Attire for Parents?

fairytalelove4

What are the rules or guidelines for parents' attire for the wedding day? Our wedding colors are white, platinum and black. The groom and his best man will be in black, so I figured my maid of honor will wear a black dress, and I'll be in white (it's a small wedding). I read that the parents don't need to match the wedding colors, but I can't imagine what other colors they could wear that wouldn't look crazy since our colors are so neutral. If I have them all in black, it seems like it would be too much dark going on in the photos! Any suggestions? This hasn't been a priority, but my soon to be mother in law asked me today and I had no idea what to tell her! I'm open to ideas

RebeccaFlower

navonaz said:

What are the rules or guidelines for parents' attire for the wedding day? Our wedding colors are white, platinum and black. The groom and his best man will be in black, so I figured my maid of honor will wear a black dress, and I'll be in white (it's a small wedding). I read that the parents don't need to match the wedding colors, but I can't imagine what other colors they could wear that wouldn't look crazy since our colors are so neutral. If I have them all in black, it seems like it would be too much dark going on in the photos! Any suggestions? This hasn't been a priority, but my soon to be mother in law asked me today and I had no idea what to tell her! I'm open to ideas

The best answer is to tell her "whatever you feel comfortable wearing!" and rinse and repeat. 

You shouldn't dictate their clothing in any way. Other colors will look just fine. I honestly think if everyone wears black, it'll look like a funeral. 

Maggie0829

Parents are guests, not a part of the wedding party, so since they are guests they are free to wear whatever they want.

Tell your FMIL that she should wear whatever she feels most comfortable and beautiful in.

ElcaB

navonaz said:

What are the rules or guidelines for parents' attire for the wedding day? Our wedding colors are white, platinum and black. The groom and his best man will be in black, so I figured my maid of honor will wear a black dress, and I'll be in white (it's a small wedding). I read that the parents don't need to match the wedding colors, but I can't imagine what other colors they could wear that wouldn't look crazy since our colors are so neutral. If I have them all in black, it seems like it would be too much dark going on in the photos! Any suggestions? This hasn't been a priority, but my soon to be mother in law asked me today and I had no idea what to tell her! I'm open to ideas

The rules are: There are no rules. Have them wear whatever they feel comfortable in. 

If they do ask for your input, tell them that. If they're looking for specific suggestions, I like the idea of champagne and gray. 

FWIW, traditionally the MOG waits until MOB has purchased her dress and then purchases hers. I don't think that really matters, but some people still stick to it. 

atlastmrsg

I told my mom and FMIL to wear what they wanted, but suggested that it not be a big print fabric.  I mentioned that I think it can be difficult to photograph, so I'd prefer something else (also, picturing a rainbow print floral dress my mom already had that I REALLY didn't want her to wear--I swear, she'd wear a dress made of rainbows and cats if it was her world...)  Otherwise, they were free to pick what they wanted.  As it turns out, they both picked navy gowns.  I was in natural white, husband in black, MOH and BM in black, and the two moms in navy gowns.  It looked really nice--it wasn't weird at all that the moms didn't match the MOH/BM.  I was happy they picked something other than black since I know black is kind of somber at weddings.  I would've been fine if they hadn't picked the same color though.  

NYCMercedes

It doesn't matter what your colors are. They can wear whatever they want.

climbingsingle

The parents wear whatever they want. 

STARMOON44

They can wear any color they want, and since your colors are so basic there's no risk of clashing.

southernbelle0915

navonaz said:

What are the rules or guidelines for parents' attire for the wedding day? Our wedding colors are white, platinum and black. The groom and his best man will be in black, so I figured my maid of honor will wear a black dress, and I'll be in white (it's a small wedding). I read that the parents don't need to match the wedding colors, but I can't imagine what other colors they could wear that wouldn't look crazy since our colors are so neutral. If I have them all in black, it seems like it would be too much dark going on in the photos! Any suggestions? This hasn't been a priority, but my soon to be mother in law asked me today and I had no idea what to tell her! I'm open to ideas

To the first bolded: This is the easy part because the rule is that they pick whatever they want. You do nothing here and, in fact, it's considered rude if you do. So one less thing for you to worry about.

To the second bolded: Just don't say anything. If they ask, just tell them to pick out anything they like.

To the second bolded: Tell your FMIL to wear whatever she wants. My FMIL pressed me for months to tell her what to wear, to the point of it being annoying. I just kept telling her to pick anything she wanted. I did offer to go shopping with her if she wanted me to. 

CMGragain

You don't tell the parents what to wear.  They get to choose.  They don't need to match your colors.

buttercup1958

I think those colors are really limiting too. I mean since those colors are neutrals whatever the parents pick will go. What Not To Wear "It doesn't have to match, it has to go". I mean I'm sure everyone will look lovely and you shouldn't be stressing about this.