What to wear for a wedding

[Vaguely tongue in cheek but feedback welcome - I am fully aware how much more hard work the rest of the wedding organisation is so this isn't a moan or an "I can't cope". Just thought I'd make that clear up here.]

Now normally I wouldn't be worried about what to wear for a wedding. The last one I went to I think I opted for smart trousers and a shirt, no problem. This time though is slightly different. In just under four weeks evath and the getting ahead of herself kimholding are getting married. For reasons that are not mine to go into (but suffice to say it is not a happy tale) I was asked to give away the bride. Now this, I feel, calls for something a bit more than my usual scruffy natured approach to things. Now in theory I don't reckon I need to worry too much. After all, the only time people are going to be looking at me are as I walk Kim down the aisle (and yes, this is a very weird thought for me still) and I'm pretty sure that all eyes will be on Kim and not me. However, I am acutely aware that my usual shirt and trousers will look like some random bloke is sauntering along next to her. My suit is a cheap one bought for job interviews (and has been used once, I think), not for this kind of thing.

My current plan is to see whether somewhere will hire me smart clothes for the weekend. There are plenty of wedding shops I thought I'd go into. I mean, if nothing else I quite like dressing up smart from time to time (the world needs more black tie events) but I am still unclear on what is appropriate for the father of the bride to wear. Do they usually do the uber smart thing like the best man or ushers at a wedding would (thinking about TFM and AFMs wedding where if I remember they had nice waistcoats and tails and stuff...

Now top hat and tails is too over the top. My main thought is whether I am meant to fit in with the groom and ushers or if I should look distinct from them and all that... I assume the father of the bride doesn't usually match the groom, best man, et al. but of course this isn't the traditional way of doing things in the first place...

I've just re-read Andy's mail to me and he mentions nice waistcoats in that so I might just see what he's doing and check my suit out. It might not be too bad after all? But even if it is good (its bound to fit the criteria of dark suit) what about shirt? White shirt is the way to go totally but should it be a nice one? I mean, I've got white shirts like I used to wear in school or for subfusc. Or is it more like dress shirts with at the very least the buttons covered up to make it look nicer and possibly some patterning...

If this is how much effort is involved in being part of a wedding remind me never to get married!