It is a known fact that wedding dresses are not cheap. The price to pay for a wedding gown sounds even more expensive when you consider you’ll only be wearing it once in your life.
At this point, a bride might wonder — is it worth the cost? Should I rent a dress instead? Well, there are both advantages and disadvantages to that idea.
Here are 11 Things Every Bride Needs To Consider Before Renting A Wedding Dress
Wedding Dress Rental Advantages
1. Lower Cost
Renting a dress is a much cheaper option than buying one and often brings wedding dresses that cost four figures into three instead.
2. Added Extras
Sometimes when you rent your wedding dress, some rental companies provide packages where you can get your wedding veil, accessories or shoes, as well. The overall discount in a package deal can bring your costs down even more.
3. No Need to Clean
Cleaning typically comes standard with a wedding dress rental. Given that wedding dress dry cleaning costs almost a fortune, that’s another savings to factor in.
Wedding Dress Rental Disadvantages
5. Not the same as shopping for a dress
A lot of women long for that day when they take their mom and bridesmaids wedding dress shopping with them. Buying online definitely isn’t the same experience.
6. You are responsible for damages
You need to be extra careful at your reception to keep your dress in mint condition because if it gets damaged you are definitely going to pay an extra sum.
7. You can’t pass it on to another person
When you rent a wedding dress, you’re forfeiting the experience of ever passing the dress down to your own daughter or other relative/friend, and it may feel a little less special to know you never owned your dress.
8. Renting gives you limited options
The options available among rental dresses aren’t as broad and might be dated. If you’re looking for a specific style or are a picky shopper, renting may not be the best choice. Not only are gown options more limited, but the places offering them aren’t as common as those offering buyable gowns.
9. Size Constraints
Even if you do find a gown you like, it may not be in your size. Are alterations allowed? That’s something you’ll need to ask wherever you’re renting from.
When renting a dress, you’re also taking some unavoidable chances.
Here are a few things you’ll definitely want to take note of before you sign on the dotted line:
- Make sure to try the dress on immediately. Alterations on rented gowns typically aren’t allowed, as they need to be able to fit a wide variety of brides. If you have specific sizing issues, a wedding dress rental may not be your best option.
- Read carefully and understand what your security deposit covers, and don’t be afraid to ask if you need any clarifications. You don’t want to spill a drop of champagne on your dress only to learn later that you now owe the rental boutique the retail price.
- Inspect the dress carefully when it arrives to make sure it doesn’t have any wear-and-tear that you might find unacceptable.
- Don’t miss your return date so you don’t get charged extra fees.
- Start shopping early. Rental outlets will usually have a limited amount of stock, and won’t be able to just order a dress in your size the way your average bridal boutique can.
Credit: Fabwoman