Does the Father of the Groom Wear the Same Color Suit? Here’s What Actually Works

When you’re planning a wedding, every detail matters - from the cake to the playlist. But one question that keeps popping up? Does the father of the groom wear the same color suit as the groom? It sounds simple, but the answer isn’t black and white. And honestly? It shouldn’t be.

There’s No Hard Rule - But There Are Good Guidelines

No wedding rulebook says the father of the groom must match the groom’s suit. Not in Australia, not in the U.S., not in Japan. That’s because weddings aren’t military parades. They’re personal. But that doesn’t mean you just throw on whatever’s in the closet.

Most couples today aim for harmony, not uniformity. Think of it like a color palette. The groom’s suit is the main brushstroke. The father’s suit should complement it - not copy it. If the groom’s wearing a classic navy tuxedo, the father could wear a charcoal gray suit. Same tone, different depth. It creates visual balance without looking like a twin set.

Why Matching Exactly Usually Feels Off

Picture this: the groom, 25, in a slim-fit black tux. His dad, 58, in the exact same thing. Suddenly, the father looks like he’s trying too hard. Or worse - like he’s the groom’s older brother. That’s not a look you want at your wedding photos.

Age, body type, and personal style all matter. A 60-year-old man in a peak-lapel tuxedo might feel uncomfortable. A younger dad might pull it off, but even then, subtle differences help. A satin lapel on the groom’s suit? Skip it on the dad’s. A single-breasted jacket for the groom? Go double-breasted for the dad. These small shifts create distinction, not distance.

What Works Better Than Matching

Here’s what most experienced wedding planners in Melbourne recommend:

• Same color family - Navy, charcoal, or midnight blue work well together. Avoid mixing navy with brown or black.
• Same fabric weight - If the groom’s in wool, the dad shouldn’t be in a lightweight linen. It looks mismatched under lighting.
• Same shirt and tie color - This is where you tie it all together. If the groom wears a white shirt and burgundy tie, so should the dad. It’s the easiest way to look coordinated without matching suits.
• Same shoes - Black oxfords for both. No exceptions. Even if the suits differ, shoes should sync.

One couple I worked with last year had the groom in a charcoal three-piece suit. The father wore a two-piece navy suit with a matching tie and pocket square. The result? Stunning. They looked like a team - not clones.

When You *Should* Match

There are exceptions. If the wedding has a strict dress code - say, black tie - then both should wear tuxedos. But even then, details differ. The groom’s tuxedo might have satin lapels. The father’s could be matte. Or the groom wears a bow tie. The dad wears a long tie. It’s still formal. It’s still coordinated.

Another case? Cultural traditions. In some South Asian or Middle Eastern weddings, male family members wear matching sherwanis or thobes. In those contexts, matching isn’t optional - it’s meaningful. But that’s tradition, not etiquette.

In Western weddings? Matching isn’t tradition. It’s a trend that faded around 2018. Modern couples prefer individuality within unity.

What to Avoid

Here are three common mistakes:

• Color clash - Don’t pair a navy suit with a brown one. They look like they’re from different weddings.
• Too casual - If the groom’s in a suit, the dad shouldn’t be in a blazer and chinos. It breaks the formality chain.
• Over-accessorizing - If the groom has a pocket square and cufflinks, the dad doesn’t need both. One or two subtle touches are enough.

Also, skip the matching boutonnieres. One is fine. Two looks like a costume.

Pro Tip: Use a Sample Look

Before finalizing anything, pull up three wedding photos from the last two years. Look for fathers of the groom who look confident, not forced. Notice how their suits sit. How the ties align. What the lighting does to the fabric. You’ll see a pattern: depth, not duplication.

Try this: lay out the groom’s suit on a bed. Then pick three suit options for the dad. Put them side by side. Step back. Which one looks like it belongs? Which one looks like a rental from 2009?

What About the Mother?

While we’re on the topic - the mother of the groom doesn’t need to match the mother of the bride either. But she should coordinate with the groom’s suit color. If the groom’s in navy, she might wear a deep plum or forest green. It’s about harmony, not matching. Same rule applies.

Final Rule: It’s About Respect, Not Rules

The goal isn’t to look identical. It’s to look like you belong together. The father of the groom should feel comfortable, not like he’s in a costume. The groom should feel proud, not embarrassed. And guests? They should think, “Wow, they’ve got great taste,” not, “Why does Dad look like he’s in a bad sitcom?”

So, does the father of the groom wear the same color suit? Not exactly. But he should wear a suit that whispers, “I’m part of this.” And that’s a lot more powerful than matching.