This site contains affiliate links. View the disclosure for more information.
This article is an honest review of Rent the Runway for destination wedding guests. It covers everything you need to know about renting a dress for a destination wedding look.
In my experience, Rent the Runway is a good option for a destination wedding dress. You receive your dress quickly in a garment bag and an extra size, making the whole process pretty seamless.
The return process is just as easy. You send your clothes back to the company with a provided return label. You use the same bag, and they take care of dry cleaning.
But, it’s not perfect, and you have to be sure you’re careful about different sizes depending on brands. Once you’ve gone through the rental process once, it gets easier to rent with confidence.
Let’s dive in to see the pros and cons of Rent the Runway for destination wedding looks.
What is Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway is a women’s fashion rental company that allows you to rent the latest women’s styles for 4 or 8 days. It’s subscription-based services give you flexibility in how you rent designer clothes.
The company rents women’s:
-
Designer pieces
-
Wedding guest dresses
-
Special occasion dresses
-
Workwear
-
Everyday attire
-
Fashion accessories like handbags and jewelry
You can rent through a one-time rental or choose a monthly subscription plan. One-time rentals are perfect for special occasions like destination weddings. Rent the Runway subscription plans are great if you love playing with new pieces and new brands.
The company also sells select styles at the end of each season. So, if you fall in love with the RTR items you may be able to purchase them.
Who is Rent the Runway For?
Rent the Runway is ideal for those looking to rent the latest luxury brands at a fraction of the cost. You can have so much fun with your personal style and experiment with different looks.
It is a good option for formal events and destination weddings where you don’t want to invest in a dress for one occasion.
Rent the Runway Fees: What to Expect
Rental fees fluctuate depending on single rentals and membership plans. If you’re using RTR for a destination wedding guest look, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 with taxes included. Higher-end items tend towards higher price points.
The dress I rented for this Savannah GA destination wedding was $70 after taxes. I felt this was reasonable for the quality of the dress and how great I felt during the event.
What We Love About Rent the Runway for Destination Wedding Guests (And What We Don’t)
Rent the Runway Honest Review: Pros
The biggest win of using RTR is access to luxury designer brands for your destination wedding guest look. A designer gown that feels like it is one-of-a-kind is delivered to your door, you just need to pack it and go.
RTR reviewers rave about getting tons of compliments and feeling like a million dollars. The website reviews are so helpful in finding the right style for your body type based on other reviewers. This is more than most websites!
The second pro is you’re not purchasing multiple looks for special events. You can choose new items for each wedding you attend, and create completely different designer items. There’s also an argument for sustainability since you’re not purchasing multiple items.
The third pro is that you can play with different outfits and styles you wouldn’t normally invest in purchasing. Items are high quality, so your chances of having a positive experience are good.
The last pro is that your order comes with two sizes of dresses. You can choose a backup size of the same dress you order, in case your first pick doesn’t fit.
Rent the Runway Honest Review: Cons
This list is short, I only have one con. In my honest opinion, the con is not being able to try on your gown further in advance of the event.
Single-item rentals are four days or eight days in length. So, you’re safer renting for eight days if you’re concerned about adequate time to try things on.
Be aware that if you choose the four-day rental and your dress doesn’t fit or is stained, you’ll have to find a backup.
This happened to me when I used Rent the Runway for a formal ball in 2023. However, their customer service was attentive and immediately reimbursed me. I was so impressed with their service that I was willing to try again, and I am glad I did.
My second rental was a great experience. I ordered the dress a couple weeks prior to the destination wedding, and I was so excited for it to arrive.
I chose the four-day rental, so it arrived on Thursday and was due Monday. I was gifted extra day (Sunday) since the post office was closed.
Overall, this experience is making me consider a Rent the Runway monthly membership.
How to Use Rent the Runway as a Wedding Guest
Consider the length of time you will be traveling. I chose a four-day rental period, but eight days might be better if the destination wedding is in another country.
Order your clothing item in advance, to make sure you can get the sizes you want. Remember, you can select a free backup size.
I recommend reading the reviews on their site before renting. These reviews are helpful if you’re having a hard time determining fit and style.
I’m 5′ 3″, so I read reviews and decided against a couple of dresses I knew would be too long. I chose a gown outside of my usual style, which made it even more fun.
Is Rent the Runway Worth it for Wedding Guests?
Yes, Rent the Runway is worth the investment to rent a luxury destination wedding guest dress.
It’s a good fit if you want to try different designer brands, play with personal style, and lean towards sustainability by renting rather than buying.
Have you used Rent the Runway in the past? I’d love to hear your experience! Comment below or message me on Instagram @itsjanasoli.co.
If you’d like to try Rent the Runway for a destination wedding or special event, you can use my friend’s pass to receive $30 off your one-time rental.
