Situation: Your Bride Loves Following Fashion Trends. If your bride’s television is constantly tuned to the Style Channel and her coffee table’s full of magazines that cover the Spring Collections, get ready for a super-trendy wedding. Though many timeless tuxedo designs can serve you well for years, avoid paying designer prices for a flashy tuxedo that will look outdated next season. Whatever Paul Smith and Roberto Cavalli declare hip for this year could make you a fashion outcast later on. Advantage: Rent. After Hours offers affordable, but trendy, tuxedo rental services at many malls throughout the country. http://www.afterhours.com
Situation: You’re Planning an Extreme Wedding. If your bride loves Fear Factor a little bit too much, you might find yourself getting married underwater, or during a skydive, or even during a bungee jump. You might enjoy taking risks yourself, but damaging a rental tuxedo can put a hole in your wallet. Consider purchasing a less expensive, highly durable tuxedo with strong construction and stain resistant fabric. You’ll still look great, and you won’t have to explain the burn marks or the shark bites to a confused counter clerk. Advantage: Buy. You can get some great deals on polyester tuxedos at CheapTux: http://www.CheapTux.com
Situation: Your Wedding Looks Like a Jane Austen Novel. If your bride is attracted to classic, hyper-romantic attire, you can rent period costumes that let her live out her most elegant fantasies. Unless you’re planning on wearing a cravat that sticks out so far that you can’t see your feet on a regular basis, renting will let you splurge on a more elegant ensemble that no groom would want to admit to actually owning. Advantage: Rent. The International Formalwear Association can help you locate an independent tuxedo rental store near you. http://www.formalwear.org/public/retailers/
Situation: You’re Treating Your Bride to an Elegant Honeymoon. If your travel plans include exotic trips to the Mediterranean or to the Caribbean, consider spending a few extra dollars on a designer tuxedo that can pull extra duty on the road. Imagine how much your bride will love to see her groom saunter into a cruise ship casino looking like James Bond. Costume National and Dolce & Gabbana recently showed off new tuxedo designs that look suave yet feel comfortable. Unlike previous generations of “monkey suits,” you won’t mind chilling out with your bride on the dance floor in this formal attire. Pick up some extra accessories to get a few more looks from your investment. Advantage: Buy. Just because you look like a high roller doesn’t mean you have to spend like one. Order your tuxedo online, and then take it to a local tailor for fitting and alterations. http://www.eFomals.com
