When it comes to dressing for a special occasion, the decision whether to buy or hire a wedding suit can be challenging. There’s so much that comes into it, from your style to your budget, to the occasion. Without guidance, it’s tricky to know what the best choice for you might be.
Thankfully, at Hunter & Grey’s, we offer the option to buy or hire your wedding formal wear, and we’re the experts when it comes to helping you make an informed decision.
Read on for our rundown on formal suit hire VS formal suit purchase.
SAVE FOR LATER: 2025 SUIT TRENDS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
The benefits of buying a suit
1. Long-term investment.
First thing’s first – buying a suit means it’s yours; forever, if you want it to be. Depending on the style you opt for, you could rewear it at tons of different events, including:
- Other people’s weddings
- Formal work events
- Anniversary dinners and celebrations
- Job interviews or important meetings
- Funerals or memorial services
- Black tie events
- Family celebrations
- Graduations
So, while the suit will be at a higher upfront cost, it’s an investment and one that can be utilised multiple times over the years. And what better a reminder of one of the best days of your life than donning that dapper suit time and time again?
2. Tailored to you.
While fit adjustments are an option for our hire suits, if you want a made-to-order suit chances are you’re going to need to go for the full purchase.
At Hunter & Grey’s, many grooms opt to purchase a version of our signature hire suits, which are available in a wide range of colours and fits. Here, grooms have the option to tweak as much as they need, whether it’s slimming the waist for a more tailored silhouette, adjusting sleeve lengths, or refining the overall proportions to suit your build. These subtle changes make a big difference in achieving that sharp, slick look.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PERSONAL TAILORING HERE.
3. Customisation options
If you have something really specific in mind for your wedding suit, you may struggle to find it in the hire section. However, thanks to our collaboration with Etch, customers buying a suit can personalise their groomswear even further: from premium fabrics and linings to unique buttons, stitching colours, and even shirt styles.
A formal suit purchase also means that you can create something completely bespoke, we’ve got you covered. Our trusted factory can create just about anything from fabric, whether that’s a traditional kilt jacket for a Scottish wedding or a one-of-a-kind dinner suit. Just ask Sean, one of the co-founders of Hunter & Grey’s, who had his very own custom jacket made for his big day.
4. Resale value
Another plus of purchasing your wedding suit? You’re not locked into a one-wear wonder. If, later down the line, you decide it’s no longer your style (or you simply want to make room in the wardrobe) a well-made, quality suit holds its value far better than you might think.
Whether it’s a classic three-piece or something more unique, there’s a growing market for pre-loved formalwear, especially when it’s been professionally tailored. Platforms like resale websites or specialist boutiques mean you can recoup some of the cost, making your initial investment go even further.
So not only are you walking away with a suit that fits like a glove and feels completely “you”, but you’ve also got the option to pass it on, give it a second life, and get something back in return. Win-win.
👔 The advantages of hiring a suit
1. Cost-effective for one-time events
Let’s face it – weddings are pricey. If you’re looking to reduce that overall invoice, formal suit hire may well be the more sensible option for you.
Especially if you have no intention of wearing the wedding suit again (and you aren’t bothered about customisation), there’s little need to spend the extra money on a full purchase when a suit hire will get you exactly what you need – for a fraction of the cost.
Hiring allows you to access high-quality tailoring and timeless style, without committing to a long-term wardrobe addition. It’s ideal for grooms who want to look sharp for the big day but are happy to keep things simple and cost-effective. It’s also far easier for us to swap out hired garments at the eleventh hour – we can’t typically do that with purchase products.
Plus, we see grooms ‘shedding for the wedding’ – losing weight or bulking up purely for the big day (not that we’re advocating for this… But facts are facts). If this isn’t something you’re going to keep up after the wedding, why pay for a suit that isn’t going to fit the ‘real you’?
And at Hunter & Grey’s, our hire range is far from basic. We offer a wide selection of styles, fits and colours to make sure your outfit still feels uniquely you, without breaking the bank.
2. Access to premium styles
Hiring a suit gives you access to more for less. Through formal suit hire, you can experience the most luxurious fabrics and designer styles without the hefty price tag.
The Hunter & Grey’s hire collection features tailored silhouettes, rich fabrics, and modern cuts that rival any high-end wardrobe, all carefully curated to ensure you look and feel your best on the big day.
This means you can walk down the aisle in a suit that looks like it came straight off Savile Row, without having to remortgage your home. Whether it’s a sleek black tux, a textured tweed three-piece, or something on the quirkier side, you’ll find premium style without the premium spend.
3. No maintenance worries
There’s nothing that dampens the post-wedding glow like knowing you have to lug your groom’s party suits to the local dry cleaner (potentially with a killer hangover).
While we can’t speak for all wedding suit hire companies, we handle all of the post event cleaning and storage, saving you time, hassle and money. Of course, we do ask for the suits to be returned in a reasonably good condition. No mystery stains, torn pockets or confetti explosions left unshaken. A little wear is expected, but total carnage is best avoided.
We should mention we also offer the ‘first clean’ service with our purchase suits as well. We’re just that good.
4. Try before you buy
Not quite sure what style suits you? Or maybe you’re torn between a few different looks? Another big perk of hiring is that it gives you the chance to road-test a style before fully committing.
Many grooms start with a hire suit and, once they’ve seen how it fits and feels on the big day, they decide to invest in a version to keep for future events. It’s a smart way to make a confident, informed decision, without the pressure of a full purchase upfront.
Hunter & Grey’s make it easy to try on multiple styles, so you can get a proper feel for the fit, fabric and finish before making any major calls. And if you fall in love with a particular suit? We’re more than happy to help you order your own made-to-measure version to keep forever.
Comparing the costs.
When considering the costs of hiring vs buying a suit, you can expect a hire package to come out as a third to a quarter of the cost of buying just the suit. You would then need to factor in any additional items, such as your feature waistcoat, your shirt and your tie.
Another very important point to keep in mind? While it can be tempting to opt – instead – for a cheap ‘nab a bargain online’ suit, remember that you’re still going to have to pay for the alterations to make sure it actually fits. That money-saver can quickly burn a hole in your pocket (and leave you pretty disappointed with the final outcome).
Making the right choice whether to buy or hire your wedding suit.
When it comes down to it, the best way to make your choice is to ask yourself the following questions:
- Frequency of use: Will I wear the suit multiple times?
- Wedding vibe: What’s the overall style or theme of our wedding and does my suit need to match that?
- Longevity: Do I want to keep my wedding suit as a keepsake or wear it again for anniversaries and other special occasions?
- Budget: What is my spending limit?
- Style preference: Do I prefer a custom fit or am I open to off-the-rack options?
At Hunter & Grey’s, we provide expert guidance to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Experience our collection firsthand by booking an appointment at our Shedfield showroom. Our team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect buy or hire suit.
For more information or to schedule a fitting, reach out to us at hello@hunterandgreys.co.uk or call 01489 290 010.
With thanks to: