Reluctant men can now avoid hours of trailing around the shops for their wedding suits. Elaine Myers, new franchisee of Direct Formal Hire, can bring the suit to you. SARAH DALE reports. "EVERY wedding involving any of my friends and family has always had two main outcomes," says Elaine Myers, wedding consultant and Tees Valley franchise manager of Direct Formal Hire. "Firstly, a very special day for all concerned. "Secondly, an absolute nightmare for those trying to get any of the men involved - bridegroom, best man, father of the bride, you name it - to actually visit a shop beforehand to get fitted out properly." Direct Formal Hire offers a suit hire service with professional home consultation, measuring and delivery service. Elaine, from Middlesbrough, provides a personal service and from the comfort of your own home, you can choose from a collection of wedding and evening suits. After an initial enquiry, Elaine can send out a catalogue and then visit the bride and groom to discuss the colour schemes and requirements for the day. "Men are too busy to visit shops during the day so we carry out home or work visits to find out what people need," says Elaine, who has a son, Richard, 32, and two daughters, Joanne, 34, and Elizabeth, 22. "We offer a professional measuring service and deliver and collect all clothing before and after the event. We make everything easy." Elaine understands how important it is that the men look and feel just as good as the brides and bridesmaids. "All weddings now are co-ordinated with fashionable colour schemes," she says. "We offer a very personal service to take the stress out of trying to get the men of the wedding party together to be fitted and to choose what they're wearing." After an initial consultation and booking, six weeks before the big day Elaine revisits to take a final fitting in case anyone's measurements have changed. The suits arrive the week before the wedding giving enough time to make sure it all fits. And as part of the package, on the day of the wedding itself, Elaine can arrange to go out and make sure all the men are dressed perfectly. "From my own experience when my son, Richard, and daughter, Joanne, both got married, to get the men to keep appointments to go to shops for fittings was a logistical nightmare," says Elaine. "It's always hard trying to get everyone together at the same time. "Men want to leave everything to the last minute and just hope that the suits will fit on the day. With this service, you can be sure that everything will be absolutely perfect." Outfits are delivered direct to your door so there is no waiting, no queuing and no parking to worry about. Direct Formal Hire also collects the suits after the event from an address of your choice so there is no need to struggle back following your wedding with a number of suits and hat boxes. Elaine also offers a full range of formal suits, including kilts, for proms, business dinners and special occasions. "Proms are very important," she says. "And while girls can buy a dress they can wear again, young men at the point of leaving school are unlikely to have a dinner jacket or need one for more than that one night so hiring an outfit is ideal." With all hires, Elaine visits, measures up to ensure the fit is perfect, delivers and collects the suits. Corporate and student discounts are available and quick turnaround times with suits delivered within 48 hours if necessary, means all occasions can be covered. All packages include insurance so there is no need to worry about any mishaps with the champagne or red wine. Package prices range from £60 for a suit, waistcoat, shirt, neckwear and insurance; from £90 for a suit, waistcoat, neckwear, handkerchief, shoes and personalised cufflinks. Children's packages start at £55. "From April, we will be stocking Asian wedding wear as well, including sherwanis and khutas," adds Elaine. Contact Elaine on 01642 276562 or visit the website at www.directformalhire.co.uk How you can be the perfect groom 1. Do not flick through wedding magazines and make negative comments about the dresses unless the bride specifically asks for your opinion. You may be pointing at the very one she has just paid a ridiculous deposit on. 2. She won't promise to obey you. Don't be tempted to ask! 3. Stay on good terms with the chief bridesmaid. She may tip you off about things you are supposed to have done but haven't before the bride finds out and gets really cross about it. 4. If all your efforts to calm her down and reassure her are falling on deaf ears, point her in the direction of www.youandyourwedding.co.uk where she will be able to share the horror of failing to source the right kind of chocolate fountain with people who really understand her - other brides-to-be. 5. Call your bride on the morning of your wedding. You are not supposed to see her the morning if the wedding but there is no rule against talking to her. Give her a call, and tell her how much you are looking forward to later. For helpful tips and advice on planning your wedding, read The Groom's Guide by Maia Andrews (Foulsham, £8.99) | 
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