Olaoluwa Olowu
Elegant,
glamorous or unique, every bride-to-be wants a perfect wedding
dress.
However,
if you've decided to take up the task of delivering that perfection,
it's
possible that you're a fashion designer going into wedding dress business or
just a business savvy person.
Nevertheless,
it may interest you to know that a wedding dress business is an enjoyable and
high profit venture. Though starting it up is a big task and
coupled
with the fact you need to have an eye for detail if you're going into
the
wedding dress business.
As if
that’s not enough, you will also be dealing with all kinds of brides and
their
entourage: some will be emotional (cry over every single dress), some
will be
loud and some will be rude. But it's your job to provide them with
beautiful
dresses.
Apart
from all these, there's more to a wedding dress business than having
beautiful
dresses on racks.
That’s
why we’ve put together a guideline that will help you start a wedding
dress
business
1.
Research
Look
before you leap! Don't get swept up with the excitement and plans you have for
the business that you forget the most important part of the start
up-
research.
Ask for
advice from business professionals. Find out information about weddings,
wedding dress designers, bridal shops and invest in wedding magazines.
More so,
familiarize yourself with the dos and don'ts of the bridal fashion
industry
(you don't want to be that store owner who doesn't know the
difference
between tulle and chiffon).
2. Location
This is
one of the most important factors that attribute to the success or
failure
of a business.
If you
want your customers to feel comfortable in the environment where
your
business is located, you may want to consider major roads where you
can
easily be noticed or complexes where other wedding related businesses are
located. Set up your business in an area where you will be recognized and
patronized.
Take
notice of the populace surrounding you and make sure you're within
the
right crowd that will promote your business and attract customers.
3. Interior Design
Your
store or office must be designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that the aura
can appeal to your client and her entourage. You want to go for
designs
that exude elegance and glamour.
The
seating arrangements in changing rooms must be convenient for both
small
groups and large groups.
Your
interior design speaks miles about your fashion sense which will
undoubtedly
attract potential customers.
4. Display
When
planning your dress display, be sure to work with a scheme.
Put
dresses with similar color, design or fabric on the same rack so that it's
easier
for the bride-to-be to navigate through your store.
Also,
try not to crowd the racks and you can hire an interior designer to help with
floor management.
If you
have a window display, do not display dresses of the same style at the same
time so that potential customers don't assume that's the only design
you have
to offer. Select a variety of dresses for your window display.
5. Staff
Wedding
dress business is not a task for one person. There are a lot of
logistics
involved and they can't be handled by an individual.
You need
to put together a team - formal or informal. A formal team would
consist
of full time staff while an informal team would be a group of
freelancers.
However,
among others, you need a receptionist/sales person, a fashion
designer
and a fashion tailor (if you're not one). If you're planning to start a
big
business in a large store, a valet would not be a bad idea.
6. Social Media marketing
Social
media is the hub of interactions in the 21st century. It is the fastest way to
promote your business far and wide.
Create
accounts for your business on social media platforms like Twitter,
Instagram
and Facebook – and post your business online.
Keep the
accounts active with pictures of your store and the items you have
for
sale.
However,
be cautious of online fraudsters. Always use watermarks for your pictures.
7. Bridal Accessories
Being a
wedding dress business doesn't restrict you to only dresses. Shoes,
hair
accessories, tiaras, gloves and veils are important accessories for the wedding
dress.
You
should stock up on accessories for every type of bride and every
wedding
dress you have for sale. If you have a set of accessories for every dress, your
customers are definitely going to be impressed.
8.
Beverages
Shopping
can be so tiring, moreso for a bride-to-be. Most stores offer champagne as
beverage while dress shopping but there's no rule that says you can't be
diverse.
Offer a
variety of drinks to the bride and her entourage while the shopping is going on
to make them feel comfortable and relaxed.
9. Network
Talk to
people, create connections and put yourself and your business out
there.
Go to
events where people from the fashion industry or bridal fashion
industry
will be present and promote your business. Interact with people so
you can
get quality referrals and patronage.
We know
that with these, you will be off to a good start in your wedding
dress
business.
Remember!
Don't stock up too much of the same design trend as they keep changing
constantly. Also, make sure you get every available size of each design. Good luck and success!
References:
Chron:
Chron:
BUZZLE:
Resources:
Wikihow:
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