Do the Fathers of the Bride and Groom Wear Matching Ties? An Expert Guide
When it comes to wedding day fashion, a lot of attention naturally goes to the bridal gown and the groomsmen's suits. But there’s one question that frequently causes a quiet panic in wedding planning group chats: Do the father of the bride (FOB) and the father of the groom (FOG) need to wear matching ties?
The short answer? No, they don’t have to match exactly. In fact, forcing an exact match can often look a bit rigid.
Instead, the modern wedding secret is coordination over replication. Here is a breakdown of how to get the dads looking sharp, cohesive, and confident without looking like carbon copies of one another.
1. Look for Complementary Fabrics and Patterns
If the fathers aren't standing in the official lineup as groomsmen, they shouldn't wear the exact same uniform. Instead, look for ties that use complementary colours or fabrics.
The Expert Formula: Pair a detailed pattern with a solid tone.
For example, if you are planning a dusty pink wedding, you could have one father wear a floral design that subtly picks out those dusty pink accents (like our "Sam" tie), while the other father wears a solid, plain fabric in the exact same shade (like our "Ted" tie). It ties the look together beautifully without looking identical.
2. Divide and Conquer (FOB vs. FOG)
A fantastic way to make the styling look intentional and "matchy-matchy" in a sophisticated way is to align each father with their side of the bridal party:
The Father of the Bride can coordinate his tie with the bridesmaids' dresses.
The Father of the Groom can coordinate his tie with the groom and groomsmen.
This creates a beautiful visual balance during the ceremony and ensures everyone looks fabulous and connected to the theme.
3. Same Material, Different Styles
What happens if the two fathers have completely different tastes? If one dad loves a traditional necktie but the other feels best in a bow tie, don't force a compromise that makes someone uncomfortable.
You can bridge the style gap by keeping the material identical but letting them choose the cut. Both fathers can wear the exact same fabric pattern, but one can sport a bow tie and the other a standard tie. You can even bring it all together with matching pocket squares or braces to seal the look.
4. Don't Forget the Mothers!
A father’s outfit shouldn't just complement the wedding party; it should also work in partnership with what the Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom is wearing. The goal is to choose colours that complement each other for those all-important family photos, without competing with the bridal party or the groom.
5. The Biggest Faux Pas: "The Isolated Shopper"
The biggest mistake fathers make is going out to buy a tie entirely on their own, in total isolation.
They head to the high street, pick a tie they like, and bring it home—only to realise it completely clashes with the wedding theme. The bride’s not happy, the groom’s not happy, the mother-in-law is stressed, and it turns into a bit of a shambles. Always communicate before purchasing.
Actionable Tips for the Couple
Utilise the Stag Do: The stag party is a relaxed, natural environment where both fathers are usually present. It’s the perfect, low-pressure opportunity to bring up the tie conversation.
Order Fabric Swatches: Don't guess the colours. Order fabric swatches ahead of time to show the fathers exactly how their ties will complement the rest of the wedding party.
The Golden Rule: The Sunday Dinner Chat
If there is one piece of advice to take away, it's this: cross-pollinate the conversation.
Often, the father of the bride only talks to the bride, and the father of the groom only talks to the groom. When those two conversations don't meet, accidents happen and money gets wasted.
Our top tip? Get everyone together over Sunday dinner. Have an open, relaxed chat about the wedding outfits so everyone is on the same page. It saves time, saves money, and ensures both dads step out looking unified and sharp on the big day.