Why More Brides Are Borrowing Rather Than Buying the Perfect Gown

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Aug 02, 2014
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For brides-to-be who are more interested in sticking to their wedding budget than thinking about all the fun ways to repurpose their gown, then renting the perfect dress may be the way to go. Brides on a budget don’t have to give up their high-end taste when renting from a number of popular companies that offer the trendiest styles and designs.

In an industry where the average wedding costs more than $25,000, saving on the gown can be a big deal for couples. Author of “A Practical Wedding” Meg Keene is quoted in a recent New York Post report explaining why many women are embracing the idea of borrowing rather than buying. Keene says, “It just makes much more sense to me to pay $400 and get a dress that’s unique and a total knockout than spend the same amount and get not-even-the-best that David’s Bridal has to offer.”

Borrowing Magnolia is among the latest businesses to pop up that allow women to rent the perfect designer gown for their big day. Co-founder Ashley Steele explains how times have changed and more women are interested in renting their gowns, just like men have rented their wedding tux for years. She says, “It is no longer an heirloom industry. You used to get one photo that you put in a gold frame, you’d dry your flowers or you’d have a wedding dress with hopes that your hypothetical granddaughter would later wear it. Now it’s more about the experience, and brides expressing their style and making sure their relationship is showcased. And with Pinterest, doing a wedding on a budget is chic now.”

The way Borrowing Magnolia works is a bride-to-be pays a $99 fee and can choose three dresses to be delivered to her home so she can try them on. The bride can then decide which one she wants to rent or buy and the fee will go toward the cost of the gown. Rental prices range anywhere from $400 - $1920 and the dress is delivered 10 days before the wedding. Brides can still get the perfect fit with custom alterations as long as they are reversible.

Newlywed Kristen Juhan is happy with the decision she made to rent her high-end dress. The strapless gown with a 4 foot train that would have ran her $7000, cost her only $1000 to rent. She explains, “Being able to rent a dress was a really great way to work with the budget we had. It was important for me to have a nice dress, but not important for me to hold on to it.”

What do you think of the new trend of renting designer bridal gowns?

Would you consider renting a bridal gown rather than buying one?

 

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whatthebridewore by whatthebridewore | PHILADELPHIA, PA
Sep 22, 2014

Great idea! I know people who wore family owned gowns (sister, mother).

madupers by madupers | BROOKLYN, NY
Aug 23, 2014

Why not? Chances are you will never wear it again unless you make it a christening outfit. Otherwise, save by having a friend/relative dj, invest in a professional photographer and decent food, create your own centerpieces and decorations, consider getting married at a cheaper place and time of the year or time of the week... all these things add up so save that money or buy the dress you want. Chances are, your kids won't want to wear it anyway.

katml33 by katml33 | COLUMBUS, MN
Aug 20, 2014

I think it's a good idea to rent, I mean how many people use their dress after their wedding day anyways? Usually just packed away in a box. I actually got my dress at Deb's, it was a clearance white prom dress for $30. I bought a real dress and it fit great BUT week before wedding I tried it on (thank goodness I tried it on again for friends) I have big boobs and originally when trying dress on I always had a normal bra on but with strapless and even without they were popping out in a bad way. Went to the mall hysterically and thank goodness I found mine. So, short story long ;) you can find a good deal if you really look. I am planning on "trashing my dress" for 10th anniversary so works out.

CC2014 by CC2014 | HICKORY, NC
Aug 08, 2014

I think I would definitely consider renting my wedding dress. I have used Rent the Runway for numerous dresses and outfits, and it's a great service. I could see myself doing the same thing with a wedding dress. It seems like it would make the entire process of planning a wedding, a little less stressful. You really would not have to concern yourself with spending a ton of money on a dress that you MAY only wear again once or twice (and that's after altering it).

lorri1956 by lorri1956 | santee, CA
Aug 06, 2014

Logically, renting makes perfect sense, but I am a very sentimental person. We just recently planned my daughter's wedding and all sensibility went out the window. We ended up spending way more on her dress than we planned, but she looked so beautiful, it was worth every penny. And the fact that i still had my wedding gown to take a piece off for her, was very special.