Deciding whether to hire or buy a wedding suit is a difficult decision. It not only depends on preference but also relies on the needs and budget of the groom or groomsmen. 

Buying a wedding suit opens your choices up immensely, being able to choose from made-to-measure or bespoke suits and choosing the colour, material, patterns and style. 

You can still have a similar experience with luxury tailored suit hire because, at Phillip Alexander, we work to ensure that even our tailored suits fit perfectly and are unique to you.

If you’re unsure whether to buy or hire a suit, the master tailors at Phillip Alexander can help. We’ve compiled a list of pros and cons to help you decide. 

 

Buying a wedding suit

 

Pros

You can wear it again 

Buying a suit means you keep it after your special day and wear it to future formal events. Your suit is also a beautiful memento of your wedding.

Unique and tailored to you

If you buy a bespoke or made-to-measure wedding suit, your suit will be completely unique. You’ll be guaranteed a perfect fit on your wedding day and feel entirely comfortable. Plus, you’ll be able to choose the colour and type of suit that perfectly matches the bride’s wedding dress. 

Permanent alterations

Purchasing a suit can involve getting it tailored to fit you seamlessly. Whether you’re attending a formal occasion or a casual evening event, a well-fitting suit can make all the difference. With a bespoke or made to measure suit, you can achieve this perfect tailored look.

An abundance of choice

You have a huge range to choose from when buying a suit. This includes made-to-measure, bespoke, or off-the-rack suits. You also have autonomy over what style, colour, and material the suit is.

 

Cons

Budget 

When buying a suit, you’ll likely be restricted by your budget. You might only be able to afford a high-street suit rather than the bespoke suit of your dreams. 

Lower quality 

You might struggle to find a high-quality suit that you can afford if you have a modest budget.

 

Hiring a wedding suit 

 

Pros

Budget 

If you’re considering hiring your wedding suit, it’s likely because hiring is significantly cheaper than buying. You can rent a designer wedding suit for a fraction of the price you would pay to buy one. 

Quality 

Because hiring suits is more cost-effective, you can opt for a more expensive brand or suit material. This will ensure you’ll stand out from the crowd on your wedding day. 

Fitting 

Most wedding suit hires will include a fitting, or several. This ensures the suit fits you correctly and looks flattering on your body type.  

Guidance and advice 

If you buy a suit from the high street, you won’t get the same advice you’d get if you hire one from a quality tailor. 

 

Cons

Stress about damaging the suit 

If you hire an expensive wedding suit, you’ll be liable for any damages that occur while you’re wearing the suit. This might affect how you act on your wedding day rather than feeling entirely relaxed. 

No permanent alterations 

Although fittings are included in wedding suit hire, they’ll be unable to make any significant permanent alterations. This can be an issue depending on your body type and how the suit initially fits. 

Time restraints 

All wedding suit hire services will come with a specified about of time you are allowed to keep it for, which could range from a couple of days to a week. Hiring might be challenging if you need the suit for an extended period of time. 

 

How Phillip Alexander can help

Whether you want to hire or buy your dream wedding suit, we can help!

Philip Alexander Bespoke Tailors are experts at dressing gentlemen. We have been creating stunning bespoke wedding suits since 1876. Based in Manchester and Cheshire, Phillip Alexander can craft a beautiful high-quality suit cut in your preferred style so you can look your best at your wedding. 

We offer a wide range of tailoring services, including bespoke suits, semi-bespoke ‘made to measure’ suits, and tailored suit hire

Bespoke suits 

Bespoke tailored wedding suits are our speciality. Investing in one of our bespoke suits is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are perfectly fitted to your measurements and take into account your preferences. This results in a unique and sophisticated hand-cut garment expertly crafted by our master tailor.

Made to measure suits 

We also offer made to measure wedding suits if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option. These semi-bespoke suits involve fewer fittings and are ready to wear in around 2 months. We create a quality and impeccably fitting suit using a mixture of handcraft and machine work.

Luxury tailored suit hire

If you want a high-quality and elegant suit made by a master tailor but aren’t ready to purchase one of your own, we offer luxury tailored suit hire. Our suit hire involves several fitting sessions to ensure a seamless fit on your wedding day. You’ll also get invaluable advice from our master tailor to help style your luxury suit. 

Whether you want a bespoke, made to measure, or luxury hire wedding suit, get in touch with our team to request an appointment.