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Step 1
Find a tuxedo dealer at least 3 months before your wedding date. If you're getting married out of state, use an online resource like ComeTo.US to search for rental shops by name, city or zip code, or ask relatives who live in the area to recommend a dealer (see Resources below). It's better to pick up your tux upon arrival rather than stuffing it in a garment bag or an overhead bin.
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Step 2
Visit your formal wear store to have measurements taken. The dealer will also provide you with assistance in selecting a tuxedo that fits your body type, fashion sense and wedding design specifics.
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Step 3
Decide whether you prefer to rent a timeless or trendy tuxedo. If you want your photographs to age gracefully, go with a more subtle, traditional tux style. If you're a free spirit who looks forward to laughing at your wedding photos someday, live on the edge of tux trendiness, instead.
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Step 4
Choose a tuxedo color that works for your wedding. While black tuxedos are traditional for evening weddings and more formal affairs, gray and white are sometimes worn in outdoor weddings or warmer climates. Avoid non-traditional, flashy colors, as they may distract from your ceremony rather than complementing it.
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Step 5
Select your jacket style based on the formality and style of your ceremony. Save morning coats or jackets with tails for very formal affairs, opting for a dinner jacket or traditional tux coat if your wedding or personal style is more casual.
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Step 6
Coordinate your tie and cummerbund or vest with the wedding colors. These accessories are often selected to match bridesmaid dresses or floral bouquet colors.
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Step 7
Check out lapel styles to see what you find most appealing. The most common styles are notch, peak and shawl lapels. Notch lapels have a traditional, triangular cut in the collar. Peak lapels are a broader v-shape, and shawl lapels have a rounded, smooth edge. For diagrams of basic lapel styles, visit Jim's Formalwear (see Resources below).
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Step 8
Decide whether you prefer a traditional stripe or braid down the side of your trousers, or a more understated one that blends with the fabric. Remember, too, that tuxedo pants do not have belt loops, so you'll want to make sure they fit properly. Plan to wear a pair of button-in suspenders, if necessary.
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Step 9
Don't forget to order accessories like shoes. While you may be tempted to save the money and wear your own dress shoes, it is a nice touch for the groom and groomsmen to wear coordinated footwear, styled to match the tuxedos, for design and photo continuity.
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Step 10
Visit the store 2 to 3 weeks prior to your wedding to ensure your tuxedo fits properly and that the alterations were done correctly. It never hurts to be overprepared for your big day.
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Step 11
Point and click to rent a tuxedo if you can't make time to shop in person. Store websites like Men's Wearhouse and Jim's Formalwear offer online tools that enable you to create your virtual tuxedo design (see Resources below). You can print out the styles and stock numbers, and take your selections to a local store to finalize your measurements. Just remember that the tuxedo you choose may not fit your style and body type as well as it fit the model on your computer screen.
