Renting can be a good option if you’re not comfortable with spending thousands of dollars on an outfit that will only get worn once. It can also open up options for brides who have always wanted to wear a designer dress but couldn’t fit it into their budgets.
However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of renting a wedding gown. Discover advice for Winsome Brides on selecting affordable wedding gowns without sacrificing style.
1. You Only Wear It Once
One of the main reasons that brides consider renting their wedding dress is because it only gets worn once. You don’t have to worry about keeping the gown or passing it down to future generations. As long as you don’t ruin it by dropping a glass of wine on it or leaving a huge stain, the shop that rents the dress will take care of cleaning it after your big day.
This is a major perk for brides who want to save time, money, and the stress of dealing with alterations, dry cleaning, and preserving the garment after the event is over. Depending on the rental company, some rentals may only be available for a few days before your wedding and need to be returned immediately after, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions carefully. You may also be charged for any damages incurred to the dress, which can add up quickly.
2. You Don’t Get to Keep It
For some brides, a wedding dress is something that they want to keep and maybe pass down to their daughter or granddaughter one day. However, when you rent a wedding gown, you aren’t allowed to keep it after the event and must return it as soon as possible.
This is a huge concern for many brides who feel that renting a wedding gown may not be worth it. Other expenses like storage, shipping, insurance and even late fees can add up quickly when you are renting a wedding dress.
In addition, if you aren’t careful, you could end up with a dress that you just don’t love. Luckily, most rental companies allow brides to try on multiple dresses before placing their order so they can find the perfect look. However, this isn’t always a possibility for those who are rushing their gown orders. The dress that you order could arrive damaged or with a fit that isn’t quite right.
3. You Can’t Make Alterations
In the case of wedding dresses, alterations can make or break the gown. An experienced tailor can make sure the dress fits ideally, hugs your curves in all the right places and accentuates your beauty. They can also change a zipper to buttons, add lace or tulle sleeves to a sleeveless dress, create built-in bra cups, convert a corset back into a bustle and more.
If you don’t have room in your budget for alterations, you can always try on a few different dresses and choose the one that works best with your body type. Afterward, you can add some pizzazz with accessories and be ready to walk down the aisle on your big day!
It’s worth noting that alterations are different than modifications. Modifications are changes made to the existing design of a gown, like changing the neckline or crafting new sleeves, while alterations simply tweak the dress for the best fit. Hemming, for example, is a typical alteration and typically costs $50-200.
4. You Can’t Pass It Down
For brides who dream of heirloom wedding dresses to wear on milestone anniversaries, renew their vows or pass down to children someday, renting a gown isn’t the right choice. Renting also removes the fun of dress-shopping with friends and family to find your perfect gown.
From lipstick stains and drink spills to loose sequins and ripped hemlines, a bride’s gown goes through a lot on her big day. Rental services typically handle any damage on a case-by-case basis, but it could mean that you’re responsible for the cost of repairs or a new dress if the damaged gown can’t be restored.
While some rental companies allow temporary alterations (think safety pins), you can’t take your gown to a tailor for permanent alteration to custom fit your body. This may not be a deal breaker, especially since many brides plan to use their wedding dress as a keepsake in other ways. For example, some couples craft their wedding gowns into baby blankets, bassinet covers and christening gowns for their future children.