Groom and Groomsmen Attire Budget Guide

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Compare renting versus buying with real numbers

   Traditional tuxedo rental costs $150 to $300 per person for a jacket, pants, shirt, tie, and sometimes shoes. Suit rental costs $100 to $200 per person. Buying an affordable suit from direct-to-consumer brands (SuitShop, Indochino, Express) costs $150 to $400 per person and the groomsman keeps the suit forever. For the groom, renting a tuxedo costs $200 to $350 while buying a similar quality tuxedo costs $300 to $600 from mid-range brands. The buy-versus-rent math: if a groomsman will wear the suit to even one future event (job interview, holiday party, another wedding), buying at $250 to $350 is better value than renting at $175 to $250 for a single use. The exception is when a specific style or formality level is required that a groomsman would never wear again — a white dinner jacket or a very formal black tuxedo with tails is worth renting rather than buying. For the groom, buying almost always wins because you will wear a good suit or tuxedo multiple times.

2. 2

   Understand tuxedo versus suit pricing and when each makes sense

   Tuxedos cost 20 to 40 percent more than equivalent-quality suits because of the satin lapels, satin-striped trousers, and more formal construction. A quality off-the-rack suit costs $200 to $600 while a comparable tuxedo costs $300 to $800. For rentals, the premium is smaller: $25 to $75 more for a tuxedo versus a suit. When to choose a tuxedo: black-tie or formal evening weddings, winter weddings, and ballroom or estate venues. When a suit works perfectly: afternoon ceremonies, outdoor and garden weddings, rustic and boho weddings, beach and destination weddings, and semi-formal receptions. The trend toward suits over tuxedos has saved couples significant money because suits are cheaper to buy, more versatile to re-wear, and easier to source in matching colors and fits for the entire wedding party. A navy or charcoal suit with a stylish tie and pocket square looks polished at any wedding that is not explicitly black-tie.

3. 3

   Budget for the groom's complete look

   The groom's attire extends beyond the suit or tuxedo. Budget for the complete look: suit or tuxedo ($200 to $600 purchased, $150 to $350 rented), dress shirt ($30 to $100), tie or bow tie ($20 to $60), pocket square ($10 to $30), belt or suspenders ($20 to $50), dress shoes ($60 to $200), socks ($10 to $20), cufflinks ($15 to $50), and alterations ($50 to $150). Total groom attire budget: $415 to $1,260 purchased, or $365 to $810 with rental. Many grooms forget to budget for alterations — even off-the-rack suits need hemming, sleeve adjustment, and waist tailoring, and these alterations cost $50 to $150 at a local tailor. Shoes are often the most overlooked item: budget $60 to $200 for quality dress shoes that you will also re-wear. If the groom wants to stand out from the groomsmen, consider a different shade, a unique boutonniere, or a distinctive tie rather than a completely different suit — subtle differentiation costs $20 to $50 while a separate suit costs $200 to $500.

4. 4

   Outfit the groomsmen cohesively without breaking their budgets

   Groomsmen attire decisions affect your friends' wallets, so be mindful of what you ask them to spend. The most budget-friendly approach is to specify a color and let each groomsman purchase or rent a suit in that color from any retailer — this works well for common colors like navy, charcoal, and black but can result in shade mismatches with uncommon colors. The most cohesive approach is to have everyone order from the same brand and style — SuitShop, The Black Tux, and Generation Tux offer group ordering with coordinated delivery. The cost-per-groomsman breakdown: budget option ($100 to $200) — suit from H&M, Zara, or a consignment shop in a specified color, with a matching tie you provide. Mid-range option ($200 to $350) — matching suit from SuitShop or Indochino, or a rental from The Black Tux. Premium option ($350 to $600) — matching suit from a premium brand or custom Indochino suits. As the couple, consider gifting the ties and pocket squares ($30 to $50 per person) to ensure exact color matching — this is one of the most appreciated groomsmen gestures and guarantees the accessories coordinate with bridesmaid dresses and wedding colors.

5. 5

   Time your purchases and rentals to avoid rush fees and stockouts

   Timing affects both price and availability for wedding attire. For purchased suits: order 3 to 4 months before the wedding to allow time for delivery (2 to 4 weeks), alterations (2 to 3 weeks), and a buffer for exchanges or issues. Custom suits (Indochino, bespoke tailors) require 6 to 8 weeks for production plus 2 to 3 weeks for alterations — order 3 to 5 months ahead. For rentals: place the reservation 2 to 3 months ahead and schedule the try-on fitting 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. Pickup is typically 1 to 2 days before the wedding, with return 1 to 2 days after. Late ordering risks: rush production fees ($30 to $75 from many retailers), limited size availability, no time for alterations if fit is off, and stress you do not need during the final weeks of planning. For groomsmen, send a group email with ordering instructions and a firm deadline at least 3 months before the wedding — at least one groomsman will procrastinate, so the earlier deadline gives you a buffer.

6. 6

   Budget for accessories that tie the look together

   Accessories are where cohesion happens and where hidden costs accumulate. Essential accessories per person: tie or bow tie ($20 to $60), pocket square ($10 to $30), dress socks ($8 to $15), and shoes ($60 to $200). Optional accessories: cufflinks ($15 to $50), tie bar ($10 to $25), suspenders ($20 to $40), and boutonniere ($8 to $20, usually from the florist). For a 5-person groomsmen party, accessory costs add $490 to $1,600 on top of suit costs. The most effective budget strategy is to purchase matching ties and pocket squares in bulk for the entire party — buying 6 matching ties from a single retailer costs $120 to $240 versus $180 to $360 if each groomsman sources their own. Many brands offer wedding bundles: The Tie Bar sells coordinated tie-and-pocket-square sets for $25 to $45 per person. For shoes, specifying a color (black or brown) and style (oxford or loafer) rather than a specific brand lets groomsmen use shoes they already own, which saves $60 to $200 per person.

7. 7

   Manage alterations costs and know what is worth tailoring

   Alterations transform a good suit into a great-looking suit, but not every alteration is worth the cost. Essential alterations: hemming pants ($15 to $25) and taking in or letting out the waist ($20 to $35) — these are the minimum for any off-the-rack suit. Worthwhile alterations: tapering the jacket through the torso ($25 to $45) and shortening sleeves ($20 to $30). Optional alterations that make a big visual difference: slimming the pant leg ($20 to $35) and adjusting the jacket shoulder — but shoulder alterations are expensive ($40 to $75) and only necessary if the shoulders are visibly too wide or narrow. Total expected alteration cost: $35 to $70 for basic adjustments, $80 to $150 for a comprehensive fit. The groom should budget for comprehensive alterations because every photo will feature him. Groomsmen can get by with basic hem and waist adjustments. For rental tuxedos, minor alterations (hem, waist) are often included in the rental price — confirm this with the rental company before paying a separate tailor.

8. 8

   Explore money-saving alternatives to traditional attire

   Several alternatives to traditional suit-and-tuxedo approaches can save significant money while still looking sharp. Mix-and-match suiting: groomsmen wear matching pants ($50 to $80 each) with different shirts or vests for a modern, relaxed look — especially effective at rustic, outdoor, and summer weddings. Consignment and pre-owned: designer suits from consignment shops or online resale (The RealReal, Poshmark, eBay) cost 50 to 70 percent less than retail — a $600 Hugo Boss suit can be found pre-owned for $150 to $250. Sample sale suits: brands periodically sell sample inventory at 40 to 60 percent off — sign up for email alerts from suit brands during your planning period. Outlet stores: Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, and Banana Republic outlets sell suits for 40 to 50 percent below mainline store prices. For the groom on a tight budget, a well-fitted $99 to $149 suit from H&M, Zara, or ASOS with quality accessories and professional alterations looks significantly better than a $250 rental tuxedo because the fit is customized to your body rather than approximate.

Frequently Asked Questions