Did you know that having a wedding dress rental is actually a common practice in countries like Japan, South Korea, and China? While in the United States, brides spend an average of over $1,000 on a dress they’ll wear only once, it’s possible to find an alternative that costs much less and has a minimal carbon footprint. While the options are somewhat limited if you’re looking to rent a dramatic ball gown in the United States, there are a growing number of rental options if you’re looking for a white cocktail look or a sleek slip. “In my experience, brides are more inclined to rent dresses for pre-wedding events and the reception or after party rather than their main ceremony gown,” shares Kate Loscalzo, founder of Something White Styling, which offers curated rentals along with bridal styling services. “The actual wedding dress often involves more personalized alterations and reflects a very specific, individual style preference.”
That said, the number of rental services has grown in recent years, providing great options for to-be-weds that want to save a little as it’s becoming more common to have multiple wedding day looks. “Renting your wedding wardrobe is definitely becoming more popular,” says Loscalzo. “Brides can explore multiple looks for different wedding events without exceeding their budget, experience wearing a high-end designer piece without paying the full retail value, support a more conscious, circular approach to fashion, have the freedom to wear something modern or bold without the long-term commitment, and eliminate the need to store or preserve numerous white dresses that may not be worn again.”
Depending on the rental service you choose, you might not even have to stress about cleaning the dress after you’ve worn it. “It’s so nice not to have to worry about dry-cleaning after your bridal event! Just pack it up and use the prepaid label to return the rental items to us and we’ll handle the rest,” shares Kaitlyn Bailey, VP of fashion and buying at Rent The Runway. Of course, be wary that a bit too much wear can translate to later shelling out a hefty damage fee. “Even though it’s rented, it’s still a designer piece and they can be delicate,” notes Loscalzo. “Jumping in a pool is—unfortunately—not a good idea.”
Think you may want a rental in your bridal fashion lineup? Read ahead to learn everything about how you can rent an ensemble for your wedding events.
How Do Wedding Dress Rentals Work?
Renting a wedding dress is a reasonably seamless process depending on what service you use. There are a few boutiques that rent dresses that allow you to try on a potential rental in person before deciding on your choice. Others just have you choose the rental for a website or app and set the days when you will have the dress in your possession. In most cases, you need to pay for the rental before it is sent to you. After the rental period passes, you either will ship back the gown or drop it off in person.
How Much Is a Wedding Dress Rental?
Depending on where you’re ordering from and the designer of the garment, your dress rental can range from $12 to $1200. While you might not be able to keep the dress after the big day, you can have the peace of mind that you’re likely saving a pretty penny on your wedding budget. “Renting allows brides to wear designer-quality styles without the price tag or waste,” says Bailey. “You’re only paying about 10 percent of the retail value to rent the item for the weekend, so instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a new dress, you could rent one for around $50.”
Can You Alter a Rental Wedding Dress?
The short answer: not very much. While a few wedding dress rental companies will allow some small adjustments to a garment like hemming or shortening straps, others won’t allow you to do much more than using styling tools like fashion tape. If you need to do anything more drastic, it’s a good idea to find an option in a different size. “We do offer some dress styles in petite and long lengths as well as a free backup size when placing a reserve one-time rental order,” notes Bailey. If all else fails, you might want to stick with purchasing a piece that you can properly alter to your measurements.
Wedding Dress Rental Companies
So where exactly can you rent a dress for your special day? See a few options ahead.
Subscription Services
While you may be familiar with Rent the Runway’s subscription-based model, the popular clothing rental company offers an eight-day rental reserve that can be booked up to four months in advance for a single garment. “The eight-day rental also includes the option to book a free backup size,” shares Bailey. “Additionally, accessories like clutches and earrings are available to rent for only $15.” You could also rent something from the five-item or 10-item subscription packages, but you won’t be able to ensure the piece is available in your size until the day you book the rental.