Renting wedding gowns and other festive attire is common in other parts of the world. It makes sense to rent something that you most likely use or wear once. Grooms have been renting tuxedos for years, yet renting a wedding gown is still considered a new concept. Will wedding gown rental become a norm in the next few years?

Why renting a wedding dress is not the norm yet?

We think here are the reasons:

1. Fitting: First and foremost, brides need to have the dress custom-fitted, and you can't rent something that will need to be permanently altered. 
2. Sentimental values: In the U.S., a wedding gown represents deeply held conventions and traditions. For a long time, wedding dresses were considered a family heirloom to pass on from mothers to daughters for generations.
3. Style preferences: There are millions of styles of wedding dresses and brands, and it's hard to find the exact dress you love with the option to rent.
4. Personal hygiene concern: Wedding dresses are considered to be sacred for the brides. The idea of sharing it with other brides can be a concern for some brides.

Why should brides say yes to wedding gown rental?

The burden on Mother Nature

Every year, the fashion industry is responsible for up to 92 MILLION tons of waste. And with weddings taking place in just one day, we aim to offer another solution.

Instead of purchasing a wedding dress that will be worn once and then preserve in a box or a plastic bag in the back of your closet, bridal gown rental can help reduce fashion waste as the same amount of materials are used, but the dress will be used more than once. 

The burden on your finance

Wedding dresses, without a doubt, are one of the most expensive outfits you'll ever purchase. Starting at $2,000+, the price for a dress can add up fast with alterations, cleaning, and storing. Keeping a bridal gown in good condition is costly. There's a lot that goes into ensuring that the delicate fabric of a bridal gown doesn't stain with time. You won't have to worry about the cost to store your gown after the ceremony or how you'll maintain it if you rent it.

The burden on your closet

Brides and bridesmaids, what do you do with the dress(es)? Nowadays, some brides choose to sell their dresses on different platforms, but chances are, the dresses are in the closet.  

 

Is wedding gown rental service the future of wedding dresses?

Renting clothes has grown increasingly popular in the United States due to a convergence of changing consumer priorities (thanks to sustainability-minded Gen Z and millennials) and the worldwide pandemic's consequences. The value of the U.S. clothes rental industry would slowly expand from $1 billion in 2018 to $4.4 billion by 2028, according to a 2020 analysis by Statista. The intersection with the $3.23 billion North American bridal gown industry could provide a potential for disruption, following in the footsteps of direct-to-consumer wedding gown ideas like Azazie, Grace + Ivory, and Lace & Liberty.  

With the pandemic still in sight, there is a surge in demands for dresses for rent as couples opt for virtual ceremonies. According to Marco Chiang, co-founder of Wedding Dress for Rent, there has been a 50 to 70 percent surge in inquires and revenue.

If you're interested in learning more about wedding dresses and bridesmaids' dresses for rent, visit here to see how renting works!