Suite VS Tux? Buying VS Renting Help

I wanted a suit, but FH chose a tux. Ask your FH if he has a preference.

FH's reasoning is that it's a wedding, and it's an afternoon wedding so we have to have a cutaway gray tux. It makes him happy, so who am I to object?

My FH is renting a tux and the guys are getting suits also renting.

^Same here. I thought suits would be fine, but FH was insistent on a tux that we are renting. And I have to admit, he looks FANTASTIC in it.

I think it's harder to rent suits (we didn't bother looking into it, but tux rentals are super common and I don't think suit rentals are). So everyone would probably have to buy one. Granted, as long as they're wearing the same color suit, it won't be noticeable if they're not wearing the exact same one.

I don't think that anything dictates that you need to have them in suits or tuxes for your wedding. Whatever they'd prefer.

I think we figured out that it would cost just about the same to RENT a tux as it would be to BUY a suit. And the suits look really nice! So I really don't see the point in making them pay for something they will have to return when they can buy something that, as you said, is altered perfectly for them and looks almost as good!

We're going with suits!

Our group decided they wanted to buy suits.

First, FH and I found a rental tux style and suit style that we liked. We had the sales person write down all of our choices for both.

Second, we asked all men involved in the wedding party about the pricing (if they would be comfortable with each price). of both and sent them a pic of both options.

The majority said buy since they are all relatively young and need suits anyway.

There's no official etiquette, but be realistic. If you want them to buy, make it a versatile option. As in, a black and white or gray and white suit. Don't make them purchase a tan suit or something that wouldn't be appropriate anywhere else.

There is significant difference between a suit and a tux. A suit looks more professional or business like, or can look more casual. A tux looks more formal and celebratory.

As the only regular male member of Wedding Wire, I can tell you, don't feel bad asking them to rent a tux if it's what you want,,, you are gonna ask your girls to buy a dress they technically are renting, cuz they will never wear it again...

However, if you do choose to rent, do know hat just like your dress - there are different levels of quality.

I'm going all out for mine and FH and we are renting a Vera Wang tux from Men's Warehouse. It's over $200 to rent.

For the groomsmen, we stepped down to a Calvin Klein, also from MW, and only about $145. The cheap ones, look cheap.

Rustic - tan suits are appropriate just about everywhere but a funeral.

Thank you everyone for your inputs!! Super helpful. That was my first post to a wedding site and didn't expect much feedback so, thank you. Much appreciated. My FH does not really have one he likes better over the other, besides the fact that he would get to keep his suit (which he needs one anyways) and on top of that it would be the suit he married the love of his life in! =) The only place we looked at today was mens warehouse and I wasn't impressed with it.

Pezzy, are you going with the Vera Wang grey and black? He loved that one but he was 245 bucks and he figured it would be more practical to buy one but then again nothing about our wedding has been "practical" yet so why start now. haha

The sales guy at mens warehouse did mention that he gets grooms whom choose to buy the suit and the rest of the GM rent tux, I'm not sure I have ever seen a groom in a suit and the boys in tux? I do know suits are harder to rent and it would look a lot sharper to have a suit that is made to fit that person than one that is baggy or long.

Any suggestions on what other places to look for suits?

FH and I were having this debate today! I want them in suits because I think tuxes look a little too formal for our outdoor summer wedding. If he had his way, he would wear a suit he already has! I didn't think about buying the suit as an option. Sounds like a good compromise to me!

We MUCH preferred the option of buying something - whether suit or tux - simply because of FIT. Buying the garment allows you to custom tailor it through the body for a much better fit. Renting only allows for shortening the length of the arms or legs, not the body. I have seen many rental tuxes in weddings and they often look baggy, boxy and ill-fitting on men. Not a nice, modern, slim-fit look that is in style now. I do not like the look of rental tuxes on most men.

My FH has decided to get a bespoke suit. Bespoke means it is custom made to his exact measurements for a perfect fit. He gets to choose everything from the fabric, to lining, to buttons, to the degree of peek on the lapels. It will fit perfectly and look amazing. The fabric will be a high quality fabric with a sheen so that it looks formal and elegant, not business like. Suits do NOT have to look like business attire. They can be formal.

Dana, I am wearing he Vera Wang black, my FH is wearing the dark grey, our groomsmen wearing the Light grey Calvin Klein.

Yes he can buy a tux for less, but that tux retails for close to a thousand...

FH wants to buy a tux so that means the GMs will be wearing tuxes and renting them. If they want to buy them then they can.

We had an afternoon wedding in a garden. My gown was shortened to tea length, so DH bought a navy blue suit that he could wear again. His BM wore a suit he already owned (I don't even remember the color).

My guy is going to purchase a suit, and the Groomsmen will be renting. I told him that I got to choose my dress, so he gets to choose his suit/tux. I was surprised that he really did not want to wear a tux. It's kind of funny though, it makes SO much more sense for the guy to purchase a suit/tux than it does for the bride to purchase a gown! Talk with your guy and his GM to see what their preference is.

We decided to go with suits but FH will be the only one wearing a jacket while the guys wear vests. We went back and forth with the suit vs tux debate. One thing that helped us decide was the ability to have suits altered vs having a tux hopefully fit. FH's brother (best man) is 6'5 and over 200 lbs. He is difficult to fit without alterations. We didn't want anyone being uncomfortable or looking weird because their tux didn't fit right. Also, a suit is something that can be worn again, especially if it is a regular suit color.

You can find really nice suits at decent prices if you look outside of MW. We bought the suits from Macy's during a 25% off sale. (They are ALWAYS having sales.) For the pants, vest, shirt, and tie the suits came out to about $150 each.

Edited to mention that we are actually buying the shirts and ties at MW. Only the pants and vests were purchased at Macy's.

Wow, lots go good info shared so far, I'm not sure I can add too much. As far as the differences, the tuxedo comes in a variety of colors (although most commonly black) and is a more formal look. Physically, it features satin lapels and a satin side stripe on the side of the pants and can be paired with a pleated formal shirt. Suits are less formal and the lapels are made with the same material as the rest of the suit and is generally paired with a plain front shirt.

You can rent suits if you look to an independent shop outside the large chain stores. When you're comparing between rental and purchase, just be sure you're looking at apples-to-apples. For instance, the suit purchase price generally only includes a jacket and pants. To compare with the rental, you need to add in the costs of a shirt, tie/pocket square, vest, shoes and tailoring (assuming you want them to match). If your guys already want to buy a suit to have in their closet that's great. If they're more price sensitive or aren't "suit guys" maybe renting is a better option. In our area (upstate New York) we offer both as options but definitely send out more rentals than purchased suits for wedding parties we work with.

As far as fit goes, on a purchase you can do as much or as little tailoring as your budget permits. That said, there are a number of slim/european/modern looks available so don't just assume that rental = boxy. Have fun shopping!