Wedding gowns are a standout feature of any ceremony.
Unfortunately, they can also be a significant expense.
Across the United States, brides spend an average of $1,631 on a wedding dress, according to The Knot’s 2018 Real Weddings Study. That figure dwarfs the roughly $283 grooms typically spend on their wedding attire.
Then there’s the dilemma of what to do with the dress after the vows. If you plan to keep it for future generations, it could occupy precious closet space — and may still be passed over for being out of date.
Professional preservation can also cost several hundred dollars, per Brides.
Think About Renting Your Wedding Dress for the Big Day
One wallet-friendly option is to rent your gown. Men have long rented tuxedos, so why not brides rent dresses? After all, many dresses are worn just once.
Check nearby bridal boutiques to see if they have rental options. Shops that focus on formal wear or prom attire may carry gowns that would be ideal for your wedding.
In Tampa, Florida, Lending Luxury rents bridal gowns at prices that can be 80 to 90% below retail, co-owner Jennifer Rosen told The Penny Hoarder. Rentals include dry cleaning and insurance, and dresses can be rented for five-, 10- or 15-day periods.
“[Renting is] going to be more cost effective,” Rosen said. “Why spend three, four, five, six or 10 thousand dollars when you can rent something very similar for $80, $90 or $100?
“You could put that money towards something else, towards your honeymoon or a house,” she added.
And you’ll still have photos of yourself in the gown, Rosen noted.
If there aren’t local rental shops near you, Rent the Runway offers nationwide options by moving the selection online.
The retailer provides a wide range of bridal styles with current rental prices from $30 to $400. The same dresses retail from about $150 to $2,770. Sizes go from 0 to 22.
Rent the Runway offers a complimentary backup size when you place a rental, and brides who want an extra option can order a second dress in a different style for $32.50.
Dresses are available for four-day or eight-day rentals. After the wedding, you simply ship the dress back via UPS at no extra cost. If the item isn’t returned on time, the company charges $50 per day as a late fee.
Rentals Extend Beyond Gowns
Your wedding look includes more than just the dress. Fortunately, brides trying to stick to a budget can rent veils, headpieces, belts and other accessories from Happily Ever Borrowed for four- or eight-day periods at about 20% of retail prices.
For those who want to wear high-end jewelry, Adorn rents luxury pieces starting at under $100.
If renting isn’t appealing, here are other ways to save on a wedding dress:
- Shop at discount stores like TJ Maxx.
- Find bargains at sample sales.
- Buy a pre-owned gown.
- Alter a family heirloom dress to fit your style.
Want more tips for scoring an affordable dress? Take a look at guidance from “Say Yes to the Dress.”
Rentals and discounted dresses aren’t ideal for everyone — particularly brides who want every detail customized or those intent on keeping their gown as a keepsake.
But for couples hoping to avoid long-term debt from their wedding, saving on the dress can be a smart route toward a more affordable happily ever after.
Nicole Dow is a staff writer at Savinly. She’s never been a bride but has been a bridesmaid twice — and rented her gown for one of those events.
