What to Wear to Your Daughter’s Wedding - Appropriate Father and Mother of the Bride Outfits

As they say, walking down the aisle in a beautiful white dress is the most important and the happiest day of a woman’s life. It is the day everyone is waiting for, especially for the groom and the bride. It is the culmination of all the long hours of planning and preparation – which normally take months to do, just to make sure everything is perfect on that special day – the food, the venue, the musicians, the entourage, the wedding gown, everything. The last thing we want is a wardrobe disaster – be it a tear in the bride’s wedding gown to a little stain in the groom’s tuxedo. But let’s face it, wedding attire is not only important for the newlyweds-to-be. What everyone will wear on the occasion is equally important, from the whole entourage (bridesmaids, groomsmen, little bride, little groom, sponsors), the parents, relatives and the whole guest list.

If you’re reading this article and you happen to be a proud mom or dad to your daughter who’s going to be walking down the aisle soon, and if you are still undecided as to what to wear on your daughter’s wedding, you might want to take down some notes.

For the Dad

Whether or not you will walk your daughter down the aisle will entirely depend on your daughter’s preferences. While it is common practice that the father walks with the daughter down the aisle to “give her away” to the groom, for most modern wedding ceremonies, only the bride walks down the aisle. So there is really no fixed rule for this. What is important is what you will wear on the big day.

A classic three-piece suit is the usual choice for the event. The more classic-looking, the better. For the shoes, a classic pair of black shoes will do just fine. Be sure to have them shined so they’ll look as good as new.

There is no need to do an over-the-top ensemble for the wedding for a couple of reasons:

1. You would not want to steal attention away from the groom. Remember that in this kind of event, it is always the groom and the bride who deserve the spotlight. You do not want guests staring up at you for all the wrong reasons.

2. The goal is to look as formal and presentable as possible. More so if you’re going to walk your daughter down the aisle. You would want to be remembered as the dashing dad, not the dad who looks drab. Confidence is also key. Be sure to carry yourself in a confident and assertive manner. It is after all, your daughter’s wedding.

3. Over-the-top ensemble not only means too striking colors to stand out in a wedding family picture, it also means too expensive suit. Unless you are paying for yourself, there is no need to choose the most expensive attire and have it charged to the couple’s budget (which is usually common in some cultures).

For the Mom

The tricky part is the decision-making when it comes to the mom’s dress for her daughter’s wedding. Choosing the right mother of the bride outfits can be very difficult. Below are few tips on what to consider in choosing a dress for your daughter’s wedding:

1. Make sure that your dress is according the wedding theme. If the theme revolves around the colors of spring, do not wear autumn colors, even if you look your best in those colors or even if they are your favourite. Always remember that this is not your wedding, so technically, you have no choice but to go with the wedding theme.

2. As mentioned earlier, doing an over-the-top ensemble is a big NO – more so for the mothers who tend to wear the most lavish dresses as if they are competing with the bride’s wedding gown. The key here is to keep it simple. Simple cut dresses with the right choice of fabric is your best bet when it comes to appropriate mother of the bride outfits.

3. Keep in mind that it is your daughter’s big day. It is best to wear something that will complement her wedding gown, not overpower it.

For parents, it is always a proud moment to see their daughter getting married. It is important to show your love and support to your little girl who is now the bride – and you can do this by choosing the appropriate attire.