A BRIDE has revealed she spent just £35 on the dream dress for her wedding – and put the extra cash towards holidays.
Laurie, 32, tied the knot with partner Patrice in a budget-friendly ceremony in August 2021.
Rather than spend hundreds of pounds on a brand new dress, the London-based creative director decided to rent one for the weekend instead.
Speaking to ethical jewellery brand Sacet, Laurie said: “I've done the whole ‘go big or go home’ wedding thing before.
"I've got this lavish wedding gown collecting dust from a past life back in Canada.
"I’m glad I had that more classic wedding experience, but this time around, I wanted the focus to be on us.
Since Covid was still in the spotlight, my hubby and I knew we’d have to keep it intimate and to be honest, we always loved the idea of eloping!”
She added: “I initially wanted to go for something simple that I could flaunt even after the ‘I do’s, but I quickly realised that I don’t do simple and classic.
"Then I stumbled upon this stunning Sister Jane puffy white dress that stole my heart. The dream.
"She was around £300, and that’s when a friend introduced me to renting.”
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Deciding to rent her dress also aligned with Laurie’s principles regarding sustainability.
“I’m a big fan of thrift stores and second-hand finds, and having witnessed the negative impact of the fashion industry during my time styling, wearing pre-loved items is a way for me to contribute to a more sustainable approach", she explained.
In total, Laurie spent only £35, including the cost of a small assurance fee and had her wedding dress for four days.
The rental dress platform, Rotaro, had a pop-up boutique so she was able to try the dress on in person and she was given the option of ordering more than one size to "ease any worries".
She said: "The whole process was so hassle-free, from the Rotaro team sending the dress a bit early, knowing it was for my wedding, to the pre-paid return bag. I just popped it in, sealed it and sent it back.
And Laurie estimated that she saved over £250 by opting to rent her dream frock.
She added: “We’d aimed for a budget-friendly wedding, so the savings from the dress meant we could invest more into experiences like travel and setting up our home.”
With no regrets, Laurie encourages others to consider dress rental for their big day.
“The idea of preserving a wedding dress is forever evolving", she said.
"Renting gives you the chance to wear a dress that might have been out of your budget to start with.
"My experience was so positive that I’d proudly recommend it to anyone curious about renting their dress.
"Renting allowed me to wear my dream dress without the commitment of ownership.
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"Whilst I'll always have a soft spot for that dress, a glance at the photos is enough to bring back the memories.
"It's heartwarming to think it could make someone else's wedding day special, too.”
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