We have another wedding coming up in August..the second son to marry this year. Our son is insisting his Dad rent a tux...a cost we really cannot afford. Dad has a nice soft black suit....think that will be ok? What is the traditional wear for the FOG? You'd think that with this being the fifth child to marry, we'd have this all figured out, but this is the first son to marry in a traditional ceremony in a church building. Any feedback would be appreciated....

When our children were married all three in 19 months we had to rent a tux for our sons wedding; also our 2 daughters - all church weddings. Also when our daughters were married the FOG wore a tux.

I totally agree with you I think a black suit would have been fine; but seems we go along with the bride and grooms request.

Maybe gently remind your DS that you just cannot afford this expense? If he still feels it is necessary, then he can pay for the rental :D:D:D

When DH & I married all the wedding party rented tuxes, except my FIL. He weighed about 350 at the time so a tux rental was just not practical. He did wear a sport coat and that was fine with me. I felt the family being together was more important than the photo opportunity. Tell your son that if he insists that his father rent a tux, he can pay for it. Or better yet, ask him which is more important, his father or the tuxedo.

Yeah, this.

And, FWIW when DH and I got married a decade ago I thought all the men HAD to be in tuxes (per tradition). Being older and wiser, I wish I'd have not been so hung up on all the tradition things and kept it simple, with folks wearing what they thought was most beautiful/handsome. You know, give a guideline (Like, please everyone wear dark suits, or shirts and ties).

The FOG should be the next-best-dressed at the event, the groom being the first-best dressed. He is the pillar that has been there for his son from day one, and this is a proud proud day. :D

We had 3 girls that married in churches. 1 was very small, #2 put princes Diane to shame, and the last one had her reception 4 mo. later and it was a picnic. Boy am I glad we don`t have any more getting married, it might be a circus. Any way for the big showy wedding, DH had to wear a tux. He said no way, so the soon-to-be SIL took his measurements (DH) and because they rented so many, they got 1 free. DH wore it in protest,and every one was happy. They are all still married and doing well.

Three sons here, and when they all had traditional church weddings, ( plus daughter did too) all the guys wore a tux. That thing about renting so many at once may offer one free, make sure you tell your son about that, and that your hubby needs the free one! There has been a lot of money spent on tux rentals in our family, our boys had lots of good friends. LOL I understand the cost factor, but it does mamke a difference in the photos . Daughters wedding ,everyone wore long dresses and pastels, except the grooms mom. She wore a short red dress, and it rerally spoiled the looks of the group photos. Big deal??? Probably not in the long run, but it did seem to matter then. Talk to son!!!!!

DH's 3 kids got married, first one wanted him in a tux and rented it for him (knew we couldn't afford it). Second one didn't care, third one rented him a suit (he does not have any that fit, he is not a suit kind of guy).
On the first one, we were talking to DH's brother about the tux and asked him if he would rent/wear one for one of his kids. He said he didn't mind the renting but would not wear one. DH was just the opposite.
DH did look very nice in it, (sort of like the godfather) - he did not even wear a suit when we got married, so it was a treat to see him in one and have pics.

We had 7 kids get married and only one requested tux. We never even gave it a thought. Most of the grooms did but it wasn't mentioned for the rest. Nice suits were fine.

When our DD got married, her groom, bridemaids, groomsmen, and her Dad all rented their tux's. It was so much cheaper and no one was stuck with things they would never use again. The bridal shop she rented from let everyone pay over time so we weren't out a huge expense at once.