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Wedding with Nothing to Wear? Rent the Runway

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If you're attending one or more weddings this summer, struggling to find a stylish bridal shower dress in your budget, or just want to make a splash at your bachelorette party, we've found the answer to all of your style dilemmas: Rent the Runway has unveiled a new boutique where brides and guests can rent gowns and accessories for every special occasion related to weddings. Items are curated by stylists and broken down by category and formality, making it that much easier to find a memorable outfit you can actually afford.

This past Memorial Day Weekend, I took David Meister’s “Cleopatra” style ($75 to rent; retail price $358) for a test drive at my cousin’s wedding. I needed a dress that was sophisticated yet comfortable enough to survive the tarantella (my family is a fun crowd!). The one-shoulder sheath made it into my shopping cart after I saw all of the photo reviews – it looked flattering on women of all sizes.

david meister cleopatra dress

Despite this, I still held my breath when I first slipped it on, letting out a sigh of relief when the zipper whizzed shut. RTR includes a free back-up size, so I was able to guarantee a perfect fit. (If none of the dresses in your order fit, you can contact RTR and they’ll issue a merchandise credit if you postmark the unworn dresses within 24 hours.) Can't decide on just one style? You can order a second dress for only $25.

At the wedding reception, I felt like golden girl Stacey Keibler (George Clooney's latest squeeze) at this year's Oscars: my fiancé said I never looked so glamorous and guests (including the bride) stopped me all night to ask where I found my "Academy Awards" dress!

Here's what it looked like from the front, in daylight and at sunset: 

david meister dress

And here's a view of the back:

back closeup

The return process couldn’t be more convenient: Simply pack up the loaned items into the provided envelope (the garment bag and hangers are yours to keep), seal it shut, and drop in any blue USPS mailbox. Although letting go of Cleopatra was bittersweet, I already know just how I'm going to fill that void in my closet at my next event...

Tell us: Would you consider renting a dress for upcoming weddings or events leading up to your own (engagement party, rehearsal dinner, etc.)?

— Stefania Sainato