Should the Father of the Bride Match the Groomsmen?

Typically, the mother of the bride wears a beautiful dress with the wedding’s theme and colors. But, there is very little talk on what the bride’s father needs to wear on his daughter’s big day. Should the father of the bride match the groomsmen?

In general, the father of the bride and the groomsmen should match a little. They should all wear the same suit or tuxedo. It is typical of fathers to choose to dawn a different colored tie or shirt to match the mother of the bride’s dress or the wedding colors.

If you need some help figuring out how to emphasize the importance of the father of the bride in your wedding, here are some more ideas on how he can dress for the occasion.

What Does the Father of the Bride Wear?

The father of the bride’s attire is not something people typically spend too much time thinking about – everyone is focused on the bride and groom and wedding planning! As the wedding approaches, then they are rushed to figure out what the bride’s father wears.

Typically, the father’s outfit will match along the lines of the groom and groomsmen. The father of the bride should not clash with the wedding party, but it’s okay for dad to stand out a little as well!

The father of the bride does not need to be as “cut and paste” as the groomsmen. Tuxedo and suit, shirt, or tie color should match, but from there, you can do more.

For example, all of the men wearing suits should coordinate by color. That way, everyone looks uniform. But, if you want the bride’s father to stand out a bit more, a great way to set him apart is to wear a different colored shirt or tie to make him a little more unique and memorable.

If dad wants to wear a different colored suit, make sure that it complements the other suit colors that the groom and groomsmen are wearing. The father – or fathers of the bride if she has two dads, should be sure not to clash with the bride attire either, as they will walk together down the aisle.

Generally speaking, the father of the bride should wear the something of the same level of formality as the groomsmen are wearing. Match the formality and the general color scheme when choosing father of the bride attire. If the groomsmen all wear a tuxedo, then dad should wear a tux too. If it’s casual enough to not wear a tie, then the father of the bride can also skip the tie.

Should He Match the Groom or Groomsmen?

The general answer is, yes, matching the father of the bride with the groomsmen is the easiest way to go. As we have mentioned, you do not have to have them completely match. The only thing that matters is that the tuxes or suits are the same.

You should also keep in mind that he may be more comfortable in a different fit than the groomsmen, so be sure to talk to him about his specific needs to make him feel comfortable.

He doesn’t have to be a carbon copy of the grooms party on the wedding day, so long as he is just as formal. Let him mix it up with his favorite bow tie, a different pocket square, or other unique accessories.

Should He Match the Mother of the Bride?

Yes! The bride’s mom and dad should wear outfits that complement one another on the wedding day. That way, they’ll look great in pictures together and in wedding photos with the entire bridal party.

Does the Father of the Bride Wear a Boutonniere?

Customarily, the father of the bride should wear a boutonniere. In fact, all of the males in the bridal party should be wearing one. This includes the:

• Groom
• Groomsmen
• Father of the bride
• Ushers
• Ring bearers
• Father of the groom
• Grandfathers
• Brothers
• Officiant

Boutonnieres vary in price, and if you opt for fresh ones, they will be more expensive. If money is an issue, limit the recipients to just the immediate wedding party, but ensure that the bride’s father gets one. He will be walking her down the aisle, so he must receive a boutonniere.

What about the Father of the Groom?

The father of the groom can follow the same guideline’s as the father of the bride! While the groom’s parents are not as involved in the ceremony itself typically, they may still want to find outfits and a color scheme that fit in.

It’s common for the groom’s father to give a speech at the rehearsal or the wedding itself, so he should be included in outfit planning.

Tips for Choosing Father of the Bride Attire

When you are trying to determine the answer to the question, “what does the bride’s father wear,” there are a few things you can do. To ensure the process is as easy as possible for everyone involved, follow these tips to help you plan out the father of the bride’s attire for the big day.

Make a Plan Early

Do not leave the planning of the father of the bride’s clothing to the last minute. Once you have determined your dress code and colors for the wedding party, sit down with both of your dads to choose their look.

Give them an idea of what you are thinking for their outfits and what you would like them to wear. This way, you can get an idea of what they think while guiding them ahead of time to plan their wedding attire.

Account for the Season

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The season and location are important factors to consider when choosing what to wear for a wedding. In general, tuxedos are best for formal black-tie affairs in any season. However, if the dress code is more semi-formal, a tuxedo is still an appropriate choice, but a suit is another option.

If the wedding is taking place in a cooler time of the year, dark-colored suits and tuxedos are the best way to go. If the wedding is during a hotter month, especially during the day, light-colored suits and tuxedos are better, so that dad does not get too warm.

Include Him in Group Orders

Suit stores will usually offer a discount option when you rent or buy multiple suits for bridal party members. It is a good idea to include the father’s suit in that order to be included in the discount as well. This is a good way to include the bride and groom’s dads in the process without forcing them to pay the full price of a suit. It is also a good way to help the dads pick out their suits with a bit of guidance.

Allow for Personal Style

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The father of the bride does not have to dress like the groomsmen and groom to a tee. A good way to allow him to stand out a bit is with the accessories. He can wear a different tie or bow tie that compliments what everyone is wearing.

He can also coordinate with the mother of the bride and her dress a bit, as her dress is likely already the color of the rest of the bride and groom’s party members. This is a good place to let him choose the things he likes.

When it comes to the belt and shoes, the dad does not necessarily need to match. Most of the time, people are not paying much attention to what is going on with the men’s feet, so this is a good place to consider comfort.

Leave Time for Tailoring

It is important to look cohesive and put together at a wedding party. Ensure that the father of the bride has gone to fittings and his suit has been tailored correctly before purchasing anything. There are a lot of suit stores that measure fit flawlessly. Always allow for the possibility of last-minute adjustments.

Conclusion

So, does the father of the bride match the groomsmen on the wedding day? Yes!

When you follow these tips, you ensure that the bride’s dad is taken care of and will match the rest of the wedding party on his daughter’s big day. Following this guide will guarantee that the father stands out on his own to take part in the wedding.