- The custom of the white wedding dress began in the time of Queen Victoria, who wore a white satin gown at her wedding in 1894.
- Renting from hanah Bridal costs between HK$7,200 and HK$11,800, while Cocoon Bridal starts at HK$3,000.
- Every dress rental needs a formal paper contract that fixes the style or number of the dress, the rental and return dates, and the terms and extent of compensation.
- The price of a rental dress has two main parts, the rental fee and a deposit. The deposit is refunded when you return the dress.
There is plenty of choice when renting a wedding dress. Each shop has at least 40 to 50 styles, and if the size is not right, the dress can be altered.
There are still quite a few details to watch when renting. Below are tips for renting a wedding dress, recommended rental shops and their prices.
What the white wedding dress means in Western weddings, and where it comes from
At Western weddings the bride wears a snow-white dress, seen as a symbol of purity. The custom dates from the time of Queen Victoria.
Many people wrongly assume that the white dress stands for virginity. In fact, it is the bride’s veil that symbolises virginity.
A woman who has been married before, whether widowed or divorced, does not usually wear a white dress when she remarries.
Where the white wedding dress began
In 1894, Britain’s Queen Victoria wore a white satin wedding dress at her wedding, and it caused an immediate sensation.
- Other newlyweds copied her, and people began to pay far more attention to how royal brides dressed.
- The bride’s whole look, including her headwear and accessories, turned pure white.
- At the time, white was seen as a symbol of happiness. Its meaning later grew into holiness and faithfulness.
- Remarried women were not allowed to wear pure white, a rule that raised the prestige of the pure white dress even further.
Queen Victoria and new wedding etiquette
Queen Victoria was also the first royal bride to have a female attendant lift her train at the wedding.
This custom was widely passed down after her and became part of the modern wedding.
What should you watch for at a second wedding?
If in doubt, feel free to contact our dedicated consultants.
International bridal brands and their styles
Besides Vera Wang, many other international bridal brands are also known around the world, each with its own style and character.
| Country of origin | Year founded | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elie Saab | Lebanon | 1982 | Glamorous and dreamy |
| Berta | Israel | 2004 | Bold, sheer and sexy |
| Galia Lahav | Israel | 1984 | Extremely sexy |
| Pronovias | Spain | 1964 | Exquisite handcrafted detail and elegant design |
Elie Saab: step into a fairy-tale world
- Known for smooth silk fabrics, distinctive floral patterns and fine embroidered lace, which build a woman’s fairy-tale dream.
- A couture label recognised by the French haute couture federation, loved by many Hollywood red-carpet stars and Middle Eastern royalty.
- Its Spring/Summer 2022 collection celebrates a woman’s charm, elegance and allure, with bold V-necklines, 3D lace appliqué and lavish, flowing feathers.
Berta: bold, sexy glamour
- Created by the designer Berta Balilti, the label is known for fine lace, embroidery, and luxurious rhinestones and beading, making the wedding dresses girls dream of.
- Its Spring/Summer 2022 collection is set against the views of Lake Como in Italy, with the latest romantic designs.
- Fitted cuts trace a woman’s soft curves. Plunging V-necklines are combined with precious embroidery and lace, set with gorgeous crystals, beading, 3D floral appliqués and glittering sequins, and finished with graceful sheer long sleeves or detachable puff sleeves.
Galia Lahav: the ultimate in sexy style
- Focuses on fitted designs that show off a woman’s figure.
- Famous for rich hand embroidery, delicate lace and distinctive cuts and designs, and loved by many Hollywood stars and international socialites.
- Its 2022 Spring/Summer collection takes sexy and elegant style to a new level.
Pronovias: the authority on perfect wedding dresses
- Offers a wide range of styles and designs to suit different brides’ needs and tastes.
- Its dresses are always full of romantic, dreamy touches, and it insists on the finest fabrics and materials.
- Whether you want a traditional style or a modern, innovative design, you can find a suitable dress at Pronovias.
Hong Kong bridal brands and rental prices
Three small Hong Kong brands, minimalist in style but excellent in quality, also rent out wedding dresses, giving brides more to choose from.
hanah Bridal: Japanese-style wedding dresses
- Founded in 2018, a concept store that brings Japanese culture into bridal design. It also carries many Japanese and Taiwanese bridal designer labels.
- Its dresses often use high-quality fabrics such as antique French lace, pure silk and Japanese tulle, with simple, clean cuts that suit a minimalist wedding.
- It is the exclusive agent for the Japanese designer labels Mutin Dress, Nae.Atelier, Preparage, Seul Dress, The Dress Room and Yukinori Morinaga, and has brought in the Taiwanese designer label MS Ideas.
- Rental prices range from HK$7,200 to HK$11,800. You can find out more on their website or at their shop in Central.
Cocoon Bridal: wedding dresses made in Hong Kong
- Since its founding in 2001, it has become one of the few local Hong Kong bridal brands, making dresses with fine handwork and tailoring skill.
- Besides made-to-measure and rental dresses, it also offers wedding photography and bridal shoes and accessories.
- Rental of wedding dresses and gowns starts at HK$3,000.
Le Soleil Bridal Closet: a wide choice of wedding dresses
- Carries many bridal labels, including Elia Vatine, Julie Vino, Danit Levi, Neta Dover, Beccar Atelier, Riki Dalal, Kim Kassas and Jessica Couture.
- Renting a dress starts from HK$6,000 and buying one from HK$20,000, giving brides choices for different budgets.
- Its studio is in Tsim Sha Tsui. Besides wedding dresses, it sells handmade bridal accessories.
- Tips for couples to communicate when you do not want to divorce or break up
- How couples can keep their marriage strong and prevent divorce
- The best ways to nurture a marriage in Hong Kong
Bridal shops that rent out wedding dresses
There are bridal shops renting out wedding dresses in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Wan. Their brands and styles are as follows:
- The Wedding Gown in Central carries many international bridal brands, including Liz Martinez from Israel, Nicole and Felicia, known for its rich variety of cuts, and the new-generation label Lian Rokman. All are available to rent.
- Le Soleil in Tsim Sha Tsui was founded in 2018 by two former PR professionals. It specialises in uniquely designed Israeli bridal labels with a fresh, new and sexy style, and has its own handmade bridal headpiece label, The White Garden.
- Designer Bridal Room in Central rents out dresses from Alberta Ferretti, Viktor & Rolf, Zuhair Murad, and Pronovias and Rosa Clara. The styles are more refined, elegant and classic, and include A-line, mermaid and trumpet cuts.
- At Cocoon Bridal in Sheung Wan, every dress is designed by its in-house designers to suit Hong Kong tastes. It also rents out evening gowns and Chinese wedding dress sets (qun kwa), so brides can rent everything they need to wear on the wedding day in one place.
- Central Weddings in Central is one of the top bridal shops in Hong Kong. It carries top international bridal labels such as Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier and Anne Barge, in classic, romantic, elegant and modern styles.
| Address | Phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| The Wedding Gown | 8/F, Wan Shan Mansion, 73 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong | 9189 3997 |
| Le Soleil | Room 702, Kam Hing Mansion, 20 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong | 6939 8284 |
| Designer Bridal Room | 2/F, Tak Yau Building, 243 – 247 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong | 2167 8708 |
| Cocoon Bridal | 1/F, Connaught Harbour View Building, 35-36 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong | 2577 2122 |
| Central Weddings | 15/F, Entertainment Building, 19 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong | 2869 8666 |
Rental prices at each shop:
- The Wedding Gown: rental prices vary with the style and the length of the rental.
- Le Soleil: a 3-day, 2-night rental starts from HK$6,000.
- Cocoon Bridal: dresses fall into three categories, Wedding Gown, Couture Wedding Gown and Gold Label Wedding Gown. A 3-day, 2-night rental costs HK$4,580, HK$6,580 and HK$8,380 respectively.
- Central Weddings: rental prices are higher, but worth considering for brides who want top quality and design.
Please note
- The prices above are for reference only, and actual prices may change.
- Before you choose a dress, we suggest booking a fitting to check that it suits your style and figure.
- Also confirm the price, the rental period and the terms, to avoid any unexpected problems.
- Common reasons and grounds for divorce in Hong Kong
- How social media and technology can become a catalyst for divorce in Hong Kong
Not sure about the price, rental period and terms?
Feel free to check your situation with us.
Tips for renting a dress
Before you decide to rent, get the rental period and the total amount clear, because the price depends on the fabric, the brand, the design and other factors.
- A light short dress, a showy long gown with a train and a designer’s latest creation can differ greatly in price.
- The length of the rental and other possible charges also affect the total price.
Choosing a reputable bridal shop
If your budget allows, you can choose a large bridal chain. If it is tight, you can choose a small shop that specialises in dress rental.
- Large bridal chains often lend dresses or gowns to celebrities, which keeps their profile high.
- To judge a shop’s reputation, you can read reviews on online forums, or look at the size of the business, the range and number of dresses, and whether it rents out accessories.
Why cleaning matters
- A wedding dress cannot be washed in a washing machine like ordinary clothes and needs professional cleaning. When choosing a shop, ask in detail about its cleaning method and make sure the dress has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Check the neckline and underarms for what look like make-up marks from the previous bride, to avoid a dispute when you return the dress.
Alterations to the size
- A rental dress is not made to measure, so it will probably need altering. Ask whether it can be adjusted to the right size.
- Also check whether there is an extra charge for alterations.
- Ideally, have a second fitting and any alterations done two weeks before the wedding, so that changes in your figure do not mean altering it again.
Choosing accessories, and dress delivery and collection
- Find out which accessories the shop offers and how many. Some shops also rent out veils, headpieces, bridal shoes, belts, handbags and all kinds of jewellery, so a bride can choose all her accessories in one place.
- If your schedule is very tight or you have no convenient transport, choosing a shop with a dress delivery and collection service can ease the pressure a great deal. This service may cost extra.
Checking the quality of the dress and accessories
The most important step in renting a dress is to check the quality of the dress and its accessories before you pay.
Please note
- Check every part of the dress in detail, including the decoration, seams, cuffs and hem, to make sure nothing is damaged or coming loose.
- If you find any problem, tell the shop owner straight away, so that you are not asked to pay extra when you return it.
What to note in the rental contract
Every dress rental needs a formal paper contract to protect both sides. The contract should cover the following points:
- The style or number of the dress.
- The rental and return dates.
- The terms and extent of compensation.
Paying the rental fee and deposit
The price of a dress has two main parts. The rental fee is the cost of renting the dress, and the deposit is security for the dress, refunded when you return it.
At some shops the rental fee already includes cleaning, and at others cleaning is paid separately, so ask clearly about the rental fee and the deposit.
-
Packing and protecting the dress
Usually, you take the rented dress home the day before the wedding. If the shop gives you only a paper bag and no proper garment cover, you need to bring your own to stop the dress creasing.
-
Checking the dress when you return it
You must check the condition of the dress with the shop owner, and only get your deposit back once there is no problem. If there is a dispute, settle it according to the rental contract.
If you have to pay compensation, do not worry too much. Everything goes by the terms of the rental contract.
How can you make your marriage happier and prevent divorce?
Unhappiness after the wedding is sometimes caused by both sides. To make a marriage happier and to prevent divorce, you can try the following:
- Communicate more: keep open, honest communication with your partner, share your feelings, thoughts and needs, and look for ways to solve problems together.
- Support each other: support your partner in difficulty and congratulate them on their achievements, to build trust and closeness.
- Make good memories together: spend good times with your partner, for example by planning trips, joining activities or holding family gatherings.
- Keep respect and gratitude: respect your partner’s views and choices and show thanks for what they do, which helps protect each other’s dignity and self-esteem.
- Keep a balanced pace of life: arrange work and life sensibly so that you have enough time for each other. Proper rest and relaxation matter too.
- Build romance and closeness: go on dates regularly or create romantic moments, such as giving gifts, writing love letters or arranging a special dinner.
Seek professional help
- If you both find it hard to resolve your marriage problems, consider asking for help from a psychotherapist, a marriage counsellor or a legal professional.
- Domestic violence in Hong Kong: definition, effects and where to get help
- How do I apply for a divorce?
- Divorce mediation in Hong Kong: the process and its benefits
- Spot the common mistakes in the divorce process, and do not let emotion take over
- What to know about affairs and infidelity in divorce in Hong Kong
Finding it hard to resolve your marriage problems together?
Get in touch, and a dedicated consultant will first understand your situation.
