All right, so are you ready to tackle a question
that I know a lot of people out there are wondering about?
Absolutely.
What should the fathers of the bride and groom
wear to the wedding?
Oh, it's such a big question.
It is a big question.
And luckily for all of us,
we have this blog post by a really experienced
bridal store owner.
Someone who's seen it all.
Yeah, she's probably seen it all
and she's giving us some really good advice here.
For sure.
To help kind of make this process a little bit easier.
So one of the stats that really stood out to me
from this blog post was that 80% of fathers
actually prefer to wear something different
than the groomsmen.
That's fascinating, isn't it?
It is fascinating.
I wouldn't have guessed that.
Yeah, me neither.
I would have thought that most dads wanna kind of blend in
and just look uniform with everyone else.
But apparently that's not the case.
Maybe they wanna stand out a little.
Yeah, maybe it's a little bit of a power move,
a little bit of, you know.
Like, hey, I'm the dad.
And it appears.
That's important.
Exactly.
I'm not just blending into the background.
Exactly, and I thought it was interesting
what you were saying before we started recording
about how this kind of reflects
like a broader societal trend.
Oh yeah, I think so.
With how fathers are viewed at weddings.
Absolutely.
So do you wanna elaborate on that a little bit?
Well, you know, for a long time,
the father of the bride or groom,
their role was mostly seen as the check writer.
Right, yeah.
But now it's so much more than that.
Fathers are so much more involved
in the wedding planning process.
And they're really emotional support system for the couple
that they're involved in all the pre-wedding festivities.
So I think maybe their attire
is like a way of expressing this evolution.
Like a subtle way of saying, hey, I'm not just the bank.
I'm a vital part of this celebration.
Right, I'm here and I'm a person too.
Exactly.
Okay, so that's really interesting
and it makes a lot of sense.
But here's where I got a little bit tripped up
in the blog post.
Okay.
Because they talk about how dads wanna stand out.
But then they recommend that the couple
actually choose the father's attire.
Oh, that's interesting.
I know.
It seems counterintuitive.
It does seem a little bit contradictory, right?
Like shouldn't the dads have a say
in how they look on such an important day?
Well, I think it's all about finding a compromise.
Okay.
So you have to think about the couple's vision
for the wedding aesthetic.
Yeah.
And then you have the dads who
might be feeling a little bit anxious
about making the wrong fashion choices.
Right, they don't wanna stand out in a bad way.
Exactly, they don't wanna be the one
that clashes with everyone else.
Right.
So I think by having the couple
kind of gently steer the ship,
you take some of that pressure off the dads,
but you still allow for some individual expression.
So it's more of a collaboration than like a dictatorship.
Exactly, it's not like the couple handing down a decree.
Okay.
It should feel like a conversation,
a dialogue where everyone feels heard and respected.
I like that.
It's a collaborative process.
It's exactly.
All right, so let's dive into some of the specifics
because the blog post does give
some really helpful recommendations
about what dads can actually wear.
Right.
So what are they suggesting?
Well, they start with the classic black tuxedo.
You know, the safe bet.
Yeah, the tried and true.
The tried and true, it's timeless.
You know, it makes most men feel confident.
Yeah, you can't go wrong with a classic tux.
Exactly, but you know,
it might not be right for every wedding.
Right.
Like if the couple's going for a more,
you know, laid back beachy vibe.
Yeah.
A black tux might feel a little out of place.
Yeah, that's a good point.
So the blog post suggests for those less formal settings,
maybe explore options like gray or navy suits.
Okay, so still polished, but a little bit more versatile.
Exactly.
Okay, now here's my question.
Yeah.
Gray and navy have been really trendy colors
for groomsmen lately.
Yeah, for sure.
So how can dads embrace these colors
without looking like they're trying to blend in
with the groomsmen?
Right.
You know?
Yeah, that's a good question.
They don't want to be mistaken for one of the guys.
Exactly.
Right.
So I think the key is to play with different shades
within those color families.
Okay.
So for example, if the groomsmen are wearing a light gray,
Yeah.
the dads could opt for a charcoal or a slate gray.
Oh, I see.
Something a little bit darker.
So it's still coordinated, but not matching the tinge.
Exactly.
It's about finding those subtle distinctions.
Okay.
And the same principle applies to navy.
You know, you have all spectrum to work with
from a deep indigo to a brighter royal blue.
Yeah.
It's about finding that shade
that compliments the overall wedding palette,
but still allows the dads to stand out as distinct figures.
Yeah, so they're not just another groomsmen.
Exactly.
Okay, I like that.
And the blog post also mentions dads coordinating
with their partners.
Oh yeah, like matching ties or bow ties
to their partner's dress.
Yes.
Is that a cute touch or is it a bit too cheesy?
I think it can be really charming if it's done tastefully.
Okay.
But it really depends on the vibe of the wedding
and the personalities involved, you know?
Right.
You wouldn't want it to be too over the top.
Exactly.
You don't want to force it.
Yeah.
Maybe a more subtle nod to their partner's outfit
through a pocket square or a boutonniere
would be more elegant.
Right, like a little touch.
Yeah.
Okay, now here's a question
that I know a lot of couples grapple with.
Okay.
Should both fathers match?
Oh, good question.
The blog's stance is that they don't have to.
Okay.
Which makes sense, right?
Like we're moving away
from those really rigid wedding rules.
Right.
And embracing more individuality.
Absolutely.
But how much difference is too much difference?
Yeah, that's a great question.
Could mismatched dads create like a visual imbalance
or, you know, take away from the overall aesthetic?
That's something we should definitely delve into further.
Yeah, what are the potential pitfalls?
Yeah, and how can we avoid those fashion faux pas?
Okay, so let's shift gears
and tackle that tricky question of mismatched dads.
Let's do it.
Okay, so mismatched dads.
Mismatched dads, yeah.
We want to encourage individuality.
Right.
But we don't want to create like a visual clash.
A fashion faux pas.
Exactly.
Yes, we don't want that.
So how do we strike that balance?
Well, I think it goes back
to what we were talking about before.
Okay.
Communication is key.
So the couple should talk to the dads.
Yeah, exactly.
About what they're thinking about wearing.
Yeah, and I think the first thing
is to kind of gauge each dad's comfort level with fashion.
Okay.
Some dads might be like, you know,
I'm ready to make a statement.
Yeah.
And others might be more like, you know,
just tell me what to wear.
Right.
I don't want to think about it.
Yeah.
So the couple can kind of use that information
to, you know, gently guide them.
Okay, so if one dad wants to be really bold.
Yeah.
The other dad maybe can tone it down a little bit.
Exactly.
Or maybe they can find a way to tie their looks together.
Okay.
Like even if they're wearing different colors.
Yeah.
Maybe one dad has a pocket square
that picks up a color from the other dad's tie.
Oh, that's a good idea.
Something subtle like that.
Little touches.
Yeah, little details.
And I'm thinking a good tailor
could be really helpful in this process.
Oh, absolutely.
A professional can make a world of difference.
Yeah.
They can help with the fit.
They can suggest accessories.
Make sure everything looks polished.
Exactly.
And appropriate.
Yeah.
Okay, so we've talked about the aesthetics.
Right.
And personal preferences, communication.
But there's another factor that I think is super important
and it's not something that the blog post
really addresses.
Okay.
Comfort.
Comfort, yes.
Because what good is a stylish outfit
if you're miserable wearing it?
Exactly.
You want the dads to be able to enjoy the day.
Yeah, they're gonna be standing for a long time.
Yeah, they'll be dancing.
Yeah, they don't wanna be tugging at their clothes
the whole time.
Exactly.
So I think comfort should be a top priority.
So let's talk about specifics.
Okay.
Fabrics.
Yeah.
What are some good options for dads who wanna look sharp?
Right.
But also be comfortable?
Well, I think lightweight, breathable fabrics are key.
Okay.
Especially for outdoor weddings.
Yeah.
Or if it's a hot day.
So things like linen.
Yeah, linen's great.
Cotton blends.
Uh-huh.
Maybe even some of those performance fabrics.
Oh yeah, those are fantastic.
And that wick away moisture.
Exactly, you don't want the dads
to be sweating through their suits.
No, nobody wants that.
And then shoes.
Shoes.
Comfort is so important.
Yeah, they're gonna be on their feet all day.
All day long.
So ditch the stiff, uncomfortable dress shoes.
Yes, please.
What do you recommend instead?
A stylish loafer.
Okay.
Maybe a dress shoe with a cushioned insole.
Yeah, something that looks good, but also feels good.
Exactly.
You don't have to sacrifice style for comfort.
And don't forget about the accessories.
Oh yeah, accessories can make a big difference.
Like a good belt.
Yeah, a belt can provide support.
And a pocket square.
Add a little personality.
Without being too bulky.
Exactly.
And one thing that people often overlook.
Yeah.
Undergarments.
Oh, the undergarments, very important.
Because if you're not comfortable underneath.
Right.
You're not gonna be comfortable on the outside.
It all starts with the base layer.
Okay, so moisture wicking undershirts.
Yes.
Breathable socks.
Absolutely.
These are all important.
They are.
So to sew it all up.
Yes.
We want the dads to be stylish.
We want them to feel like individuals.
Yeah.
We also want them to be comfortable.
Comfort is key.
Because a well-dressed dad is a happy dad.
Absolutely.
And a happy dad is a dad who can really enjoy
his child's wedding day.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Okay, so before we wrap up this deep dive.
Okay.
I wanna leave you with one final
thought-provoking question.
I love a good thought-provoking question.
So we've talked about how dads can look good.
Right.
But how can we ensure that they feel fantastic too?
We've talked about how dads can look good.
Right.
And ensure that they feel fantastic too.
Oh, that's such a good point.
You know. Yeah.
We can't forget about the emotional side of things.
Right, it's their kid getting married.
Exactly, it's a huge day for them.
Yeah.
So we wanna make sure that they feel confident and proud.
Yeah, and comfortable in their own skin.
Exactly.
So I think for some dads,
feeling their best might mean incorporating
like a personal touch into their outfit.
Oh, I love that idea.
Like maybe a vintage tie that belonged to their own father.
Oh.
Or a pocket watch that's been passed down
through generations.
That's so special.
Yeah, it's like a little nod to family history.
Yeah, it's a beautiful way to honor the past
while celebrating the future.
Exactly.
And for other dads,
it might be about showcasing their personality.
Okay.
Like maybe they have a favorite color.
Yeah.
Or they wanna wear a fun tie.
Right.
You know, something that reflects their unique style.
So it's about creating a space
where dads feel free to express themselves.
Absolutely.
And not just conform to like,
you know, these rigid expectations
of what a father of the bride or groom should wear.
Exactly.
And when dads feel good about themselves, it shows.
Oh yeah, absolutely.
They're more relaxed, they're more engaged.
Yeah.
And that positive energy
really just enhances the whole celebration.
Totally.
It's contagious.
Okay, so to our listeners out there
who are planning a wedding,
whether you're the couple,
or a family member, or a friend,
just remember that the dads deserve
just as much attention and care
when it comes to their attire.
Absolutely.
As anyone else in the wedding party.
They're a vital part of the day.
Yeah, their role is so important.
It really is.
And we wanna make sure
that they feel comfortable and confident.
Exactly.
It's all about finding that sweet spot
where everyone's happy.
Right.
The couple's vision is honored,
the dads feel good.
Everyone wins.
And the day is perfect.
Okay, and on that note,
we're gonna leave you with one final thought to ponder.
Okay, hit me.
We talked about how dads can honor family history
through their attire.
Right.
But what about starting new traditions?
Oh, I like that.
What if you chose a specific accessory
or a detail that could be passed down
to future generations of fathers in your family?
I love that.
So maybe it's a special tie clip,
or a certain type of shoe,
something that becomes a symbol of
the father of the bride or groom in your family.
That's like a legacy.
Yeah.
Something to think about.
Definitely.
As you embark on this exciting journey of wedding planning.
It's a beautiful thing.
Okay, well thanks for joining us for this deep dive.
It's been a pleasure.
Until next time.