Wedding dresses are often times the biggest purchase for a wedding. Believe it or not some brides spend up to $5000 USD on just the dress alone. Most brides have opted to rent their dress for several reasons but the cost is the main reason. It is however good to weigh the pro’s and con’s and make the best decision.

Renting is becoming more and more common not just with wedding dresses but with all forms of clothing and accessories such as handbags. However when deciding whether or not to rent a wedding dress you should consider a few things.

If you decide to rent the wedding dress it is highly recommended that you start searching early. This is because due to a high demand rental outlets may have a limited amount of dresses in stock. You may contact your local retailer to find out if they offer rentals or you may choose from the options online. You can rent your wedding dress from online businesses such as Rent the Runway or Poshare. Honeymoon, casual, maternity or business wear can be rented here from Armoire. After you have found a retailer that offers rentals you need to ensure that the correct size is available. It is extremely important for you to fit the dress as soon as possible. This is because in most cases alterations are not allowed for wedding dress rentals. If the dress does not fit you will have to select another one that does. Additionally, you should inspect the dress for any wear and tear and you need to consider what the security deposit covers so that you are not caught by surprise. You also want to try your best to remember the return date.

Now to the PRO’s and CON’s of renting a wedding dress.

Renting a wedding dress comes with many benefits and so it is no surprise that renting has become increasingly more common.

PRO’s of Renting A Wedding Dress

Financial Savings

Renting a wedding dress saves money and a lot of it too. Dresses can be rented for less that $60 USD when compared to purchasing for over $200 USD. Extravagant or well designed gowns can be purchased for up to $6000 USD whereas one can spend up to $700 USD to rent a gorgeous gown. When you are able to save on the wedding dress then there will be funds available to spend on other areas of the wedding or even your honeymoon. When you consider things like renting a venue for the ceremony, reception and then dresses, tuxedos, souvenirs and other important items on your list the overall cost of your wedding can be very expensive. It is quite easy for the wedding costs to surpass $25,000 USD. If you are unable to afford that, you may choose renting to reduce costs.

Easier Access to Quality Designer Dresses

Renting makes it possible for brides to wear magnificent designer gowns that they would others be unable to afford. Dresses that they simply could not buy. Many brides love renting because they can look stunning on their special day and it is more affordable. With renting it is now possible to wear the dress of your dreams on your special day and the pictures that you take with the dress will last a lifetime. A wedding is a special occasion and one can engage in wedding dress rentals to make the day extra special.

Hassle free Returns & Limited Preservation Needed

When you rent a wedding dress you do not have to worry about the cost of preserving it or storage. Preserving a wedding dress can be very costly. When you buy a wedding dress it requires a lot of care to ensure that the delicate fabric is preserved. In some instances dry cleaning alone can cost up to $250 where as if you had rented the dress all you would have to do is return it. This is hassle free and it cost less.

There are however some drawbacks of renting a wedding dress. You can read below and determine if the cost savings outweigh the drawback.

CON’s of Renting A Wedding Dress

Extra Care Needed to Prevent Stains or Damage

We have to remember that if we rent a wedding dress it is not our own. We only have it for a short period and due care needs to be taken to ensure that it is returned in good condition. This means that while the dress is in our possession we have to try our very best to avoid stains or damages. If the dress is damaged you may have to pay the full retail price.

Unable to Pass the Dress on to the Next Generation

If you rent a wedding dress you will not be able to pass it on to the next generation. If this is important to you then maybe renting is not your best choice. But chances are, the next generation may have their own style and your daughter and grand daughter may want to choose her own dress anyway.

Late Fees

Another drawback is late fees. You are charged for not returning the wedding dress on time. But this can be entirely avoided if you set adequate reminders to remember the return date. Ultimately, the choice rests with the bride and groom to decide where greater priority lies when listing all the wedding costs. More can be spent on the wedding or some items such as the dress, tuxedos and shoes can be rented and more funds spent on the honeymoon. The choice rests with you to make this special occasion one of the best that you have ever had.