Ask The Celebration Advisor: Do our ushers need to wear tuxedos? What about the groom's father? Also, should the ushers have boutonnieres? Sue
The Celebration Advisor: Traditionally ushers were considered the grooms attendants and required to dress in the same formality as the groom. So if the groom wore a tuxedo, the groomsmen and usher also wore a tuxedo. Contemporary wedding etiquette has relaxed this tradition for ushers. It is now acceptable for ushers to wear the same degree of formality as the groomsmen or one degree of formality down. If your groomsmen are wearing tuxedos, you have the choice of tuxedos or suits for your ushers.
As for the grooms father, it depends on his participation in the marriage ceremony. If the grooms father is his best man, he will need to wear a tuxedo. However if he is not involved in the wedding ceremony, he has the option of wearing a suit.
Traditionally all the groom, best man, groomsmen, ushers and ring bearer, as well, as the fathers of the bride and groom wear boutonnieres.
Tags: Formal Wear, Groomsmen, Tuxedo, Tuxedo Rental, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Traditions, Wedding Ushers