Seven things you can rent for your wedding to keep costs down

You've just got engaged – congratulations! Now it's time to plan the wedding, which you'll soon find out tends to be pretty expensive. In fact, couples in Scotland are spending around £18,617 on their big day, reports Bridebook,

As you work out everything that needs planned and organised – such as the venue, food and entertainment – it can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you start bringing budgets into it. 

As a result, more and more couples are opting to rent items for their big day to make things more affordable. A Hitched survey revealed that almost of fifth of couples who got married in 2023 hired items such as pre-loved or rented outfits and decor in a bid to reduce costs and have a more sustainable impact on the environment.

But what exactly can you rent for a wedding?

Reasons why should you rent items for your wedding

There are a number of reasons people choose to rent rather than buy when it comes to their wedding, like saving storage space, cutting costs and being more eco-friendly by reducing single-use items. 

 From a pre-loved dress to eco-friendly flowers, sustainability was at the heart of this couple's wedding in Fife

Is renting for your wedding more affordable?

Not only is hiring wedding items sometimes better for the planet, renting rather than buying can often save you money. For example, it could even allow you to include décor you might not have been able to afford to buy, says Kate Beavis, founder of The Ethical Wedding Show.

"Plates and table décor can be usually rented from stylists at a fraction of the cost to buying them."

Another benefit is not having to worry what you're going to do with all the things you buy afterwards, with Kate adding: "Hiring also means you are recycling as the item can be used over and over, plus you are not left with it all after the wedding day."

What can you rent for your wedding?

Almost anything it seems! There are places you can find outfits and accessories for the wedding party, decorations and lots of details that make up the day. We chat through seven things you can hire instead of buy...

How much is it to rent a wedding dress?

According to Bridebook, people in Scotland spend on average £1447 on a wedding dress, which is a fair amount to spend on an outfit for one day. Not to mention the fact that many brides are actually wearing more than one wedding outfit nowadays.

Hiring a dress however is an affordable alternative, with some online retailers offering rental bridal outfits, including ASOS (which was the first of its kind to create a rental option for this kind of occasion wear!).

The cost to hire a wedding dress can vary widely depending on the rental service and style you choose though. Typically, according to Hitched, you can find wedding dresses to hire starting from around £200.

Of course, for some people a wedding dress is very sentimental and something they want to keep for the rest of their life. But, by renting one, it could even count as your something borrowed — win-win!

Can you hire groomswear?

In Scotland, you’ll rarely go to a wedding and not see someone looking resplendent in a kilt. While some men have their own that they bring out for special occasions, many also opt to hire their outfit.

This works well if you want the groomsmen all in the same tartan, and you can also hire suits too. Places like MacGregor and MacDuff and Slater Menswear have lots on offer for dressing the groom and his wedding party.

Find out more about top groomswear suppliers in Scotland

Are bridesmaid and wedding guest dresses available to rent?

Of course, some of your wedding party might already have outfits they can wear to your wedding. But if they’d like to wear something different or need to fit into a certain colour scheme there are rental options for them too.

While there are numerous online retailers that offer rental dresses, keep in mind that most will only have one or two sizes of each style. But if you only have one bridesmaid to dress this could be a great option, especially if you're working to a budget.

Do people rent their wedding accessories?

You could still get use out of your shoes and accessories after the wedding, but there are plenty of hire and second hand options available too for a pair you know you won't rewear. 

As for accessories, since you won’t have to buy a piece outright, you could actually end up getting higher-end jewellery, a veil or headpiece for the same price or cheaper.

And it's not just the bride and groom who can make use of renting. Wedding guest outfits also lend themselves towards renting accessories. How often are they going to use the clutch, fascinator or statement jewellery that perfectly matches their wedding fit?

Hiring decor for your wedding venue

Transforming your venue with decor and a colour scheme will undoubtedly create incredible photo opportunities.

Some venues have a selection of decor you can choose from, but a lot of couples also want to add a personal touch and bring their own. There are lots of DIY decor options which can keep costs down, but it does mean you will be left with all of the decor after the wedding.

Hiring items, however, gets rid of this problem as it allows you to get things you couldn’t make yourself or would be too expensive to buy. This is especially useful if you're using a blank-canvas venue which requires even more decorating. 

Some decor hire vendors will even set up and take down the decor on the day, giving you one less thing to worry about.

These decor hire companies will help you put a personal stamp on your ceremony or reception

Save money by hiring linens for your wedding

Tablecloths, napkins and any other type of linen is expensive to buy – especially if you're not going to use them again. Plus, unless you're a pro at it, they a hassle to steam or iron.

Instead, why not look into hiring from an experienced company who'll deliver high-quality, pressed linens? You'll be able to hire cohesive sets of colours and patterns for gorgeous tablescapes that you don't have to worry about cleaning up afterwards. 

Fun wedding games for guests

After the ceremony, there’s often time for drinks, mingling and possibly some entertainment. Games are a great way to keep your guests occupied while you get photos with your new spouse.

If you have outdoor space on the day, there are plenty of fun games to choose from. You could buy these games yourself, but you can get much more variety by hiring from specialty companies.