting custom is well documented at Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian weddings. Portugal shares the tradition and gives it its own name rather than being its sole origin.
Who typically runs the tie-cutting and auction?
Most often the best man or the wedding MC, who cuts the tie into pieces and leads the sale or auction as a mid-reception activity.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated