Should You Buy or Rent Your Dream Wedding Dress?
Many brides do not realize how much wedding dresses cost until they start trying on their favorite designs. Those looking to save money or cut back on costs can rent a wedding dress. While they look great, they don’t need to worry about spending a lot of money on a dress they’ll only wear once. Compare the pros and cons of buying vs renting to figure out which one is the best choice for you.
Pros of Renting
The biggest reason to check with bridal boutiques for rental dresses is that it helps you save money. Some dresses are so expensive that you’ll spend as much to buy one and tailor it as you do for your venue or your caterers. Rentals often cost around 50% as a new dress would, but it depends on both where you rent it and the style you pick.
Another benefit of renting is that you can grab any of the accessories you need to complete your wedding day look. Are you a fan of veils or tiaras and want one that works with your hairstyle? You can rent one that goes with your dress. You may even have the chance to rent a pair of shoes, too.
Many brides also like renting dresses because the process is so smooth. You meet with a rental shop, pick the dress that you want, and pay for your order. Most stores give you dresses in multiple sizes to help you find one that fits right. You will get a wedding dress that looks great and is ready to wear. Wear the dress all day for your wedding and then pack it in the included box to ship it back to the store. If you work with a local shop, you can simply drop it off the next day,
Cons of Renting
Many of the things you do when planning your wedding are part of the overall experience. This includes shopping for designer wedding dresses. You can visit multiple boutiques with your family, friends, and wedding party. You’ll enjoy free drinks as you try on as many dresses as you want until you find the perfect one. Renting a dress is less of an experience.
A common con that brides come across when they rent a dress is that they don’t have many options. Rental shops only carry a certain number of designer wedding dresses. They try to follow trends and look for designs that modern brides want. You will likely come across some older dresses though that are outdated. If you have your heart set on a specific dress or even a certain designer, you might not have any luck.
Though you can save money renting a dress, you also risk paying more than you thought. The shops that rent these dresses expect you to return them in the same condition you received. If you ripped the hem or return a dress with permanent stains, expect to get a large bill from the shop for stain removal and/or cleaning.
Another issue to keep in mind is that you may not get the perfect fit you want. Buying a dress lets you work with a seamstress and get as much tailoring as you need. Once you buy a dress, it becomes your dress. When you rent a dress, you can wear it as much as you want during your rental period, but it still belongs to the shop. While women with standard body shapes can easily wear styles from the best wedding dress designers, others will have a hard time getting the fits they want without tailoring.
Pros of Buying a Wedding Dress
The biggest pro of buying a wedding dress is that you have no limits other than money. Do you want a dress in a ballgown style with a huge skirt and a tight bodice? Maybe you prefer a sleek dress that exposes your back and shoulders. As long as you can afford the dress of your dreams, you can buy it and wear it on your big day. You have more options than you do when you rent a dress.
Another pro is that bridal stores Columbus pros ensure that your dress fits. The process isn’t over just because you picked out a dress. You still need to make a few appointments to try it on and let a seamstress work on it. A seamstress can ensure that there aren’t any gaps around the bodice or other issues that lead to embarrassing incidents. They can also shorten the hem if you buy a dress that’s too long and let out the back a little if you need some breathing room.
Buying a wedding dress is one of the best experiences you can share with your loved ones. You might enjoy glasses of champagne and other drinks as you try on dresses. Shops allow you to try on as many as you would like and show them off to your family and friends. It’s an experience many brides don’t want to miss.
Cons of Buying
The cost of buying a wedding dress is quite high. While you might get lucky and find a used dress that fits and looks great, you might spend as much as you do on other things on a new dress. Before you buy a dress, make sure you consider how much it will cost to tailor it to your body, too. One of the big cons of buying your dress is how much it costs. You should also consider how long it takes to get your dress. Most shops and boutiques have a limited selection available on-site. When you pick out a dress, they will need to order it from the brand or designer. It can take weeks or even months for your dress to show up.
Brides usually only wear their wedding dresses once. What do you do with the dress when the day is over? With as much as you spent on the dress, you likely want to find some way to preserve it. This usually requires that you find someone who can preserve it for you. The dress goes in a huge box that takes up a lot of space. Most boxes have a window on the front that lets you see the front of your dress. When you buy and preserve your dress, you need to find a place to store it.
Get Ready for Your Big Day
Get ready for your big day with a look at the pros and cons of both renting and buying a wedding dress. A quick comparison helps you decide which route to choose for your wedding day.