Even though the focus is on the couple, the fathers’ accessories play an important role in creating a polished, cohesive wedding party - they'll be in the photos after all! Coordinated ties, pocket squares, and lapel pins help them look elegant and intentional in photos, without drawing attention away from the bride and groom.
Learn more about coordinating accessories across the entire wedding party in our guide to How to Coordinate Wedding Accessories Across the Whole Wedding Party
It's worth mentioning that some parent's wont want to be matched with the wedding colours - and this is absolutely fine! It can be a lovely touch if the father-of- chooses a colour matched tie to match the mother-of- in whatever dress colour they have.
Choosing the Right Colours
Fathers don’t need to perfectly match the groomsmen or the groom. Instead, select complementary tones that harmonise with the overall wedding palette. For instance, if the groomsmen are wearing sage ties, fathers might choose slightly more neutral shades or patterns that tie into the wedding colours. In blush, navy or pastel-themed weddings, subtle tones with gentle textures can provide elegance without overpowering the look.
Different fabrics can also differentiate fathers from the rest of the party. Woven silks, subtle jacquards or lightly patterned finishes add depth and sophistication, helping them stand out in a subtle, tasteful way.
Coordinating Accessories Across the Wedding Party
Accessories should tie the fathers into the broader wedding palette without being too literal. Pocket squares, for example, can match the wedding colour to complement the groomsmen’s ties, while boutonnières or lapel pins can echo floral arrangements and other décor elements, but the tie might be chosen as more of a complementary colour.
A helpful guideline is to use slightly darker or lighter shades than the groomsmen for visual hierarchy in photos. This subtle difference ensures the groom remains the focal point, while fathers still look coordinated and polished.
Styling for Different Themes
When choosing accessories, consider the wedding theme. For classic or formal weddings, timeless, neutral colours in silk or satin finishes are ideal. For rustic or outdoor celebrations, textured fabrics like tweed or linen blends add a relaxed, natural feel while still looking elegant. Romantic or boho weddings work beautifully with soft pastels and accessories that mirror the flowing fabrics and floral elements of the bridal party. By keeping colours and textures aligned with the wedding theme, fathers can complement the overall aesthetic without needing to match perfectly.
FAQs
Q: Should fathers’ accessories match the groom exactly?
No. Fathers’ accessories should complement rather than match perfectly, helping the groom stand out naturally. If you are desperate for your parents to match the theme (or they are) then there's no problem for this to be the case! However it's usually nice for them to stand out a little.
Q: Can fathers coordinate with the bridesmaids’ colours?
Yes. Subtle hints, such as pocket square tones or boutonnière colours, are a sophisticated way to tie the look together without being too literal.
Q: Are patterned ties acceptable for fathers?
Absolutely. Classic patterns such as stripes, small dots, or understated textures work beautifully, especially if the groomsmen wear solid colours.
