Should You Buy or Rent Your Wedding Suit

The day has come where you popped the question — it's time to start planning the wedding. A special part of the ceremony is the wedding attire, as you want to look and feel amazing. It may initially seem easier to just rent a suit that you will only wear for one day. However, there are many other situations, such as friends' or family weddings and formal events, that can pop up anytime. Having a reliable and well-fitted suit can be convenient in these situations. 

How Much Does a Wedding Suit Cost to Rent or Buy?

When it comes to deciding whether to rent or buy a suit for your special occasion, the instant thought is the cost. If you decide that you should buy your wedding suit, it will generally be more expensive than renting. Factoring in the cost with other determinants, like the number of times you will wear the suit again, will determine if the investment is right for you. 

At the same time, if you decide to rent your suit and later on have to rent more suits for other occasions, this decision can become more costly. 

A suit rental cost depends on the brand and seller. The average cost to rent a wedding suit is around $100 to $200, but they can be more or less than this depending on these and other factors. If you're renting your suit last-minute, these prices can go even higher to account for a "rush fee." Rentals normally include a package that comes with accessories like a shirt, pants, shoes and cufflinks. 

Other Factors — Brand, Seller and Future Occasions

Your decision on buying vs. renting a wedding suit should also depend on the brand and seller. The average cost of buying a custom suit ranges from $465 to $895, but you may be able to find some as low as $295, depending on where you look. Depending on the fabric that is used in the suit, the cost may increase. 

Let's say you buy a suit for $575. You are going to wear that suit on your wedding day, and you plan to wear it for other formal events down the road. If you have a friend's wedding coming up, a formal dinner to attend and a meeting with your boss next week, these are already three additional instances where your suit will come in handy. 

If you take the initial price and divide it by four, the price per wear is $143.75. This price is cheaper than the average spending on a rental suit. Plus, your suit will be customized and tailored to your exact measurements and liking. Not to mention, the following years down the line will most likely have events that your suit will get even more wear in. 

You have to think about if you will have more upcoming events or opportunities that you will need a suit to wear and factor in the price per wear. Renting is going to be cheaper initially but think about the uses in the future and if it is smarter to invest. 

Formal-attire life events sometimes occur when we least expect them to and having that pre-purchased suit on hand can potentially save you time and money. Job interviews, networking events, upscale restaurants, funerals, dances, business meetings and numerous weddings occur throughout one's life. 

Tailoring and Customization

Getting a suit tailored to be an exact fit on your body can show professionalism and sophistication. Not every man is the same. Therefore, there are key factors to consider when thinking about tailoring and customization of a suit. A few of these factors include comfort, style, fit, and fabric. Depending on if you rent or buy your suit, some factors may or may not be available to customize.

When you buy a suit you, have the opportunity to customize it to your liking. You own that investment you made which means you can get any alterations done. Alterations are exceptional when it comes to fitting your suit exactly to your size, including your shape and height. 

Tailors will take your measurements and match your suit to fit just right in all spaces. You can also make personalized customizations to your suit. Some of these customizations include fabric choices, color choices, special pocket locations and cufflinks. You also have the option of choosing from a wide variety of shirts, pants, ties and shoes to best fit your signature, special-day look.

Renting May Limit Your Tailoring and Customization Options

When renting a suit, standard sizes are all that you have to choose from. These sizes range from small to extra-large and are based on measurements for different areas of the body. 

Some retailers ask for your body measurements to match you to a rental suit. With these standard sizes, certain areas of the suit might not fit right on your body. The shoulders, arm length, leg length and waist are some common areas on the male body that can differ in size. You could be left with the coat sleeves being too long on your arms or the pants being too loose around the waist and tight on your thighs.

When you rent a suit, you have limited options for altering or customizing. You can still pick out accessories to go along with your suit — however, these options are more limited than ones you can get when you purchase your own.

Body shapes and sizes are unique and it is important to have your suit fit correctly in all areas. A well-fitted suit builds confidence in yourself and leaves a great impression of sophistication on others. If comfort and having style are highly important, buying is most likely the right route for you. 

Buying a Suit Pros and Cons

As your wedding day gets closer, you'll need to make a confident decision about whether you should rent or buy your suit. Let's take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of buying over renting. 

Pros of Buying Your Wedding Suit

Here are a few of the benefits you could experience when you choose to buy your suit for your upcoming wedding:

• You can have it altered to fit your body right: A right fit means you will feel comfortable, confident, and impress others.
• You will have it available to wear on multiple occasions: You will be prepared, save time and money, and save potential stress from occurring about finding a suit to wear to an upcoming event. Cost-per-wear is important to keep in mind.
• You'll be the first to wear it: The suit will be brand-new and you don't have to worry about if anyone previously wore it.

Cons of Buying Your Wedding Suit

There are many benefits to buying your wedding suit, but make sure you consider these potentially negative factors as well:

• Buying is initially more expensive: It can be intimidating to pay the price on the tag of the suit. That's why factoring in the cost per wear is useful. 
• Your suit size could change in the future:  Your suit may not fit the same way a few years down the line. 
• You might not wear it again: You might not have a job that requires you to dress professionally or have no formal events to attend at the moment. However, life is full of surprises and you might need it a few years down the road.

Renting a Suit Pros and Cons

Now that you've considered both sides of buying a suit, it's time to take a closer look at the pros and cons of renting. 

Pros of Renting a Suit

Renting a suit is a convenient way to get a suit for your wedding. Here's why:

• You'll pay a cheaper cost upfront: Renting can be cheaper if you don't see yourself wearing the suit ever again.
• Accessories are built into a rental package: You have some options to choose from with all other accessories needed.

Cons of Renting a Suit

• Renting can get expensive over time: After several occurrences, the suit becomes expensive if you plan to keep renting. It becomes more expensive than if you would have initially invested in buying one.
• Your tailoring and customization options are limited: You are stuck with standard sizing and it might not fit your body. 
• You miss out on the satisfaction of owning your suit and are taking a risk: You can't keep the suit after the wedding and if you damage it, you may end up with more expenses. 

Buy Your Wedding Suit From Penner's, Inc.

After assessing the pros and cons listed above, you can decide which option fits best for your needs and budget. More than likely, you will have another formal event where you will need a suit in the future. Buying your customized suit can save you time, money and stress. You can show off your looks and style with your own customized suit and feel more comfortable moving around in it. 

When you buy a suit at Penner’s in San Antonio, Texas, we offer free tailoring services with custom suit orders. Come check our high-quality custom suits for a great deal!