She Said “YES”! …. Now What?

 

RENTAL COST:  In 2026 the average price to rent a tux in the Midwest ranges between $210 - $299 for a single full rental.  This typically includes shoes, pants, shirt, vest, tie and coat.  However at Gordons we range between $179 - $239 for a complete rental and service.   

 

The most valuable piece in the package is the coat.  The coat alone will run you between $90-$160 to rent.  If you are on a budget, we suggest that consider a package  that does not include the coat to save you and your groomsmen the extra cost.  Feel free to call us or stop in for a price quote.  

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PURCHASE PRICE: In 2026 the average sale price of a suit or tux is between $450 - $1500 depending on where you go and what you want.  This would include everything but the shoes.  At Gordons we are able to sell you a nice 3 piece suit or tux (coat, vest and pants) for $450 and if you are younger than 25 $375. 

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RENT WITH OPTION TO BUY:  Yes we offer this for some of our selections, but not all at the moment.     

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WHO PAYS FOR THE RENTAL: Typically the person wearing the garment is responsible.  Some grooms or parents will offer to pay for a portion of the rental, however that is a personal decision.

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TIMING: 

6-18 months before the wedding (great, you want to get it done and check it off the list!)

3-6 months before the wedding (most common, you get to see the latest styles and do your research!)

1-3 months before the wedding (yes, we still can!).

Week of (don't worry, we understand, you decided you wanted something nicer than what you have at home, and that's perfectly fine!)

 

RENTING IDEAS: Have an idea of what you want…black, gray, navy, white, tan, green….  Instagram and Pinterest are great for finding reference images!  If you don’t see what you're looking for on our website, don’t worry!  We have access to much more than is shown there. 

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WEDDING PARTY LIVES ALL OVER THE WORLD: We understand that location of your wedding party is a reality.  The beauty is that if your wedding is in the Dubuque Tri State area it makes the most sense to use Gordon's Toggery.   Party members get measured where they live at an established tuxedo shop.  We have most items here in stock and work with vendors who are a next-day ship or a truck stop away.  We can usually fix or exchange any item on site or by the next day.  Alterations are also done in shop.  Conveniently, your wedding party will not have to travel with their tux.  When they arrive can stop in for their final fitting, come back for exchanges if need be and after the wedding drop it off before they head out of town.  No need to check an extra bag or worry about them forgetting an item!  We know all the horror stories from other situations including missing items, working with online customer service, shipping issues and poor fits.  

 

DO YOU NEED AN APPOINTMENT?:  Not necessarily, but it does help us to know when you will be coming in.  We are quite busy during Prom season, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see you.  An appointment in May is very helpful for us and we often try to meet you outside the busy times for better service.  Be sure to allow a minimum of 20 minutes for your appointment, though keep in mind that it may take up to an hour. Note that there are some great restaurants nearby, so this is a perfect opportunity for a special outing in Dubuque.  

 

WHO TO BRING?:  We prefer that only the “decision makers” come for this first meeting.  Less is more!  However, if one of your people is in town and this is the only time they're available to get measured, bring them too!

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WHAT TO BRING TO AN APPOINTMENT:

• Swatches of dress colors we are going to need to match.  This may include (but is not limited to) Bridesmaid dresses, Maid-of-Honor dresses, the Bride’s gown, Your prom dates dress color and any other colors you may want to match.

• A list of your Groomsman, Ushers, Fathers, Attendants, Jr. Groomsmen, Ring Bearers, Mini-grooms, and anyone else you want to dress a special way for your big day

• Bring your ideas!  We love seeing reference photos and Pinterest boards of what you would like the big day to look like. 

• Again, make sure to bring your fiancé or other decision makers. 

 

WHAT IF YOU DO NOT LIVE HERE AND ARE PLANNING A WEDDING IN THE AREA:  Schedule and appointment or stop in when you are here to pick out what you want.  If you can’t make it in, call us and we will walk you through it.  One upside to renting at Gordon's is that we own most of the basic lines, and have access to other vendors and options.  

 

DESTINATION WEDDING or EVENT:  We will do everything we can to accommodate your dates and situation.  It’s super easy if you go with something we have in stock, especially during the winter months.  We are flexible with returns during winter or off-season months.  But be sure to know your schedule and dates before you call or come in.  It's no problem!   

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