For grooms, when it comes to their wedding wear, there are plenty of stylish options, but the question is whether to rent or buy suits? Our list of pros and cons below is for all grooms who still have to make this decision. Let’s examine both sides!
Browse Ireland’s top specialist wedding suit shops here!
Reasons to buy the groom’s suit
Apply logic
Most brides buy their dresses, but a lot of grooms rent their suits. A wedding gown could cost as little as €150, or as much as €4000 (and more!). The gown will only be worn once. But the suit could be worn many times. Logically speaking, it makes sense to buy the suit, even if it costs several hundred euros.
He needs a quality suit
If his wardrobe displays a serious lack of posh attire, then buying makes perfect sense. Every man needs at least one elegant suit that fits him perfectly. It’s a wardrobe staple, just like an LBD is for a woman.
It’s a good investment
Buy quality and it will last for a long time. You may say you’re not the type of couple to be invited to grand occasions. Even if that’s true now, you don’t know what opportunities life will throw at you later! With a suit he owns, he’ll be ready to go anywhere in a flash.
He deserves to look his best
They say it’s all eyes on the bride on the wedding day, but she wouldn’t be there without the groom standing beside her! He deserves to look and feel as great as she does, head to toe. That means elegant, dashing, fragrant and accessorised to the hilt. A well dressed groom is a happy groom!
Above image from Caroline & Michael’s real wedding by Konrad Kubic Photography
The ideal fit
When you buy, you can have as many alterations as you like. Or consider getting a custom-made suit, for the perfect fit from head to toe, in the right fabric and style.
Convenience
Do you live in an area with few rental places? You may not mind travelling before the wedding in search of the perfect fit. But the suits will have to be returned after the wedding. Will you mind travelling again for this? What if you’re leaving for the honeymoon immediately? Do you have someone you can ask to return the suits for you? If this is going to be too much of a problem, buying may be a better alternative.
Seasonal sales and prices
Even major designers have sales, so getting a killer deal is simply a matter of getting the timing right. It’s customary to go shopping for the wedding dress first and leave the suit until later. Start looking early and sign up to all web alerts from your favourite stores so you don’t miss a single sale.
Timing
Rental places have a limited number of suits. Once the suits are booked, they’re gone – so starting early is vital. It’s even more important if you want to pull together a nice unified look for the groomsmen. If you leave it too late for rental, buying can be done anytime, even the day before the wedding. We wouldn’t wish that on any couple, but it’s comforting to know this last minute option exists.
Reasons to rent the groom’s suit
The latest styles
We’ve heard this advice given time and again: don’t buy a suit in the latest style, it will date quickly. Buy a classic. So what’s a fashionable groom to do? Hire, of course. Rental places keep up with the latest trends, so he can indulge to his heart’s content.
Discounts
It’s worth asking any rental place whether they do discounts on group hire. If you’ll have quite a few groomsmen, this could turn into very attractive savings.
Above image from Philippa & Kevin’s real wedding by Konrad Kubic Photography
The affordable cost
Any place with a great selection will also have a range of designs and prices. That means you don’t have to blow your budget, even if you want something with a designer label.
No mismatches
Bridesmaids pull off the mismatched look with great panache, but that’s not always the case for the guys. As long as you book the suits early enough, you’ll have every guy looking smashingly gorgeous without deviating from the same style.
No hassle
Your rental suit will come clean, pressed and ready to wear. Most rental places also include return cleaning in their fees already, so you don’t have to worry about that either. Except if it suffers real damage, like tearing or a whole bowl of spag bol thrown over it, then you may have to pay extra.
The complete set
Most rental places will have every piece you need for a complete look. The groom will literally only provide his own socks, shoes and boutonniere. But it’s worth remembering that rental places can’t stock every colour of accessories under the sun. So if it’s Egyptian blue or atomic tangerine you’re looking for, you may have to get the accessories yourself.
Any style
If the groom wants to wear something unusual (like white tie and tails or a morning suit), hiring is probably a better way to go. Unless you expect to go to many high profile events in the future, buying these styles may not be the best option. You don’t want to spend money on something that will simply hang in the closet for years to come.
Browse Ireland’s top specialist wedding suit shops here!
Above image from Fiona & Gary’s real wedding by Tara Donoghue Photography
Main image from Katharina & Michael’s real wedding by Your Wedding Planner in Malta
