What Should Parents Wear To Your Wedding? 

When you’re planning a wedding, most of the focus is - naturally - going to be on what you and your partner wear, but don’t forget there are other people involved too, including bridesmaids and groomsmen and, of course, the parents. They’ll need to wear something that works in the photos and that’s appropriate, and if you don’t help them, you just don’t know what you’re going to get, so keep reading to find out more about what parents should wear to your wedding. 

What’s The Style Of The Wedding? 

The first thing to think about is the overall feel of your wedding because something quite formal is going to call for something very different to a relaxed countryside ceremony or a daytime celebration. And the best thing is that parents don’t need to exactly match, but they do need to fit in, especially when it comes to the level of formality. 

Co-Ordinate, Don’t Match

Parents don’t need to dress identically or completely mirror the wedding party, but it does help if the colours and styles don’t clash, so some sort of co-ordination is worth considering. Things to think about include complementary tones, the style, and even fabrics that just look good in photographs. 

Why is that important? If you can do it, it means no one’s going to stand out for the wrong reasons, and that’s crucial in wedding photos that are going to be on display and looked at for years. 

Comfort Is Crucial

Weddings are long days. They’re really long days. And there’s a lot of standing, walking, sitting, and usually a lot of emotion involved as well, which means parents have to feel comfortable enough to enjoy the day without always adjusting their clothing and feeling self-conscious. 

That means well-fitting outfits, breathable fabrics, and shoes that aren’t going to cause problems halfway through the reception. 

Formal Options For Fathers And Father Figures 

For more formal weddings, a tailored suit or tuxedo is often a safe choice. Classic cuts tend to age well in photos, and they’re appropriate for a wedding without taking attention away from the couple, so that’s a lot of boxes ticked. 

Choosing something like tuxedos from Aristocracy London means fathers and father figures can have a refined and timeless option that feels special for the occasion and blends in perfectly. 

Elegant Choices For Mothers And Mother Figures 

Mothers tend to have a bit more choice and flexibility, but the same principles are going to apply - the outfit should be special, but not over the top, so things like structured dresses, tailored separates, or elegant gowns usually work well, depending on the setting. 

It’s also worth thinking about how an outfit moves and feels over a full day - the better it feels, the more comfortable, confident, and happy the wearer is going to be. 

Avoid Last-Minute Decisions 

One of the biggest mistakes is leaving parent outfits until the final weeks because that’s just going to lead to rushed choices or outfits that don’t quite feel right. If possible, encourage your parents to plan early, so they’ve got time to find something, get it tailored, and make adjustments in time for the big day.