AisleDash

The groom will often wear either a white or ivory vest and tie, or he may go with black -- he generally doesn't go with a color, but that doesn't mean he can't. If anyone is in a colored vest, it tends to be the groomsmen, who may match the bridesmaids' gowns or another color incorporated into the wedding. Paul generally encourages the fathers to wear a black vest and tie so as not to throw off the mothers. "Mom is often a last minute shopper, and we want to avoid causing her a problem. If she finds a pink dress, and Dad's already in a bright green vest, they're going to look like they're going to two separate places."

Another thing that occasionally comes up with the fathers is that they might own their own tuxedo, which often isn't a problem. "If the rest of the guys are in a black tux, and that's what Dad has, it's not really a big deal. However, we need to know what else he has. Generally, he'll have a white shirt, bow tie, and cummerbund. If the rest of the guys are wearing ivory shirts and long ties, we can usually at least provide him the accessories."

However, one vital thing to keep in mind when your groomsmen are getting measured is that they need to do it in a place that rents tuxedos. "We're often looking at the guys trying on their tuxedos 24 hours before the wedding, and if their wife took their measurements, or they went to a tailor who measured large for alterations, we could be in a lot of trouble. We can have them overnighted to us so they'll have what they need, but the bride doesn't need to stress about whether her dad's tux will arrive in time the morning of her wedding. Get professionally measured!"