Should You Rent Your Wedding Dress?

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but wedding dresses aren't cheap. Generally costing at least four figures (sometimes more), the price of a gown sounds even more expensive when you consider that you'll probably only wear it once in your life (unless you choose a bridal look you can wear beyond the big day). Blaire Walsh, former style director at Rent the Runway, further notes that many brides spend anywhere between $2,000 to $5,000 on their wedding dresses alone, which isn't a modest amount of money if you're on a tight budget. "When only wearing that dress for approximately three to five hours, it just doesn’t seem worth it when you can focus on making your wedding dreams come true, by having that firework sendoff or an extravagant Parisian-themed dessert table for your guests to indulge in," she explains.

With that in mind, you may be asking yourself, "Should I just rent my wedding dress?" If you'd rather spend more on your honeymoon budget than a pricey gown, renting is certainly a popular alternative that allows you to save money while still wearing a gorgeous look down the aisle. According to Lundyn Carter, CEO and co-founder of Laine London, renting your gown also allows you to embrace a more sustainable shopping experience, and provides you with the option to select multiple looks for less (if you're hoping to embrace two or three outfit changes on the big day). Ultimately, though, this decision is a personal choice, and it's up to you and your partner to prioritize how you want to allocate your wedding budget.

Ahead, we highlight everything you need to know about renting a wedding dress, from the pros and cons of this bridal experience to expert-approved shopping tips. Read for more.

The Cost of Renting a Wedding Dress

Wedding dresses typically cost between $50 and $600 to rent, but they can cost much less (or much more) depending on the dress and rental company. On the more expensive end, brides may find themselves shelling out $500 to $2,000 for a designer ensemble, though this is a fraction of the retail price for a new designer gown. If you want to save a few extra dollars, some bridal salons also provide the option to rent a gown for the day, which can decrease the price depending on the dress.

The Pros of Renting a Wedding Dress

Interested in potentially renting your wedding dress? Here are three of the biggest pros associated with this bridal service.

You'll Save Money

We said it once and we'll say it again: Saving money—either on one or multiple looks—is probably the biggest pro of all. With renting, dresses that were previously way over budget are suddenly within the realm of possibility. In fact, renting a bridal look can often bring the cost of your ensemble down from four figures to three. "I believe today’s consumer is becoming more aware of where and how they are spending their money," Carter explains. "You no longer have to have a Sofia Richie or Hailey Bieber budget to opt in for multiple wedding day looks." Some companies even provide packages where you can add on a veil, shoes, and other accessories for a reduced price!

You Don't Have to Preserve, Store, or Dry Clean

Though wedding dress preservation isn't costly, it does come at a price since a lot goes into ensuring the delicate fabric of your gown doesn't yellow over time. But with a rental, there's no need to worry about where you'll keep your gown after the big day, how you'll preserve it, and the expenses associated with such a task. Rental companies also typically include dry cleaning with their services—another money-saving pro, as dry cleaning a wedding dress can cost up to $200.

You'll Be Able to Shop from Home

Most rental companies operate as online platforms, so if you're someone who doesn't want to step foot inside of a bridal salon, renting a gown is perfect for you! Plus, most wedding dress rental sites work the same way as any online shopping experience—except you send the garment back after the event—so browsing these websites won't be a difficult task to manage.

The Cons of Renting a Wedding Dress

While renting a wedding dress can be seen as a great choice for some brides, there are a few drawbacks to this particular fashion option, which we highlight below.

You Could Have Limited Options

If you're looking for a specific style or are a picky shopper, renting may not be the best choice. That's because, depending on where you live, your fashion options could be limited, and certain gowns may be unavailable on your wedding date. You also run the risk of falling in love with an ensemble that's not available in your size. Additionally, if you're shopping online, there's always the chance that the wedding dress of your dreams arrives and looks completely different.

You're Responsible for Damages and Fees

When renting a dress, fees can quickly add up—and you may have to pay extra for shipping, insurance, and late fees depending on your shopping timeline. What's more, you also run the risk of paying for any damages, like wine spills, lipstick stains, torn hems, and busted seams. And while insurance covers minor issues, brides are typically responsible for the cost of the dress if there's any significant damage.

You'll Miss the Sentimental Aspects

If you want to keep your dress forever and possibly pass it down to the next generation, a rental probably isn't for you. For some brides, an heirloom wedding dress holds memories of a lifetime, and renting a gown takes away the sentimental value. Additionally, it could eliminate the dress-shopping experience with family and friends: If you dream of saying yes to the dress in a room full of your closest loved ones, you may want to avoid renting.

Expert Tips for Renting a Wedding Dress

Now that you understand the pros and cons, if you've decided to rent your bridal gown, here are a few shopping tips to keep in mind.

Read Customer Reviews and Do Your Research

When renting online, check out what previous customers are saying about the dresses you're eyeing. "Have an idea of your size, but also make sure to read up on our customer reviews," explains Walsh, as sizing can vary based on the garment. Carter also adds, "While renting designer clothing is all the rage right now, renting a designer wedding dress is not. Do your research (i.e. Google reviews, ask around) and look out for websites or online marketplaces that seem too good to be true."

Use Filters When Browsing Rental Sites

"Site browsing can be a bit overwhelming at times, so keep an open mind, be flexible in what you're looking for, and utilize [website] filters," recommends Walsh. Narrow your search by color, length, silhouette, shape, sleeves, body type, and embellishments. Another tip? Don't just search the bridal section! You can just as easily find your dream gown by looking at all dresses with the color filter set to "white," if you're sticking with a traditional look.

Don't Worry About Getting It Right on the First Try

Part of the allure of renting is the lack of commitment and stress. "If a style doesn't work, simply return and pick out another style," says Walsh. You may have to pay a fee for the swap, but it's a small price to pay to find your dream gown.

Wedding Dress Rental Companies to Consider

Here are the top wedding dress rental companies to consider, including websites solely dedicated to renting wedding gowns, fashion rentals with select bridal options, and boutiques that sell and rent bridal gowns.

• Rent the Runway
• Laine London
• Rowely
• Poshare
• The Dress Outlet
• Dare & Dazzle