Renting a wedding dress or buying a bridal gown at outlet price

What rent costs, what is included in the price, and when buying is cheaper.

Book a fitting

Can you rent a wedding dress instead of buying one?

Yes, you can rent a wedding dress, but at Budget Dreams by Brudekjoleoutlet we sell dresses, while rentals are handled by our sister shop EnkleBrudekjoler.dk. There, rental starts at 950 DKK for 30 days including insurance. By comparison, rental in Denmark typically costs 3,500-5,300 DKK. Consider both options: our dresses for sale start at 1,000 DKK, and then the dress is yours afterwards. See the budget wedding dresses before you decide.

How much does it cost to rent a wedding dress in Denmark?

Renting a wedding dress in Denmark typically costs between 3,500 and 5,300 DKK, and in Copenhagen from around 3,900 DKK. At our sister shop EnkleBrudekjoler.dk, rental starts at 950 DKK for 30 days including insurance. The price follows the value of the dress, so the most expensive designer models cost more. Also check whether cleaning and alterations are included in the rental. If you would rather own the dress, compare with the budget wedding dresses from 1,000 DKK.

Can all wedding dresses be rented, or only selected models?

Only selected wedding dresses can be rented. A rental dress must be able to come back again and again and must be adjustable without permanent seams, so it is rarely the whole range. See the rental category on EnkleBrudekjoler.dk, or ask which models are available right now. If you want a free choice, buying gives you the most options, because then you can choose from all our wedding dresses.

Why can't some wedding dresses be rented out?

Some wedding dresses cannot be rented out because they need too much alteration to fit. A fitted mermaid or a dress with beading has to be altered with permanent seams, and then it won't fit the next bride. Dresses with a lace-up back, A-line and empire cope better, because they can be adjusted without cutting. That is why these are often the cuts available to rent. Read what a tailor can do with a dress you buy.

How many days do I have the wedding dress when I rent it?

At EnkleBrudekjoler.dk the rental period for a wedding dress is 30 days, which is plenty for a fitting, the wedding and any photos afterwards. Elsewhere a weekend from Friday to Monday is common. Ask when the dress has to be back and what a late day costs before you sign. Put the date in your calendar straight away, and use our questions about planning for the rest of your timeline.

When should I collect and return a rented wedding dress?

Collect the rented wedding dress a few days before the wedding, so you can hang it out and check that everything fits, and return it within the rental period. Agree exact dates in writing, not roughly. If you are travelling far, ask whether the dress can be posted and who pays the return postage. Set a reminder for the return, because the week after the wedding disappears quickly. Also read our questions about transporting the dress.

Do I have to pay a deposit when I rent a wedding dress?

Often yes, because a deposit is common when renting a wedding dress, and the amount covers damage beyond normal wear. At EnkleBrudekjoler.dk insurance is included in the rental, so ask what it covers and what falls outside it. Get it in writing what it takes to lose the deposit and when it is paid back. Take photos of the dress when you collect it. You will find more advice under safety and trust.

Can a rented wedding dress be altered to fit me?

Yes, a rented wedding dress can be altered, but only in ways that can be undone: the length can be tacked up, the waist can be taken in temporarily, and a lace-up back can be tightened. A rental dress is never cut. That is why it won't fit quite as precisely as a dress you buy, and you should choose a model that fits well from the start. Ask whether alterations are included in the price, and see the difference with alterations on a purchased dress.

What happens if I accidentally damage the rented wedding dress?

Normal wear and a stain are part of renting, which is why a rented wedding dress comes with insurance or a deposit. If real damage happens, such as a tear or a burn mark, say so as soon as you discover it, not only when you return the dress. Never repair it yourself. Read what the agreement says about damage before you sign. You will find good advice for the day itself under emergencies on the day.

What do I do if red wine or make-up gets on the hired wedding dress?

Don't touch a red wine or make-up stain with water and soap, because that sets it for good. Dab gently with a dry, white cloth and leave the rest. Mention it when you return the dress, so it gets the right treatment at the dry cleaner's. Stains are part of a wedding day, and a rental shop expects them, so there is no need to worry. Read more about cleaning the wedding dress.

Do I need to have the rented wedding dress cleaned myself afterwards?

Usually not, because cleaning is normally included in the rental price, precisely because the wedding dress has to be cleaned the right way with the right products. Return the dress as it is and let the rental shop take care of it. To be safe, ask whether cleaning is included before you sign, and don't send it to a dry cleaner yourself. If you own your dress, see our advice on cleaning the wedding dress.

Can I try on a hire wedding dress before I make up my mind?

Yes, and you should. A rental dress is chosen the same way as a wedding dress you buy: you try it on, walk around, sit down and look in the mirror. Book a time so the dress is ready in your size. Feel free to try both a rental model and a dress to buy in the same visit, so you can feel whether the price difference is worth it to you. Prepare your visit with our questions about fittings.

How many brides have worn the hired wedding gown before me?

You are welcome to ask, and a decent rental shop will tell you honestly how many times the wedding dress has been rented out. A dress that has been rented many times may show wear at the hem and in the lacing, and you should be able to see that before you choose it. Check the seams, the zip and the hem when you try it on. If the dress is new to rental, you are the first. Read what else to look for in questions about quality.

Are rented wedding dresses clean and hygienic?

Yes, a rented wedding dress is professionally cleaned between each rental, and that is a different kind of cleaning than a wash at home. If you are unsure, ask when the dress was last cleaned and who does it. Smell and look for yourself when you try it on, because that tells you more than an answer. A dress that isn't clean is not one you should rent. Read how a wedding dress is cleaned under wedding dress cleaning.

Is it more sustainable to rent a wedding dress than to buy one?

Yes, renting is more sustainable if a bought dress would otherwise hang in a bag for the rest of your life. A wedding dress worn by several brides is better than five dresses worn once. But if you buy a dress that you sell on or have remade into a party dress, it comes out the same. Our outlet dresses are already dresses that would otherwise have stayed in a warehouse. Read more in questions about sustainability.

Can I buy the rented wedding dress if I fall in love with it?

Ask the rental shop, because some sell a wedding dress once it has been rented out a few times. If you fall in love with a dress you cannot buy, tell us: we have over 1,000 dresses for sale at Budget Dreams by Brudekjoleoutlet, and there is often a very similar model. Send us the picture and we will look. You can also search for similar cuts yourself in Find your dress.

How far in advance should I reserve a hire wedding dress?

Reserve a rental dress three to six months before the wedding, because there is only one of each model, and two brides cannot have the same dress on the same weekend. Saturdays in high season go first. If you are late, ask anyway, because there is often something available in low season. Reserve with a written agreement, not just a message. If time is really short, you can buy a dress and take it home the same day from all our wedding dresses.

What happens to the wedding dress rental if the wedding is postponed?

It depends on the rental shop, so ask before you pay and get the answer in writing. Many will move the rental to a new date if the wedding dress is free, but if it is rented out on the new weekend, another model has to be found. Also ask how close to the date you can move it and whether there is a fee. It takes five minutes and saves you a nasty surprise. You will find more advice under special situations.

Can you also rent a veil and petticoat for the wedding dress?

Yes, a veil and petticoat can often be rented, which is practical because both are used for one day and then never again. A petticoat under a full skirt is one of the things best suited to renting. A veil can also be bought cheaply, and then you keep it as a memento. Ask what is available to rent when you book. If you would rather own the veil, see our bridal accessories and veils.