It’s interesting that the item of clothing that women spend (by far) the most on in their entire lives is also one of the only pieces that they’ll only wear once. This makes it even more expensive, relative to other clothes (and reflects the common view on weddings and the related showmanship).
The cost of wedding dresses is often perfectly reasonable; they involve a lot more skill to make, they are often one-of-a-kind, use more expensive fabrics, include opulent detailing and are tailored to fit perfectly. Something of such high quality should cost more (photo from Shelley Panzarella on Flickr):
What doesn’t make sense is that the garment is only worn once. If your wedding dress costs $5000, that’s actually $5000 per wear, an outrageous sum. Obviously, people attach a lot of sentimental value to the wedding dress, but I think it’s often irrational.
In the vast majority of cases, the wedding dress is shoddily preserved (by which I mean it’s placed in a box in the attic, folded, where it will develop creases and discoloration), often leading to a sad day twenty years later when the dress is pulled out, only to find that it’s become a home for moths.
The only logical reason I can see for holding on to a wedding dress is to pass it down to a daughter, and this is filled with risk (will she like it, will she fit in it?), but reasonable for heirloom type pieces.
In general, however, it doesn’t make sense. Men rent their tuxedos for the wedding (often equally expensive and beautifully made), making the cost significantly less, in accordance with the number of times it will be worn.
Does anyone have further explanation as to why there isn’t a growing bridal rental service, especially in today’s economy? Has anyone out there reworn their wedding dress, or found a good reason to hold on to it? Let me know in the comments!
-Barry
Tags: bridal, cost, cost per wear, economy, rental, tuxedo, wedding, wedding dress
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5.4.09 at 3:44 pm
Slinky
I’m planning to wear my wedding dress more than once. I still want a really nice dress with fabulous details, but I’m picking one with the idea to wear it to some non-profit fundraisers that my fiance attends for his work. Of course, it helps that I don’t want a white dress (silver if I can get it) or a ball room skirt. We get enough use out of formal wear to justify my owning about a dozen black tie worthy dresses and for him to own his own tux. We’re probably in the minority with that though. :)
5.5.09 at 12:11 pm
Barry
Hey, thanks for the input! Not getting a white dress is definitely significant, it makes it much more reusable. If you plan on wearing it twelve times, you’re definitely getting a much better value.
Perhaps the best strategy is to get a wedding dress that isn’t in the outrageous unusual wedding style (i.e. something you can wear again). Otherwise, renting seems a better option.
5.9.09 at 12:37 am
Emma
Hi Barry, found your site via the 31DBBB problogger challenge.
I think there are a few reasons that people don’t like to rent wedding dresses. First of all a wedding is often one of the biggest events in a persons life; generally there are a lot of spectators and photographs taken so you want to be able to look great and show off your individual style.
If you are renting a wedding dress then plenty of other people may have worn it and will wear it again so it doesn’t seem like it’s your own. I know this doesn’t make sense since many copies will be made of wedding dress types but for some reason it feels more unique if you buy it.
It probably is aso relates to pride since buying a dress rather then renting shows that you have enough money to be able to afford it.
I actually got married a couple years ago and bought a dress but it was a bargain and on sale. I’ve kept it but haven’t really looked at it since. I think I would feel strange giving it away because I loved the dress so much and it is like a memento of the occasion.
10.12.09 at 6:02 pm
Victoria
I got married about three years ago and rented my wedding gown. I love the fact that I got to look beautiful and don’t spend much money for it. I paid 250 bucks for the gown (with alteration and cleaning). I have friends who spent 1000 plus to buy their gowns and the gowns ended up in boxes in the garage (some didn’t even get to see the dry-cleaner)!. I am actually interested in this type of business and currently doing research on it. I appreciate any pointers from anyone regarding on the bridal rental service. Thanks!
10.12.09 at 6:03 pm
Victoria
Did I mentioned- people don’t know that the dress was rented- “It’s the don’t ask don’t tell” policy. =)
10.12.09 at 11:12 pm
Barry
Great to hear you had success with this! Good point on keeping things quiet; rented dresses look just as great as purchased ones! Good luck getting something going with this; feel free to drop me a line if you start up!