Parent’s attire

A wedding is certainly an occasion to rejoice and requires a lot of arrangements and preparations. Selecting an appropriate wedding dress for the parents of both the bride and the groom also forms a part of the overall wedding planning and is something that needs to done well before the actual wedding date. Usually the focus is on selecting elegant wedding dresses for the bride and the groom, but deciding on what parents will wear is also important, as the event is a big day for them too.

Mother’s attire

Once the decision regarding the wedding dresses of the bride and her bridesmaids has been made, the mothers of both the bride and the groom can start searching for their dresses. The type of dress they select often depends on how formal the wedding is going to be and the type of dresses that will be worn by the bride and her bridesmaids. They can search through magazines and catalogues and get inputs from the bride about the dresses that they would prefer wearing at the wedding. Mothers need to be careful while selecting the color of the dresses and avoid black, white, ivory, or cream colored dresses. They need not select a dress that matches the color of the bridesmaids' dress; instead they should try other color combination that best suits their personality and style. An appropriate dress will be one that compliments their figure and makes them feel comfortable. Conventionally, the bride’s mother selects her dress first and then informs the groom’s mother about the details of the dress. This allows the groom’s mother to select a dress of similar style and color. However, this system is no longer considered necessary and it is all right for mothers to wear completely different types of dresses.

If the wedding is going to be an informal affair, the bride or groom’s mother can wear a short dress or suit during the daytime and any type of cocktail dress during the evening. On the other hand, if the event is going to be an ultra-formal or white tie affair, mothers may be required to wear glitzy dresses and accessorize with available diamond jewelry. The basic idea is to wear something feminine that is not overtly conspicuous. Mothers need to avoid wearing opera-length gloves as long as they are not wearing sleeveless or strapless gowns. Although, spending days and even weeks for selecting the most appropriate dress is considered normal, mothers need not become too fussy as even a pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening is acceptable.

Father’s attire

As compared to mothers, the choice and range of wedding dresses available to fathers is certainly fewer. In informal weddings, fathers can wear shirt and trousers combined with a sports jacket. In formal settings, fathers may be required to sport a tuxedo. They can also go for a black suit combined with white shirt and black bow tie. The type of dresses selected by the fathers will depend on the city or town where they are located. If the wedding is to be held in trendier cities such as Los Angeles or New York, fathers can easily break away from tradition and wear anything that they feel is comfortable for them.