Father of the bride/groom

[rockzilla]

Do the fathers wear tuxes? If so, are they matching the bridal party?

FFIL was asking this weekend...

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Good question since my father insists upon wearing a tux! If it''s not proper for him to do so I should let him know now that he will need to go with a suit.

 

[cammy85]

Date: 11/4/2008 2:04:23 PM
Author:rockzilla
Do the fathers wear tuxes? If so, are they matching the bridal party?

FFIL was asking this weekend...

I''m trying to figure out the same thing here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tuxedo-vest-colors.99110/

Right now, we are having the dad''s in tuxes. Typically the father of the bride is if he is actively involved in the ceremony (walking her down the aisle, giving her away..), the father of the groom wouldn''t necessarily have to wear one, just an outfit matching the formailty of the wedding. For me I think it would look funny to have one dad in a tux and the other not (it seems like the one is more important than the other, warranting the ''fancier'' clothing... IMHO). As for matching, we have two options right now. The groom in silver, the groomsmen''s vests matching the bridesmaids and the dad''s vests in black/charcoal. The other option is the groom in silver and everyone else in black/charcoal. I''ve also had a suggestion for a black vest and a tie that matches the dresses.

there are all sorts of options, and it''s up to what you like best in the end!

 

[Elmorton]

My dad and I fought on this soooo much. He said over and over again that he felt he should be able to wear whatever he wanted. Since it was outdoor and very hot, the groomsmen were wearing tuxes sans jacket (full-back vests), and I certainly didn't want him to match that. Dad ended up wearing a tux sans vest/cummerbund and a tie that coordinated not with the groomsmen but with my mom (who wore silver and pink..dad's tie was silver). In the end, I think I probably would have been fine just letting him wear whatever suit he wanted, but he was being such a pain that I had no idea what he'd show up in. ETA: DH's dad did not wear a tux but did wear a suit, I think, but it was so hot that he ditched the jacket, too.

 

[kittybean]

"Traditionally, the father of the bride walks down the aisle wearing the same ensemble as the groom and his groomsmen. Times have changed, however, and he no longer has to look like a carbon copy of the other men. As long as the bride''s father dresses in the same degree of formality as the rest of the guys, he can go his own way." - from etiquette Q & A at Brides.com

For the groom''s father, I think it looks best to have him dressed in the same degree of formality as the father of the bride. If the FOB is wearing a tuxedo, have the FOG wear a tuxedo. It also helps to distinguish him as a "VIP." It is also appropriate for grandfathers and brothers not in the wedding party to wear tuxedos as well, if they so choose. (Obviously, if the wedding party is in more casual attire, no one should be wearing a tuxedo!)

At my wedding, my father, FI''s father, and my little brother will all be wearing tuxedos to match the groomsmen. They will all be traditional black tuxedos, with black bow ties, and either black vests or cummerbunds (FI will make that choice).

 

[krispi]

I agree that the fathers should coordinate with the wedding party, if not match exactly.

Here''s a related topic that my florist taught me: The guys'' boutenniers should match the boquets of their escorts. So, the groomsmens'' flowers should match the bridesmaids''. But the groom''s and the father of the bride''s flowers should match the bride''s, since they are both escorting her. I thought that was neat - and it does make a difference when the bride decides to do a different color bouquet than the maids.

 

[rockzilla]

Makes sense. Well, the FOG''s son (FI''s brother) is the best man, so I figure they can just go and get the tuxes together

 

[neatfreak]

I think just letting him wear what he wants is the easiest solution. I''ve never really noticed at any wedding who matches who.

 

[buttercup80]

My dad and DH''s dad wore tuxes that coordinated with, but didn''t exactly match the bridal party. . . I was worried what they would show up in otherwise!

 

[LauraSLP07]

Date: 11/4/2008 2:18:16 PM
Author: cammy85

I''m trying to figure out the same thing here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tuxedo-vest-colors.99110/

Right now, we are having the dad''s in tuxes. Typically the father of the bride is if he is actively involved in the ceremony (walking her down the aisle, giving her away..), the father of the groom wouldn''t necessarily have to wear one, just an outfit matching the formailty of the wedding. For me I think it would look funny to have one dad in a tux and the other not (it seems like the one is more important than the other, warranting the ''fancier'' clothing... IMHO). As for matching, we have two options right now. The groom in silver, the groomsmen''s vests matching the bridesmaids and the dad''s vests in black/charcoal. The other option is the groom in silver and everyone else in black/charcoal. I''ve also had a suggestion for a black vest and a tie that matches the dresses.

there are all sorts of options, and it''s up to what you like best in the end!

My dad is pretty formal, so he insisted on having a basic black tux. It ended up working out well! I wanted DH to have a white vest and tie to match my gown and the Best Man and GM had vests and ties that matched the BM dresses.

Here is a photo of the guys without their jackets to give you a better idea:

Best Man on the left, DH in the middle (so handsome), and FIL on the right

 

[cammy85]

That''s perfect. Thank you soo much for showing that picture, I think that really helps me put it together. I talked to my fiancee last night and he really wants to be in silver, the gm matching the bridesmaids and the dads in black. So knowing now that it looks good, I''m more than content to do that!

 

[LauraSLP07]

cammy - I''m glad the picture helped!

I don''t know about you, but I am a very visual person, so anytime a picture can be incorporated, I am all for it!!

 

[Nocturnius]

I think it depends on your wedding specifically.

Our rule was this: if they aren't in the ceremony, they don't need a tux.

My dad wore a tux because he was walking me down the aisle. My father-in-law did not wear a tux because he was sitting with the other guests the entire time and would have looked ridiculous as the only person sitting in a tuxedo.

If the groom's father is in the wedding party, then yes, he should have a tux (if the rest of the party does.) But the groom's father doesn't do any aisle-walking or special reception dances in most weddings, so he doesn't REQUIRE on in my opinion.

As for matching, my dad wore the same style tux and all of the men (groom, groomsmen and dad) wore black ties. However, hubby had a white vest, groomsmen had red and dad had black to distinguish between them. Their boutonnieres all matched accordingly as well: groom's boutonniere matched my bouquet, groomsmen's boutonnieres matched bridesmaid's bouquets, and my dad's boutonniere matched my mother's corsage.

http://tinyurl.com/5aguu8
The groom and his men, showing the colors of their vests.

http://tinyurl.com/6hc7oy
And that's my dad and groom, showing the different vests.

 

[Haven]

Our fathers wore the same morning suits as the groomsmen, but they stood up with us during the entire ceremony so they were "in" the wedding.

I love a man in a tux, though, they always look so sharp!