Should You Rent Or Buy Your Wedding Dress?

The decision to rent or purchase your wedding dress is a question many brides have. Both feature pros and cons, and what works for one bride may not work for you. Help yourself make this important decision by reviewing the following information.

Renting Your Dress

Renting your wedding dress provides the opportunity to wear a designer-label dress for a mere fraction of its original price.  Most rental stores let you try on a variety of gowns to help you find your dream dress, and some even come with reduced-price or free dry cleaning. Additionally, you won't have to worry about a huge wedding dress taking up closet space once the wedding craziness is over.

On the flip side, it is unlikely you can make serious alterations to a rented wedding gown. There's also no saving it for your children or as a cherished garment from one of the happiest days of your life. You will  have the dress for a limited time only, so you will have to plan your wedding photos with that in mind. Renting a dress also means getting it back to the shop before you leave for your honeymoon.

Buying Your Dress

Buying your wedding dress is generally much more expensive than renting it, however it is yours to keep forever. Wedding gown preservation is another expense, but one that is worth it if keeping your dress is important to you. Make any alterations you want without worrying what the rental place will say. You also don't have to worry about getting the dress back to the shop on its "due date." If something stains the dress, you can have it professionally removed minus the stress of it being a rental.

Again, what works best for you depends entirely on your situation and how you feel about wedding gowns in general!