When you're thinking about renting a wedding dress, there are a few important things to consider. Some bridal boutiques offer this option in lieu of buying if you only want the dress for the wedding day. There are also plenty of online wedding rental services with a wide range of styles to choose from.
This generally works in the same way as any other online shopping experience—only you send the garment back after you're done wearing it.
Let's narrow down the decision-making process, shall we?
1. Don't Worry About Getting it Right On the First Try
You may have to pay a fee for the swap, but it's a small price to pay to find your dream gown commitment- and pressure-free. Part of the fun in renting is the lack of commitment.
2. Read Customer Reviews
For anyone familiar with online shopping, you know how every brand may not fit the same, even in the same size. When renting online, make sure to see what previous customers are saying about the dresses you're eyeing.
3. Use Filters When Browsing Rental Sites
Don't just search the bridal section. You can just as easily find your dream gown by browsing all dresses with the color filter set on "White," if you're sticking with a traditional color. Narrow your search by filtering things like color, length, silhouette, shape, sleeves, body type, and embellishments.
How Much Do Rented Dresses Cost
You can typically rent wedding dresses for as little as about $50-$600, but they can also cost much less or more depending on the dress and rental company. Depending on where you rent from, you could end up saving thousands of dollars on a dress. On the more expensive end, designer gowns rent for a fraction of their purchase price, anywhere from $500 to $2,000 is common. Some websites, like Rent the Runway, are structured as a subscription service, so you pay a monthly fee for access to certain style selections.
Where to Rent a Dress
You have websites that are solely dedicated to renting wedding gowns, fashion rentals with select bridal options, boutiques both selling and renting, as well as local salons that may offer rentals. If you're sold on renting your wedding dress over buying, there are several options to do so.
Here is an Authorized Retailer near you to find the perfect wedding dress for your body type.
Happy wedding dress shopping!