Choosing your wedding gown is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But with so many options, deciding on the best dress can quickly feel overwhelming. You might have a design or style in mind, but the specific store and price will depend on your preferences and budget.
In this article, we’ll explore how to pick the right wedding dress and compare the most common options: ready-to-wear, custom, or rental.
Off-the-Rack/RTW Wedding Dresses
RTW bridal gowns in Manila are a popular choice among brides for their convenience, affordability, and accessibility. As the name implies, these dresses are pre-made and readily available off the rack. RTW dresses come in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points, making it easier than ever to find something that fits your vision and budget.
Best for: Brides with a set budget and shorter timeline, or those who don’t want the hassle of multiple fittings.
Pros of RTW Gowns
Why do brides opt for off-the-rack gowns? Here’s why:
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Instant Gratification
If you’re short on time, purchasing an RTW gown lets you take your dress home right away or have it delivered within days if you order online.
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Budget-Friendly
RTW wedding dresses typically cost less than custom bridal gowns. You’ll find beautiful, quality RTW wedding gowns in Manila without overspending.
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Wide Variety
Many online boutiques and bridal stores in the Philippines offer an extensive selection, from timeless classic silhouettes to trendy, fashion-forward styles. Brides who are unsure about their preferences or which dress styles flatter their bodies can see their options all in one place and create their vision as they go along the fitting appointment.
Cons of RTW Gowns
While an RTW wedding dress is the quicker and more convenient option, it also has drawbacks:
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Limited Customization
While minor alterations are common, you may not achieve that perfectly personalized look you desire.
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Fit Issues
If you don’t fall within standard sizing, alterations could become significant and potentially costly. Having the dress altered can also take up a substantial amount of your time.
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Pressure to Choose
Brides might feel pressured to settle for a dress they don’t love 100% because of limited time and options in-store.
Wedding Gown Rentals
Bridal gown rental in the Philippines can be a wise, practical choice, particularly for budget-savvy brides who prioritize convenience. Renting a wedding gown involves selecting your preferred dress from a rental boutique, reserving it for your wedding date, and typically attending a fitting session. The boutique will handle professional cleaning and minor adjustments before your big day. You are responsible for returning to the shop in good condition after the wedding.
Best for: Brides who prioritize value, minimalism, or sustainability and are not emotionally attached to keeping their gown.
Pros of Wedding Gown Rentals
Weddings are (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and some brides consider it impractical to splurge on a dress you’ll only get to wear for a day. Here are reasons brides choose to rent instead of buy something new:
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Cost-Effective
Wedding gown rental can drastically cut down your expenses, letting you allocate more funds to other wedding details or your honeymoon.
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Storage and Maintenance-Free
No worries about gown cleaning, preservation, or storage after your wedding. Simply return it after use.
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More Sustainable
Renting is a sustainable practice because it eliminates the need to use new fabric and other resources for creating a one-time-use gown. You get to wear a beautiful ensemble without further contributing to your carbon footprint. Plus, wearing something borrowed is part of the charm of renting. Imagine all the stunning brides who have worn your dress and all the beautiful love stories they carried as they walked down the aisle!
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High-End Options
Rental services often carry designer and luxurious gowns that may otherwise be outside your budget.
Cons of Renting Your Wedding Gown
While bridal gown rental has advantages, brides need to keep these cons in mind:
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Damage
You have to be extra careful. Damaging the dress may incur additional fees.
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Imperfect Fit
Most rental gowns can only be altered slightly (if at all), so they may not fit your body as closely as a custom dress would.
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Limited Availability
Popular gowns and sizes can get booked quickly, especially during peak wedding months.
Custom Bridal Gowns
Having your dress customized means working with wedding gown designers to create an ensemble from scratch, based on your vision. This can be a completely original design or inspired by something you’ve seen.
Best for: Brides with a clear vision and budget who want to wear something truly personal and made-to-measure.
Pros of Customization
Many brides are looking into customization to reflect their style and make their dress truly one-of-a-kind. A custom bridal gown is ideal for brides who want to stand out and express their creativity and fashion sense.
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100% Unique
You’ll get a wedding dress that’s unique to you, your body shape, and your style.
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Perfect Fit
The gown will be tailored specifically to your measurements, often with multiple fittings. You can have it altered at every appointment to suit your preferences.
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Creative Control
From fabric to embellishments, you decide every detail.
Cons of Custom Dresses
Customization gives you more freedom to choose, but it does have its challenges.
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More Expensive
Custom work is labor-intensive and may involve high-quality materials, which raises the price.
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Longer Lead Time
You’ll need to plan—ideally 6 to 12 months before your wedding. Great things take time, after all.
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Risk of Miscommunication
There might be a risk of your designer misunderstanding your vision. It’s essential to set your expectations beforehand and give clear instructions to ensure both of you are on the same page.
Things to Consider When Choosing Between RTW, Rental, and Custom
There’s no “right” answer when it comes to choosing your gown—only the one that makes the most sense for you. To help you decide, here are some factors to consider when wedding dress shopping:
1. Budget
If budget is your biggest concern, renting or buying off-the-rack are great options. Renting, in particular, gives you more room in your budget for other elements like photography, flowers, or your honeymoon.
Custom gowns, while beautiful, are usually the priciest option—but some local designers or home-based couturiers offer affordable custom packages, so don’t rule it out immediately.
2. Timeline
Short timeline? Rent or buy off-the-rack. Custom dresses take months, especially if the design is complex or if your designer is fully booked.
If your wedding is less than 3 months away, you’ll want to avoid custom work unless the designer guarantees rush services.
3. Sentimentality
Want to keep your dress forever? Then buying (either off-the-rack or custom) is the way to go. Some brides love the idea of preserving the gown or repurposing it later.
If you’re okay parting with the dress after the wedding, renting is practical and eco-friendly.
4. Fit and Body Confidence
Every bride deserves to feel beautiful and confident on her wedding day. If you’re worried about finding a gown that flatters your shape, custom may give you the best fit. Off-the-rack dresses can be altered, but may still not feel perfect. Rentals are usually more limited in this regard.
Choose the Dress That Feels Most Like You
Whether you’re walking down the aisle in a couture creation, a rented designer piece, or an off-the-rack gem you fell in love with on the spot, what matters most is that you feel like the bride you’ve always dreamed of being.
So, take your time. Try on different gowns and enjoy the process. You’ll say yes to THE dress soon enough!
