The groom's father is the quiet centre of the wedding. He greets every guest, holds the family together and stands in nearly every photograph, and he often has the least time to think about his own clothes. Families come to us a week before the wedding and ask: what should Papa wear?
The answer depends on the function. Here is a plan that keeps him comfortable through four or five days, and looking like himself.
The principle: settled, not flashy
The father should look like the head of the house: rich colour, fine work, a calm cut. He does not compete with the groom, and he does not blend into the crowd. He sits one step above the guests and one step below his son. Deep, steady colours do that best: navy, deep teal, charcoal, maroon and bottle green.
Haldi: bright but easy
The haldi is a close-family morning, and the father will be hugged, marked with turmeric and photographed. Keep it light and easy. A Pathani is a comfortable option, such as the Pale Yellow Pathani, ₹2,200, which is loose, calm and ready for the day. A yellow or marigold stripe also works, such as the Golden Marigold Self-Stripe, ₹1,900.
Mehendi: the quiet day
The father rarely does much at the mehendi, so this is the day for comfort. A soft, easy kurta in a calm colour is enough. The Sage Green Floral Printed, ₹2,485, or the Powder Blue Plain, ₹1,900, both suit a long afternoon of sitting and greeting.
Sangeet: dressed and relaxed
At the sangeet the father is on a stage or a chair near it, watching and sometimes dancing. Choose something rich that still moves well. The Navy Woven-Trim or the Deep Teal Woven-Trim, both ₹3,999, carry a trim that catches the light and sit well with a plain stole.
The wedding day
This is the day he is photographed most. Many fathers choose a kurta with a jacket, or a sherwani, and a safa if the family wears one. If you want a kurta alone, the Deep Maroon Scroll-Panel or the Charcoal Grey Double-Scroll, both ₹3,999, are rich and steady. We do not sell jackets or sherwanis online yet, so ask the family what the dress code is. See our accessories guide for the stole and the safa.
Reception
The reception is the most formal evening, and the father usually wears the richest piece of the five days. A dark kurta with a plain jacket, or a bandhgala, is the usual choice. If you choose a kurta, the Olive Green Woven-Trim, ₹3,999, is a calm option.
Comfort comes first
A long wedding means long hours of sitting, standing and greeting. Check the shoulder, chest and length on the product page against a kurta he already wears comfortably. Avoid anything tight at the waist or the knee. Keep the pajama simple. See our groom's family collection.
For the whole run of functions, read what men wear to each and the groom's brother's outfit plan. Online sizes run 38 to 44. Both our shops also carry plus sizes up to 6XL, coming online soon. Message us on WhatsApp with the sizes and dates.
Questions we hear at the counter
What should the groom's father wear to the wedding?
A kurta in a deep, calm colour with fine work, or a kurta with a jacket, or a sherwani, depending on the family. Dressed, but one step below the groom.
Should the groom's father wear a safa?
Many families do at the baraat. Choose a plain one that picks up a colour from the kurta.
What colour should the groom's father avoid?
Avoid anything that matches the groom exactly, and check whether the family has a colour theme for the functions.
How many outfits does the groom's father need?
Three or four for four or five functions. One can repeat across the mehendi and the haldi.
Also see: embroidered kurtas.