Rent A Tux or Buy A Tux/Suit?

[4.1.2008 | Mercer Island]
Jeff Collins, Professional Haberdasher

When you ask the groomsmen to be in your wedding it's assumed they will be renting tuxedos, usually at their own expense. While rental offers range from $50 to $150, I have personally found most rentals end up averaging $120 & can be as much as $200. Each tux is a different price and most brides & grooms gravitate to the nicer fabrics because they feel and look better, but also cost more. Some stores charge extra for shoes & accessories such as vests. That entry level deal is rarely the out the door price.

Another option is to buy a tux. The problem is most people won't have enough occasions over the next 5 to 10 years to justify the cost. After all you may want to wear a 3 button coat to your wedding while the next one is a 2 button. Then you're back to square one. The point at which it makes sense financially to own a tux is if you will wear it 3 to 4 times a year. Less than that and you are buying one because you want to wear YOUR tux and not one a hundred other guys have worn.

When the Bride & Groom decide they want their wedding somewhat formal but different from the norm, the third option comes into play. That is when the Groom & Groomsmen wearing a matching suit. The fathers usually enjoy being a part of this as well.

The great thing about this is the Groom gets to come out of the ceremony not just with a beautiful new wife but also with a very nice & useful suit he can wear for years to come.

This isn't for every wedding ceremony & if it's not in the budget then don't even consider it. Here's when it might be right to do so:

* The Groom & Groomsmen will get plenty of use out of a nice suit later * You would feel a little awkward wearing a tux that you don't where it's been * The Bride or Groom's family can subsidize the purchase OR * The Groomsmen have the ability to buy their own suit * The Groomsmen are already out $100-200 for a rental tux anyway so why not put that money towards a purchase. * You would like your special day to not be a cookie cutter wedding * Your wedding is out of town, making a rental last too long & cost too much * You would like to have a lasting memento of your special day * Add your own reason here_______________________

Here's where I come in. I meet with the Bride and Groom to talk about styling, color, pricing etc. I then go out to each of the local groomsmen to take their measurements. Sometimes the Groomsmen will have a get together and I can take everyone's measurements at once. The suits are then made for each man individually out of the same cloth. I bring them to them a few weeks later for a fitting and deliver them after any minor adjustments are done if necessary.

Some Grooms like to wear something a little different to stand out in the wedding party. Perhaps he's in Black and the Groomsmen are in charcoal grey. Or for a summer wedding outdoors during the day he's in tan and they wear brown. Usually the couple likes for me to arrange for colored ties and pocket squares to match the bridesmaids if the theme isn't black & white.

I offer special wedding pricing. You will at least get a 15% discount. (Please mention this blog)

OR

You also have the choice to have the Groom get $100 off per each Groomsman buying a suit or have everyone get a $100 discount. Here's an example:

* You pick out a beautiful suit fabric at $695 but everyone pays $595, getting a wonderful suit made just for them. OR * You pick out that same suit fabric at $695 & 5 people total are buying them. The Groom's suit ends up at $295 and the other 4 guys pay $695 and everyone gets a really nice suit made for them. If two Fathers in the wedding party also buy a suit then the Groom's suit is a mere $95 at that price range. It can make sense to keep the discount when the groomsmen can easily afford the suit and hey, you're helping foot the bill for a pretty costly wedding & starting a life together.

I also sell shirts, shoes, ties, cufflinks and even tuxedos.

Thank you for reading and considering this option. Feel free to ask me a question via email. Just bounce over to the CONTACT page.

Congratulations!

Jeff Collins Professional Haberdasher

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