The father of the bride plays an important role in the wedding ceremony, traditionally walking the bride down the aisle and delivering a meaningful speech. Given his prominent presence on the wedding day, it is essential that he is exceptionally dressed for the occasion.
The expert tailors at Phillip Alexanders have crafted the ultimate guide to help you understand what the father of the bride should wear, how to wear it, and how he fits into the overall appearance of the wedding party. Let’s get into it…
What does the father of the bride wear?
It is expected that many guests will interact with and watch the father of the bride throughout the wedding ceremony and reception, so it’s essential that his choice of suit and accessories is appropriate and neatly fits him.
Care should be taken to ensure that his style and cut of suit match the wedding’s level of formality. For example, if the wedding is a black tie event, he should wear a tuxedo to align with the day’s dress code. The bride’s father should also ensure his accessories match the wedding’s colour scheme so that his outfit complements the aesthetic.
Does the father of the bride match the groomsmen?
The father of the bride’s suit should be coordinated with the groom and the groomsmen, but only to an extent. The wedding party should assume a cohesive appearance, but the father of the bride should not be dressed identically to the rest of the wedding party.
He could wear a suit with a slightly different cut or style to match his body type and ensure he feels comfortable on the big day. Another example is if the groomsmen are wearing matching light blue suits, the father of the bride might opt for a slightly darker shade of blue or accessorise with a different coloured tie or vest.
Should the father of the bride and father of the groom match?
Although the father of the bride and the father of the groom should coordinate their outfits, they shouldn’t necessarily match. Both fathers’ should ensure their suits match the overall dress code of the wedding, but each should have their own slightly unique look. This could be as subtle as having slightly different coloured suits or one wearing a vest and one not.
Our top tips for choosing the right father of the bride outfit
Match the wedding’s formality and colour scheme
Regardless of personal taste, the father of the bride’s suit must mirror the wedding’s colour scheme and formality. His suit also should complement the bride’s dress, not overpower it, as he will be walking down the aisle alongside her.
Wear accessories
The simplest way for the father of the bride to stand out from the groomsmen and personalise his outfit is through accessories. Whether that’s a boutonniere, a pocket square or a colourful tie, choosing the right accessories can make a huge difference to his outfit.
The father of the bride should be given some freedom to choose his own accessories and personalise his suit, as long as it aligns with the wedding theme. For instance, if he favours a three-piece suit, he may opt to wear a matching vest, even if the rest of the wedding party is dressed in two-piece suits. This permits some characterisation and uniqueness for his outfit.
Focus on fit
It’s imperative that the father of the bride wears a suit that flatters his body shape and fits him perfectly. The best way to ensure a polished look at the wedding is to purchase a tailored suit that’s crafted to your exact measurements.
How Phillip Alexander Can Help
Choosing a well-made tailored suit for the father of the bride is the most reliable way to ensure that he looks his absolute best at the wedding. For such a busy, special day and to be surrounded by the camera, it’s key for the father of the bride to be dressed in a suit expertly crafted to his measurements.
Philip Alexander Bespoke Tailors have been crafting beautiful bespoke suits since 1876. Based in Savile Row in London and Cheshire, you can rely on our years of experience to help you find the perfect wedding suits for all members of the wedding party.
We offer various tailoring services, including bespoke suits, semi-bespoke ‘made to measure’ suits, and tailored suit hire.
Bespoke suits
Our bespoke suit service is a once-in-a-lifetime experience resulting in a unique suit handcrafted by our master tailor. With over a century of experience, bespoke wedding suits are our speciality. Our bespoke tailored wedding suits are the best a man can buy and are the perfect choice to help the bride’s father look his absolute best.
Made to measure suits
Our made to measure suits are made using a mixture of handcraft and machine work to produce a quality tailored suit at a more affordable price and in a shorter turnaround than our bespoke suits. Our made to measure wedding suits can be ready in less than two months, so they’re the perfect solution if you need a beautiful tailored suit for an upcoming wedding.
Luxury tailored suit hire
If you’re not ready to invest in a tailored suit of your own, our luxury tailored wedding suit hire might be the best choice. Phillip Alexanders offers several fitting sessions to ensure your hire suit fits you perfectly on the big day!
Get in contact with us today to find out more about our range of luxury tailored suits, or get started on your suit journey with a consultation with one of our expert tailors.