Wedding attire, family matching?

Never heard of this and it sounds bizarre honestly. Most people just wear something nice and avoid white so they don't compete with the bride. But the majority don't ask what colors are nor do they match in any way. Write it down as a quirk you can ignore.

I don't really see or hear of a lot of people matching colors exactly either. you can however make some color suggestions if they're asking, so that in photos the color palette or color schemes go ok with the other wedding party members -but that does not mean it needs to match

You’ll find that some brides here on WW dictate what their entire families can wear to their weddings. That’s not polite or common. If they’re asking for suggestions, I think it’s fine to say “pastels would look great,” or “we’re having a fall wedding, so wear something dark,” but I wouldn’t tell them your specific colors for fear of them matching the wedding party exactly.

I've never heard of this. We're planning to have a smaller wedding (~70 people), most of whom will be family, so this would mean our entire crowd would be in the same colors. It would look too matchy for us I think. You could always just tell them you aren't asking the family to match and everyone is just wearing what they want. As long as it's a "everyone is doing this" it shouldn't be a big deal because they won't feel left out/unwanted.

Our wedding was less than 10 people, including us. My mom and MIL asked me if I wanted them to wear certain attire and I said no- whatever they were comfortable with. They insisted, so I said since we didn’t have an official wedding party, our siblings were our “bm” and “moh”, that perhaps they should all wear a shade of blue. Our bm and moh would need to match though, but if everyone wanted to they can be in navy, royal blue, blue, etc.


It sounds like your FHs grandparents are imagining something like that? If you guys aren’t having family match then don’t worry about it.

That's not a thing I've ever heard of before. Generally, family tries to avoid wearing the colors of the bridesmaids, and the mother of the groom and mother of the bride try to wear different colors from each other. Are they from the same culture as you? If not, it could be a cultural thing on their end.
I would politely tell them that the family members won't be matching and suggest a type of attire such as cocktail or semi formal and any colors to avoid (such as the color the bridesmaids will be wearing). You could also let them know if it's an outside venue, they'll be walking on grass, etc, so that they can plan accordingly. Remind them to wear something they love and will be comfortable in, and you should be fine!

It Depends On What The Bride And Groom Want. I Wouldnt Want My Family That Will Be In Pictures, Wearing Colors That Will Clash. Ive Given My Mom Recommendations On Colors, Chose My Dads Suit For Him Because Hes Color Blind LOL , And I Will Let My FMIL Know What Color My Moms Wearing So They Don't End Up Matching. If A Brides Family Is Okay With Wearing A Certain Color, Then Theres Nothing Wrong With It. Its Not "Dictating" What They Wear.

I’ve never heard of people doing this. I know some people select for the bridal party but I personally think everyone should be able to dress in whatever they’re most comfortable in.

I'd just take it as a sweet gesture that they're invested in celebrating with you!

You can tell them it's sweet to ask, but that there are no attire directives for family! (Or include a formality level!) You can share your wedding colors or what color your bridesmaids are wearing, but give examples what your immediate family will be wearing to personally highlight there's no "family colors" or anything like that!

In some cultures it is common, either a color, or symbolic clothes. But not here and now. Assuming it is not black tie or white tie, which would mean formal gowns, just ask for dressy pretty summer dresses on the women, and suits on the men. Or whatever. And that family will not be in any special grouping of colors.