As wedding expenses continue to rise, many couples are looking for ways to trim their wedding budget. Some will forego a DJ; others will DIY all their décor. There is also a growing trend of bridal gown rental to consider.
As one way to save a little money, apparel rental can be a great cost-saving option for many bridal parties. Most grooms choose to rent a suit, after all!
Nowadays, there are a variety of online and brick-and-mortar businesses that apply the same rental model to designer bridal gowns. While this can be an excellent money-saver, our bridal consultants have offered 5 reasons why brides may want to reconsider their options before committing to a bridal gown rental.
- Fewer Wedding Dress Options
Traditionally, bridal boutiques can place a special order on most gowns stocked in-store. This means that when you try on a dress, you can have measurements taken and order the gown in a size as close to yours as possible.
With a dress rental service, multiple factors might limit your choices. The service may only have a few sizes or colors available. Plus, if another bride with the same wedding date rents a dress sample before you, there is a strong likelihood that you may have to settle for a style that is only your second or third choice.
If you are looking for a unique dress that matches your wedding day vision, placing a special order for your wedding dress might be a better option!
- No Custom Fitting
Most apparel rental services prohibit any alterations. For example, most suit rental services will not allow you to shorten the length of sleeves or pants! It is easy to spot the difference between a custom-tailored suit versus a rental. The same rules apply to bridal dresses! Unlike a shirt and pants, wedding gowns come in all silhouettes and often require extensive alterations.
When a bride purchases a wedding dress, a skilled seamstress can ensure a custom fit of her gown from head to toe. It is rare for a wedding dress to fit perfectly right off the rack! Most brides require some form of alterations, and there are many adjustments to consider! Depending on the dress you pick, the straps may be too long (or short). The side-seams might need adjustments at the bust, waist, and hip. Even the length of your skirt may need to be altered depending on what shoes you want to wear!
While these details may seem small, they play a huge part in how you will look on your wedding day!
- Wear, Tear, and Security Deposits
When you rent a wedding dress, you wear a gown that numerous other brides have used. While most apparel rental services require a security deposit to ensure the gown’s condition is maintained, there may be minor elements of wear and tear that you would not get with a new wedding dress. Most wedding dresses have delicate lace and tulle fabrics. This means that if a dress was worn outside, there may be minor tears or frays in the train and hem.
It will also be up to you to ensure that nothing happens to your gown. You will have to avoid any accidental spills, tears, or stains. If you want to avoid the unnecessary stress of making sure your dress is pristine from the start of your ceremony to the end of your reception, you may want to consider a gown purchase.
- Shipping and Returns
Another consideration for wedding dress rental is the timing. Most wedding dress orders arrive in a standard 6-month time frame. But with rentals, you may receive your wedding dress only weeks or days before your wedding day. Shipment delays and tracking times may vary depending on the rental service. Furthermore, you must remember to package and return your gown after your wedding. Incorporating this timing into your wedding plans may cause additional stress, especially if you have to travel with your dress.
- Sentimental Reasons
Many exciting moments are leading up to your wedding day. The engagement, calling your family to tell them the news, asking your best friend to be your maid of honor – all of these events are sentimental!
With a rental, you will miss out on the experience of going dress shopping with your mom, sister, and friends. You won’t have the opportunity to do a dress reveal after alterations are complete. Furthermore, you won’t be able to keep your dress as an heirloom for any future children or relatives. There are hundreds of ways to preserve your gown for years to come. Traditional wedding gown preservation kits will let you display your bridal gown in a shadow box. Alternatively, a bride might make baptismal gowns out of her wedding dress. Other brides might even gift it as a dress-up costume to their children. There are also hundreds of Etsy shops that can even use lace from your gown and turn it into a unique piece of jewelry.
Apparel rental is generally a low-cost option that can be a good solution for some brides. However, there are several reasons why gown rental might be too good to be true! A more limited selection, the inability to perform custom alterations, the potential stress of shipping and returns, and being unable to keep a sentimental reminder of such a special day are all factors to consider when making your decision!