How much does a complete wedding suit actually cost?

The price of a suit and the price of a complete wedding outfit aren't always the same thing.

You might spot a fantastic price advertised for a jacket and trousers, only to realise you still need a waistcoat, shirt, shoes and a few finishing touches. Before you know it, your original budget is looking a little optimistic!

Whether you're hiring or buying, the trick is to look at the cost of everything you actually need, rather than comparing starting prices alone.

What should I include in my budget?

Start by making a list of what you'd like to wear.

That might include:

• Jacket and trousers.

• A waistcoat, if you fancy a three-piece.

• Shirt.

• Tie, bow tie or cravat.

• Shoes.

• Finishing touches, such as a pocket square or cufflinks.

You certainly don't need every accessory going, and there's no reason to replace perfectly good shoes or a shirt you already own if they work with your chosen outfit.

Equally, if you're starting completely from scratch, remember that the advertised jacket and trousers price won't represent your final spend.

My advice? Decide what you actually want first, then ask for a price for the complete look.

Is hiring cheaper than buying?

Often, but not always.

Hiring can be a sensible option if you're after a particular look for one day, have several people to coordinate or simply don't want another suit hanging in your wardrobe afterwards.

Buying, on the other hand, might offer better value if you expect to wear your suit again for work, other weddings, race days or special occasions.

There's also something rather lovely about keeping the suit you got married in, if that's important to you.

Neither option is automatically the better choice.

For example, if you're considering hiring a particular outfit but could purchase a versatile suit for a similar overall amount, it's worth weighing up whether you'd actually wear the purchased suit again.

Just remember to compare equivalent outfits, rather than a basic hire price against a complete purchased look.

Looking specifically at hiring? Read our wedding suit hire cost guide.

What about Made-to-Order?

If you'd like something more personal, you might consider having a suit created to your chosen specification.

Made-to-Order generally involves more design choices than buying an existing suit, which can influence the price. The exact process varies between retailers, so it's worth asking what you can personalise and how the fitting works.

At Pure Suits, our Made-to-Order service starts at £649, with customers typically spending £749–£989.

You choose details such as your fabric, lining, buttons and lapels before trying on a master suit to establish your fit.

It's a lovely option if those personal touches matter to you, but if you find a Ready-to-Wear suit you absolutely love, there's no reason to spend more simply for the sake of it.

For more on what influences the price, read Why are some suits £99 and others £800 or more?.

What does a wedding suit cost at Pure Suits?

To give you a real-world example, here's how our three options compare:

We also have a £120 hire package that includes £8 damage insurance.

These are starting prices, not necessarily the price of every item you'll want to wear. Your final quote will depend on your chosen outfit and what's included.

For larger wedding parties, it's also worth asking about group offers.

At Pure Suits, when there are six or more in the wedding party, the groom qualifies for free jacket and trousers hire. Partners of Pure Brides customers can alternatively receive 10% off hire or Ready-to-Wear. The two offers cannot be combined.

Other retailers may have different offers or package arrangements, so compare the overall saving rather than the headline promotion.

What are the easily forgotten extras?

When comparing prices, there are a few things worth checking before committing.

Alterations: Purchased Ready-to-Wear alterations are charged separately at Pure. We can arrange them, or you can use your preferred specialist. Ask about the work and timing before committing.

Accessories: Check what's included. Don't assume the shirt, shoes or waistcoat you see in a photograph are automatically part of the advertised package.

Size changes: With hire, changing agreed sizes after your fitting may involve replacement charges, depending on the retailer's arrangements and garment availability.

Collection and returns: Hiring means you'll need to return the garments afterwards, so understand the deadline and any potential late charges.

Damage cover: Check whether it's included, optional or charged separately, and importantly, what it actually covers.

None of this should put you off hiring or buying. It's simply better to understand the full picture before making your decision.

What if the outfit I love costs more than I planned?

First of all, don't panic. And definitely don't feel that you have to stretch your budget just because it's your wedding.

There are usually other options worth exploring.

Perhaps a different fabric or suit style gives you a similar look for less. Maybe hiring makes more sense than buying, or perhaps the shoes and accessories you already own work perfectly well.

You could also consider a two-piece rather than a three-piece, if the waistcoat isn't particularly important to you.

A good retailer should be comfortable discussing your budget and helping you explore alternatives, even if that means recommending something less expensive.

So, how much should I actually budget?

There isn't one magic number, because everyone wants something slightly different.

The important thing is to decide what you're comfortable spending, include the whole outfit in that figure and make sure you understand exactly what you're getting.

A wedding suit doesn't have to be the most expensive outfit you've ever worn to be one of your favourites.

And if you're still weighing up your options, you're welcome to pop into Pure Suits, enjoy a drink and explore the different routes at your own pace.

No appointment necessary, no pressure to decide there and then.