Wedding planning often focuses on the big-ticket items like the venue, the caterer, and the bride’s dress. While those are crucial, the groom’s attire deserves just as much attention. Knowing the right wedding suit timeline ensures you look your best without any last-minute stress.

Deciding whether to rent or buy is one choice, but when is the best time to rent a tuxedo or when is the best time to buy a wedding suit to make sure you get it in time? These are a few questions you need answered, as these choice significantly impact your planning schedule.

This comprehensive guide will outline the essential timelines for both renting and buying a wedding suit. We’ll highlight the advantages of planning ahead and discuss various factors that can impact your schedule. Additionally, we’ll provide a clear roadmap for buying a wedding suit timeline to ensure your groom’s attire is well-organized.

By knowing when to initiate the process, you can steer clear of common pitfalls and enjoy a smooth journey, from style selection to the big day.

Why Planning Your Suit Early Matters

Putting off your suit selection can lead to unnecessary stress and limited options. Getting an early start offers two significant advantages that contribute to a more relaxed and successful wedding planning experience.

Reduce Pre-Wedding Stress

Wedding planning comes with a long to-do list, and every task you can check off early is a win. Finalizing your suit well in advance means one less thing to worry about as the wedding date approaches. The last few weeks before your wedding are often filled with last-minute details, rehearsals, and family arrivals. The last thing you want is to be scrambling to find a suit, dealing with fitting issues, or discovering your preferred style is unavailable. Early planning gives you peace of mind, knowing your attire is handled.

Access a Better Selection

Popular suit styles, sizes, and colors, especially for in-demand wedding seasons like spring and fall, get booked or sold out quickly. Starting your search early gives you access to the widest possible selection. Whether you’re looking for a specific tuxedo style or a unique suit color, you’ll have more options available. This is particularly important if you’re outfitting a larger wedding party, as coordinating multiple sizes can be challenging if you wait too long. An early start ensures you and your groomsmen get the look you want without having to compromise.

Timeline for Renting a Wedding Suit

Renting is a popular and cost-effective option for many grooms. The process is straightforward, but it still requires planning. Knowing when to rent a tuxedo or suit is key to a smooth rental experience.

4-6 Months Before the Wedding: Start Looking

Your search for the perfect rental suit should begin about four to six months before your wedding day. This is the ideal time to:

• Browse Styles: Visit rental providers, like Jim’s Formal Wear, online or in-store to explore different tuxedo and suit options. Consider your wedding’s theme, formality, and color scheme.
• Get Measured: Have a professional take your measurements. Accurate measurements are crucial for a good fit, even with rentals. Jim’s Formal Wear has retailers across the country where you and your groomsmen can get measured.
• Select Your Look: Finalize the suit or tuxedo you want, along with accessories like vests, ties, and shoes. This is also when you should register your wedding party to ensure everyone gets the same style instructions.

2-3 Months Before the Wedding: Have Groomsmen Submit Orders

To ensure availability and timely delivery, your groomsmen should submit their measurements and place their orders at least two to three months before the wedding. This buffer allows the correct sizes and styles to be reserved for your entire party. Prompt ordering from everyone involved prevents delays and ensures a coordinated look.

1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding: Final Fitting

Your rental suit will approximately arrive 5-10 days before your wedding date. As soon as it arrives, you must try it on. This is your chance to check the fit of the jacket, trousers, and shirt. If any adjustments are needed, like hemming the pants or swapping a size, this timeframe gives us enough time to send replacements. Don’t wait until the day before your wedding to try on your suit for the first time.

The Day After the Wedding: Return the Suit

Jim’s Formal Wear requires you to return the suit the next business day after the event. Designate someone, perhaps the best man or a family member, to be responsible for returning all the suits. This small bit of planning prevents late fees and ensures a hassle-free end to your rental experience.

Timeline for Buying a Wedding Suit

Purchasing a suit offers more customization and a lasting keepsake from your wedding day. However, the wedding suit timeline for buying is generally longer, especially if you expect custom tailoring.

6-9 Months Before the Wedding: Research and Initial Consultations

If you’re considering a custom-made or made-to-measure suit, start the process six to nine months out. This period is for:

• Finding a Tailor: Research reputable tailors or suiting companies. Look at their portfolios and read reviews to find one that matches your style and budget.
• Design Consultation: Meet with the tailor to discuss fabric, cut, color, and design details. This is where your vision starts to take shape.
• First Measurements: The tailor will take detailed measurements to create a pattern specifically for you.

For an off-the-rack suit, you can start looking around four to five months before the wedding. This still provides ample time for shopping and alterations.

3-4 Months Before the Wedding: First and Second Fittings

For a custom suit, you’ll have your first fitting about three to four months before the wedding. This is where you try on a partially constructed version of the suit. The tailor will make significant adjustments to the fit and structure. A second fitting may follow a few weeks later to refine the details further.

For off-the-rack suits, now is the time to purchase your suit and begin the alterations process. Standard alterations like hemming trousers, adjusting sleeve length, and taking in the jacket waist can take several weeks.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding: Final Alterations and Accessorizing

About a month or two before the wedding, you should have your final fitting. At this stage, only minor tweaks should be needed. This is also the perfect time to finalize your accessories. Select your shirt, tie, shoes, and any other details like cufflinks or a pocket square to complete your look. Make sure your shoes are broken in before the wedding day to ensure comfort.

Factors That Can Affect Your Timeline

Several factors can influence your groom’s attire schedule. Keep these in mind as you plan:

• Customization: The more customized your suit, the more time you’ll need. A fully bespoke suit from a tailor will require a much longer lead time than an off-the-rack suit with basic alterations.
• Wedding Party Size: Coordinating a large group of groomsmen takes time. You’ll need to allow extra time for everyone to get measured, place orders, and receive their suits.
• Peak Season: If your wedding is during the busy spring or fall season, start your process on the earlier side of our recommendations. Demand for both rentals and purchases is higher during these times, which can affect availability and tailor schedules.

Plan for a Perfect Fit

Knowing the right timeline for securing your wedding suit is a simple way to reduce stress and ensure you look sharp on your big day. Whether you choose to rent or buy, planning ahead gives you the best selection and ample time for fittings and adjustments.

Ready to find your perfect wedding look? Explore our collection of 40+ suits and tuxedos at Jim’s Formal Wear, where you can customize your look with our wide selection of accessories. With over 60 years of experience, we make it easy to look your best.