Getting the groomsmen fitted for formal wear is akin to herding cats. And, lucky you, chances are this task will be undertaken by the groom. No groomsman really wants to shell out a couple of hundred bucks for a tuxedo rental (though we're sure the groom is a great guy), nor do they want to make an appearance at the local outlet of a tuxedo rental chain on a Saturday afternoon to get geared up. GroomGroove.com provides some ideas on making this task a bit easier.

First step: Where are the groomsmen?

If all of the groomsmen are located in the same city where the wedding takes place, things couldn't be any easier. Schedule a fitting with the groomsmen for a rainy afternoon and grab a lunch and beer afterwards. However, if the groomsmen are spread all over the country, your best bet is to find a national tuxedo rental chain that has an outlet in each person's hometown. They'll be well equipped to take measurements for the exact style of tuxedo you want.

Pick a style

The first step the groom needs to take is to figure out the style and color of his tuxedo and, accordingly, what style and color his groomsmen will wear. You're wearing a black bow tie but your groomsmen will wear silver? No problem - just map it out.

Look for good deals

The groom should ask his tuxedo rental outlet if there are deals for getting four or more tuxedos. Invariably, they will have package deals, and frequently, the groom will get his rental "for free!" (Just don't tell the groomsmen). National chains often have the best deals.

Average cost for a tuxedo rental, per groomsman

The average cost for a tuxedo rental for a wedding will be around $125, which includes all of the accessories the groom could possibly want. National chains may offer better discounts.

When and how to get it done

A few months before the wedding, the groom should get the essential measurements of the groomsmen. This will invariably include neck size, shirt length, waist and pant length. A responsible groomsmen will have himself measured up, but ultimately, most guys know that they are a 42 tall, with a 16 1/2 inch neck, etc. Once the measurements are in, the smart groom only has to ensure that the tuxedos show at the rental shop a couple of days before the wedding.

The beauty of renting a tuxedo, of course, is that alterations can be made with short notice, and, if you keep reading, you'll know that pants have a little adjustment mechanism that allows one single pair of tuxedo pants to be worn countless times over the course of their long-lasting polyester lifetimes by drunken grads, groomsmen and grooms.

Read more about wedding attire from GroomGroove.com:

• How to get the groomsmen outfitted in tuxedos, painlessly
• An intro to formal wear for the groom:
  • Tuxedo Jacket
  • Pants
  • Shirts
  • Ties
  • Cufflinks
  • Shoes (and socks)
  • What the hell is a cummerbund and do you need one?
  • Boutonnieres (aka the only flowers a groom needs to think about)
• Morning coats
• Wearing a suit instead of a tuxedo
• Whether to buy or rent a tux
• If you're buying a tux, whether to get it custom-made or off the rack tuxedo
• Beach wedding attire (you lucky bastard!)

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