Pros and cons of a pre-loved dress? Or a hired dress

If you buy a second hand dress the chances are that it may need to be dry cleaned which can be a few hundred dollars.  alterations may have already been done to the dress length, bust, waist ect. and may not be able to have further alterations done.  If you hire a dress alterations will be limited on what can be done to have a perfect fit and if the dress is damaged then you may be up for extra cost.  There are brand new high quality dresses that sell for around the same price as some second hand dresses. It is advisable if you are contemplating purchasing a second hand dress that the dress is not excessively too big generally 2 sizes is ok but not really advisable as alterations can become tricky and will change the whole look of the dress if it needs to be taken in too much.  Alterations can also be costly. It's not advisable to purchase either a second hand or new gown for that matter without trying it on.  I have had brides far too often that have had to buy a second dress as they purchased their initial dress without trying it on.  It may pay to do some research. 

Hopefully you will find your dream dress.