Any tips you could offer would be appreciated. I have rented tails, white bow tie, and cummerbund. I went with the silver studs and cuff links. I have over 100 pairs of cuff links.
Mistakes can be embarrassing.
But since white tie dress is much more occasional, it is not gauche or unusual to rent one's garb for such an occasion. Renting agencies have as an obligation and responsibility to their clients to give them correct information. I can only guess that they did not have the proper vest and vest studs, and so made a very wrong substitution. As to your question about cuff links. Understandably, you might prefer to wear a pair of your own cuff links.