Would you rent your wedding dress?
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Would you rent your wedding dress?
A friend is getting married in Seoul and I learned that she will wear not one, not two, but three wedding outfits. I did a mental calculation and assumed that she is spending way too much on clothes that she will likely not wear again.
A friend is getting married in Seoul and I learned that she will wear not one, not two, but three wedding outfits. I did a mental calculation and assumed that she is spending way too much on clothes that she will likely not wear again.
But I was proven wrong when she explained she is renting all 3 outfits – one is a traditional hanbok and two are Western-style dresses. And since she timed her wedding during the “off” season, she will save not only on renting versus buying, but also pay a lot less thanks to promotional rates.
But I was proven wrong when she explained she is renting all 3 outfits – one is a traditional hanbok and two are Western-style dresses. And since she timed her wedding during the “off” season, she will save not only on renting versus buying, but also pay a lot less thanks to promotional rates.
As it’s June – that time of year when many brides aspire to walk down the aisle – this discussion seems timely. Would you rent, instead of buy, your wedding dress?
As it’s June – that time of year when many brides aspire to walk down the aisle – this discussion seems timely. Would you rent, instead of buy, your wedding dress?
The price of being sentimental
Here in the Philippines, most brides buy their wedding dresses. Some have them custom-made, while others pick from ready to wear gowns and have them altered to their size and personal style. A much smaller group are able to wear the gowns of their mothers or mother in laws, even from grandmothers, if these happen to fit them and are well preserved.
Here in the Philippines, most brides buy their wedding dresses. Some have them custom-made, while others pick from ready to wear gowns and have them altered to their size and personal style. A much smaller group are able to wear the gowns of their mothers or mother in laws, even from grandmothers, if these happen to fit them and are well preserved.
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Weddings are considered a once-in-a-lifetime affair, so brides tend to splurge, with clothing budgets ranging in tens to hundreds of thousands of pesos. This is the one day where brides understandably want something to call their own, from a unique design to a dress they can keep in their wardrobe for life.
Weddings are considered a once-in-a-lifetime affair, so brides tend to splurge, with clothing budgets ranging in tens to hundreds of thousands of pesos. This is the one day where brides understandably want something to call their own, from a unique design to a dress they can keep in their wardrobe for life.
The wisdom of being practical
My wedding dress is the most expensive piece of clothing I own, and for something I only wore for a grand total of 8 hours, I can definitely say it’s not the wisest money decision I’ve made.
My wedding dress is the most expensive piece of clothing I own, and for something I only wore for a grand total of 8 hours, I can definitely say it’s not the wisest money decision I’ve made.
I’ve had to take my wedding dress with me as we moved apartments and houses, and that big box continues to take up too much space in my closet. Looking back and now knowing about my friend’s decision, I wonder if I would have rented one instead if the option was available.
I’ve had to take my wedding dress with me as we moved apartments and houses, and that big box continues to take up too much space in my closet. Looking back and now knowing about my friend’s decision, I wonder if I would have rented one instead if the option was available.
To rent or to buy?
While renting wedding outfits is the acceptable practice in Korea, it’s not something we hear about often here at home. In fact, of the weddings I’ve attended, none of the brides wore rented gowns, nor even considered it.
While renting wedding outfits is the acceptable practice in Korea, it’s not something we hear about often here at home. In fact, of the weddings I’ve attended, none of the brides wore rented gowns, nor even considered it.
There are gowns one can rent if you look hard enough, but few for wedding dresses and more for the bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, and wedding guests. The limited options can be the reason few even consider it, but then again, with so little interest, who would risk making many wedding dresses for rent with no guarantee they would get customers?
There are gowns one can rent if you look hard enough, but few for wedding dresses and more for the bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, and wedding guests. The limited options can be the reason few even consider it, but then again, with so little interest, who would risk making many wedding dresses for rent with no guarantee they would get customers?
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But if you would, you could, and for the sake of your wallet, I recommend at least considering the option.
But if you would, you could, and for the sake of your wallet, I recommend at least considering the option.
A custom dress or unique experiences?
Why do brides pay a lot of money for wedding gowns? Because it is their day (grooms, let’s be real), the one day where all eyes will be on the bride and likely the most photographed day of their lives. Naturally, you would want to look your best, and wear something styled just for you.
Why do brides pay a lot of money for wedding gowns? Because it is their day (grooms, let’s be real), the one day where all eyes will be on the bride and likely the most photographed day of their lives. Naturally, you would want to look your best, and wear something styled just for you.
Given the choice, wouldn’t you rather spend your gown money for a honeymoon to remember? Or add to your wedding reception budget? Some probably don’t need to make these choices and can afford to have a wedding gown and a lovely wedding reception and overseas honeymoon. But for those who don’t want to start their married life paying off wedding-related debts, a rented wedding gown from a discreet boutique may just be the trick.
Given the choice, wouldn’t you rather spend your gown money for a honeymoon to remember? Or add to your wedding reception budget? Some probably don’t need to make these choices and can afford to have a wedding gown and a lovely wedding reception and overseas honeymoon. But for those who don’t want to start their married life paying off wedding-related debts, a rented wedding gown from a discreet boutique may just be the trick.
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