How to Style the Father of the Bride or Groom

Published on October 14, 2018 | Updated August 8, 2024

Father wearing classic black wedding suit to walk bride down the aisle

Father of the Bride or Groom Wedding Style

As a bride-to-be or groom-to-be, selecting what you will wear, along with the attire for the attendants for your wedding, is certainly one of the highlights of the wedding planning process. But in all of this wardrobe planning, it is important to also remember the fathers of the bride and groom! Wedding day style for dads should not be forgotten.

In addition to likely pitching in with some of the expenses of the big day, dads have some very visible moments in the wedding, including assisting the groom to get ready, walking the bride down the aisle, the father-daughter dance, toasts, and family portraits – which will become some of the most precious and most photographed events of the day, trust us. But what does the father of the bride wear? From suits to tuxedos, father of the bride attire and father of the groom attire can vary depending on the wedding theme, time of year, and similar factors. In this guide, we explore ideas for father of the bride suits and how to ensure everyone looks their best on your wedding day.

Key Takeaways

Father of the bride and groom attire is influenced by the wedding’s theme, dress code, season, and similar factors.
A father of the bride suit should complement the groomsmen while having a distinct look that signifies his special role, such as a different colored tie or pocket square.
There are various wedding dress codes, including black-tie, formal, semi-formal, casual, and beach attire. Depending on the marriers, the father of the bride and groom outfits should fall in line with the chosen dress code.
Summer weddings allow for father of the bride and groom suits in lighter colors like tan or light gray, while winter weddings call for darker, richer colors like navy, charcoal gray, or black.
While the father of the bride and mother of the bride don’t need to match, coordinating their outfits can create a cohesive and sophisticated appearance.

Getting ready in father of the groom tuxedo as a black tie wedding outfit for parents

What Does the Father of the Bride or Groom Wear?

Everything is planned to the tiniest detail at a wedding. The attire is one of the major things to consider when preparing for the big day, whether you plan on formal wedding attire or something more casual like beach wedding attire. It’s important to understand the nuances between formal vs. black-tie attire and what you expect each member of the wedding party to wear.

So, what does the father of the bride or groom wear? Traditionally, the father’s outfit will align with the overall dress code and style of the wedding, creating a cohesive appearance alongside the groom and groomsmen. Let’s take a closer look at the three areas to consider when shopping for the father of the groom or bride.

1. Suiting

It is most common that the dads will wear suiting that is similar in color and formality to the groom and/or the groomsmen, but certainly not a rule. If the groom is wearing a suit, it would appropriate for the fathers of the bride and groom to also wear suits. Similarly, if the groom is wearing a tuxedo it would be appropriate for the dads to also wear tuxedos. The level of formality of the event is usually dictated by the wedding venue, theme, and time of day that the ceremony will take place.

From there, the couple’s attire will usually set the level of formality for the wedding party attire. In some occasions, the couple will decide that they want to be more formal than wedding party and the groom will wear a men’s tuxedo while the groomsmen will wear men’s suits. In this instance, dads can either wear tuxedos to be in line with the groom or suits to complement the groomsmen.

Color is also important when it comes to a father of the bride suit, as it allows the dads’ attire align with or distinguish from the groom and groomsmen look. To create uniformity between the fathers and groomsmen, style them in the same color suit or tuxedo as the groomsmen. This will make it easy for coordinating suiting purchases and in the wedding photography the groom will clearly distinguish himself as the man of the hour in a different suit color than the groomsmen and fathers.

Alternatively, the fathers can be styled in a color just their own, different from the groom or groomsmen. This is particularly common when the wedding suit color selected for the groom, groomsmen, or bridesmen is a bright, trendy shade like a bright blue or light gray. Oftentimes, fathers don’t feel comfortable in these bold colors and prefer to wear darker shades like navy and charcoal gray. Not only will the fathers of the bride or groom be more comfortable in a muted, complimentary tone but this will also create a cohesive look for your wedding photos. Need more help picking out the right suit or tuxedo for the fathers of the groom or bride? Consult our Fit Guide for expert advice.

2. Accessories

If you want to keep suiting uniform between the groom, groomsmen, bridesmen, and fathers, consider distinguishing the dads’ looks with unique wedding accessory choices. A simple change in neck-tie or boutonniere is a great way to distinguish the fathers of the bride or groom from the other gents. A common accessory for fathers, in particular the father of the bride, is a neutral color neck-tie (i.e. white, ivory, silver) that complements the bride’s gown, and dads can play around with different types of tie knots to find one that reflects their personality. Finally, a change in boutonniere style, flower type, or color is creative way to make dad standout without switching up the entire look.

3. Fit

Outside of determining tuxedo vs. suit, the color of either, and the accessory choices, it is also important that you ensure that your dad has a great fit for his suiting. Fit is key for men’s suiting! Being in a great fitting suit alone will make your dad standout in a crowd. Sometimes older gentlemen prefer a more generous fit than some of the more contemporary slim fit suiting but even with that, it is important to nail a great fit. Key issues to avoid are suit jackets that are too long in the sleeves and pants that have extra fabric collecting around the ankles. Encourage dad to take his wedding suit or tuxedo to a local tailor to ensure a great fit! Read our Guide to a Great Fitting Suit and utilize our intuitive Fit Finder for more help.

Groom and father of the groom in black wedding suits with different ties

Father of the bride and mother of the bride in matching hunter green wedding suits

Tips for Choosing a Father of the Bride Suit

Choosing the perfect bride’s dad suit will help him feel confident and comfortable on the big day. The ideal father of the bride suit should not only reflect the wedding’s dress code but also complement the overall theme and color scheme. Here are some helpful tips for picking out the right suit:

Understand the dress code

The first step is understanding the wedding dress code. This will help you select a suit that fits, whether it falls under formal or semi-formal attire or on the more casual side. Here’s what to look for depending on the dress code:

Black-tie attire: The father of the bride should don a classic black tuxedo for a black-tie affair.
Formal attire: This dress code allows for a bit more flexibility while maintaining an upscale appearance. Wear a tuxedo or a dark suit, such as navy or charcoal paired with a white dress shirt and tie.
Semi-formal attire: The perfect balance between elegance and comfort. A dark suit or neutral color suit is appropriate for a semi-formal wedding. Similar to men’s cocktail attire, play with dress shirt and tie colors that still coordinate with the wedding’s color palette.
Casual attire: The father of the bride or groom can opt for a more relaxed look at casual weddings, such as a blazer with dress pants or chinos.
Beach attire: Beach weddings call for light and breathable fabrics, such as linen suits in tan, beige, or light gray.

Complement the groom and groomsmen

The father of the groom or bride should wear an outfit that complements the groom and groomsmen’s attire while having distinct features to stand out. Consider a different-colored tie, boutonniere, or bow tie to set the father apart from the groomsmen. For example, if the groomsmen are in navy suits with gray ties, the father of the bride could wear a navy suit with a light blue tie.

Consider the season

The season plays a significant role in choosing the right suit. Summer weddings allow for lighter-colored suits like tan or light gray, while winter weddings are more suited to darker hues like navy or charcoal gray. Regardless of the season, ensure the father’s suite adheres to the overall dress code and wedding theme.

Simple dark royal blue father of the bride or groom suit with gray suit accessories

FAQs: Father of the Bride and Groom Attire

Typically, no, the father of the bride or groom does not typically wear the same suit as the groomsmen. While they often wear similar suits to create a unified look, the father of the bride’s suit can stand out slightly to honor his special role. For an especially cohesive group, you can absolutely choose to have fathers wear the same groomsman suit as the rest of your wedding party. Just know that, just like mother of the bride or groom dresses, exact matching is not necessary, and it's traditional to have some difference between attire of the party and the parents while still staying within the same color scheme.

It’s not necessary for the father of the bride and the father of the groom to match each other exactly. However, coordination creates an elegant and unified look between both families. Their suits should complement each other while still allowing for individual styles. Both fathers might wear suits in similar shades but differentiate with unique ties, pocket squares, or boutonnieres.

Coordination throughout the entire wedding party creates cohesion and exudes elegance. While it’s not required for the father and mother of the bride to match, it adds a sophisticated touch to the overall feel of the wedding. Coordinate the father’s tie color with the color of the mother’s dress or choose a boutonniere and corsage that match. Similarly, the mother of the groom outfit can coordinate with the father of the groom outfit.

There are so many different color options for men’s suits and tuxedos. Here are some recommendations on styling different suit colors for the men’s wedding guest attire:

Black suits: A timeless choice that exudes elegance and sophistication. Ideal for formal or upscale weddings.
Navy suits: Versatile and stylish option suitable for both formal and semi-formal weddings. Great for evening or winter weddings.
Dark green suits: Offer a unique and modern twist, perfect for autumn or winter weddings. Works well in rustic or woodland-themed weddings.
Burgundy suits: Bold and sophisticated style for making a statement. Fitting for a fall or winter wedding with a rich, warm color palette.
Tan suits: Light and breezy color option that exudes a relaxed yet refined vibe. Perfect for summer and beach weddings.
Light gray suits: Chic and subtle, creating a softer look compared to dark suits. Suitable for spring and summer weddings.
Charcoal gray suits: Another classic and sophisticated choice versatile enough to be worn in any season.

Achieving the Perfect Father of the Bride or Groom Look

Selecting the right suit for the father of the bride or groom is crucial for making for special day complete. Remember to stick to the dress code to ensure his suit fits the wedding’s formaily, whether it be black-tie, formal, semi-formal, casual, or beach attire.

Make the wedding planning easier by choosing SuitShop as your trusted partner. You’ll find premium suits and more, including suit options that are perfect for business casual or business professional settings. SuitShop ensures that every father can find the perfect suit for their child’s wedding, helping them feel confident and prepared for this milestone event. Explore father of the bride gifts to express your appreciation for the integral role your father has played in your life and preparing you for this moment.

Courtney Baldwin

Courtney Arrington-Baldwin is the co-author of GROOMS: A Professional Stylist’s Guide to Wedding Planning for Every Budget. She has a seasoned background i...