How Today's Brides Can
Rent a Wedding Dress

Instead of spending hundreds or even sometimes thousands of dollars on a gown that she'll only wear once, a bride can rent a wedding dress too! But there are some things you'll want to think about before making the decision to rent a wedding gown instead of buying one.

First, consider that a rental gown has been worn before by other brides so you won't be wearing a new gown. You'll also be doing away with the possibility of having an heirloom dress to hand down to your daughter or granddaughter in the future.

If these aren't concerns for you, then maybe renting a gown is a perfect option for you!

So what's next? Well, you're pretty much going to go through the same steps to rent a wedding dress as you would if you were purchasing your wedding dress, with just a few extra things to keep in mind.

• Start your shopping early. This is something you would be doing anyway, but you may find you won't have as many options by renting as with buying. All bridal boutiques sell their gowns, but how many of them actually rent? So you'll be doing some phone shopping first to find out before you visit the shop.
• Does the salon offer wedding rental packages that include the other accessories? Aside from your undergarments, which you should buy new, do they also rent veils, headpieces, hoop slips, jewelry and shoes?

  When you call the boutiques, ask if they rent the entire ensemble at a package rate. It would be a shame to go and buy everything else that goes with the dress when the dress has to be returned. Think of the groom's tux, which also includes the shoes, the tie and the shirt.

• Check inventories. Once you find a couple of boutiques or salons where you can rent a wedding dress, stop in and check their inventory for gowns they have available to rent. Once you find what you're looking for, just like with renting anything else, you want to make sure that the gown will be available for you on your day and not already booked for another bride.
• Read the agreement. As with any other rental contract, before you actually rent a wedding dress, read the agreement carefully, especially the fine print. Make sure there are guarantees in writing that your gown will be ready a few days before your event.

  Check for any additional fees - damage fees, cleaning fees or late charges related to the gown rental.

  Some rental shops may include cleaning in the rental cost while others may charge additional.

  So if you have any questions, be sure to discuss your concerns with the shop management before you sign.

• Security deposits and rental fees. Make sure you understand their security deposit or rental fee policies before you make a final decision. Some shops may require an upfront fee while others may only want a security deposit that will be refunded, less expenses, upon the gown's return.
• Alterations. And just as if you were buying your wedding gown, the gown you want may need to be altered. So it's very important to check with the shop to see if they'll alter the gown, and if so, do they charge an extra fee for alterations or is the fee included in the rental fee.

You might find it cheaper after all to borrow a friend's gown or simply buy a used one if wearing an already worn gown isn't a concern.

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