Groom's Suit or Tuxedo Cost

How Much Does a Groom's Suit or Tuxedo Cost?

Rental: $50-$100

Medium: $300-$800

High: $800-$1,500+

Typical costs:

Tuxedo or suit costs vary, depending on whether the groom rents or buys. On the low end, tuxedo rentals start at about $50 to $100 for rental of a basic wool tuxedo and vest.
In the mid-range, a groom can buy a nice suit for between $300 and $800.
And, on the high end, it costs about $800 to $1,500 and up to purchase a quality designer wool or linen tuxedo or suit.
The average groom's tuxedo or suit cost is $197, according to the Bridal Association of America.

What should be included:

Tuxedo rental includes a professional measurement and fitting, as well as pressing, cleaning and overnight use of the tuxedo.

Additional costs:

When renting a tuxedo, the vest, tie shoes and shirt typically cost extra. And, of course, if you buy a suit, you will need to buy a shirt, tie and cufflinks, which can add $100 or more to your cost. The average groom spends $116 on accessories, according to the Bridal Association of America.
While rented tuxedoes should fit perfectly, grooms who buy a suit or tuxedo might need alterations, which will cost $30 to $100 or more, depending on the complexity of the alteration.

Discounts:

If the groomsmen are renting their tuxedoes, the rental shop will usually throw in the groom's tuxedo for free
If you check their websites, many chain formalwear rental stores offer coupons.

Shopping for a groom's suit or tuxedo:

When trying to decide whether to rent a tuxedo, buy a tuxedo or buy a suit, TheGroomGuide.com provides a list of pros and cons for each option.
Brides.com offers a guide on how to choose the right suit or tuxedo for the season, time of day and formality level, and The Men's Wearhouse lists answers to common questions about formalwear and The Knot.com offers a guide on choosing attire based on body type.
If the groom does not live near the groomsmen, a chain store might be the most convenient option to coordinate their attire. Chains include After Hours Formalwear and The Men's Wearhouse.
GQ.com offers a step-by-step guide to buying a suit and making sure the fit is correct. To get proper fit, buy the suit at least a month in advance and have it tailored by a professional.
To buy a suit, check chain department stores such as Nordstrom or Macy's or men's stores such as The Men's Wearhouse.

Article updated March 2007

Recent Posts

Amount: $960.00

Decided to buy a black suit

Posted by: a user in San Jose, CA.	Purchased: June, 2006
Rental or Purchase?: Purchase	Tuxedo or Suit?: Suit
Store: Tuxedo	Style: Modern

My problem with rental tuxedos is the fit -- my body shape doesn't fit the typical sizes found at a rental shop, and every time I've rented a tux, it's looked terrible. The jacket and the pants can be the wrong size and hurriedly hemmed. Once, at a company party, the hemming (taking 2" off the pants) on my rental tuxedo literally started to fall apart on me while dancing. I didn't want to risk a mishap on my wedding day, so I decided to buy a suit and get it tailored, even though it was a considerable expense. I bought a modern, Italian black suit at Eli Thomas. The store in San Jose had an amazing tailor and they got the fit just right. The suit was $800, the tie was $100, and so the total with tax was $960. I probably could have gotten a better tie at a better price if I shopped around more. If the suits and tuxedos at rental shops don't fit your body type, I recommend buying a suit (or tux) and having it tailored.