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Renting a Wedding Dress

Rent. Wear. Return.

Sometimes renting a wedding dress is your only option, but if you have time to look, you can score a discount designer wedding gown from overstock and sample wedding gown boutiques for around the same price. The only difference, you get to keep the gown!

If you are on a tight budget or getting married quicker than expected, why not consider renting your wedding gown? After all, men have been doing it for years. Typically the groom and his groomsmen all rent tuxes for the Big Day—and more and more brides are doing it too.

Renting a wedding gown is a trend that is growing in popularity among budget-conscious brides. You can find virtually everything you are looking for in the perfect wedding dress right down to the silhouette, fabric, size, designer and rental price by simply searching online bridal rental sites. Just by searching Google, you will find a plethora of resources to rent a gown. In addition, most major cities have at least one rental gown location where you can try on dresses to rent first-hand. A city like Las Vegas, of course, has many more!

So, why rent a gown? The reasons are simple. One, if you are paying for your wedding yourself, it is a great way to save hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars. Beautiful rental gowns start at just $100 or less. Plus, it is one way to wear a stunning designer dress that you otherwise could not afford.

Secondly, it is practical. Other than emotional attachment and personal significance, wedding gowns are almost never worn again. And, if it is your second wedding and you’ve already spent a small fortune on a gown before, renting is sensible.

Thirdly, if you are getting married on the spot, you may need a dress to elope, right away. Again, perfect example, Las Vegas. But even if your wedding is in the next month or even 60 days, renting a gown is an ideal option. Most traditional gown purchases need to be made 3-5 months ahead of your wedding date from order to arrival, and then you need to factor in alteration time.

And did you ever consider that hundreds of brides might have the same dress as you? Salons place seasonal sample orders from many of the same companies.

Lastly, if you are a plus-sized bride, your designer options are sometimes limited. Again, this is a nice way to shop for exactly what you are looking for in the size you need.

One of the more reputable sites is www.renttherunway.com. And this, like many of the bridal and formal wear sites, could not make it easier to rent the perfect dress. Once you register on the site, you can select from hundreds of dresses in the style, color, fabric, and even designer that you want. Once you select a dress, they ship it to you in two sizes (to make sure one of them fits) and include prepaid packaging for return. Not only that, they dry-clean it for you, upon its return. Fabulous right?

Yes. Many sites also allow you to select veils, tiaras, accessories and shoes to complement the dress at no extra cost.

All and all, renting a gown can be no-nonsense, but it would not be fair to anyone in the bridal industry not to mention other ways to buy and save on a dress.

With sites like eBay and Craig list, you can score a beautiful wedding gown to own for next to nothing. There are many brides looking to liquidate their gowns quickly and cheaply (especially if they sadly did not make it down the aisle.)

In addition, there are also chain bridal stores, such as, David’s Bridal that host $99 gown events. Keep in mind, that these gowns, although also pretty, do not use the exclusive fabrics and detailing of a true designer gown.

Then there are sites like bridepower.com that specialize in discounted designer wedding gowns for less. Although overstocks and sample gowns, you can score a Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Melissa Sweet, etc. for up to 75% off of the retail price. And if you check the Mega Markdowns section, you can find stunners at $500 or less.

In closing, if you are in search of a specific colored bridesmaid dress, attending a black tie event, or shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress (also typically worn once,) renting a dress works here too.

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