Is Renting a Wedding Dress a Smart Way to Save Money? Pros Weigh In

The cost of a wedding dress can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider the fact that you're likely only going to wear it once. Coupled with all the other expenses that come with having a wedding, it's no wonder more and more brides are looking into options to rent wedding dresses instead of buying them.

If you're looking to spend less in the dress department and allocate some of that cash toward something else, be it an extra-long honeymoon, a string quartet for the ceremony or simply a boost for your savings account, renting your gown is an excellent way to do so. Best of all? It doesn't have to mean sacrificing your dream wedding dress aesthetic.

To help you decide if renting a wedding dress is the right move for you, we tapped Lundyn Carter, cofounder and CEO of Atlanta-based rental bridal shop Laine London. Ahead, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the wedding dress rental process, from pros and cons to how much you can expect to spend.

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In this article:

• Can You Rent a Wedding Dress?
• How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Wedding Dress?
• Find Wedding Dress Rental Near Me
• Where Can I Rent a Wedding Dress?

Can You Rent a Wedding Dress?

Yes, you can rent a wedding dress, and we're happy to report that the process has come a long way over the years. Along with providing an affordable, eco-friendly and hassle-free way to wear your dream gown (no dry cleaning or dress preserving required), many of today's rental wedding dress shops have extensive collections and consistently stay on top of the latest wedding dress trends. "Renting doesn't mean sacrificing on-trend or timeless designs. We attend the same bridal markets and work with the same designers as traditional dress shops," Carter says. "What we don't have are the long lead times and high prices."

Beyond addressing the answer to the question "Can you rent wedding dresses?" it's also wise to consider the question "Should I buy or rent my wedding dress?" Before you run straight to your local wedding dress rental shop, there are some drawbacks to be aware of when it comes to renting a gown. First off, while you should have plenty of options as far as wedding dress designers and silhouettes, there's always a chance that the dress you love won't be available for your wedding date. "Timing is everything," Carter says. "Because we can't guarantee availability on any dress after your appointment, we recommend coming ready to say 'YES' to the dress you fall in love with during your bridal appointment."

Another thing to note is that you'll likely be responsible for any damage to the dress beyond normal wear and tear. Most rental companies have some sort of insurance either already included in the package price or as an add-on with a small fee (think $5 to $10), but coverage and pricing will vary depending on where you're renting from. Be sure to familiarize yourself with damage policies and fees before moving forward with the process.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Wedding Dress?

It typically costs between $200 and $2,000 to rent a used wedding dress, but can be more or less depending on the designer, style and rental company. Laine London's rental packages begin on the higher end at $1,500, but it's important to note that this price includes a seven-day rental, dry cleaning and three alteration appointments. Each rental company will have its own pricing models and packages.

Is it cheaper to rent a wedding dress?

Unless you happen to stumble upon the off-the-rack wedding dress of your dreams, renting a wedding dress will almost always be cheaper than buying it. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding dress was about $2,000 in 2023. Even if a rental wedding dress were to ring up around that price point, chances are it's still only a fraction of the retail price. "Renting allows brides to access high-end designer dresses that would retail for $4,000+," Carter says. "While some brides choose to buy their dress and sell it later, renting provides greater cost savings without the stress of reselling."

All that said, how much you want to set aside for your wedding gown is a personal choice. Our free, easy-to-use wedding budget tool can give you a peek at real pricing data and help you decide if renting or buying is best for your wedding budget.

Find Wedding Dress Rental Near Me

Deciding to go the rental route doesn't mean you have to forgo the fun, in-person shopping experience that comes with buying a wedding gown. Head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find wedding dress rentals near you, from Utah and Vegas to NYC, Atlanta and Dallas. After clicking the link below, select your location and choose "Rentals" under the "Fashion Services" dropdown.

Where Can I Rent a Wedding Dress?

Now that you know the ins and outs of renting a wedding dress, you might be wondering where to start browsing. Ahead, we're highlighting a few of the most popular spots that offer rental wedding dresses on the web.

Laine London

With designers like Justin Alexander, Oksana Mukha and Pollardi and sizes ranging from 0 to 32, Laine London is sure to impress. As mentioned above, packages begin at $1,500 and include a seven-day rental, dry cleaning and three alteration appointments (a dress hem, bustle, side seam adjustments and strap adjustments). Customizations are available at an additional cost, allowing brides to truly make the dress their own.

While Laine London is located in Atlanta, Carter notes that the wedding dress shop often works with out-of-town to-be-weds. "If you're interested in traveling to Atlanta to join the Laine London family, we can work with you to consolidate your bridal fittings and we do offer shipping within the continental United States," she says.

Dare and Dazzle

If you're looking to spend less than $500, Dare & Dazzle is for you. Located in Sonoma, California, the bridal shop's wedding gowns start at just $200 for a 10-day rental period and include any (temporary) alterations needed to make the fit just right. Not near the Bay Area? Dare and Dazzle will ship up to three styles straight to you so you can try them on in the comfort of your own home. Sizes range from 2 to 22, but since Dare and Dazzle designs their own dresses, additional sizes can be made to order. Bonus: You can read reviews from customers who have previously rented the dresses.

Mariah's Bridal

Located in Rexburg, Idaho, Mariah's Bridal has a collection of over 100 modern and contemporary designer gowns in sizes 00 to 22 and is consistently adding more styles to the collection. Prices range between $300 and $600 for a three-week rental period, and you'll also find a variety of rentable accessories like belts, capes, gloves and veils. While you can view the shop's dress collection online, you do need to make an in-person appointment to try on gowns and complete the rental process. Mariah's Bridal has an in-house tailor to help you get your fit just right.

Rent the Runway

While Rent the Runway is most known for its wedding guest dress rentals, the retailer also carries a selection of formal white gowns—as well as a range of styles fit for more casual ceremonies—from designers like Monique Lhuillier, Ralph Lauren, Cinq à Sept and more. Sizes range from 0 to 22 and prices start at $15 for a four-day rental. Eight-day rentals and month-to-month memberships are also available.