Collins Formal Wear - Guelph & Area Wedding Party Gifts at The Wedding Ring

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BRIDAL NEWS MAGAZINE
JAN - JUL | 2009

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Family owners bring dedication, expertise & quality to the forefront of the tuxedo market

Reviewing Lynda, Brad and Curt Collins, Owners of Collins Formal Wear

In the past, The Ring has visited and called Collins Formal Wear countless times, in an effort to do research for our brides and grooms. Every single time we approach Collins, we are greeted the same way each customer is greeted - warmly and with appreciation. Even with tons of weddings on the go, clients filling their rental locations, and lots on their plates, the three owners of Collins Formal Wear - Lynda, Brad and Curt Collins never fail to provide exceptional service to each of their clients. It's for this reason, and for their extensive selection of high quality, exclusive formal wear, that The Ring decided every groom (and his bride) should know what we know about Collins Formal Wear.

It's all in the family

Collins is a rarity in that it has been around since 1965, is family-owned and operated, and you can find the founders of the company still running the show themselves on a day-to-day basis. Curt, Lynda and Brad all rotate throughout their multiple locations from Windsor to Cambridge. By regularly keeping themselves involved in every aspect of business, the Collins family can make sure that they keep up with current trends and styles of weddings. It also helps them guarantee that their company is run in the Collins Formal Wear tradition - high on service and style, low on hassle.

Exclusive and well-known

While most companies boast of excellent service, Collins also provides it by the exclusive high-end lines of formal wear that they carry. The Collins family has built their business on quality - both in service and in the apparel they carry. Lynda explains, "Couples are more than satisfied with the excellent value they receive, and they are always appreciative of the extra attention to detail that the staff at Collins provides."

SETTINGTHESTYLE

Browse through Collins' high-end quality and classy styles right at home!

Check out their Tuxedo Gallery by clicking here.

With a newly expanded location in London and involvement in just about everything wedding-related, you've probably seen Collins Formal Wear around town. If you've ever been to a local bridal show, you've likely seen their various tuxedos strutting down the runway on the backs of some GQ-looking models.

Collins carries an exclusive line of tuxedos by some of the best and trendiest labels around. Many of these lines can't be found anywhere else in the area. Some of these trendy labels include Lauren Ralph Lauren, Lord West, *ecko unltd., Claiborne, After Six, Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein, among others. In addition to reputable brand names, Collins is also about comfort and function. They are bringing in new microfibre shirts that are soft to the touch, more breathable and wrinkle-resistant.

"What sets Collins apart is our quality," explains Curt. "Some companies rent out their tuxes an average of sixty to seventy times. We rent our tuxes out an average of twenty times before we retire the items... this maximizes the quality a groom and his groomsmen will receive on the wedding day," Curt says that each item is closely inspected for defects before it's sent out with a customer. Going even further, Collins says they deal only with reliable top-quality manufacturers, mostly from North America, but also a few from Europe. "A great suit is made of many things - the fabric, the cut, the seaming. We try to purchase the best of these we can find." Collins told us that comparing suits is similar to comparing cars, "It's the same difference as between a Buick and a Cadillac - both are made by the same manufacturer, but they differ in quality and fit."

Expert Tip
Check the arm holes of the suit to make sure they aren't too tight or too loose. You will notice in your wedding photos if the fit of your jacket isn't correct.

"A special thanks to the staff at Collins Formal Wear... for providing such great service for my wedding... I could not believe how well you were able to outfit my 410 pound Best Man. I guess that’s where years of experience really shine through. There were nine of us all together and we were all very pleased with not only the service, but with the excellent fit we all had. We also had lots of great comments on our invitations that we also ordered from you. I know the guys all really liked their attendant’s gifts that we also picked up at your store. That was a good idea Curt! See you next year for my sister’s wedding. Thanks again!"

- Nick & Sheryl

Dressing on the wild side

Collins doesn't just cater to the norm. They also rent kilts, shoes, vests, canes, top hats and so much more so that you can create any style of formal wear you are looking for. If there is an idea or style that you are interested in, you can feel confident that Lynda, Brad, Curt and their staff will be able to help you. This fashion trio recommend booking a minimum of six weeks before the wedding, but many couples often reserve exactly what they are looking for much earlier than that. While they have in the past - and can if necessary - accommodate a

same-day booking because their merchandise is carried on-site, it is definitely not recommended.

"The bride has to love the look. The groom has to love the feel and the fit."

There's more?!... Wedding supplies and gifts

Collins Formal Wear wanted to accommodate their clients wherever they can, so they offer more than just formal wear to their clients. They carry an extensive line of wedding supplies, including a large selection of invitations and paper products, thank you gifts for your family and attendants, ring pillows, tiaras, cake tops, wine glasses/toasting sets, and many items that can be customized with engraving.

What's even better than that? When you book your wedding party tuxedos with them, you save 50% off of their selection of invitations, and 10% off of your attendants gifts or favours.

Always a perfect fit

Since grooms and groomsmen come in all shapes and sizes, Collins carefully takes all of your measurements, and with a tailor on site, makes sure you get your perfect fit. Collins' tailor doesn't leave until the last tuxedo goes out! This is especially great for anyone with unusual sizes or who is particularly difficult to fit.

Extending convenience

Typically, for a Saturday wedding, you can pick up your complete formal wear rentals on the Thursday before the wedding, between 4 pm and 9 pm, Friday between 10 am to 6 pm, or as late as Saturday morning (with no additional charge for late pick up either). All rentals should be returned by the Monday after the wedding by 6 pm but if it's a holiday that Monday, it should be returned by Tuesday 6 pm. For every day past due (for those procrastinators in the crowd!), there is an additional charge of $20 per day.

"Just had to tell you how much we appreciated the extra effort that you went to in providing us in very short notice with those fabulous new Sterling Perry Ellis Tuxes. I’ve worn lots of different tuxedos before but none as comfortable & great fitting as this one was. I’ll drop in soon & show you our pictures. A terrific job!"

- Brandon & Julie

The cost of 'grooming the groom'

Packages at Collins Formal Wear start as low as $59.95 (wow!) and for that price you get the jacket, shirt, pants, bow tie, and cummerbund. The package you choose and its cost will depend on what choices and options you and your groom decide upon. High-end packages would include everything but the socks and 'undergarments'... and the groom of course. These packages offer top quality designer suits with all of the trimmings for only $164.95.

Here's good news for those of you who couldn't whittle down your bridal party choices to a conventionally reasonable number - with every five rentals, the groom's tuxedo is free! Even with two groomsmen, a ring bearer, and two fathers in tuxedos, your groom could still get his duds free of charge. There is a $50 deposit required when booking each tuxedo and this is non-refundable. The balance for the package is due when the tuxedo is picked up.

As a special for The Ring's brides, mention 'The Wedding Ring' when you book your wedding party's formal wear to the staff at Collins Formal Wear and you'll receive a special free gift as a 'thank you' from Collins.

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• There is a $50 deposit to book your tuxedo, which is non-refundable.

• Your full balance is due on pick-up.

• Item rentals are also available: open-backed vests $19.95, full-back vests $29.95, bow ties $3.50, straight ties $7.50 (for updating your own shirt and tie or for adding to a purchased tuxedo).

• Cufflinks come with a shirt rental or you can buy them starting at $6 per pair.

• Button covers come with a package rental or you can buy them starting at $12.95.

• Gloves are for sale for $9.95.

• Shoe rentals are $19.50 to $34.50, depending on style.

• Collins Formal Wear also rents traditional kilts in Royal Stewart, Graham of Montrose and Scottish National Tartans.

• When you book your tuxedo with Collins, you can get 50% off invitations and 10% off attendants' gifts and wedding favours.

• With five additional rentals, the groom's tux is free!

• Mention 'The Wedding Ring' when you book your tuxedos at Collins to receive a special free gift.

"Mom and Dad were right, when they suggested I get my wedding tuxes from Collins. Both of my older brothers got married using Collins, one in 1974 and one last year. They really were impressed by the excellent appearance that better quality tuxedos provide... The manager there was given a real challenge to please all my Hockey buddies. Everything went flawless. Don’t loose our measurements, there are four more of these guys getting married next year. We’ll be back without a doubt."

- Victor

Reaching the experts...

Collins has over twenty locations throughout Southwestern Ontario, including one in Cambridge. Visit them at 561 Hespeler Road in Cambridge (Hespeler @ Sheldon), or give them a call at 519-624-9939. For your closest local Collins agent listing, take a window-shopping trip at www.collinsformalwear.com. Find tons of photos of great looking tuxedos and vests for rental and sale in their tuxedo gallery. If you require a measurement form for your out-of-town attendants, one can be easily printed for your convenience from the website. Place, change or add to reservations online as well. The staff at Collins Formal Wear can be reached by email with any questions at collinsformalwear@ody.ca.

- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca

* Prices are correct to the best of our knowledge, however are subject to change and should be verified with an authorized Collins Formal Wear representative.