A bridal shop primarily sells dresses and accessories to brides-to-be and members of bridal party (e.g., the maid of honor, the mother of the bride, etc.) They also offer alteration services so everyone can get the perfect fit. Some bridal shops will also sell gowns for formal occasions, such as prom, etc.
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We have put together this simple guide to starting your bridal shop business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bridal Shop Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
Owners have to calculate the cost of rent, inventory, staff salaries, marketing, and insurance. Costs can be anywhere from several thousand to $50,000 (or more) in the most competitive neighborhoods.
Bridal shop owners will need to account for their inventory, rent/mortgage, and insurance costs. They'll also need to take into account the staff salaries as well as ongoing marketing costs and acquisition of new designers.
The target market can theoretically be any socioeconomic group, as most brides prefer to wear a special frock for their special occasion. Owners will need to choose who they want to cater to when it comes to offering their fashions. For example, selling mainly to middle-class women, but also keeping an off-the-rack section for those who may be watching their pennies.
A bridal shop makes money buying selling wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and other wedding accessories to customers.
Brides are usually willing to splurge on a quality dress, even when their wedding budgets aren't exactly infinite. The average cost of a wedding gown is about $1,100, but brides have been known to spend well into five-figures.
Retail markups are substantial in wedding sales. The wholesale cost of a wedding gown is typically double that of the raw cost of materials, and the retail price is typically double that of wholesale costs. So a dress that cost $500 could easily be sold at $1,000 wholesale and $2,000 in a store.
From accessories to tailoring to autumn formal dresses, there are plenty of ways to entice a wide range of customers into a store. Bridal shops can also consider adding a ‘trunk party’ element to their business where they take their fashions to the bride's home to show off.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your bridal shop business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they're a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business's debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business's liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your bridal shop business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We've negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you're interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bridal shop business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
A bridal shop business is generally run out of a bridal shop. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.
FInd out what types of insurance your Bridal Shop Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bridal Shop Business.
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.
Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
Your promotion techniques will vary greatly depending on your chosen clientele. If you’re selling haute couture for $50,000 or more, you’ll want to network by throwing exclusive parties or similar high-end fashion events. If you’re catering to those who make a more modest income, use internet advertising or television commercials to entice people into your store. Some of the best marketing is having the right staging for your windows. Featuring your best gowns on mannequins is a great way to give potential customers a snapshot of the styles they’ll find inside.
The best thing an owner can do is to concentrate on the little things that make a customer’s experience spectacular. A cup of coffee or a glass of champagne can be a great way to set people at ease and show that you're willing to go the extra mile — especially if you're catering to a middle-class crowd. Customers want quality gowns at affordable prices, but they also want to be treated with respect and compassion during a stressful time.
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.
People who love weddings and fashion will thrive in this business. Weddings are difficult to plan, but they can be extremely rewarding when it all comes together. A bridal shop owner should have an innate sense and passion for highlighting the excitement rather than the stress of weddings.
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
A typical day in a bridal shop will likely involve being on the sales floor as much as possible and researching new trends in formal fashion. Owners will also need to allot time for basic administrative duties, marketing, and stocking merchandise.
Owners should ideally have experience in retail before getting started. They should be organized and have a knack for managing people and tricky situations. Those who design their own wedding dresses may find it difficult to transition from selling ad-hoc dresses to having a full-blown store.
Growth potential for brick-and-mortar bridal shops may be stunted by the growth of online sales, but it’s certainly not impossible to achieve lasting success. The abundance of choices on the market today can be not only overwhelming in terms of abundance but also overwhelming in terms of variety, quality, and costs. Those who can hone in on the most in-demand fashions of the day and provide genuine customer service can build up a steady clientele from the very beginning.
For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
There are a variety of ways to achieve success from your bridal shop business. You may have an eye for designers and a knack for customer service. You may be a talented seamstress or designer who creates true masterpieces for their clients. You may even be able to buy a bridal shop and hire a talented right-hand assistant who can put their vision into reality.
However you choose to make it happen, you need to understand the people behind the purchase. Special occasions are a beloved way to get a break from day-to-day drudgery. You’re selling not just a pretty gown, but an entire experience. People who do well in this business are not only hard workers willing to take on a variety of roles, but also uniquely talented in their ability to put an overwhelmed bride’s mind at ease.
There are also franchise opportunities (e.g., Bride’s Entourage, etc.) for those who aren't quite sure where to begin. Franchising ensures owners start with an established reputation, which can help their store get a leg-up in the very beginning. They'll also have a set business model to follow that has already been proven to be successful with clients. However, even franchise owners need to be willing to think outside the box when it comes to stocking and selling truly unforgettable dresses.
Owners may also want to highlight what makes their store unique from online shopping. Despite the surge in popularity, most people still prefer the personal interaction of shopping in a store. Offering people a one-stop shop in their town is a great way to cut through the confusion and frustration of shopping for a special dress online. Not only is it completely impersonal to buy from a faceless buyer on a website, it also takes some of the magic away from the dress.
Bridal shop owners who choose to do appointment-only consultations don’t necessarily need to build a team right away. However, if you’re planning to run a more traditional store, then it only makes sense to hire people right away. Look for people who have experience in both fashion and customer service. Employees will need to understand the more unique points of the business to succeed.
