Wedding Attire Do’s and Don’ts for Parents of the Couple

It’s almost time for your child to walk down the aisle. As their parent, you want to feel and look your best in pictures taken during this milestone event. Don’t let the stress of choosing a perfect wedding day outfit bring you down. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of styles, colors and materials to suit any personality and dress code. There are a few etiquette rules parents of the couple should follow when it comes to their fashion choices, so keep reading for tips on selecting your apparel!

Fashion Tips for Moms of the Couple

The mothers of the couple should match the formality of the wedding party. Consult with your betrothed children on what to wear – after all, it is their big day. The couple will set the tone for their wedding day. Match their expectations whether they choose a formal event or a more casual dress code.

• Start shopping three to four months in advance. This should give you time to find your ideal attire with plenty of time for alterations or special orders.
• Wear a different shade than the wedding party. The goal is to stand out as an honored guest without clashing with bridesmaids.

Some mothers wear the wedding party’s color within accessories or shoes as an outfit accent. If you aren’t sure what color is best, go for a neutral outfit. Although color is permissible – and sometimes requested – a neutral tone is always a safe choice for the attire of the parents of the couple!

Remember to wear comfortable shoes for a long day of standing, walking and dancing! Consider weather and the time of year that the event will take place – for an outdoor summer wedding, choose lighter fabrics and colors that still fall into the selected color palette.

Mother of the Bride Fashion Traditions

According to traditional wedding etiquette, the mother of the groom selects her attire after the mother of the bride. We recommend that mothers use this occasion as a chance to get to know each other and bond before the wedding. Consider collaborating together on length, color, style and formality. Wear complimentary colors so that you both shine! For example, if one mother’s dress is blue, the other mother could wear a dress that is the same color in a different material or style. Or, choose a color that compliments one another and is also within the couple’s selected wedding color palette.

For the Dads

Just like mothers, the formality of the wedding and wedding party should determine what the fathers of the couple wear. Dress pants and collared T-shirts with a tie or bow tie is appropriate at less formal weddings. If the wedding is semi-formal, select a dark-colored suit and collared button-down shirt, and coordinate your tie with the wedding colors. If the wedding is formal and the groomsmen are wearing tuxedos, fathers of the couple generally wear the same tuxedo with a different color tie.

Where to Shop for Parents of the Couple Fashion

Not sure where to start shopping for your parents of the couple dress or formalwear? Start local! Browse the selection at Kannon’s Clothing boutique in Raleigh, NC. Kannon’s is one of the oldest family-owned stores in the state. They are experts in formalwear and formal dresses, and offer excellent, personal service and a variety of options for parents of the couple. Whether you’re searching for a neutral-toned cocktail dress or a stand-out suit, you can be sure to find fashionable, quality attire for both fathers and mothers of the couple at Kannon’s.

In addition, Kannon’s employs full-time tailors on staff at both the men’s and women’s stores, meaning in-house alterations are available to perfect the look you choose!