The 5 Best Wedding Outfit Rental Sites for Brides, Bridesmaids & Guests
As fun as it is to wear something new every time you have a wedding-related event on the horizon, it's no secret that the cost of buying that many dresses can easily add up. So how is one to keep their occasion looks fresh and exciting without breaking the bank? Enter: wedding outfit rentals. These aren't just limited to grooms in search of tux rentals or brides who want to rent a wedding dress anymore. Nowadays, there are so many great rental companies out there offering a range of of-the-moment, party-ready pieces for every wedding event and role—bridesmaids, guests and mothers of the bride and groom included. Whether you're the MOB in need of a show-stopping black-tie gown, a wedding party member searching for a unique bridesmaid dress or even a bride looking to maximize opportunities for an outfit change, the options are endless.
If you think renting might be the move for you, you've come to the right place. Below, we're breaking down the best places for every kind of wedding outfit rental, whether you're the guest, guest of honor or part of the wedding party.
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Why Dress Rentals are Perfect for Weddings
For Ashley DuFour, Marketing Manager at Rent the Runway and self-proclaimed professional wedding guest, renting is about so much more than just saving money. For one, it opens up a world of designers and price points that may have otherwise been unattainable. "Rent the Runway has provided me access to designer pieces that I never would have wanted to spend so much money on for a one-time wear," she says. Take this on-trend LBD by Rabanne, for example, a classic pick for a wedding guest dress that retails for a cool $1,500. With a four-day rental price of just $35 at Rent the Runway, pulling the trigger on a couture piece feels a lot less intimidating.
DuFour emphasizes that renting is also a sustainable solution to the single-wear issue that often comes with wedding attire. "The fashion industry as a whole produces so much waste, and wedding attire is a perfect example of items that are often worn just once," she adds. Add in the convenience factor—which, let's be real, is a major plus for busy brides, bridesmaids and guests alike—and it's easy to see why borrowing instead of buying is a no-brainer.
With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of the best places to find wedding attire rentals no matter your role in the big day. Brides in search of a rehearsal dinner dress or a bridal shower outfit that won't break the wedding budget will love the on-trend options at Nuuly, while the luxury, black tie-worthy gowns at Rent the Runway are sure to please mothers of the bride and groom. And if you're a wedding party member and prefer to rent bridesmaid dresses over buying them, your options are aplenty. Keep scrolling to check out some of our favorite dress rental sites for borrowing wedding-ready looks.
5 Best Sites for Wedding Outfit Rentals
Ready to dive into the world of wedding clothes on rent? Whether you're in search of a wedding guest dress certain to make an impression or a festive white number for your bachelorette, the following dress rental sites have all your bases covered.
1. Nuuly
Best For: On-trend dress rentals for weddings and pre-wedding events
Sizes: 00 - 34W; Petite sizes available
Membership Plan: Yes
One-Time Rentals: No
Cost: Memberships from $98/month
Did you know you can rent some of the most popular styles found at Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters? Nuuly, a subscription clothing rental service in the same family of brands, charges a monthly flat rate of $98 to access six clothing items per month plus complementary laundry and repairs. Once your billing date approaches, you can either buy or return your items in order to unlock your next monthly shipment.
While you're searching for options, save your favorites to your personal Nuuly closet. (Note: Adding the item to your closet won't hold the item for you, so there's a chance it might be out of stock when you want to rent it. This is why the brand recommends saving lots of different options just in case.) With so many of-the-moment styles for bridal dress rentals, bridesmaid dresses and wedding guest picks alike, you'll feel well-dressed for all the weekend's events without having to spend a hefty fee. We love that the service also offers plenty of plus and petite size options. Best of all, if you're a new Nuuly member, you can use the code THEKNOT20 to get $20 off your first order.
2. Rent the Runway
Best For: One-time rentals and designer gowns, bags and jewelry
Sizes: 00 - 22; Maternity sizes available
Membership Plan: Yes
One-Time Rentals: Yes
Cost: Memberships from $94/month; One-time rental rates vary
When it comes to high-end, black tie-worthy gowns and glamorous accessories to match, Rent the Runway has you covered. Browsing through the site's rotating closet of dresses, bags and jewelry is a breeze—simply filter by the formality of your event and the weather to narrow down your search.
Uniquely, RTR offers one-time rentals, which is ideal if you're searching for one dress rather than multiple. This service is called RTR Reserve and the process is simple: Once you find a dress you like, select a four- or eight-day rental period and enter the delivery and return dates to ensure it's available for your occasion. (Pro tip: You can make your reservation up to four months in advance.) Each Reserve order includes one free backup size and complementary dry cleaning, making it an easy option for those looking to rent bridesmaid dresses, MOB gowns and beyond.
RTR also offers a monthly membership with even more benefits, including free shipping and flexible returns (here are all the membership perks). Prices start at $94 for five items per month, and a new member discount can save you up to $57 on your first month. With each plan, you'll start with five rental slots, then swap out or add additional items as you please. Best of all, you can keep each item for as long as you'd like—and you have the option to buy the styles you absolutely love. Bonus: If there's a lull on your event calendar, you can pause or edit your membership.
3. FashionPass
Best For: Casual, semi-formal and cocktail dress rentals
Sizes: XXS - 4XL; Petite sizes available
Membership Plan: Yes
One-Time Rentals: No
Cost: Membership for $125/month
While FashionPass does have black-tie and formal dresses for rent, it's an especially great choice for casual, semi-formal and cocktail options—think everything from bachelorette and pre-wedding looks for the bride to rehearsal dinner frocks for wedding guests. For $125, a subscription provides access to two orders of five items per month from brands like Show Me Your Mumu, ASTR The Label, For Love & Lemons, ELLIATT and more. In other words, FashionPass pretty much has your entire wedding wardrobe covered. Bridesmaids, for example, can rent a bridesmaid dress and something to wear to the shower, bridesmaid luncheon and rehearsal dinner. Orders placed before 12pm PST are shipped on the same day and will arrive in just one to three days, making it a great option for those in need of a last-minute look. And, as with many other rental sites, shipping and dry cleaning are conveniently included in the membership fee. Best of all? You can purchase your rentals for a members-only discount of 30% to 60% off.
4. By Rotation
Best For: Unique one-time gown, shoe and accessory rentals
Sizes: 00 - 20
Membership Plan: No
One-Time Rentals: Yes
Cost: One-time rental rates vary
Before you go out and drop top dollars on a new dress (that, let's be honest, you'll probably only wear once), consider browsing through By Rotation's selection of dress rentals instead. This site is unique in that it allows you to rent clothing directly from other members' closets, meaning you'll find everything from affordable brands to high-end designers and even custom-made gems. Think: Poshmark or Depop but for one-time clothing rentals. The site has easy-to-browse, curated collections for a range of wedding roles, including bridesmaids and brides, with hundreds of styles from brands like Reformation, Cult Gaia, STAUD, Retrofête and more. Another unique factor is that you can rent shoes and accessories while you're at it, allowing you to curate your entire look from head to toe. Their prices are ultra-affordable, and you can earn a bit of extra cash by listing your old bridesmaid and wedding guest dresses on the app. Talk about a win-win.
5. Vince Unfold
Best For: Luxury and minimalist dress rentals
Sizes: XXS–3XL
Membership Plan: Yes
One-Time Rentals: No
Cost: Membership for $175/month
Looking for simple bridesmaid, bridal or mother-of-the-bride outfits to rent? Here's another clothing rental subscription site to keep on your radar: Vince Unfold. For one flat fee of $175 per month, you'll have access to Vince's classic, high-end clothing collection, including the brand's newest dresses refreshed on a weekly basis. First, curate at least 10 items in your personal "Edit" and prioritize your favorites, then the rental site will use your priorities to send you four pieces at a time. After your event, send back the items in a prepaid bag or own your favorites by purchasing them at a discounted price. You've got unlimited exchanges plus free shipping and returns all month long, so the pace is totally up to you. While this dress rental option is pricier than others, Vince's luxurious pieces are well worth the monthly price tag and you'll appreciate having them handy for wedding weekends and beyond.