AGREE

I guess the best bet to is be sincere, and don't be pressured into anything. If you guys aren't able to rent it and it's that important to the bride and groom, they can pick up the tab. Personally, if the rest of the men are wearing black tux's, I can't imagine a black suit will be much different to look at.

When we got married two years ago, we paid for the tux for FOG, as well as the dress for MOG. And we paid for a bridesmaid dress for a family member who couldn't afford it. I don't know what the tradition is in this area, but we knew they couldn't afford it. After having been in several weddings and then being a recent bride myself, I feel like writing a book on wedding etiquette - for the bride, groom, family members, wedding party, and guests. I always get irritated when people use weddings as an excuse for heightened egos...

I hope you post updates, as well as pics of the big day!

I agree with amma here. I also think that the ceremony will not be affected by the FOG's attire, unless he is naked. ;-)

I think this works...if all the groomsmen are wearing a black tux...how about renting a TIE to match what they are wearing. This way his black suit will blend with the tux they are wearing.

"Tuxedos started back in the 1800s because the military always had full-dress uniforms for parties and formal occasions. The laymen didn't quite fit into the into the look. So, tuxedos started as a type of uniform for special parties and royal events in England. Everyone dressed for these parties, and the tuxedo came along as the formal way to dress for the person who was not in the military or part of the government." http://www.bscenemag.com/b-wed/tuxedo-tradition

Tux has only been a tradition for what 200yrs? More of a keeping with appearances than anything to do with sentiment or symbolism. Wear the suit. You don't "have" to have a tux.

We just had DDs traditional church wedding in June. Both FOB and FOG wore tuxes. However, I do think it could be up for discussion if money is an issue. Personally, I think if both fathers were wearing dark suits it would be just as appropriate and, really, more practical. I have been to weddings where even the groomsmen wore their own dark suits. I would suggest a very frank discussion with your son and his his bride-to-be. While I love traditional weddings...there sure is alot of money spent for just a few hours!

Traditional wedding etiquette dictates that the FOG wear can go either way. That's your "official" leg to stand on.

Your son decrees it needs to be tux. That's your parental love decision. Is it worth upsetting him (and her) on their day, and maybe for a long time to come, over the price of a tux rental?

Jan in VA

just a suggestion- some tux rentals give the groom a free tux with the rental of 4(or5)tuxes. maybe Dad's tux could be the free one if it's that important to the bride and groom?

I think you should really speak to your son. Don't simply make a decision and assume it's good enough because a few people told you so on a quilting website. Since the FOG is an official member of the wedding party I think a decision needs to made together with the bride and groom. You might propose that you'll rent a tux , but forego a gift-- or work out some sort arrangement.

Heck, maybe the bridal party can all throw in $10 a piece to cover it. I know mine would have--gladly.

Maybe it's a bride thing? Just wondering.