The Try-on Kit

How does the at-home try-on kit work?

You browse our collection, choose up to 3 gowns, and we ship them directly to your door. You have 3 business days to try them on in your own space, your mirror, your lighting, your people. A prepaid return label is included in every kit, so sending everything back is effortless. If you find the one, reach out and we'll take care of the rest.

How much does the try-on kit cost?

$75 per gown and $20 per veil or accessory. Every dollar you spend on the try-on kit is a full credit toward your rental or made-to-order purchase, so it's not a fee so much as a first step toward your dress.

Is the try-on fee refundable?

The fee isn't refundable if you don't proceed, but it's fully credited if you do. It covers the time your gowns are reserved for you, the shipping preparation, and the care that goes into getting them to you beautifully. If none of the gowns felt right, we'd love to help you find the ones that will, reach out and we'll figure it out together.

How many gowns can I try at home?

Up to 3 gowns per kit, plus veils and accessories. Not sure which 3 to choose? Book a free virtual consultation with one of our stylists; we're good at narrowing it down based on your vision, your body, and your wedding day.

Can I try veils and accessories too?

Yes, and we'd encourage it. A veil changes everything. Add veils and accessories to your kit for $20 each, fully credited toward your final order. Trying the full look at home, in your own space, is one of those things brides tell us they wish they'd done sooner.

How far in advance should I order a try-on kit?

We recommend ordering your try-on kit at least 4 to 6 months before your wedding date. This gives you enough time to try, decide, and, if you're going made-to-order, allow for production and any adjustments. The earlier you start, the more relaxed the whole experience feels. That said, if your timeline is tighter, reach out and we'll do everything we can to make it work.

How do I try on dresses if I'm not local?

That's exactly what the try-on kit is for. We ship nationwide, so it doesn't matter where you are in the US; your gowns come to you. Order your kit, try it on at home, and return it with the prepaid label we include in every shipment.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

No signature required. Standard carrier delivery, just make sure your address is correct at checkout.

Renting

Why rent when I can buy?

Because a wedding dress is worn once, and it deserves more than a box in the back of a closet. Renting gives you access to a beautiful, carefully maintained gown at a fraction of the purchase price, with none of the storage or resale headache afterward. It's also a more sustainable choice, each gown gets to be part of more than one love story. That said, if owning your dress matters to you, we offer made-to-order too. There's no wrong answer here, only what's right for you.

How are the dresses cleaned?

Every gown is professionally cleaned and carefully inspected between rentals. We take the condition of our gowns seriously, what arrives at your door should feel like it was made for you.

What if I get my rental dress dirty?

Weddings happen, we understand. Minor wear is expected and covered. If something more significant occurs, reach out to us directly and we'll work through it together. We're human about it.

I found the dress I love, but it's not available for my date. Help!

First, don't panic. Reach out to us directly at happy@dareanddazzle.com with your dress and date, and we'll do everything we can to make it work. In some cases we can accommodate requests that aren't reflected in the availability calendar, so it's always worth asking.

When should I reserve my dress?

As early as possible, especially for peak wedding season dates. We recommend reserving at least 4 to 6 months in advance to ensure your gown is available and any adjustments can be arranged without rushing. If your date is approaching sooner, reach out and we'll see what we can do.

Purchasing

What's the difference between renting and purchasing?

Renting means you wear a gown from our curated collection for your wedding day and return it afterward. It's a beautiful dress at a fraction of the cost of buying new, and a more sustainable choice, since each gown can be part of more than one love story. Purchasing means the gown is yours to keep. We offer two ways to purchase: made-to-order, in which we produce an existing style from our collection to your exact measurements, and bespoke, in which we design a completely custom gown around your vision from the ground up. Not sure which path is right for you? Book a free virtual consultation, and we'll help you figure it out.

What is a made-to-order gown?

A made-to-order gown starts with a style you already love from our collection. Instead of renting it, we produce it brand new, just for you, to your exact measurements. You get the gown you fell in love with, made fresh, and yours to keep. Because it's produced to your measurements, the need for alterations is minimal. It's the perfect option for the bride who wants the ease of choosing from a curated collection but the permanence of owning her dress. Made-to-order gowns require additional lead time, so we recommend starting the conversation at least 5 to 6 months before your wedding date.

Is there an additional cost for a made-to-order gown?

No, the price listed on each product page is the made-to-order purchase price. There are no hidden fees or additional charges beyond what you see.

What is the difference between a bespoke gown and a made-to-order gown?

Both are yours to keep, but they start from very different places. A made-to-order gown begins with a style you already love from our collection. We produce it brand new, to your exact measurements, so you get the gown you fell in love with made fresh and crafted just for you.

A bespoke gown starts with you. There is no existing template, just your vision, your measurements, and our craftsmanship. From the silhouette to the fabric to the smallest finishing detail, every decision is made around you. This is for the bride who has a picture in her mind that she hasn't been able to find anywhere else, and who wants to wear something that has never existed before.

Because both made-to-order and bespoke gowns are produced to your exact measurements, the need for alterations is minimal. Not sure which is right for you? Book a free virtual consultation, and we'll help you decide.

Do you only offer dresses for rent?

Not at all. Every gown in our collection is available to rent, and we also offer made-to-order and fully bespoke gowns for purchase. We built Dare and Dazzle around the idea that brides shouldn't have to choose between a beautiful dress and a smart budget, so whether you're looking to rent, order a style you love made to your measurements, or create something entirely your own, we have a path for you. When in doubt, start with the try-on kit and let the dress tell you what it wants to be.

Fit and Sizing

What sizes do you carry?

We carry sizes 2 to 20. We've worked hard to build a collection that reflects the full range of brides, because every bride deserves to find something she loves.

What if the dress doesn't fit me? I'm a unique size.

Don't give up on the gown. If the dress you love doesn't fit perfectly off the rack, we offer made-to-order, a brand new gown created to your exact measurements. Our stylists will walk you through the process and make sure you feel taken care of every step of the way.

Do you offer alterations?

Yes, we offer temporary alterations for rental gowns to help you achieve the best possible fit. All temporary alterations must remain fully reversible so the gown can continue its life beyond your wedding day. Here's what's available and what each costs:

  • Temporary Hem — $80
  • Snap-On Sleeves — $30
  • Bustle — $50 per bustle
  • Strap Adjustment — $30

Alteration costs are in addition to your rental fee. If you have a specific fit concern not covered above, reach out to us at happy@dareanddazzle.com, and we'll do our best to help.

Shipping

Do you ship internationally?

We ship to all 50 US states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Please note that we are currently unable to ship to Puerto Rico or other US territories. If you're based outside the US and would love to try our gowns, reach out directly at happy@dareanddazzle.com, we'll let you know what's possible and explore options together.

Does my shipping fee cover the return?

Yes, every try-on kit and rental order includes a prepaid return label. You don't need to purchase a separate label or arrange your own return. Simply repack the gowns in the box they arrived in, attach the label, and drop it off at the carrier location. The return is always on us.

General

What does Dare and Dazzle guarantee?

We guarantee that every gown arrives clean, carefully inspected, and beautifully presented. We guarantee honest guidance, we'd rather help you find the right dress than sell you the wrong one. And we guarantee that you'll have a real human being to reach out to at every step of the process. We've been doing this for six years, and the thing we're most proud of isn't the collection, it's the brides who trusted us with one of the most important days of their lives.

Do you buy back dresses, or can I rent out my dress through Dare and Dazzle?

We appreciate the love, truly. But we don't purchase dresses from brides, and we don't offer a platform for brides to rent out their own gowns. Every dress in our collection is carefully curated and maintained by our team to ensure consistent sizing, quality, and the experience we stand behind. If you're looking to rehome a beloved gown, we'd recommend platforms like StillWhite, Nearly Newlywed, or Tradesy, which specialize in pre-loved bridal resale.

Still have questions?
We'd love to hear from you. Email us at happy@dareanddazzle.com and we'll get back to you within one business day.