Okay, folks, let’s talk about something that stressed me out a bit recently – my son’s wedding! Not the wedding itself, that was beautiful. But figuring out what I, as the father of the groom, should wear? That was a whole other story.
So, my son announced his engagement. Great news, right? We were all thrilled. But then came the planning, and along with the venue and the caterers, came the question of attire. I started simple. I googled “father of the groom attire,” and let me tell you, the internet is a mixed bag.
I found a bunch of articles, some helpful, some not so much. Some were saying “match the groomsmen,” others were saying “complement, but don’t match.” It was confusing! I read through a few blog posts, and they talked about etiquette and formality. Honestly, it felt a bit overwhelming.
Then I decided to take a more practical approach. I went to a couple of local men’s stores. I tried on a few suits, talked to the sales guys – who, bless their hearts, tried their best to guide me. One guy was really pushing a navy blue suit, saying it was a classic choice. Another suggested a charcoal gray, saying it was more modern.
- I tried on a navy blue suit – it was okay, but felt a little too “business-y” for me.
- Then I tried on a light gray one, but it made me look washed out in the store lighting.
- I even looked at some tuxedos, but they felt too formal for the vibe of the wedding, which was a lovely outdoor ceremony.
After a few trips and a lot of trying on, I still felt unsure. So, I did what any reasonable person would do – I asked my son! I showed him some pictures of suits I was considering, and we talked about the overall style he and his fiance were going for.
Turns out, they were aiming for a semi-formal look. And they weren’t too concerned about me matching the groomsmen exactly. Whew, that was a relief! Finally, I decided to go for a simple but elegant suit. I picked a tailored fit suit in a beautiful shade of dark blue. We found a crisp white shirt and a patterned tie that picked up the colors of the wedding party’s outfits. And most importantly, a comfortable pair of shoes, because let’s be real, weddings involve a lot of standing and dancing!
In the end, I felt confident and comfortable. The suit fit well, and I think I looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. And more importantly, I felt like I fit in with the overall aesthetic of the wedding without being too matchy-matchy or too formal.
My Two Cents
My advice? Don’t overthink it. Talk to the couple, get a feel for the vibe, and then choose something that makes you feel good. It’s their big day, but you deserve to feel like a million bucks too!
