How to hire a wedding or evening dress at a good price
Start with the event, size and date
A wedding dress, a farewell-party dress, an evening gown for a gala or a photo shoot are different tasks. For a wedding, the train, the corset and the length matter; for a photo shoot, comfort and looks on camera; for a farewell party, comfort for a few hours. So first decide the event, the date and your size.
Good dresses are booked far ahead in the season: wedding models for the peak months are booked months in advance. So do not delay your request once you know the date of the event.
What to put in your request
- what to hire — wedding, evening or farewell-party dress, for a photo shoot or for expectant mothers;
- size and height — for example, size 38, height 5 ft 6 in; this matters for the length;
- colour and style — long or short, silhouette, open back, sleeves;
- occasion — wedding, farewell party, photo shoot, gala evening;
- hire dates — when to collect and when to return;
- accessories — veil, petticoat, bolero, jewellery;
- trial and alterations — whether you need a trial and hemming to your height;
- deposit, city and budget.
Example: “I need a long champagne-coloured dress for a farewell party, size 38, height 5 ft 6 in, open back. Dates: 20–22 June, Jaipur. I need a trial and alteration of the length, no deposit. Budget up to ₹6,000.”
How to compare offers
Look at more than the price. Find out how many days the hire lasts and what happens if you return late. Ask whether cleaning after wearing is included, or you pay for it, and who is responsible for minor damage.
Ask separately about alterations: if the dress has to be shortened or taken in, it is usually done temporarily, without changing the cut. Ask for a photo of the real dress, not just the catalogue picture, and ask about the condition of the fabric and fittings. If the dress is for an expectant mother, check whether the fit at the waist can be adjusted.
Common mistakes
- Hiring without a trial. The size on the label can differ from the real one, especially in dresses with a corset.
- Forgetting shoes and underwear: heel height changes the length the dress needs.
- Not agreeing what counts as damage before paying the deposit.
- Looking for a dress a week before the event, when the choice is smallest.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
Instead of travelling from shop to shop, you write one request: what dress, size, dates. Bridal shops in your city reply with offers in the chat, with photos, price and terms. The site first checks your request and suggests what else is missing. Only the one you choose sees your contacts. More details on the page “How it works”.
Looking for something less formal? See clothing and accessories hire.
