Should You Rent or Buy?

You found the venue, chose the colors, and have probably already checked the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses off the list. Now it's time to figure out what the other half of the aisle is wearing!

One of the first decisions couples face when choosing wedding-day menswear is whether to rent or buy.

And while we wish there were a one-size-fits-all answer, there really isn't! Renting and purchasing both have their advantages, and the right choice depends on your wedding, your budget, your wedding party, and what you'll realistically wear again.

Here's what we recommend considering before making your decision.

First, Think About the Wedding Party

Before deciding what the groom should wear, think about the entire group.

Will you have five, eight, or even twelve people who need coordinating suits? Are your groomsmen spread across different cities or states? Do you want everyone in exactly the same color and style?

If you're outfitting an entire wedding party, renting is often the easiest option.

A rental program allows everyone to order the same coordinated look without each groomsman having to purchase a suit they may never wear again. It can also make managing an out-of-town wedding party significantly easier.

Instead of asking everyone to find their own version of "tan" or "navy"—and discovering on the wedding day that you somehow ended up with five different shades—you can create one cohesive look for the group.

When Renting Makes Sense

Renting is a great choice for couples who want convenience, coordination, and less commitment.

It can be especially helpful when you're choosing a color or style that your wedding party isn't likely to wear regularly after the wedding.

Renting may be the better fit if:

You want the entire wedding party to match.
Your groomsmen probably won't wear the suit again.
You're choosing a more wedding-specific color or style.
You want to keep the upfront cost lower.
Your wedding party lives in different locations.
You want professional help coordinating shirts, ties, vests, shoes, and accessories.
You don't want everyone responsible for tailoring their own pieces.

There's also something to be said for simplicity. Wedding planning comes with enough decisions already! Having one place coordinating the wedding party's entire look can take one more thing off your plate.

When Buying Makes Sense

On the other hand, sometimes purchasing a suit is absolutely worth the investment.

If the groom wears suits regularly for work, attends formal events often, or simply wants to own the suit he gets married in, buying can make a lot of sense.

We especially love the idea of purchasing when you're choosing a classic, versatile suit that can easily be worn again.

Buying may be the better choice if:

You know you'll wear the suit again.
You want a more personalized or tailored fit.
You're choosing a classic color like black, navy, or charcoal.
You'd like to keep your wedding suit for sentimental reasons.
You attend several formal or professional events each year.
You're comfortable investing more upfront for something you'll keep long-term.

Think about cost per wear, too. A suit that costs more initially may actually be the better value if you wear it to weddings, work events, dinners, funerals, holiday parties, and other occasions for years to come.

If it's going to sit untouched in the back of the closet after your wedding, though, purchasing may not offer the same value.

Don't Forget to Factor in Tailoring

One important difference between purchasing and renting is that additional tailoring is required with a purchased suit.

When you purchase a suit, you're buying a standard size, and alterations are often needed afterward to achieve that polished, tailored fit. Depending on the suit and the person wearing it, that could mean adjusting the pant length, waist, jacket sleeves, or other areas—and those alterations are an additional expense to consider when comparing the overall cost of buying versus renting.

With our rental suits and tuxedos, pieces are ordered to your measurements and arrive ready to fit as closely as possible. If something isn't fitting quite right when it arrives, many fit adjustments and replacement pieces can be handled at no additional charge, making rentals a convenient option for large wedding parties.

So when comparing the price of renting versus buying, don't look at the price tag alone. Consider the total cost of getting the suit wedding-day ready, including any tailoring that may be necessary after purchasing.

The Groom and Groomsmen Don't Have to Make the Same Choice

Here's something couples sometimes overlook:

The groom can buy while the groomsmen rent.

In fact, this can be a great compromise.

Maybe the groom wants to invest in a beautiful suit he'll wear for years, while asking eight groomsmen to purchase the exact same suit doesn't make sense.

You can still coordinate everyone's look while allowing the groom to stand out a little. After all, he's allowed to look like the groom!

This can also be accomplished through subtle differences like the groom's tie, vest, boutonniere, shirt, or accessories.

Don't Forget About Fit

Whether you're renting or buying, fit matters more than the price tag on the suit.

An expensive suit that doesn't fit properly isn't going to look nearly as polished as a more affordable option that fits well.

Wedding photos capture every angle, so pay attention to details like jacket length, sleeve length, shoulder placement, pant length, and how everything lays when buttoned.

And remember: bodies change!

If you're ordering your wedding attire months in advance, don't panic if your measurements change slightly before the wedding. This is another reason working with a professional menswear provider can be helpful.

Consider Your Wedding Style

Your venue and overall wedding aesthetic can help guide the decision, too.

A black-tie ballroom wedding may call for a classic tuxedo that most groomsmen don't have much reason to own. Renting makes perfect sense.

For a more relaxed wedding, a versatile suit may be something the groom would genuinely wear again.

Neither option is inherently more formal or more stylish. What matters is choosing something appropriate for your wedding and making sure everyone looks polished and cohesive.

Think Beyond the Wedding Day

Before purchasing, ask yourself one simple question:

Where will I wear this again?

And be specific.

If you immediately think of work events, other weddings, date nights, church, holiday parties, or professional occasions, purchasing may be a worthwhile investment.

If the answer is essentially, "Well...maybe someday?" renting might make more sense.

There's no prize for owning a suit that spends the next ten years collecting dust!

So, Should You Rent or Buy?

Ultimately, it comes down to how much you'll use it, how much you want to spend, and how important convenience and coordination are to you.

If you want an easy way to coordinate an entire wedding party without asking everyone to make a significant purchase, renting is hard to beat.

If you're looking for a timeless suit you'll genuinely wear for years after the wedding, buying can be a great investment.

And sometimes, the best answer is a little bit of both.

At Sara Loree's, we're here to help you look at your wedding style, colors, wedding party, and budget to figure out what makes the most sense for your day—not just what everyone else is doing.

Because whether it's rented, purchased, black, tan, navy, traditional, or something completely different, the goal is the same:

You feel confident, comfortable and completely yourself when you walk down the aisle.

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