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PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE JESKEY
A tuxedo is a classic wedding look that feels both timeless and modern. This elegant piece of formal wear might look simple, but picking out the perfect wedding tuxedo involves making decisions on the cut, color, and accessories that dictate the final price you’ll pay. The biggest decision of all: Should you rent or buy your wedding tux?
Wedding tuxedo prices vary widely based on all these factors and more, so we’ve consulted with wedding expert Kylie Carlson to help you decode the complicated world of wedding tuxedos and decide what’s right for your wedding day.
Meet the Expert
Kylie Carlson is a wedding planner and principal CEO of The Wedding Academy, an internationally recognized accreditation program that brings professional training to wedding planners, designers, and stylists. She’s spent the last 12 years training wedding planners and has helped launch over 6,000 careers in the industry.
If you’re wondering how much the average tuxedo will set you back, we’ve got you covered. We put together a complete guide to wedding tuxedo prices, tips, and FAQs so you know exactly what to expect.
Average Price of a Wedding Tux
Wedding tuxedo prices vary just as widely as wedding dress prices, but the biggest factor when it comes to price is deciding whether to rent or buy. Tuxedo rentals start at around $200. “If you foresee that you may only wear the tux once on your wedding day and then let it sit in your closet and collect dust, then renting might be your best bet,” recommends Carlson. Buying a tux may cost you more upfront—upwards of $500 to $1,000—but if you plan to wear it to formal events often, it may be a worthwhile investment.
How to Save Money on a Wedding Tux
If you’re on a tight budget, renting a wedding tuxedo is one of the easiest ways to save hundreds of dollars off your wedding ensemble, but it’s not the only way. Carlson recommends looking for a tux rental package that includes just the basics—no accessories like shoes, cufflinks, bowtie, tie clips, etc. You might already have those items in your closet, or you could borrow the accessories that your father or grandfather wore on his wedding day to add a sentimental element to your wedding day look.
Another way to save money on your wedding tuxedo is to rent it from an online retailer instead of going into a big-box store. Some sites offer tuxedos at a deep discount for the groom if his wedding party also rents their tuxes from the retailer. You also get a chance to try it on before the big day to make sure it fits, and it arrives two weeks before your wedding.
What Dictates the Price
The cost of renting your wedding tux is a small fraction of the tuxedo’s outright purchase price. Aside from that, the cost will depend on the designer, fabric, and any alterations you might need to make the tux fit like a glove. “The designer alone will be a huge indicator of which price range you’ll fall in, but that isn’t to say that you can’t get a high-quality tux at a reasonable price,” says Carlson.
Wherever you decide to rent or buy your tux will undoubtedly offer a multitude of fabric, fits, and accessories that can increase the total cost of your wedding day ensemble. There are chic options for every price point, so don’t assume you need to spend a small fortune to get a high-quality tux. Explore the options available in-store and online to find the tux that fits your style and budget.
Additional Costs to Expect
A wedding tux is so much more than a shirt, jacket, and pants. A full tuxedo with all of the extra pieces (bow tie, lapels, cuff links, etc.) will cost upwards of $100 on top of the base suit price. Any alterations will also cost around the same, depending on the type of adjustments needed. Be sure to factor these costs into your budget before you start seriously shopping around for a wedding tux. “Supply or warehouse stores will typically have a set price list regarding alterations, so be prepared to spend around $50 to $100 on these adjustments,” says Carlson. “There are a small handful of places that will do these changes for free.”
Custom suits that fall outside of the standard black and white color palette and fabric will likely cost you extra. This is especially true for fabrics like wool and velvet, which are a popular choice for winter weddings. Renting these custom suits may set you back around $500 or upwards of $1500 if you decide to purchase the suit outright.
If you're renting a tux, be aware of any hidden fees like a security deposit or damage fee that you may incur if you somehow spill something or rip your tux on the day of. Many formalwear companies also have a return window for rented tuxes, which may also have late fees attached. Make sure to ask what these fees will look like so you can avoid any unexpected costs.
Wedding Tux FAQs
Fit is just as important as style when it comes to a wedding tux. Whether you're buying or renting your tuxedo, it's important to work with a tailor to figure out what parts of the suit need to be adjusted to achieve the proper fit. Before you schedule your tuxedo fitting, be sure to go over the following questions with your tailor so you know what to expect.