Renting your wedding dress is a great solution to the dress of your dreams without the outrageous price tag. As renting may be nerve-wracking, there are a few tips to keep in mind to streamline the process.

Renting your wedding dress is a great money-saving option for your big day. Before renting, make sure you start your search early, stay realistic about your options, do plenty of research on the boutiques in your area, and read the rental contract in its entirety.

Many brides are becoming more inclined to rent their wedding dresses to save money. After all, wedding dresses are general single-use purchases, so renting is good for the environment and your wallet.

Read on for more tips to rent the perfect dress for your dream day.

Why Rent?

One of the most (if not the most) compelling reason why brides rent is the price.

Renting a dress can cost anywhere from $150- $600. The same dresses would range from $800-5,000 if you were opting to purchase the dress.

Lea opted for a rental and she was very happy with her choice. I remember the day she told me about finding ‘the dress’ and she was over the moon. This gave us a sizeable increase to what was left in our wedding budget

The money that is not spent on your dress can go towards other wedding expenses such as more guests or a dream honeymoon.

If you are having a destination wedding, renting a dress makes it easier for you to travel. You will not have to transport the dress yourself and worry about how it should be packaged and carried.

Many destination wedding locations have great rental options available so you can rent and wear your dress without the worry of transportation.

Some wedding rentals have an option to rent accessories as well. This is especially useful if the accessories you would purchase for your wedding are for one-time wear. Choosing to rent your accessories will save you time and money.

The day after your wedding, you will not have to worry about storing your dress and preserving the material. You simply have to return the dress, giving you one less thing to worry about before jetting off on your honeymoon.

If you do have a used wedding dress however, here are lots of ideas in an article I wrote about how you can put it to good use.

Starting Early

Giving yourself enough time to find the perfect dress is essential when renting.

Renting is a less popular option than buying, so you may have a smaller assortment of dresses to choose from. A smaller selection means you might want to go to multiple boutiques before you find the dress you are really happy with.

You should start looking for your wedding dress a year to eight months in advance of your wedding. If your wedding is in a popular month to get married, such as May or June, consider going even earlier to find your gown.

Be Realistic

Renting a dress comes with many positives but also some downsides.

Be sure you have a realistic mindset going into wedding rentals. Weigh the pros and cons of renting and buying and be sure that renting is what you want to do.

It is important to keep in mind some disadvantages of renting before settling on this option. That way you are prepared and not disappointed when it comes time to rent.

Rental shops will have a smaller selection to choose from so keep in open mind. If there is a very specific type of dress you are looking for you may not find what you want from the rental selection.

Renting a dress means there is no possibility of alterations. Sometimes brides opt for purchasing a cheap wedding dress and then spending the money they saved on alterations.

If you are unconcerned with the dress being tailored to your body, then renting is a great option for you. The rental shop should have a variety of sizes available, so the likelihood of finding a dress that is close to a perfect fit is high.

When renting a dress, you must be extremely careful with its maintenance when it is in your care. Deposits for dresses can range from $300-$500. In order to get your deposit back, your dress must return in mint condition.

Some brides wish to pass their wedding dress onto their children. If this is what you wish to do then you must purchase your dress.

Your rental dress will be available to you around 1-3 days before your wedding. If you are a bride that needs to have everything in order and certain days before your wedding then this may be too stressful for you to opt to rent.

Choose the Right Shop

Mistakes do happen and wedding dress rentals sometimes fall through. To minimize the possibility of your dress suddenly becoming unavailable, do your research before deciding on a store or boutique.

Ask friends or family who have rented before what their experience is. Look at Yelp and Google reviews and be sure to check out each shop’s website.

It is important to choose more than one shop to visit. Three is a great number, but more is alright as well as long as you don’t feel overwhelmed visiting more shops. You should feel comfortable both with the dress you choose and the staff who you are working with.

Before saying yes to the dress make sure to inspect the dress from top to bottom. Enlist your mom or best friend to help you. Are there loose buttons or threads? Any stains? Be sure the dress is perfect before you choose it.

Once you choose your shop and dress you should give them at least two follow up calls before your big day. This will give you peace of mind and ensure that nothing goes wrong before your wedding.

The shop will not mind your calls and they will be hard-pressed to make a goof if you have reminded them of your rental more than once.

Read Your Contract Thoroughly

Your contract should include the details of your dress (size, designer, color, etc.), the date it will arrive, and the dress deposit. Make sure to read your contract from top to bottom and ask a friend to double-check it after you are finished.

If you sign the paper and some information is incorrect it is your fault. If the rental accepts alterations, ensure that this is clearly listed in the contract along with the extra fees that are associated with alterations.

After you sign your contract you will put down a deposit on your dress. Depending on the boutique the deposit will be between fifty and sixty percent of the dress price. You will pay the remaining balance when you receive the dress close to your wedding day.

Renting Your Dress Online

There are many reliable online websites for wedding dress rentals. Online renting can be risky due to sizing but will offer a wider variety of dress options.

Rent the Runway is a popular website for dress rentals that has been running for 11 years.

As the oldest company in the wedding rental industry, this reliable website has helped many satisfied brides. Rent the Runway allows you to choose two sizes to help you find the perfect fit.

You can rent your dress for 4-8 days depending on your needs, with the price increasing as the length of rental increases. For a full-length gown the average price ranges from $40-$800. Rent the Runway also offers jewelry and other bridal accessories from $5-$150.

Vow to Be Chic offers high-end dresses for reasonable prices. This website does not offer full-length gowns, so it is the perfect choice for a bride who wants a shorter dress. After submitting your measurements, a stylist will send two dresses in different sizes to you.

The average length of rental is 10 days, and dresses range from $50-$150. There is also a try-on period included in every rental at no extra cost. Conveniently, the site offers a three-day window of time after the wedding to return while most stores only accept a next-day return. 

Lending Luxury has beautiful dresses for affordable prices. Once you create a free account you can easily save dresses to your favorites list to view later.

The site has dresses in many styles including floor-length, strapless, and ivory. You can refine your search based on price, designer, size, and color.

Lending Luxury dresses range from $50-$150 and offer overnight shipping. The rental time is 5 days, and the dress must be returned the day after your wedding. The site also offers an option to purchase the dress, so if you absolutely fall in love, you can make the decision to buy your gown.

Poshare offers a wide variety of dresses made by famous designers. If you would like a designer dress without the price tag then renting from Poshare is the way to go.

Poshare allows renters to pick up their dress if they live close to a store location. If you do not live in close proximity, they can also ship the dress to you. Poshare does not accept refunds if the dress does not fit well but will exchange the dress for store credit if you ship the dress back within 24 hours.

Dress rentals on Poshare range from $60-$800. Rentals can be up to fourteen days and the bride does not need to pay for return shipping.

If you are looking to save money on your big day, renting your wedding dress is a perfect solution to looking great without breaking your bank.

Having all of the necessary accessories and undergarments is essential to your first wedding dress fitting.

One of the bride’s most exciting and anticipated parts of wedding planning is shopping for the perfect wedding dress. Once you’ve found it, it’s important you are well prepared for your first fitting.

Before your first fitting, make sure you’ve shopped for all of your accessories. It is an absolute necessity to bring the shoes you’ll wear on your wedding day, along with the bra and underwear you are planning to wear. Your dress will fall differently on you if your shoes and undergarments change.

I can remember the very day that Lea came home and told me she’d found her dream dress. She was over the moon and extremely proud of herself because it had taken time and planning to get to this stage.

This article is a summary of everything she picked up along the way. So, continue reading for our complete guide of what to expect and what to wear during your wedding dress fitting.

The preparation phase

Shoes

Before going to your fitting, you must decide what shoes you will be wearing for your wedding. If you haven’t decided which specific shoe yet, then wear a shoe that is the same heel height you plan on wearing.

Underwear

Even more important than your shoes are your undergarments. Wear the undergarments you will wear during your wedding. This includes bra, underwear, and any shaping pieces you may be wearing.

The first pinning usually is when the hem of your dress is set. A different bra can throw off your hem by an inch or so, so it is imperative you know what you’ll be wearing under your dress.

Make sure that your undergarments are a discrete color. Wear a bra and underwear that match your skin tone and won’t be see-through under (or seen through) your dress. If you have any doubts, try on your lingerie at home with another white or light-colored dress and ask someone to double-check for you in the light.

Accessories

If you know what accessories you’ll want to wear, bring them along to have a great picture of how you’ll look on your wedding day. Although this is not necessary, especially for the first fitting, it can be exciting to see your final look so soon.

If you’re wearing necklaces, it’ll also be nice to see where the neckline of your dress hits you. Another benefit of bringing your jewelry is if you decide a piece doesn’t look as nice with your dress as you originally thought, you’ll have plenty of time to switch up your accessories before the big day.

Hair & headpieces

If you have a veil or other headpiece bring it to the fitting as well. It is important that your hair is styled similarly as it will be on the big day if you are bringing your headpiece along. While it doesn’t have to be professionally done for your fitting, make sure the general look of the hair is the same i.e. low bun, half-up, down and curly, etc.

Wear an easy to take off dress or comfortable casual wear into your fitting. Many brides opt for a cute t-shirt dress or sundress to wear to their fittings. Wear comfortable clothes that won’t leave marks on your skin for optimal confidence when trying on your gown.

Who to take with you

It’s best not to go to your fitting alone. It is always nice to have a second opinion from a close friend. At the very least, take your maid of honor with you to your first fitting. They’ll be able to give you advice on what looks good and what still needs an alteration.

It is also important that your maid of honor knows how to help you put on your dress on your wedding day. Whether it’s straps, buttons, clasps, securing the overskirt, or the bustle, if they’re at the fitting with you they’ll be confident and ready to help you on your big day.

What to expect at your fitting

Different fittings sessions

Your first wedding dress fitting occurs about 6-8 weeks before your wedding. This is the perfect amount of time for alternations to be completed before your big day.

The first fitting is called the pinning session. It is aptly named due to the fact that you’ll most likely need to make many adjustments for your dress to be perfect on your wedding day. Most likely you will have 2-3 more fittings after your first to ensure the alterations are going well.

Dealing with butterflies

You may have purchased your gown up to six months before your first fitting, and it is the first time you’ve tried it on since that moment. Many brides have the tendency to be anxious about their first fitting. If you are nervous know that this is a very common feeling.

Duration of fittings

Depending on the alterations that need to be done, your fitting may take anywhere from 45-90 minutes. If you are planning on losing or gaining weight before your big day, try to hit your goal and maintain that weight by the time you have your first fitting.

Pay attention!

Each fitting after your first will become less complicated. The first fitting is to tackle all big adjustments. Make sure to pay attention to how your dress feels on your body while your seamstress is pinning you. If something feels too tight or loose, speak up.

Be sure you are able to move comfortably in the dress after the pinning has been completed. If it is uncomfortable for you to move, then you’re going to have a miserable time during your wedding.

Make sure you can breathe, move your arms, and walk normally, basically anything you plan to do during the ceremony and reception.

Ask questions & make demands

Be vocal

You must be comfortable with asking your stylist questions and communicating your needs to him or her. If you want a specific look or for your dress to be tailored in a certain way, voice your wishes so they can accommodate you best.

If you are not completely happy with your dress during the fitting, you will not be pleased on your wedding day.

While it may seem obvious, make sure your dress is the right size, color, and design during the first fitting. Mix-ups are rare, but they do certainly happen.

Be curious

Your seamstress will be looking at you from all angles to see what needs to be taken in, out, and hemmed. Ask questions about what she is doing if you are curious. A good seamstress will not mind answering your questions.

It’ll also give you a better understanding of what you may actually have been expecting from your dress.

While your seamstress is examining your dress, you should be too. It’s not a time for you to check out and relax. Think about how each part of your dress feels and if there’s any part of the dress that has wrinkled strangely due to the alterations.

Be unique

Keep in mind your certain needs. Some people have sensitive skin that can become irritated by beading details on their dresses. Communicate this with your seamstress, and they will be able to remove beads under arms or near the bodice to make you more comfortable.

After your first fitting is done you will need to schedule a second and possibly third fitting. Your seamstress should be able to give you a good idea of how many more fittings you will need before the dress is to perfection.

The second dress fitting

You should be fitted a second time about 3 months before your wedding.

Bring all of the necessities to this fitting, such as your shoes, undergarments, and jewelry. If there are any new pieces of jewelry you would like to see with your dress bring them to this fitting.

This is an exciting fitting because you get to see how your new dress fits after it was hemmed specifically to your body. It is important to walk and move your arms up and down during this fitting.

Check for any tightness, looseness, or anything that is uncomfortable and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Make sure the length of your dress is correct. If your dress is full length, it should brush the top of your shoes without dragging on the ground. You don’t want to trip down the aisle!

Your third (and last!) fitting

Your last fitting will occur around a month before your wedding. Don’t worry, if there are small alterations that need to be made and you need to book another fitting before the big day there is still plenty of time for your seamstress to make the proper corrections.

If your maid of honor was unable to make it to your first and second fitting, they need to attend this one. It is important that they learn about the intricacies of the dress before being expected to help you into it on your wedding day.

This is also the fitting to learn how to care for your dress. You need to know how to get wrinkles out, the best way to hang it, and what to do in emergencies such as a spillage.

Picking Up Your Dress

The final time at your seamstress will be to collect your gown.

Gowns are usually collected around two weeks before the wedding. You will try on your dress one last time to make absolute certain that everything is perfect.

Make sure to have room to transport the dress nicely in your car and take good care of it until your big day.

Having a wedding is a huge event in everyone’s lives, and so is having a child.  When these both happen at once, it can be an amazing but stressful time. For a variety of reasons, many women do not want to show off their baby bump, no matter how far along they are.

The best way to hide a baby bump in a wedding dress is to take the focus off of that area. By wearing a wedding dress that is loose and also diverts attention away from the bump are the two easiest things that you can do. It will vary greatly, depending on the body type and how far along you are. 

While this may be simple for some, especially in the early stages of the pregnancy it will be a bit more difficult for others. By combining different methods and tailoring it to your situation, it can be accomplished, while still looking fabulous. 

Before writing this article I consulted with both my sister-in-law and a close friend who were both pregnant on their wedding days but in different trimesters.

Why do people want to hide their baby bump? 

Everyone has their reasons and it is nothing to be ashamed of. It is your body and you have the right to choose what to show and not show. Actually, most women are often advised to keep the pregnancy to only close family in the first trimester. 

• Mom doesn’t want people touching her–  Who likes to be touched without being asked? Not many people, and if you are pregnant even less so. Some people are very touchy and do not have personal boundaries. These people may be well-meaning such as your friends and family, but that doesn’t give carte blanche to touch you. Whenever possible, expecting moms should give themselves some space between others. This is for their health and the health of the baby. 

• She just doesn’t want people to know– Sometimes it can be inconvenient for everyone to know that someone is pregnant.  This could be because of relationships, work discrimination, or even being pregnant because of unusual/unwanted situations. Everyone will find out when the moment is right for a woman to make an official announcement, take your time and let everyone know when you feel right. 

• The boss/co-workers don’t know yet-  It is already tough enough being a woman in the workplace, even if you have the best job and boss.  Sadly, there is always a fear that you might be seen as incapable to maintain your position in a company while pregnant or even encouraged to resign. These are not only horrible things but illegal.  This also comes into play when seeking employment while pregnant. You don’t want to be passed over for a position because of your pregnancy. With social media, everything is online now future employers will be looking. 

•  She doesn’t feel comfortable being pregnant-   Everyone struggles with body image issues and some more than others. A mother could be struggling with this because of the baby bump.  Even though maternity dresses and clothes are more fashionable than ever, they still have a stigma that they look frumpy and unattractive. If you or someone you know feels this way, there are people and places that can help in a positive and supportive way.

• She is a surrogate– Surrogacy has enabled a lot of people and couples to successfully build a family of their own. This is an amazing opportunity for everyone involved. Though some are not as accepting of the idea of being a surrogate mother or getting a child from one.  It could lead to an awkward situation and it just may be easier to hide the bump than have to explain to those that are not as open to the idea of surrogacy. 

• People are rude– Some mothers get tired and want to avoid inconsiderate people. People can gawk, claim that they are not pregnant, that they are just fat, or even have a thyroid issue. This is not what you want on your big day, as ignoring these looks doesn’t always work. 

• Mom is uncomfortable–  This is a huge life-changing deal and sometimes the pregnancy isn’t a reason to celebrate. Unfortunately, if a pregnancy is unwanted/unexpected for reasons such as; they are no longer in the same relationship, mental, emotional, health or even financial struggles. It could be hard for the expecting mother and best not to have them agitated in a time that they need to be their healthiest, mentally and physically.

I am in my (1-3) Trimester. What should I wear?

This is the most common question that is asked, and to be honest, there is no answer that will fit everyone. Well, there there is, but wearing a muumuu is not going to look good on everyone. Everyone puts on different amounts of weight at varying times. This could even change from one pregnancy to the next. 

Of course, some women don’t put on a lot of weight until after the first few months or at all. This might be you and shopping for a dress could be easier for you.  But one of the hardest things to guess is, how much you will be when the wedding comes. Also, what will look good when you are at that weight. Here are some tips for hiding the bump while still looking amazing.

How do I find the right dress?

Go to a professional- While the internet is amazing it doesn’t allow you to try the dress on and get a feel for it. This could be the best choice if you don’t have a lot of options to shop around and try things on.

If you are in a small town where gossip flows,  you may want to a neighboring town. Most good dress shops know how to help you in this situation. You could also make an appointment or visit a larger bridal salon, such as David’s. Bridal consultants at any major bridal store will be able to find dresses that will hide your baby bump. 

Ask Around/Look Online– As you have read there are countless ways to hide your bump. Some are more flattering than others, you have to find what is right for you. By looking for someone with a similar build, it will be a helpful way to see how you may look in certain dresses. If you are having a dress fitting and have a friend that also pregnant, and further along they could try the dress on for you to see how it looks. 

If you decide to actually buy your dress online (after trying the same dress on in a store) you will find my full article on the pros and cons of online wedding dress shopping extremely helpful.

Get Customed Fitted- If you have the funds available, this option could be a right for you. Or if you do purchase one online make sure you go to a trusted seamstress or tailor.

Having on that is available, around the time of your wedding will also be handy. They can fix it to your body type as it changes if you have bought it far in advance which is most likely.  It’s common to adjust a gown to fit a growing bump right before the wedding. 

A few things to remember

1. Have a Plan-  You want your special day to be fun and enjoyable. Worrying about your baby bump is not. So, have a plan and a back up one. Things will arise since you are pregnant and you should be ready for them. Depending on how far along make sure you plan accordingly and have some support.

2. Get a Support Team: It’s not easy being a bride, so it is a good idea to get a team around you to help. You are probably trying to hide the baby bump from one person or a certain group of people. Your bridesmaids and close friends could be a valuable asset. The biggest one will be your partner though. The groom will be able to get in the way and position himself around you so that the view is obscured from those ceratin people. 

3. Comfort is Queen- Comfort is essential when it comes to choosing a maternity wedding dress.  You always look your best when you truly feel your best. That confidence you have from feeling and looking great means everyone is looking at you and your significant other smiling faces and not your baby bump. Keeping baby news a secret is nothing new, but you should never put it ahead of yours and the babies well being. 

4. Go Bigger- A wedding dress can take up to six months to get finished, four months on the short side. This means that you probably will do the fitting months in advance. Your stomach will still be growing and may grow quite a bit during this timeframe. So you will want to plan for this, generally, you add an inch for each month left. Then to be safe add one more size. This will make sure you fit in it and you can always alter it if need be. 

5. Know Your Shape-You want to think of yourself as a shape if you need help figuring it out what you are, try asking a friend. If your body is an hourglass, you should pick a dress with wide shoulders and a cinched waistline. If you’re apple-shaped, choose a dress with waist detailing, this will add more shape. A pear-shaped woman should go for a long, empire line dress that skims your lower half. A lower neckline will flatter a bigger bust and halter neck style will give smaller busts a boost. These are just a few little things that could help you out. A professional would know these things, but these till give you some ideas to start with. 

What am I going to wear?  

The options are now endless options, but there are a few tried and true dresses/styles that are a good place to start.  It may take a little more research and search but the right dress is out there for everyone. Try mixing and matching these ideas to get the optimum dress for your special day. 

• Flowing Dress– You may want to get something slightly flowing. Not a super full dress, but more empire rather than basque waisted. You probably don’t want a mermaid form-fitted dress. Remember to take into consideration your chest will grow as well, so when ordering a dress don’t take that area in too much.

• A-Line– An A-line dress is another great choice, one that may have an empire bodice. This is a dress that is gathered under the breast area and flows then to the floor. The fabric is gathered and hides the stomach area. It helps to create a silhouette that can hide the bump. 

• Empire Waist-   This waist style is a very common type of wedding dress style. It is often used in dresses that are also not made for maternity, so it wouldn’t be out of place.  

• A Slip– No, this is not the bed dress you are thinking about, though it is inspired by it. They are becoming very fashionable. They tend to have a lot of room and are very comfortable to wear. These can be easily tailored to your needs and altred in a small amount of time.

• Blazer and Pants-  While it is not the most conventional,  it could be very flattering and look amazing on you. The pants could have an elastic waistline to give comfort and flexibility. The blazer is a great garment to hide the baby bump while still being chic. 

Accompaniments 

• Colors and Prints-  Shopping for a dress with a floral print or a busy pattern can confuse the eye, and make it difficult to tell the shape of the body underneath.   Dark colors also have a slimming effect. You want to stay away from bright colors because they attack the eye and tend to show lines. 

• Underwear/ Spanx-  Comfort always starts with the undergarments and why not have them be functional as well. These also could be able to hide your baby bump. Spanx or a good pair of leggings, that can make your tummy look slimmer while you’re wearing your dress can hide a lot. Unfortunately, it might be a bit uncomfortable for some, but they should not be too tight or suffocating.

• Accentuate other body parts- With the right accents, you could draw the eye away from the abdomen. A deep v-neck will create a long appearance and draw the eye up and away from the waistline. Cap sleeves and bared back dresses also create a focal point far away from the bump. 

• Accessorize- Now you want to keep it simple with this one so as not to draw attention. But with a strategically placed bouquet or handbag, it could assist in hiding any evidence of your bump.  Also, think about necklaces or other jewelry that could draw attention from your midsection. Remember your partner is the best accessory to hide your bump. 

• Let’s talk about shoes-You will be on your feet all day, and your feet will already be swelling from the pregnancy. If you are sitting down often to rest your feet, people may start to wonder. So, you will want a comfortable pair of shoes, that aren’t flat or have a very low heal. It could be a long day. 

Other ways to avoid detection 

Use Your Photographer-  They will be around you most of the day and usually near you. Use them as a barrier, talk to them about your situation beforehand and work out a plan. They have seen it all before and may have some good ideas as well to help you. 

Follow Tradition–  It may seem a bit strange to some that you want to do this type of wedding, but it could really be for your advantage. There are some traditional dresses that are great at hiding baby bumps.  This would allow you to keep your mind off the bump and enjoy your day.  

Or Go Against-  A less traditional or more informal ceremony, may better suit your circumstance. First off, you will have a lot more choices in clothing. Another positive is that you could choose a venue that allows you to hide the bump. 

Elope – The ultimate way to keep your baby bump from certain people on your wedding day is not to have them there at all. Although perhaps not your dream wedding, you can always elope now and have that big family wedding after your bundle of joy has arrived.

For a complete guide on eloping to the wedding capital of the USA, check out my article on eloping to Las Vegas here.

How to Handle Awkward Situations.

You can blame on your diet- If the bump does happen to appear, and someone brings it up you can always say it was your diet. Planning a wedding and starting a life with someone is stressful, so you ate a little too much, it happens. 

Have some fake champagne- Not drinking at a wedding is usually a red flag that someone is pregnant. You can keep a glass of ginger ale or sparkling apple cider easily accessible for toasting. The other option is to have a fake drink with a glass of real champagne. Just bring it to your lips and act like you took a sip. 

Choose your menu wisely-  Try to have your wedding menu so that none of the foods agitate you. If your wedding menu does include some of these foods you need to avoid them.

If they do notice that you are avoiding foods, the phrase “I’m too excited to eat!” works really well. If nausea arises, you can just tell your guests that it’s the excitement or emotion is overwhelming and just excuse yourself.