Although the pandemic managed to disrupt millions of weddings in 2020, things are looking a lot brighter for 2021. Whether you delayed your nuptials last year or you’ve been planning your upcoming wedding for months, you’ll probably want every detail to be nothing short of perfect.
That includes more than just the flowers, the cake, the music, and the venue. The wardrobe of your wedding party will likely matter quite a bit. Even if your tastes are a bit unconventional, most attendees aren’t going to be wearing jeans to your big celebration. And while your guests will be able to choose their garb at their own discretion, the people closest to you will probably be wearing ensembles that are a bit more formal and that fit in with your event’s overall theme.
You may have a solid idea of what your groomsmen and bridesmaids will be wearing when you say “I do,” but what about your parents? Traditionally, the mothers of the bride and groom will wear something slightly conservative or elegant, usually with a longer hemline. But when it comes to dressing the father of the bride or groom, you might not know where to start.
Below, you’ll find a few basic dos and don’ts that can help you choose the right father of the bride suits for your special day. Not only will your dad look sharply dressed, but he’ll fit in perfectly with your overall vision.
Do…
- Match the Suit Style to the Event: The overarching theme of your wedding should be a major consideration when choosing father of the bride suits. Consider how formal your wedding will be, as well as the overall style of your ceremony and reception, when selecting suits for the fathers of the bride and groom. Climate may be a consideration, of course, particularly if your wedding will be outdoors in the summertime or you’re having a destination wedding). But the style of the event needs to translate to the suits worn by those who will appear most prominently in photos and video footage. By referring to the event’s style when making these decisions, you’ll ensure that everything looks cohesive. If most of the wedding party is in light linen and seersucker versus dark suit jackets, use that information to make the right selection for your father of the bride suits.
- Incorporate Personality: Even if your wedding is a formal affair, that doesn’t mean the outfits have to be boring! This is a tremendous opportunity for your loved ones to show off a bit of their personality (without being distracting). If your father or father-in-law is drawn to unique details like suit jacket piping, pocket squares, fun ties, or sophisticated cufflinks, make sure to include some of those selections in your father of the bride suits. As long as they don’t compete with the styles worn by the other groomsmen, the groom, or the bride, they can add something special to photos and help your dad feel like himself on your big day.
Don’t…
- Forget About Fit: Undoubtedly, the fit of any suit is one of the most important factors. Even if a suit is beautifully made and matches your theme perfectly, the wearer won’t look his best if the suit is poorly tailored or if the fit is simply wrong for his frame. When selecting your father of the bride suits, make sure to consult about proper fit. When trying on shirts, remember that the cuffs should be a bit looser than a watch and should fall two centimeters from the wearer’s wristbone. Your menswear provider can be an excellent resource for information pertaining to fit. While there’s nothing wrong with buying off-the-rack, keep in mind that certain suit jackets may be challenging to tailor. Getting a suit custom-made or made-to-measure can be a great way to ensure your father will look polished and put together on your wedding day.
- Feel Limited to Exact Matches: Although creating a cohesive look can make for stunning wedding photos, that doesn’t mean everyone needs to be dressed in the exact same suit. When dressing the father of the bride, you don’t have to limit yourself to the suits worn by the wedding party. Most experts agree that picking a suit that complements the wedding party, rather than one that mimics their outfits, can help dads stand out for all the right reasons. Selecting a suit within the same color scheme but with a twist, like a different type of lapel or a subtle pattern, can be highly effective and can allow your dad to feel special. Even if the father of the bride is also doubling as a groomsman, this can be a great way to go in order to make him a little more distinctive without being distracting.
With these dos and don’ts in mind, you’ll be able to select the finest father of the bride suits for your wedding day. For more information on how we can help make your special day even more breathtaking, please contact Family Britches today.
