Should You Buy Or Rent Bridesmaid Dresses? Detailed Comparison

Bridesmaid dress decisions may not be the first thing on your wedding checklist, but they certainly become one of the most talked-about. And with good reason. Between coordinating styles, sizes, and budgets, it’s a lot to juggle.

One of the biggest questions that often arises is: Should you buy or rent bridesmaid dresses? Both options come with advantages and drawbacks, and depending on your wedding vibe, budget, and values, the right answer can differ for everyone.

So in this article, let’s go over the pros and cons of buying vs renting bridesmaid dresses to see what works best for you. Let’s start!

Bridesmaid Dresses: Buying vs. Renting

Usually, you’ll need to zero in on four main factors when deciding if you want to buy or rent bridesmaid dresses for your big day. Here’s a breakdown for buying bridesmaid dresses:

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Bridesmaid Dresses

Buying: Buying bridesmaid dresses has long been the traditional choice. Most dresses range from $100 to $300, depending on the designer and material. That’s not a small ask, especially when you multiply it by several bridesmaids.

According to The Knot’s 2024 Real Weddings Study, bridesmaids spend an average of $130 on a dress, and that doesn’t include accessories or alterations.

While owning the dress does mean your bridal party won’t have to return anything after the big day, the upfront cost is still significantly higher. And let’s be honest: How often do you re-wear a blush pink chiffon floor-length gown?

How Much Does It Cost to Rent Bridesmaid Dresses

Renting bridesmaid dresses is quickly becoming a favorite option for budget-conscious bridal parties. And brides are choosing to rent bridesmaid dresses for good reason.

Services like Rent the Runway and Nuuly offer stylish, high-quality dresses for a fraction of the cost. Most rentals fall between $50 and $90, depending on the style and rental length.

Beyond the lower price tag, rentals often include dry cleaning and return shipping, which means fewer hidden costs and less hassle.

What Are the Conveniences of Buying Bridesmaid Dresses

Buying does offer some convenience. Your bridal party can alter the dress to fit perfectly and plan their look well in advance. There’s no deadline to return the gown or worry about shipping logistics. Plus, owning the dress means flexibility if someone wants to dye, shorten, or repurpose it later on.

That said, coordinating group orders, managing alterations, and ensuring everyone receives the right size can quickly become time-consuming, especially if your bridesmaids live in different cities.

What Are the Conveniences of Renting Bridesmaid Dresses

Renting bridesmaid dresses is often much simpler than buying. Most rental services allow you to select your size, have the dress shipped directly to you a few days before the wedding, and send it back using a prepaid label after the event. Some even include a backup size just in case.

This approach is even better for bridal parties spread across the country or those planning the event on short notice. The downside? If something doesn’t fit perfectly or arrives damaged, there’s very little time to make adjustments.

What Is the Significance of Buying Bridesmaid Dresses

Owning a dress can feel symbolic. For some, it’s not just an outfit. It’s a memory, a keepsake from an unforgettable day.

Bridesmaids may choose to hold onto their dress, hoping to repurpose or re-wear it for another occasion. But in reality, many of those dresses end up tucked away in the back of a closet, rarely revisited.

What Are the Benefits of Renting Bridesmaid Dresses

Some bridesmaids enjoy keeping their dress after the wedding, but others are happy to skip the clutter. 

If you rent bridesmaid dresses, you can participate in the big day without paying for another outfit you’ll never wear again. If you want your bridal party to walk away with a keepsake, you can go for a meaningful gift like custom jewelry or a framed photo instead of the dress!

Is Buying Bridesmaid Dresses Environmentally Friendly

From a sustainability perspective, buying bridesmaid dresses isn’t always the most eco-friendly route. Fast fashion wedding attire, especially when worn only once, contributes significantly to waste.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles is landfilled or burned every single second. Buying new dresses for one-time use does little to counter that trend.

Is Renting Bridesmaid Dresses Environmentally Friendly

If environmental impact matters to you, you should rent bridesmaid dresses. It extends the life of a garment by putting it into circulation and cuts down on the demand for fast fashion.

According to Green Strategy, reusing clothing just nine more times can reduce the carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20 to 30% per item. Renting bridesmaid dresses supports this shift toward more conscious consumption.

What Do the Brides Say?

Jessica, a bride from Colorado, asked her bridal party to buy their dresses from a local boutique. “I wanted everyone in the exact same color and fabric,” she said. “And I liked the idea that they’d have something to keep after.” 

However, she later realized the $200 price tag was a stretch for some of her friends. “I wish I had checked in more about their budgets before deciding.”

Emily, a bride from New York, chose to rent bridesmaid dresses. “We used an online rental service that shipped directly to each bridesmaid. It was seamless,” she said. 

“One friend had a sizing issue, but the backup fit perfectly.” She appreciated the budget-friendly aspect and the ease of logistics for her out-of-town bridal party.

In other words, buying allows for more control and sentiment, while renting offers cost savings and simplicity. Depending on your priorities, whether that’s budget, sustainability, or aesthetics, either choice can be the right one for you!

What Do the Experts Say?

• Fashion Experts: Stylists often point out that renting allows access to designer-level styles without breaking the bank. “When you don’t have to buy something, it allows you to try new things,” says Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway. 
• Wedding Planners: For destination weddings or wedding parties with an uncertain size, renting dresses is often a lifesaver. Mindy Weiss, a celebrity wedding planner notes that renting bridesmaid dresses is an affordable and convenient option, especially for destination weddings or when bridesmaids are scattered across the country.
• Environmental Experts: Rental models can significantly reduce the environmental impact of fashion by extending the life of garments and reducing overall production.

Conclusion

So, should you buy or rent bridesmaid dresses? It comes down to what matters most to you and your bridal party. Buying your bridesmaid dresses means giving them lasting keepsakes and customization. But if you rent bridesmaid dresses, you get to save money, stress less, and support sustainable fashion. 

If your focus is affordability and convenience, renting bridesmaid dresses could be the perfect solution. Whatever you choose, make it one that reflects your values and helps your wedding day shine.