What Color Should the Father of the Groom Wear? A Practical Guide for 2025 Weddings

Choosing the right color for the father of the groom’s suit isn’t just about looking good-it’s about fitting in without stealing the spotlight. Too bright, and he looks like he’s auditioning for the wedding band. Too dull, and he disappears in the photos. The goal? A look that says, ‘I’m part of this day, but the groom is still the star’.

Start with the groom’s suit

The groom’s outfit is your anchor. If he’s wearing a classic navy tuxedo, the father of the groom should stick to a dark suit in the same family-charcoal gray or deep navy. These colors harmonize without matching. Think of it like a choir: same key, different voice. A 2024 survey by The Knot found that 68% of fathers chose a suit in the same color family as their son’s, but never identical. That’s the sweet spot.

Don’t feel forced into matching. A common mistake is thinking ‘matching’ means identical. It doesn’t. A charcoal suit with a navy groom? Perfect. A navy suit with a black tuxedo? That’s a mismatch. Black tuxedos are formal. Charcoal or navy suits are semi-formal. Mixing them creates imbalance.

Consider the wedding’s formality

A beach wedding in Byron Bay? Skip the tuxedo. A charcoal wool suit with a light blue shirt and no tie works perfectly. A winter ballroom wedding? Go for a darker suit, maybe with a subtle pattern like pinstripes. The more formal the event, the darker and cleaner the suit should be.

Here’s a quick rule: if the groom wears a tuxedo, the father wears a dark suit. If the groom wears a suit, the father wears a suit in a slightly darker shade. That’s it. No need to overthink.

What colors to avoid

White, cream, or light gray suits? Avoid them. They’re reserved for the groom or groomsmen. Bright colors-red, electric blue, lime green? Save those for the bachelor party. Even pastels can be risky unless the whole wedding palette is built around them.

One father in Melbourne wore a light tan suit to his son’s autumn wedding. The photos looked like a mismatched family portrait. He wasn’t trying to stand out-he just thought tan was ‘elegant.’ It wasn’t. It clashed with the groom’s charcoal suit and the deep red bridesmaids’ dresses. The result? A photo album full of awkward contrasts.

Shirts, ties, and accessories

The suit color sets the tone, but the shirt and tie finish it. Stick to classic combinations:

• Dark suit + white shirt + solid tie in a muted tone (burgundy, forest green, navy)
• Dark suit + light gray shirt + patterned tie (thin stripes or dots in matching tones)
• Never wear a tie that matches the groom’s tie exactly-unless you’re the best man

Pocket squares? Keep it simple. A white linen fold or a subtle color echo (like a burgundy pocket square if the bride’s bouquet has burgundy roses) adds polish without shouting.

Season and location matter

If the wedding is in July in Melbourne, a heavy wool suit might make him sweat through the ceremony. Opt for a lightweight wool or cotton blend. In summer, a lighter gray works better than black. In winter, a deep navy or charcoal feels more appropriate.

Outdoor weddings in the bush? Avoid shiny fabrics. Matte textures look more natural. Indoor ballroom? A slight sheen on the suit fabric adds elegance under chandeliers.

What the groom’s family thinks

Sometimes, the mother of the groom has strong opinions. She might want him to wear something ‘more special.’ That’s fine-but remind her: this isn’t about him. It’s about the couple. A father who looks like he’s trying too hard distracts from the moment.

One couple I worked with had a father who wanted to wear a velvet blazer. He loved it. The groom didn’t. They compromised: the father wore a navy suit with a velvet tie. The groom was happy. The father still felt special. Win-win.

When in doubt, go dark

If you’re unsure, choose charcoal gray. It’s the safest, most versatile color for fathers of the groom in 2025. It works with any groom’s suit color, suits any season, and photographs beautifully. It’s not flashy. It’s not boring. It’s just right.

Charcoal gray also pairs well with brown shoes, which are more common and comfortable than black for older men. Black shoes? Fine, but only if the groom is wearing them too. Otherwise, brown ties the look together naturally.

Try before you buy

Don’t buy the suit online without trying it on. Fit matters more than color. A suit that’s too tight or too long will ruin the look no matter how perfect the shade. Take it to a tailor. Even a $50 adjustment makes a huge difference.

Wear the same shoes and shirt you plan to wear on the day when trying it on. A suit that looks great with dress shoes might hang awkwardly with loafers. A white shirt might look fine in the store, but under wedding lighting, it can wash you out. Test it.

Final checklist

Before you commit:

• Is the suit color darker than the groom’s? (If he’s in navy, you’re in charcoal or black)
• Is the fabric appropriate for the season and venue?
• Does the shirt contrast enough to look clean?
• Is the tie a muted, solid color or subtle pattern?
• Have you tried it on with your shoes and belt?
• Have you asked the groom if it works with his look?

There’s no magic formula. But there’s a simple truth: the father of the groom’s outfit should feel like a quiet nod to the day-not a headline. When you get it right, no one notices. And that’s exactly how it should be.