How to Open a Bridal Salon

Even in tough times, brides want to be beautiful. American couples spent an average of $19,581 for a single wedding in 2009, estimates the Wedding Salon. With some business acumen, an eye for bridal style, and a knack for working with people, (including bridezillas) you can open a profitable bridal salon.

Things You'll Need

• Inventory
• Business Plan

Instructions

Steps to Open a Bridal Salon

1. 

   Interview successful bridal shop owners

   Interview successful shop owners in non-competing markets and ask about their retail space. Success is the best form of flattery. Tell bridal boutique owners you want to learn to be successful like them. Find out what bridal events they attend, what tips they have for ordering inventory, and most importantly, what they'd do differently if they had to start their business from scratch. Most wedding boutiques need a rental space of at least 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. Find out from shop owners or from a leasing agent what a space that size rents for.

2. 

   Partner with other successful wedding suppliers

   Partner with others in the wedding business. Weddings are mini-conglomerates. Team with flower shops, jewelry stores, bakeries, suggests Carolyn Mellen, owner of Nesbitt's Flowers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "I usually share a booth with a bridal shop or jewelry store at local wedding conferences, or charity events" says Mellen. "Not only does it keep my booth-cost down, it allows me to introduce myself to the owner of a business whose clients often need flowers." (See References 2) While you're gathering your inventory and deciding on a space, contact local merchants who you can partner with after you open.

3. 

   Study bridal fashions and contact wedding associations

   Study bridal magazines and bridal fashions and contact local and national wedding associations. Wedding organizations like the Wedding Report collect volumes of wedding statistics that will help you stay current. A necessary skill in the bridal boutique business is the ability to order inventory that moves, says Kate Copreski, bridal manager for Catherine's Bridal in New Mexico. (See References 3)

4. 

   Find two to four regular sources for your inventory

   Find your wedding wholesalers and request their wholesale listings. Bridal gowns can be ordered straight from the designer or manufacturer at wholesale prices. Wedding magazines and associations offer a treasure trove of manufactures and suppliers of gowns, dresses for the mother, veils and other accessories. Mellen cautions boutique owners to find two to four regular sources of inventory rather than order from several outlets. "Wholesalers and manufacturers require minimum orders," says Mellen. "Look for manufacturers who carry several items you'll need."

5. 

   Make sure to include accurate costs for all your supplies

   Cost out your supplies. "This is the single most important step in the business," cautions Mellen. "I've seen too many bridal stores have to close down because they ended up not charging brides enough money to cover costs." Include overhead costs, rent, office supplies, labor. Copreski says retail stores must mark up inventory a minimum of 3 to 4 times their costs. Finding the correct mark up means including all your costs.

6. 

   Write a winning plan for your bridal boutique--plan to succeed

   Write a winning plan for your bridal boutique. Include caveats reminding you of mistakes successful business owners have warned you about. The information bridal store owners pass onto you is immeasurable and doesn't come cheap--the owners who made those mistakes paid in time, money, and aggravation.

References

• the "Wedding Report,";Wedding Statistics and Market Research for the Wedding Industry; 2009
• Carolyn Mellen; Nesbitt's Flowers; New Mexico
• Kate Copreski; Catherine's Bridal; New Mexico