In this circumstance, the wedding is at 3 in the afternoon in a
catholic church and the invitation does not specify any type of dress.
 The groom and groomsmen are wearing pinstriped tuxes with vests and
long ties (Ivory for groom and a green for groomsmen to match brides
mades dresses which are long)  the mother of the bride is wearing a
forma burgundy dress and her escort is wearing a traditional tux with
a burgundy vest and long tie.  The father is deceased.  The mother of
the groom is also deceased, what should the father of the groom wear? 
He will have a traditional black tux but the debate is on the vest vs.
cumberbund and bow tie or vest and long tie and if a cumberbund and
bow tie are acceptable should they be something other than formal
black?  I expect guests would wear business/church clothes but not
cocktail or formal wear.  Please advise.

Hi sheila,

I found two sources for you, and together they give an answer. The
answer is either is acceptable as far as "dress code" is concerned,
however, it is recommended that he match the groomsmen --for the
pictures. It would be better in the pictures if no-one stood out by
being dressed "differently."  Even though the Bride's Father will not
be in attendance, there will be pictures of the entire wedding party,
how do you want the pictures to look?

I vote for the vest and long tie.

Here's the sources:


Ask the Wedding Guys!
http://www.twincitybridal.com/q_and_a.aspx?answer=1675

..."Question
I am wondering if my fiance's Mom's husband should wear a tux to our
wedding. They got married after my fiance graduated high school, about
8 years ago. Since his dad will be wearing a tux, I wasn't sure if it
is proper for her husband to wear one as well.

Answer
If he is playing a role in the wedding yes. If he is not it's a 50/50
split. Would he feel less important if he is not? Some men will. Talk
to your fiance.

The Wedding Guys! ..."


Wedding Attire Q&A's
http://i-do.com.au/network/ShowArticle.asp?Article=912&Topic=62

..."Q - What do men wear to an afternoon wedding?

A - Firstly, is your inquiry as a groom or a guest? As a groom almost
anything goes these days, if you're happy with a particular look that
is what you should wear. As a guest, that will depend on the theme of
the wedding and where it takes place. The safest option is always a
smart business suit but if it is a garden wedding or beach wedding
slacks and a smart shirt is appropriate especially if it is in the hot
weather. I would say that shorts, sandals and really casual gear is
out and it is best to be over dressed rather than under dressed..."


THIS NEXT Q/A is not ONLY about the Father of the Bride, read the whole thing! :


..."Q - The Father of the Bride has expressed that he wear his own
suit. Should the Father of the Groom wear his own suit or be matching
with the groomsmen? I would like to know what the traditional angle
is.

A - Traditionally the Father of the Bride would be attired in the same
dress code as the men in the bridal party, ie .if the guys were
dressed in black dinner suits the father would wear a black dinner
suit but not necessary the same style. His accessories would
compliment the bride. The Father of the Groom does look better in
group photographs if he is similarly dressed in style and colour as
Father of the Bride. It is important to explain to the Father of the
Groom that if he wears, for example, a brown suit, and the other men
are dressed in black, he will stand out because he is so different, he
may not like this situation. I do think it is nice to have BOTH
fathers dressed similar, and not discriminate..."


Hope this helps!


~~Cynthia


Search strategy:
wedding afternoon "dress code" "father of the groom"

I would venture to suggest that he should also wear a vest and long
tie, to agree with what the other men in the wedding are wearing, and
also because traditionally, a tux with bow tie is not worn before
evening.

Green, burgundy, ivory, and pinstripes? Fire that wedding planner or
get one that isn't color-blind.

Mark, 
Pinstriped trousers with a black or dark gray jacket ARE the
appropriate daytime formal attire.  It doesn't matter that most people
only have seen hotel concierges wearing such.  Maybe the green ties
are a sign of Irish ancestry.
Regards, Myoarin

Perhaps you should ask the Bride,Groom and Bride's mother for their advice.