Buying a new wedding dress will set you back an average of about $1,500 in the Midwest, according to The Knot. And beyond the initial price tag and the cost of alterations, the overall expense of owning your gown goes up when the party’s over, with bloated cleaning and storage fees typically adding several hundred dollars. Is there a cheaper option?
Renting has become a cost-saving solution for brides on a budget. Upfront, renting costs a fraction of buying, and on the back end, you skip the cost of professionally storing the dress in a box.
Services like Poshare.com and Lael offer good options for renters, with friendly cancellation policies if you change your mind. But alterations are limited, if allowed at all, and fees for wear and tear could end up on your bill. Make sure to scrutinize the renter’s policy before agreeing to the terms and conditions.
Another way to go is to buy used. Check out specialty sites such as stillwhite.com and preownedweddingdresses.com. You get the freedom of owning your dress without the sticker shock; just be sure to take note of the return policy.
And after your big day, you can resell your dress and continue the cycle.
