Starting a Bridal Shop – Opening a Bridal Gown Shop

Summary: This article briefly discusses the bridal shop business. Find out some of the things you need to know in order to start your own bridal shop business.

The bridal shop business is perfect for those who have a flair for fashion and a passion for weddings.

Making a living out of something you love can hardly be called work, could it? It’s easy enough to imagine that running a bridal shop would be loads of fun. It is fun however; it is serious business as well. You need to work hard, have patience, and maintain a positive attitude if you plan on making your bridal shop business a success. Anybody can be a bridal shop owner regardless of education and past work experience. What is important is to have an enterprising spirit and the heart for the trade.

What to sell.

A bridal shop’s inventory typically consists of dresses, shoes, and accessories intended for the mother of the bride (mob), wedding the entourage, and of course the bride.

You can get your inventory straight from the designer or manufacturer. They usually hold fashion shows to display their wares. See to it that you watch these shows so you can select (before others) what dresses and items you want to order and invest on. Aside from fashion shows, you can also scour the web for possible suppliers or make use of catalogs. Keep yourself from buying too much. The trick is to buy just the right amount of items to fill your stock, no more and no less.

Where to sell.

Choosing a location is one of the more important decisions you will have to make. Consult a realtor to find out where the best available space is located. Of course, you have to choose a place that has a lot of foot traffic. Brace yourself though because places like these charge more than the usual and with good reason since the volume of foot traffic is directly proportional to the number of customers.

Other things you need to consider when choosing a space is whether or not the floor area can accommodate your inventory. Remember, most wedding dresses are quite bulky. You need to have several rows of racks to display them. Make sure you lease a store space with ample room so your bridal shop won’t look crammed and crowded.

Try to check out as many locations as you can before making your final decision. In so doing, you will more options and sites to compare.

Whom to sell to.

The success of your business relies on the number of customers you attract…and retain!

To attract customers, you need to promote your shop. Aside from the usual media advertisements, you can also use other options like joining community or charity events that have press coverage.

To keep your customers, you need to make sure that the quality of your stock is excellent and you need to provide your customers with exemplary service. You must make it your mission to ensure that your customer leaves your store completely satisfied. Be cheerful and helpful even if the bride is doing a bridezilla number on you. Just remind yourself that somewhere in this bride’s life, there’s a cousin or sorority sister or best friend or an officemate etc who at one point or another will be saying, “I do” too.

72 Responses to "Starting a Bridal Shop Business".

24. Sandra on 4/22/2010 8:19:49 PM

Hi everyone! I am also looking to start my own bridal shop in New England and am researching the process. One thing that I am not seeing any articles on is how to start a relationship with a manufacturer or wholesaler and begin ordering dresses. I noticed that many manufacturers have a contact information on their website, but I would like to know more about the process. Does anyone know what the manufacturers want to see before they agree to sell their gowns in your store? How difficult is it to start working with a typical manufacturer. Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!! Sandra

29. Kimberley on 4/29/2010 5:08:59 PM

Hello - i am a manufacturer in Reading, UK. We currently sell our gowns at wholesale prices from around £150 for our own collection and designer gowns from £250-550. Typical RRP we leave down to you as a business but we recommend 3 or 4 times the purchase price. Plus the more you buy sometimes we can negotiate on the prices and particular dresses. If you are interested I would be more than happy to provide you with more details and pictures of dresses that you can purchase. We operate on a cash basis for the first order but over time we allow you to build up credit terms if you can provide references etc. We can be flexible but only once we have completed a few successful transactions with yourselves. Please contact me for details Kimberley on info@platinumweddingcollection.com

34. Brandy B. on 5/13/2010 2:45:52 PM

Hi Mary & everyone else. I am also in California and am currently a wedding planner. I am looking to expand my home-based business by opening up a bridal gift shop. As of right now, I do not want to sell/rent gowns; instead my focus is office space for the planning, selling favors, attendants' gifts, flutes, cake server etc. and also slowly rent out linens. I am in Northern Calif. and in my area alot of the shops are Mexican (latino) based. Everyone runs to San Jose or San Francisco, while I am right in the middle there doesn't seem to be much right in the middle for most brides who are on a true budget. Any thoughts/suggestions?

37. Heidi Bizzini on 5/21/2010 3:13:58 PM

I am selling my bridal business and have inventory of bridal gowns of over 200, bridesmaid samples and dresses to sell, mother of the bride gowns, the racks, accessories, all of the books and vendors #s. Will in to teach new owner how to run business, I am in California, but all of the gowns & accessories can be transferred to your hometown. We have an inventory sheet with all bridal gowns and retail prices the prices are based on our hometown but can be brought up. There is over $55,000 in bridal gowns and $80,000 in inventory. All you need is a location and you can start. The dresses can be sold off the rack, ordered, or rented too. We are asking $30,000, but offers are welcome. My parents are moving to Mississippi and cannot take the business with them. If you are interested please email me @ hnbizzini@aol.com. I ran the business for over a year while I was teaching, but with my parents moving I need to sell the inventory. Great amazing opportunity.

70. Michelle on 9/1/2010 10:26:21 AM

I am looking to start a dress/garment shop where you can buy, sell, rent or trade dresses, suits, outfits for special occasions. I actually am going to meet with our local SBDC tonight to work on a business plan. I want it to basically be a place where people can take their old dresses, suits, etc. that they wore to the prom, or in a wedding,etc. instead of taking them to the thrift store. I have gotten many from yard sales, friends have given them to me, etc. I would like to find where I can get some wholesale at reasonable prices so I have a good range to choose from. I would like to have accessories to go with the outfits, dresses as well. Does anyone have any advice for me? It would be centrally located in a very rural area where now you have to drive 45min or more to a salon and there may only be one or two in that area. I also would like to do alterations and tailoring. I can sew but need some more practice in those areas. There isn't really anywhere to go for schooling or classes in this area for that. I would have to do some on line as best you can as I work during the day. Does anyone know any good, trustworthy websites? I want it to be tailored for those that have the lower income but still want to feel and look special. Hopefully it will work for anyone in this economy. Shop would be located in Northern New York State.

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72 Responses to "Starting a Bridal Shop Business".

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