Dressing the Father of the Bride

Although the main focus of the wedding day apparel is obviously the bride’s dress and the bridal party's attire followed by the mother of the bride, it's a wise idea to consider the father of the bride as well. If you are unsure as to what the father of the bride should wear, start by speaking to your wedding dress designers. Even though they are mainly concerned with the immediate bridal party, they will still have some strong ideas and tips for the parents as well. One of the common misconceptions is that it doesn’t really matter what the dear old dad wears, but this is, indeed, a fallacy since the father of the bride is in most of the photos and has the important job of escorting his daughter down the aisle.

Time of day

One of the major considerations for dressing the father of the bride is the time of day the wedding will be held. As any wedding dress designers will tell you, if the ceremony is before six in the evening, the father can wear the full kit, from top hat and tails to the high-end of formal morning wear, or, if that's too formal, a nice suit in grey or blue works too. If the event is to be held in the evening and calls for greater formality, by all means go to town in full white tie wear. This can include a full formal tux, cuff links, waistcoat, and all the trimmings. If that feels too over the top for the man in question, a high-quality woollen suit will do the job just as well. Do, however, keep in mind that if the wedding is abroad, on a beach or similar surroundings, the garb must be appropriate - a linen suit is fine for a ceremony on the beach in Spain, but not for one in St. Paul’s Cathedral!

Details, details

While many of the male members of the bridal party will be dressed in similar or matching "suited and booted" attire, wedding dress designers will tell you that one way for the father of the bride to really up his game and stand out is to pay close attention to the details of his outfit. From the elegance of the cufflinks to the way that his cravat or bow-tie corresponds to the colours of the mother of the bride and the party as a whole, to the polish on his shoes – the devil is most definitely in the details. In addition, be sure dad's shoes are comfortable enough to sustain him for long periods of time. Though he probably won’t be wearing heels (we're guessing!), it is still a smart idea to make sure his footwear is well broken-in.

Looking for couture wedding gowns? Tatiana Porembova is one of London's leading wedding dress designers and her work spans a range of styles and influences. Based in Richmond, she creates beautiful bespoke bridal gowns and bridesmaids outfits to provide the perfect garments for the perfect day.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.