No $275 Tux Rental at My Wedding…
My husband’s best man is asking his groomsmen to rent a designer tuxedo for his big day…with a price tag of $275. Both of our jaws hit the floor when the sales associate told us the total cost. This got me thinking – is there an appropriate price range for a tuxedo rental (or even a bridesmaid dress) that should be adhered to by the bride and groom?
Maybe my wedding party got off too easy – I allowed them to decide on the maximum cost of their bridesmaid dress, and we also chose the least expensive tuxedo rental we could find in the color that we preferred (gray). We ended up with a decent tuxedo with a rental price tag of about $130. (Tip: Unsure of what a groomsman must pay for? This article can help guide you: http://www.i-do.com.au/wedding-tips/the-bridal-party/covering-costs-whos-shout-is-it-anyway/1444/)
In all honesty, I can’t tell much of a different between the cheaper tuxes and the high-end designer options, so I preferred to keep a little extra cash in the wallets of my wedding party. I keep reminding myself that my wedding is over, and now it’s another couple’s turn to be in the spotlight. Maybe the wedding party’s clothing is higher on their priority list than it was for us.
I came to a conclusion the day we reserved the elusive $275-must-be-embedded-with-diamonds tux, and what it boils down to is this: a bridesmaid or groomsmen is asked to take on this role. They had the option of declining the role and the responsibilities that came with it, but they agreed to be in the wedding party. And by agreeing to be a member of a wedding party, they are also agreeing to any decisions the couple makes – including the bridesmaid dress or tuxedo selected.
As the bride or groom making these decisions, it would be kind and considerate to discuss them with your wedding party and find price points for each item that everyone is comfortable with (put yourself in the wedding party’s shoes and think about how you would feel if you were asked to purchase a designer bridesmaid dress). This should help the bride and groom find a happy medium to ensure that both they and their wedding party are satisfied with the decisions made.
However, if you’re a bridesmaid or groomsman reading this: you’re out of luck. Swipe the credit card, and keep your lips sealed tightly – it’s their big day, and you agreed to be a part of it. (Check out traditional responsibilities of everyone in the wedding party here.)
Do you think members of a wedding party should feel free to voice their opinions to the bride and groom, or do you think they should do whatever they are asked to do?
-Alison Ford, contributing editor
Check out Alison’s next post in the “My Wedding” series: Superstitious Traditions I Broke on My Wedding Day
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