Wedding Dress Hire: Costs, Pros and Where to Rent in the UK
The ultimate way to tick off your ‘something borrowed’, more nearlyweds than ever are choosing wedding dress hire over buying their bridal outfit. And when you consider just how much wedding dresses can cost, it’s unsurprising.
If you’d prefer to splash the cash on other parts of your wedding day – on a free bar, the entertainment, or an exotic honeymoon, for example – loaning a dress is a great way to be able to wear a striking (often designer) outfit for a fraction of the RRP.
The rental route can also be the more sustainable choice, particularly if you think you’ll choose a dress you’re unlikely to wear again. With the number of rental platforms on the rise, forward-thinking couples are realising that hiring rather than buying could be the way to secure the dress of their dreams in a more environmentally friendly way.
If you’re considering wedding dress hire, we have everything you need to know right here, including the pros, cons, cost, and where to hire wedding dresses in the UK. Scroll on to learn more…
Disclaimer: Prices, styles and stock availability for the outfits, brands and retailers mentioned are correct at the time of publication and may change. Always check current pricing and availability directly with the retailer before hiring.
What is Wedding Dress Hire & How Does It Work?
Wedding dress hire is the act of renting a dress for a set period around the wedding, from either a bridal-specific rental boutique or a general designer dress rental service, rather than buying one outright.
Occasionally, some rental sites will offer physical pop-ups, too, where you can try on pieces in person and borrow them on the spot if you end up finding the one, but the biggest selection of styles will be online.
- The standard rental period for wedding dress hire is around 4-8 days, but some services will offer short-term rental (a few days) or extended hire over a few weeks, depending on how long you need it for.
- You’ll need to pay a refundable deposit in addition to the cost to secure your dress, which will be returned if the dress is in the same condition it was in when borrowed.
- Dry cleaning is often included in the cost of hiring a wedding dress, which means you won’t need to clean it yourself before it’s returned.
- Sometimes reversible alterations are allowed, such as minor strap adjustments or pinning, but always check this with the hire service first and always get it in writing.
- Just like in a boutique, you’ll be able to try on dresses before committing, either in person or via an at-home try-on service.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wedding Dress in the UK?
The price you pay for a rented wedding dress will vary; hire prices are typically a fraction of the dress’s retail price, rather than a fixed fee, but generally the cost of hiring a wedding dress is more affordable than buying it outright.
Expect to pay anything from £35 for high-street labels to more than £1,800 for luxury designer gowns for a four-day period.
Whether you’re on a budget or not, wedding dress hire is a great opportunity to wear a beautiful, designer dress that might otherwise be out of your price range.
Factors that will impact the cost include:
- The designer or brand. Luxury designers will naturally be more expensive to hire than lesser-known, high street, or in-house boutique brands.
- Rental duration. If you need the dress for longer than the standard hire period (around 4-8 days) for a destination wedding, for example, you may need to pay an extra fee.
- What’s included in the hire package. Things like professional dry cleaning are often built into the price but always check.
- The time of year. Hiring your wedding dress during peak wedding season (May to September) might prove more expensive than off-peak, when services might offer discounts or promotions.
Wedding Dress Hire vs Buying: What’s the Difference?
From picking out the perfect style to trying it on and handling the logistics – how does hiring a wedding dress compare to simply buying one?
Front and centre, the first thing to think about is budget; wedding dress hire is typically cheaper upfront than buying a dress outright, depending on the designer you choose and how long you need it for. It’s also the more sustainable option; if your dream wedding dress isn’t something you’re likely to wear again or pass down, it’s much better for the planet to keep the piece in circulation and allow someone else to wear it.
But making such a huge decision via an app on your phone – presumably from the comfort of your sofa – can feel like a bit of a risk. If you’re a seasoned renter or online shopper, you might already have an idea of the brands and styles that fit you well and may want to stick with one of those for your wedding day, but if you don’t, it can feel overwhelming to shop for a wedding dress without the helpful advice of a stylist or boutique owner.
It’s also worth noting that hire ranges are more limited on sizing and alterations than a made-to-order or bought dress, and it may be that you need to try on (and return) a few styles before deciding on the one.
Planning a wedding at short notice? Wedding dress hire is a great option for those shopping with time constraints. Bought dresses ideally need to be purchased at least 6-9 months before the wedding day to allow for delivery and alterations, but hiring allows you to see products that are available on your chosen date, taking out the guesswork and minimising delays.
Ultimately, deciding whether to hire your wedding dress comes down to what matters most to you. For those prioritising sustainability and budget, it could be the preferred option. For those who value sentimentality and who want to hang onto or pass down a dress, a made-to-measure gown will likely be for you.
Where to Hire a Wedding Dress in the UK
As Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, we know how overwhelming it can feel to find suppliers you trust. To help kickstart your search, we’ve pulled together our pick of places to hire a wedding dress in the UK:
Something Borrowed
This wedding dress rental and resale service has its finger on the bridal-fashion pulse, with dresses from the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Oui The Label alongside Paper to Lace and Pretty Lavish. You’ll also find a wide range of bridesmaid and hen party outfits, as well as veils and accessories.
Something Borrowed also offers a four-day at-home try-on service for £75 that allows you to choose up to three styles to try in the comfort of your own home, redeemable against the rental cost of your chosen dress.
HURR
Probably the easiest and most affordable way to take your pick from a range of high-end designers, HURR offers a combination of both managed stock and peer to peer dress hire (the latter of which involves loaning something from someone’s actual wardrobe). Brands include Clio Peppiatt, For Love & Lemons, RIXO, Galvan, and Nadine Merabi, with accessories from the likes of Chanel thrown in for good measure.
For in-person try-ons, visit the service’s permanent physical space on level three of Selfridge’s on Oxford Street.
John Lewis
Everyone’s favourite department store now offers a wedding dress hire service alongside its bridal retail range, with brands that include Nobody’s Child, Elliatt, Whistles, and Queens of Archive. You’ll also find a collection of accessories from Swarovski and others.
By Rotation
With the aim to democratise quality fashion and make it accessible to all, By Rotation is community-powered platform, which means outfits and accessories are available to hire on a peer-to-peer basis. Most lenders will allow you to try on the dress before renting so you can ensure the item is the perfect fit and style for you.
Local boutiques
Searching for wedding dress hire near me? From London to Manchester, Liverpool to Glasgow, many independent UK bridal shops now offer wedding dress hire alongside retail – some of our favourites include The Bridal Gallery in South Ealing, which has more than 100 gowns available to hire on the spot in store, and W Wedding in North London.
View local wedding dress boutiques near you on BridebookWhat to Consider Before Hiring Your Wedding Dress
Hiring a wedding dress can be a win for both your wallet and the environment, and it can work for those working to a tight turnaround, but it still requires some careful planning.
Firstly, you’ll need to consider your timeline. For popular dress designs, you may need to secure your booking window a couple of months in advance and work out when the dress will need to be with you ahead of the big day.
How far in advance you’re planning your bridal outfit will also determine whether you have time for at-home try-ons. Ideally you would do this to allow you to determine how the dress feels on when you’re sat, standing, and dancing, as well as work out if any temporary alterations are required.
Potential damage to the dress is also something to consider; if you’re known for being more than a little haphazard, any potential fees on top of what you’re already paying for the dress might not make it as budget friendly as you first thought. Read up on policies regarding stains or torn hemlines – and perhaps steer clear of the red wine – otherwise you could be forced to purchase the dress outright.
Always have in writing what the hire of your wedding dress includes, too. Most will include professional dry cleaning as standard.
Wedding Dress Hire FAQ
How far in advance should you book a wedding dress hire if your wedding is less than six months away?
Aim to secure hire of your wedding dress as soon as you can. Wedding dresses on rental sites are available at short notice but starting your search early means you’ll you have more chance of bagging your preferred style and size, as well as have time for any try-ons and temporary alterations.
The closer you get to the wedding, the busier you will be, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
What happens if a hired wedding dress is damaged or doesn’t fit on the day?
Typically, if a dress arrives damaged or in a different size to one you ordered, the rental service is liable for repair or replacement costs. If the dress doesn’t fit because of a last-minute change in your measurements, however, you’ll be the one responsible for sourcing a new dress or making temporary adjustments, such as altering straps or letting out seams.
This is why it’s important to try on your hired dress and secure it prior to the wedding day. Most online platforms will have a 24-48 hour check policy upon delivery to allow you to report any issues.
Can you hire a wedding dress in plus size or petite fits in the UK?
Yes, most wedding dress rental services will offer dresses from plus size and petite collections, as well as outfits spanning a range of sizes.
Do you need separate insurance for a hired wedding dress?
Most wedding insurance policies will cover hired wedding attire, including dress and suit hire, against loss, theft or accidental damage. It might also cover supplier failure and loss of deposit if your wedding dress fails to show.
However, always check this against your individual insurance policy.
Can you hire a wedding dress for a vow renewal or second wedding?
Hiring a dress for a vow renewal or second wedding is a great idea if you don’t want to splash out on a made-to-order gown. Wedding dress hire is also a great option for those who want a second look on the day itself; lots of rental sites have wedding party dresses that are perfect for the evening.
Ready to browse wedding dress styles?
Bridebook connects you with wedding dress shops and bridal boutiques across the UK, making it easy to check out real reviews, view designers, and enquire directly – all in one place.
Start wedding dress shoppingWhy Trust Bridebook
Bridebook is the world’s #1 wedding planning platform, used by over 2.8 million couples. Our content is informed by real data from the Bridebook UK Wedding Report, which draws on responses from thousands of couples planning their weddings each year. Where expert input is included, contributors are named and their credentials verified. We update our articles regularly to ensure prices, statistics, and advice reflect current market conditions.
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