Deciding whether to hire a wedding dress for your big white day, or purchase one, is a decision that many brides-to-be feel distinctly settled on: Some feel that the lavish spending dips too far into the consumerist pool for a celebration that lasts one day. Other ladies feel that this is the big fairy tale day, nothing but a custom design will do!
Before deciding whether to hire, or buy a wedding dress, a bride must decide what her feelings are about her dress for the day. Is she wanting to spare no cost and determined to wear something spectacular, made from the finest materials by the best designers, or is she looking for something more simplistic, elegant, but basic, that she will always be able to keep and admire for years to come?
Hiring a Wedding Dress
Hiring a wedding dress is a great option for the bride who is on a tight budget, of course, but surprisingly it also caters perfectly for the fabulous brides. Designer dresses can be hired too, meaning the bride will truly dazzle in the finest materials, sporting some of the best labels, but at a fraction of the price.
For a bride that is not too caught up in sentiment, but prefers to sweep her groom and guests off their feet, this is an avenue worth exploring. There are other factors involved in hiring a wedding dress. Not all retailers will include the shipping costs to the price quoted to you, especially if you are ordering via a website. Ensure that you know what the total cost is before accepting an offer.
Also, ensure that you are very clear on the steam cleaning conditions;
• Will the dress arrive ready to be worn? Or will you be required to have it cleaned first?
• Are you expected to return it having been steam cleaned?
• Also, enquire as to whether the retailer is willing to offer alterations. Many retailers do offer this service which can really make or break the decision.
Buying a Wedding Dress
Buying a wedding dress can mean going to a shop and trying on as many dresses as it takes to find the perfect one, or it can mean visiting a dress-maker with a custom design and having it made to fit your body. Either way, the price difference between buying and hiring is not necessarily that great, provided your taste is simplistic.
If you are sentimental, but also on a budget, a great idea is to find a local consignment shop. These shops often stock modern and beautifully designed gowns in immaculate condition that are second-hand.
Dress-makers are often able to accommodate beautiful designs at cheaper rates if the word wedding is not used me the request, and if your design is not too complicated or specialised. It is definitely worth contacting a number of dressmakers and asking them to evaluate and price your ideas.
Remember that buying a wedding dress means:
• It will always take up space in your home
• Unless you specifically design it to be versatile, it won’t be used often at all
• Gowns need to be stored in proper bags to ensure they do not get damaged by fish moths and other critters.
There is a multitude of options to explore, and we suggest that you research by contacting dress-makers, retailers and designers before making your decision. Find the right retailers here on Snupit!