We earn commissions if you shop through the links below.  Read more

Bridal Shop

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Bridal Shop

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 30, 2023 Updated on February 14, 2024

How to Start a Bridal Shop

Investment range

$43,500 - $88,300

Revenue potential

$208,000 - $520,000 p.a.

Time to build

Profit potential

$52,000 - $130,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Weddings are special events, and brides want their day to be perfect, especially the wedding dress. Brides agonize over choosing the right dress, and when they find the one they want, they’re willing to spend some serious money to own it. That’s why the U.S. bridal shop industry is worth more than $2 billion.

If you want to tap into that market and help brides achieve their wedding dreams, you could start your own bridal shop. 

But beyond great wedding gown taste, you need to acquire some business knowledge. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide will walk your through the process of starting a successful bridal shop.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

  • High markups on wedding dresses
  • Help blushing brides find their perfect gown
  • Make a good living
  • Competitive industry
  • Deal with Bridezillas
  • High startup costs

Bridal shop industry trends

Industry size and growth.

  • Industry size and past growth – The U.S. bridal stores industry is worth $2.1 billion after declining by 2.3% annually for the last five years due to a huge dip during the pandemic.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/bridal-stores-united-states/ ))
  • Growth forecast – The U.S, bridal stores industry is projected to expand by .7% in 2023.
  • Number of businesses – In 2021, 5,765 bridal store businesses were operating in the U.S.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bridal-stores-industry/ ))
  • Number of people employed – In 2021, the U.S. bridal store industry employed 18,380 people. 

Bridal industry size and growth

Trends and challenges

  • Interestingly, colorful wedding dresses were in the spotlight at 2022s bridal fashion week.
  • Many brides are interested in bridal separates that can be worn again as a fashion statement.
  • The trend with millennials is to ‘dress down’ for their wedding, decreasing the demand for bridal gowns.
  • Supply chain issues are causing delays in inventory shipments for bridal shops.

Bridal Shop Trends and Challenges

How much does it cost to start a bridal shop business?

Startup costs for a bridal shop range from $45,000 to $85,000. Expenses include space rental, space preparation, and inventory. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your bridal shop business, including: 

  • Dress racks
  • Dressing room fixtures

How much can you earn from a bridal shop business?

The average price of a wedding dress is around $2,000. Your profit margin after your costs of the dresses and other expenses should be about 25%. 

In your first year or two, you could sell two dresses a week, bringing in $208,000 in revenue. This would mean $52,000 in profit, assuming that 25% margin. 

As you gain traction, sales could climb to five dresses a week. With annual revenue of $520,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $130,000.

Bridal Shop earning forecast

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a bridal shop. Your biggest challenges will be:

  • Funding the startup costs
  • Finding a good location
  • Breaking into a competitive market

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a Bridal Shop

How to Open a Wedding Venue

How to Start a Bridal Shop

How to Start a Wedding Planning Business

How to Start a Bridal Shop

How to Start a Wedding Photography Business

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a bridal shop, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research could give you the upper hand even if you’ve got the perfect product. Conducting robust market research is crucial, as it will help you better understand your customers, your competitors, and the broader business landscape.

Analyze your competitors 

Research bridal shops in your area to examine their products, price points, and customer reviews.

  • Make a list of bridal shops that offer similar products. 
  • Review your competitors’ products – their features, pricing, and quality – and marketing strategies.
  • Check out their online reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, and Facebook to get an idea of what their customers like and dislike.
  • Identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. 

This should identify areas where you can strengthen your business and gain a competitive edge to make better business decisions.

Why? Identify an opportunity

You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a bridal boutique that also offers prom dresses, or a bridal shop that sells designer wedding dresses.

business plan for bridal wear company

You might consider targeting a niche, such as colorful bridal gowns.

In addition to wedding dresses, you could offer bridal accessories, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, and prom dresses. 

How much should you charge for wedding dresses?

The pricing for wedding dresses varies widely depending on several factors:

  • Brand and Designer : Designer dresses from well-known brands typically cost more due to their reputation, design exclusivity, and quality.
  • Material and Craftsmanship : High-quality materials like silk, lace, or hand-embroidered details add to the cost. The more intricate the design and the higher the quality of the material, the more expensive the dress.
  • Customization : Custom-made dresses are usually more expensive than off-the-rack options. The cost increases with the level of customization and the complexity of the design.
  • Location and Market : Prices can vary depending on where you are selling. High-end boutiques in big cities often charge more than stores in smaller towns.
  • Target Market : Consider the average income and spending habits of your target market. Luxury markets can bear higher prices than more budget-conscious ones.
  • Overheads and Profit Margin : Factor in the costs of running your business (rent, utilities, staff wages, etc.) and the profit margin you aim to achieve.
  • Competition : Research what similar businesses in your area are charging. Pricing too high or too low compared to competitors can affect your market position.

Generally, wedding dresses can range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Once you know your costs, use this our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market, of course, will mainly be brides, but it could also be the bride’s parents. You should spread out your marketing to include TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. You could also advertise on bridal blogs. 

Where? Choose a bridal shop location

Here’s what to consider when choosing the right location for a bridal shop:

  • Target Market Proximity : Ensure the location is easily accessible to your target demographic.
  • Visibility and Accessibility : Choose a spot that’s visible and easy to get to, preferably with ample parking.
  • Competition Analysis : Avoid areas with high competition unless you offer something unique.
  • Foot Traffic : A location with high foot traffic can increase visibility and attract walk-in customers.
  • Size and Layout : Ensure the space is large enough for your inventory and fitting areas, with a welcoming layout.
  • Local Amenities : Nearby amenities like cafes and other bridal services can draw more customers.

Bridal Shop Business idea rating

Step 3: Brainstorm a Bridal Shop Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

  • Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
  • Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
  • Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
  • Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
  • Including keywords, such as “bridal shop” or “bridal salon”, boosts SEO
  • Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Eternal Celebrations” over “Luxury Brides”
  • Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
  • Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead and reserve your business name with your state, start the trademark registration process, and complete your domain registration and social media account creation. 

Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick a name, reserve it and start with the branding, it’s hard to switch to a new name. So be sure to carefully consider your choice before moving forward. 

Step 4: Create a Bridal Shop Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

  • Executive Summary: Provide a brief summary of your business plan, highlighting your vision, target market, and competitive edge in the bridal industry.
  • Business Overview: Describe your bridal shop, its location, the types of bridal attire and accessories you’ll offer, and the unique features that will make your shop stand out.
  • Product and Services: Detail the range of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories, and alteration services your shop will provide to brides and bridal parties.
  • Market Analysis: Analyze the bridal market in your area, including trends, customer preferences, and the size of the target audience seeking bridal attire.
  • Competitive Analysis: Identify and evaluate your competitors in the bridal industry, highlighting what differentiates your shop, such as exclusive designer collections or exceptional customer service.
  • Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategies for attracting brides-to-be, including advertising, social media presence, bridal fairs, and partnerships with wedding vendors.
  • Management Team: Introduce the key members of your team, emphasizing their expertise in fashion, retail, and customer service.
  • Operations Plan: Explain how your bridal shop will operate day-to-day, covering aspects like inventory management, fitting appointments, and staff training.
  • Financial Plan: Present financial projections, including sales forecasts, pricing strategies, and startup costs, to demonstrate the financial viability of your business.
  • Appendix: Include any supplementary materials, such as images of bridal collections, vendor agreements, or testimonials from satisfied brides, to support your business plan.

what to include in a business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to bridal shops. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your bridal shop will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

  • Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
  • General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
  • Limited Liability Company ( LLC ) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.  Here’s how to form an LLC .
  • C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.  Read how to start a corporation here .
  • S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

types of business structures

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

business plan for bridal wear company

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

business plan for bridal wear company

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

  • Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
  • SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
  • Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
  • Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
  • Crowdfunding:  Websites like  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo  offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like  Fundable  and  WeFunder  enable multiple investors to fund your business.
  • Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a bridal shop business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.  

types of business financing

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses/Permits

Starting a bridal shop business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your bridal shop business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

  • General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
  • Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
  • Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
  • Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
  • Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
  • Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
  • Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
  • Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

types of business insurance

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Lightspeed , BridalLive , or Poppy , to manage your inventory, appointments, purchases, and sales. 

  • Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
  • If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Create a website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism. You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

To showcase wedding dresses on your website, use high-quality images that highlight each dress’s details and design, and provide concise descriptions including fabric, sizes, and prices. This visual and informative approach helps customers easily envision and choose their perfect dress.

Your customers are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. SEO will help your website appear closer to the top in relevant search results, a crucial element for increasing sales. 

Make sure that you optimize calls to action on your website. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Reserve Now”. This can sharply increase purchases.

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

  • Social Media Storytelling: Leverage platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share real stories of brides finding their dream dresses in your shop, creating an emotional connection with potential customers.
  • Collaborate with Wedding Vendors: Partner with local florists, photographers, and wedding planners to cross-promote services, expanding your reach within the wedding industry.
  • Host Exclusive Events: Organize VIP shopping nights or bridal fairs, offering exclusive discounts to attendees and creating a buzz around your shop.
  • Online Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on popular review sites, enhancing your shop’s credibility and influencing potential brides.
  • Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program offering discounts on accessories or future purchases for brides who refer others or make repeat visits.
  • Showcase Trends: Stay current with bridal trends and regularly update your social media with fresh content, positioning your shop as a go-to destination for the latest styles.
  • Local SEO Optimization: Optimize your online presence for local search, ensuring that brides in your area can easily find your shop when searching for bridal attire.
  • Influencer Collaborations: Partner with local influencers or brides-to-be who have a significant following on social media to showcase your dresses and reach a broader audience.
  • Themed Photo Shoots: Arrange styled photo shoots featuring your dresses in unique settings, creating shareable content for social media and establishing your brand as aspirational.
  • Referral Discounts: Create a referral program where satisfied customers receive discounts for referring friends, tapping into the power of word-of-mouth marketing.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your bridal shop meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your bridal shop business could be:

  • Sip champagne while you find the perfect wedding gown
  • Designer wedding dresses – get the luxury you deserve
  • Bridal gowns for less

unique selling proposition

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a bridal shop business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in bridal shops for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in bridal shops. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a bridal shop business include:

  • Store Clerks – assist customers, make sales
  • Seamstress – make alterations
  • Marketing Lead – create and implement marketing strategies
  • General Manager – accounting, inventory management

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Bridal Shop – Start Making Money!

Weddings are back in full force with the pandemic winding down, so now could be a great time to start a bridal shop. You’ll be helping lovely brides find the dress of their dreams, and making a nice profit at the same time. Who knows, maybe your shop could expand and become the next David’s Bridal.

You’ve got the business know-how now, so you’re ready to find a great location and get your bridal shop up and running!

  • Bridal Shop Business FAQs

Markups on wedding gowns are high, so a bridal shop can be very profitable. You just need to follow what’s trending to select the right inventory.

You’ll help new brides select dresses and measure them for alterations needed. You may also have customers come in by appointment.

A bridal shop can grow by adding new locations, or even by franchising. David’s Bridal is an example of a bridal shop that grew significantly.

Theoretically, you could have a bridal shop and take clients by appointment only. You may lose customers, though, if you can’t book appointments at convenient times.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Decide if the Business Is Right for You
  • Hone Your Idea
  • Brainstorm a Bridal Shop Name
  • Create a Bridal Shop Business Plan
  • Register Your Business
  • Register for Taxes
  • Fund your Business
  • Apply for Business Licenses/Permits
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get Business Insurance
  • Prepare to Launch
  • Build Your Team
  • Run a Bridal Shop - Start Making Money!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

14 Gift Shop Business Ideas

14 Gift Shop Business Ideas

Victoria Yu

Published on December 21, 2022

Gift shop goods can provide a fond memory of a trip or let others know you’re thinking of them while away. For locals, gift shops are a great wayt ...

18 Party Business Ideas

18 Party Business Ideas

Carolyn Young

Published on July 21, 2022

If you like to socialize and have great organizing skills, then starting a party-related business might be the perfect career choice. Greatattention ...

48 Business Ideas For Couples

48 Business Ideas For Couples

Esther Strauss

Published on July 12, 2022

A lot of people who love each other want to spend as much time together as possible, and one way to do that is to start a business together. You and ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

ProfitableVenture

Bridal Shop Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Fashion Industry » Bridal Shop & Wedding Rental

Bridal Shop Business

Are you about starting a bridal shop ? If YES, here is a complete sample bridal shop business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

A business like bridal shop falls into the category that stays evergreen; you can be certain that there would be wedding ceremonies at least once in a week in your city or town and brides would usually shop for their wedding gowns and accessories from a bridal shop.

So if you are looking for a business to start as an aspiring entrepreneur who has interest for selling stuffs, then one of your options is to open a bridal shop in your city.

One good thing about this type of business is that you don’t need to categorically enroll in a conventional school to learn how to start and run this type of business; it is a business that requires basic business skills such as customer service, accounting skills, bargaining skills, people skills cum networking skills and of course overall business management skills.

A Sample Bridal Shop Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Bridal Shops are retail outlets that predominantly retail bridal wear, including wedding gowns, veils and other accessories such as shoes, ties, gloves and jewelry. Stores also typically provide alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves. Some of them also go as far as renting wedding gowns and other wedding accessories et al.

A study conducted by IBISWORLD reported that the Bridal Shops industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.3 percent per year on average during the five years to 2016. In the report, the pointed out that rising disposable income and economic recovery has encouraged consumers to boost their wedding budgets.

On the other hand, the slowly declining marriage rate has stemmed industry gains. Many consumers are choosing to postpone marriage while cohabitation outside the traditional bonds of marriage has grown increasingly common.

Despite declining numbers, couples that marry later in life tend to have higher wedding budgets and can afford more expensive bridal wear, which benefits the industry. Despite positive economic conditions, rising completion and a declining marriage rate are expected to result in industry revenue falling 0.5 percent in 2016 to $2.9 billion.

The Bridal Shop industry is a thriving and profitable business venture in most countries of the world. Statistics has it that in the united states alone, the bridal shop industry generates a whooping sum of well over $3 billion annually from more than 5,306 bridal shop outlets scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the direct employment of well over 46,156 people. Experts project the bridal shop industry to grow at a 0.3 percent annual rate between 2011 and 2016. David’s Bridal can boast of having a lion market share in the industry.

The Bridal Shops industry has minimal barriers to entry, with low start – up capital and no specific licensing requirements.

The majority of bridal shops operate as a one – outlet business and the capital costs of establishing bridal retail outlets are not substantial relative to many other retail industries, such as department stores with chains of outlets all over the country.

On the other hand, the high level of competition and market saturation in a declining industry can prove challenging to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own bridal shop – business. Most players in the bridal shop industry are small- to medium-size establishments that cater to the local community.

Over and above, the bridal shop industry is a profitable industry and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can chose to start on a small scale in a street corner like the average mom and pop business or you can chose to start on a large scale with several outlets in key cities.

2. Executive Summary

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is a standard and registered bridal shop business that will be located in one of the busiest business cum market districts in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

We have been able to lease a shop facility along a major road that is big enough to fit into the design of the kind of bridal shop that we intend launching and the shop facility is located in a corner piece property directly opposite the largest shopping mall in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC will be involved in retailing and also renting wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories.

We will also be involved in helping our clients provide alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves et al.

We are aware that there are several large and small bridal shops all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering. We have delivery service options for our customers, and our outlet is well secured with the various payment options.

Our customer care will be second to none in the whole of Baton Rouge – Louisiana. We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they visit our bridal shop and also to become our loyal customers and ambassadors.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our plan is to position Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC to become the leading brand in the bridal shops industry in the whole of Louisiana, and also to be amongst the top 10 bridal shops in whole of the United States of America within the first 10 years of opening our first bridal shop.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Baton Rouge – Louisiana is the right place to launch our bridal shop business before spreading to other parts of the United States.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is a family business that is owned by Isabella Marcos and her sister Nancy Marcos. Both of them have combined experiences, qualifications and skills that will help them grow the business from startup to profitability within the shortest time frame possible.

Although the business is launching out with just one outlet in Baton Rouge – Louisiana, but there is a plan to open other outlets all around key cities in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is in the bridal shops industry to make profits and we will ensure we go all the way to make available a wide range of bridal wears, accessories and other related merchandize to our clients. We will ensure that we do all that is permitted by the law in the United States of America to achieve our business goal and ambition.

Our product and service offerings are listed below;

  • Retailing and renting bridal / wedding gowns
  • Retailing bridal accessories
  • Retailing and renting bridesmaid dresses
  • Providing alterations and other related services
  • Retailing and renting groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits
  • Retailing dress and suit accessories

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

  • Our vision is to become the leading bridal shop – brand in the bridal shops industry in the whole of Louisiana and also to be amongst the top 10 bridal shop brands in the United States of America.
  • Our mission is to establish a bridal shop business that will make available a wide range of bridal wears and accessories at affordable prices to the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana and other cities in the United States where we intend opening of chains of bridal shops.

Our Business Structure

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is a bridal shop that intends to start small in Baton Rouge – Louisiana, but looks to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading bridal shops both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class bridal shop business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hiring the best hands within our area of operations.

At Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions in our organization;

  • Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
  • Shop Manager
  • Human Resources and Admin Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Information Technologist

  • Accountants / Cashiers
  • Customer Services Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Chief Florist):

  • Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
  • Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
  • Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
  • Responsible for providing direction for the business
  • Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
  • Evaluates the success of the organization
  • Reports to the board

Admin and HR Manager

  • Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
  • Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
  • Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
  • Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
  • Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
  • Carries out staff induction for new team members
  • Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
  • Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
  • Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Shop Manager:

  • Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store
  • Ensures that proper records of goods are kept and our racks and warehouse does not run out of products
  • Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
  • Interfaces with third – party suppliers (vendors)
  • Controls goods distribution and supply inventory
  • Supervises the workforce
  • Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
  • Help to ensure consistent quality of bridal wears and accessories in our shop
  • Responsible for the purchase of bridal wears, accessories and related products for the organizations
  • Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
  • Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
  • Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
  • Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
  • Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
  • Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
  • Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
  • Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
  • Documents all customer contact and information
  • Represents the company in strategic meetings
  • Helps increase sales and growth for the company
  • Manages the organization website
  • Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
  • Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
  • Manages logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
  • Manages the organization’s CCTV
  • Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Accountant / Cashier:

  • Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
  • Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
  • Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
  • Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
  • Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
  • Responsible for administering payrolls
  • Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
  • Handles all financial transactions for the organization
  • Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Client Service Executive / Sales Agents

  • Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
  • Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
  • Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
  • Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries (answer customer queries regarding the store and the merchandise)
  • Finds out the customer’s needs, recommend, select and help locate the right merchandise, describe a product’s features and benefits.
  • make suggestions and encourage purchase of products
  • Provides information about warranties, manufacturing specifications, care and maintenance of merchandise and delivery options
  • Bags or packages purchases and gift wrap merchandise
  • Responsible for cleaning the shop facility at all times
  • Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
  • Cleans both the interior and exterior of the store facility
  • Handles any other duty as assigned by the shop manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our intention of starting just one outlet of our bridal shop in Baton Rouge – Louisiana is to test run the business for a period of 2  to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then open other outlets all across the United States of America.

We are quite aware that there are several bridal shops all over Baton Rouge – Louisiana and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be welled equipped to confront our threats.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC;

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (brick and mortar bridal shop and online bridal store), varieties of payment options, wide range of bridal wears and related accessories and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC.

So also our management team members are people who have what it takes to grow a business from start – up to profitability with a record time.

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new bridal retail store outlet in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – million dollars bridal shop outlets like David’s Bridal and co when it comes to retailing at a rock bottom prices for all their bridal wears and other wedding accessories.

  • Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our bridal shop in one of the busiest streets in Baton Rouge – Louisiana provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell or rent our bridal wears and related products to a large number of people.

We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they visit our bridal shop; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new bridal shop in same location where ours is located. We are not ruling out the fact that unfavorable government policy can also pose a threat to our business.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

  • Market Trends

In this era when the online community is growing rapidly, you would do your business a whole lot of favor if you create your own online presence.

One of the easiest ways to get people to see you as an expert in your line of business is to Instagram and blog constantly about wedding and brides. You may also want to leverage on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and others to publicize your bridal shop business.

You can as well go ahead to open an online bridal shop where people can order wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories from your shop.

You must ensure that your delivery system (shipping) is efficient if you intend to do well with your online bridal shop. Despite the fact that the slowly declining marriage rate has limited growth for the bridal shops industry, economic recovery has increased consumers’ wedding budgets and boosted demand for price-premium wedding products retailed by this industry.

Going forward, bridal shops are expected to increasingly invest in labor to provide superior customer service and differentiate from online retailers, however, rising wage costs will likely limit profit for players in this industry. Rising disposable income will on the other hand boost wedding budgets and couples that postpone marriage typically generate stronger incomes, translating to higher wedding budgets

One smart thing you may do for your business is to prepare a comprehensive catalogue that contains all form of wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories.

Your catalog should be your number one marketing tool so you must ensure that it is well designed and of high quality. You should be ready to always update your catalog when you have new designs – that is where your graphics skills will come in handy.

Another key factor that could help you grow your business fast is to leverage on existing platforms. You can join a wedding planners association in your area, as well as can partner with wedding and event planners in your area.

So also you should join the trend and don’t limit your business to just retailing, you and as well start renting wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories. It is a way of making additional income.

8. Our Target Market

Wedding is an event that one can be certain will take place in a town, community or city at least once in week. This goes to show that if a bridal shop is well positioned and well stocked, then they will continue to sell their products to a wide range of clients on a regular basis.

In view of that, we have positioned our bridal shop to service the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana and every other location where our bridal shop will be located in key cities all over the United States of America. We have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us.

We are in business to retail and rent a wide range of wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories to about to wed couples.

Our competitive advantage

A close study of the bridal shops industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry.

We are aware of the stiffer competition and we are well prepared to compete favorably with other bridal shops in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is launching a standard bridal shop that will indeed become the preferred choice of residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Our bridal shop is located in a corner piece property on a busy road directly opposite one of the largest residential estates in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. We have enough parking spaces that can accommodate well over 20 cars per time.

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (brick and mortar bridal shop and online bridal store), varieties of payment options, wide range of bridal wears and related accessories and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a competitive advantage for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC.

So also, our management team members are people who have what it takes to grow a business from start – up to profitability with a record time.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups flower shops) in the florist industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

  • Sources of Income

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is in business to retail a wide range of bridal wears, bridal accessories and related products to the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana. We are in the bridal shop industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.

In essence, our source of income will be the retailing and renting of a wide range of bridal wears and other related products at affordable prices. We will generate income by;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to bridal shop business, if your shop is well stocked and centrally positioned, you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the bridal shop industry and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Below is the sales projections for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to bridal shop start – ups in the United States;

  • First Fiscal Year-: $120,000
  • Second Fiscal Year-: $350,000
  • Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same products and customer care services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

  • Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC, we conduct a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the bridal shops industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell the bridal wears, bridal accessories and related products that are available in our shop which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver.

In summary, Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

  • Open our bridal shop in a grand style with a party for all.
  • Introduce our bridal shop business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations, religious centers, wedding planners, singles forums / clubs households and key stake holders in Orlando, Florida
  • Ensure that we have a wide range of bridal wears, bridal accessories and other related merchandize in our shop at all times.
  • Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our bridal shop
  • Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Louisiana
  • Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
  • Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
  • Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our bridal shop.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our bridal shop is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around the United States of America which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Baton Rouge – Louisiana before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC;

  • Place adverts on community based newspapers, wedding planning magazines, radio stations and TV stations.
  • Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
  • Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
  • Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana
  • Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
  • Contact corporate organizations, households, religious centers, singles forum / clubs and wedding planners et al by calling them up and informing them of Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC and the products we sell
  • Advertise Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
  • Brand all our official cars and vans and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to retailers and bridal shops, it is normal for consumers to go to places (bridal shops) where they can get bridal wears and related merchandize at affordable price which is why big players line David’s Bridal and co in the florist industry will continue to attract loads of consumers.

We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with bigger and well – established bridal shops, but we will ensure that the prices of all the products that are available in our bridal shop are competitive with what is obtainable amongst bridal shops within our level.

  • Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC will make available to her clients;

  • Payment via bank transfer
  • Payment with cash
  • Payment via credit cards / Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via mobile money transfer
  • Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for our bridal wear, bridal accessories and other related merchandise.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a bridal shop business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

  • The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $750.
  • Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
  • Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
  • The total cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
  • The total cost for the purchase of insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
  • The cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
  • The cost for shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
  • Other start-up expenses including stationery ( $500 ) and phone and utility deposits ( $2,500 ).
  • Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
  • The cost for start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen tuxedos and suits, dress and suit accessories and other related merchandize) – $100,000
  • The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
  • The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs: $5,000
  • The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al): $4,000.
  • The cost of launching a website: $600
  • The cost for our opening party: $5,000
  • Miscellaneous: $5,000

We would need an estimate of $350,000 to successfully set up our bridal shop in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funds / Startup Capital for Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Isabelle Marcos and Nancy Marcos. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

  • Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
  • Source for soft loans from family members and friends
  • Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 ( Personal savings $70,000 and soft loan from family members $30,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail and rent our bridal wears, bridal accessories and other related merchandize a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Isabella & Nancy ™ Bridal Shop, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

  • Business Name Availability Check: Completed
  • Business Registration: Completed
  • Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
  • Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
  • Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
  • Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
  • Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
  • Application for business license and permit: Completed
  • Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
  • Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
  • Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
  • Generating capital from family members: Completed
  • Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
  • Writing of Business Plan: Completed
  • Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
  • Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
  • Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
  • Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
  • Recruitment of employees: In Progress
  • Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
  • Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
  • Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
  • Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
  • Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
  • Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our shop: Completed
  • Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of bridal wears, bridal accessories and related merchandize, wedding planners and other stake holders: In Progress

Related Posts:

  • Online Jewelry Store Business Plan [Sample Template]
  • Baby Clothing Store Business Plan [Sample Template]
  • Garment Manufacturing Business Plan [Sample Template]
  • Leggings Manufacturing Business Plan [Sample Template]
  • Bridal Shop Organizational Structure – Job Description & Roles
  • 20 Best Types of Hanger for Bridal Shop
  • How to Get Inventory for Bridal Shop

How to Start a Bridal Shop Business

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.

Learn how to start your own Bridal Shop Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Bridal Shop Business Image

Start a bridal shop business by following these 10 steps:

  • Plan your Bridal Shop Business
  • Form your Bridal Shop Business into a Legal Entity
  • Register your Bridal Shop Business for Taxes
  • Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  • Set up Accounting for your Bridal Shop Business
  • Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bridal Shop Business
  • Get Bridal Shop Business Insurance
  • Define your Bridal Shop Business Brand
  • Create your Bridal Shop Business Website
  • Set up your Business Phone System

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 .

STEP 1: Plan your business

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:

What will you name your business?

  • What are the startup and ongoing costs?
  • Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

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:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your bridal shop business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a bridal shop business.

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.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bridal shop business?

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.

Who is the target market?

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.

How does a bridal shop business make money?

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.

How much profit can a bridal shop business make?

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.

How can you make your business more profitable?

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!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your bridal shop business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

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.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

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 .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

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.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

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 .

Certificate of Occupancy

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.

  • If you plan to lease a location :
  • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
  • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a bridal shop business.
  • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location :
  • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
  • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your bridal shop business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

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.

STEP 8: Define your brand

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.

How to promote & market a bridal shop business

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.

How to keep customers coming back

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.

STEP 9: Create your business website

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:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

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 .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

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.

TRUiC's Startup Podcast

Welcome to the Startup Savant podcast , where we interview real startup founders at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from launch to scale.

Is this Business Right For You?

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.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bridal shop business?

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.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bridal shop business?

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.

What is the growth potential for a bridal shop business?

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.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

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.

Learn from other 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.

Resources to Help Women in Business

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.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a bridal shop business?

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.

How and when to build a team

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.

Useful Links

Real world examples.

  • David's Bridal
  • Becker's Bridal

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

How to write a business plan for a bridal store?

bridal store business plan

Putting together a business plan for a bridal store can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing bridal store, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a bridal store?

  • What information is needed to create a business plan for a bridal store?
  • How do I build a financial forecast for a bridal store?

The written part of a bridal store business plan

  • What tool should I use to write my bridal store business plan?

Having a clear understanding of why you want to write a business plan for your bridal store will make it simpler for you to grasp the rationale behind its structure and content. So before delving into the plan's actual details, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the primary reasons why you'd want to create a bridal store business plan.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your bridal store. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your bridal store to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your bridal store, you'll focus on three key areas:

  • Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
  • Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
  • Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your bridal store's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Whether you are a startup or an existing business, writing a detailed bridal store business plan is essential when seeking financing from banks or investors.

This makes sense given what we've just seen: financiers want to ensure you have a clear roadmap and visibility on your future cash flows.

Banks will use the information included in the plan to assess your borrowing capacity (how much debt your business can support) and your ability to repay the loan before deciding whether they will extend credit to your business and on what terms.

Similarly, investors will review your plan carefully to assess if their investment can generate an attractive return on investment.

To do so, they will be looking for evidence that your bridal store has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand why it is important to create a business plan for a bridal store, let's take a look at what information is needed to create one.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Software

Information needed to create a business plan for a bridal store

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your bridal store business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for a bridal store

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a bridal store is essential to ensure that the financial projections are accurate and realistic.

Market research helps you gain insight into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies and other key factors which can have an impact on the commercial success of your business.

In particular, it is useful in forecasting revenue as it provides valuable data regarding potential customers’ spending habits and preferences.

You might discover that many brides-to-be are looking for unique and personalized details when it comes to their wedding gowns. This could be a trend that suggests more customers may be interested in custom-made gowns. Additionally, you might find that many brides are interested in eco-friendly options for their weddings. This could mean that customers may be looking for bridal gowns made from sustainable fabrics.

This information can then be used to create more accurate financial projections which will help investors make informed decisions about investing in your bridal store.

Developing the marketing plan for a bridal store

Before delving into your bridal store business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a bridal store

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your bridal store or expanding its horizons, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is vital to ensure your business's success.

To achieve this, both the recruitment and investment plans must align coherently with the projected timing and level of growth in your forecast. It is essential to secure appropriate funding for these plans.

A bridal store might incur staffing costs such as salaries for sales staff and seamstresses, as well as costs associated with recruiting and training new personnel. In terms of equipment costs, a bridal store might need to purchase measuring tapes and fabric for dress alterations, mannequins for displaying dresses, and sewing machines for making custom pieces. Additionally, the store might need to purchase computers and other technology such as point-of-sale systems in order to facilitate transactions.

To create a financial forecast that accurately represents your business's outlook, remember to factor in other day-to-day operating expenses.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to dive in and start creating your business plan and developing the financial forecast for your bridal store.

What goes into your bridal store's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your bridal store's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a bridal store are:

  • The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
  • The projected balance sheet ,
  • The cash flow forecast ,
  • And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a bridal store shows how much revenue and profits your business is expected to generate in the future.

projected profit and loss statement example in a bridal store business plan

Ideally, your bridal store's P&L statement should show:

  • Healthy growth - above inflation level
  • Improving or stable profit margins
  • Positive net profit

Expectations will vary based on the stage of your business. A startup will be expected to grow faster than an established bridal store. And similarly, an established company should showcase a higher level of profitability than a new venture.

The projected balance sheet of your bridal store

Your bridal store's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

  • Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
  • Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
  • Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

example of forecasted balance sheet in a bridal store business plan

Your bridal store's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

  • Your bridal store's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
  • And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a bridal store shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

example of cash flow forecast in a bridal store business plan

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

  • The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
  • The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
  • The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your bridal store business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan, also known as a sources and uses table, is a valuable resource to have in your business plan when starting your bridal store as it reveals the origins of the money needed to establish the business (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

bridal store business plan: sources & uses example

Having this table helps show what costs are involved in setting up your bridal store, how risks are shared between founders, investors and lenders, and what the starting cash position will be. This cash position needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business reaches a break-even point.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what goes into the financial forecast of your bridal store business plan, let's shift our focus to the written part of the plan.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Templates

The written part of the business plan is where you will explain what your business does and how it operates, what your target market is, whom you compete against, and what strategy you will put in place to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified.

Having this context is key for the reader to form a view on whether or not they believe that your plan is achievable and the numbers in your forecast realistic.

The written part of a bridal store business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

  • The executive summary
  • The presentation of the company
  • The products and services
  • The market analysis
  • The strategy
  • The operations
  • The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your bridal store's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your bridal store, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

In your bridal store business plan, the second section should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide an overview of the business's legal structure, details about the owners, and their respective investments and ownership shares. This clarity is crucial, especially if you're seeking financing, as it helps the reader understand which legal entity will receive the funds and who controls the business.

Moving on to the location part, you'll offer an overview of the company's premises and their surroundings. Explain why this particular location is of interest, highlighting factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your bridal store to a third party financier, you could emphasize its potential for success. You might point out that the store is situated in a bustling area, with a high population density. You could explain that the area experiences a lot of foot traffic, and that the store is close to a variety of attractions and amenities. You could also mention that the area is well-serviced by public transportation, which could make it easy for potential customers to access the store. Finally, you could stress the potential for your store to draw customers from the nearby suburbs, which could expand your store's customer base.

Finally, you should introduce your management team. Describe each member's role, background, and experience.

Don't forget to emphasize any past successes achieved by the management team and how long they've been working together. Demonstrating their track record and teamwork will help potential lenders or investors gain confidence in their leadership and ability to execute the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your bridal store might offer wedding gowns, tuxedos, and bridesmaid dresses to its customers. Wedding gowns provide the bride with a beautiful and special dress for her special day. Tuxedos give the groom and groomsmen the opportunity to look polished and classy on the wedding day. Bridesmaid dresses provide the bridal party with coordinating dresses that match the style of the wedding. All of these products help create a memorable and beautiful day for the bride and groom.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When outlining your market analysis in the bridal store business plan, it's essential to include comprehensive details about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and relevant regulations.

The primary aim of this section is to give the reader an understanding of the market size and appeal while demonstrating your expertise in the industry.

To begin, delve into the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your bridal store, key marketplace trends, and introducing various customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, shift your focus to the target market subsection, where you can zoom in on the specific customer segments your bridal store targets. Explain how your products and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include brides-to-be who are actively planning their wedding. They would be looking for wedding dresses, tuxedos, and other accessories and decorations for their special day. They would also be willing to pay a premium for quality items that fit their vision of the perfect wedding.

In the competition subsection, introduce your main competitors and explain what sets your bridal store apart from them.

Finally, round off your market analysis by providing an overview of the main regulations that apply to your bridal store.

5. The strategy section

When writing the strategy section of a business plan for your bridal store, it is essential to include information about your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

The competitive edge subsection should explain what sets your company apart from its competitors. This part is especially key if you are writing the business plan of a startup, as you have to make a name for yourself in the marketplace against established players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you intend to remain profitable while still offering competitive prices to your customers.

The sales & marketing plan should outline how you intend to reach out and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones with loyalty programs or special offers. 

The milestones subsection should outline what your company has achieved to date, and its main objectives for the years to come - along with dates so that everyone involved has clear expectations of when progress can be expected.

The risks and mitigants subsection should list the main risks that jeopardize the execution of your plan and explain what measures you have taken to minimize these. This is essential in order for investors or lenders to feel secure in investing in your venture.

Your bridal store faces a variety of potential risks. For example, you may face the risk of theft and vandalism. If a thief breaks into your store or if someone vandalizes your property, you could suffer a significant financial loss. Additionally, you may face the risk of a natural disaster. If your area is impacted by a flood, hurricane, or other weather event, you could experience significant damage to your store and lose merchandise as a result.

6. The operations section

The operations of your bridal store must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your bridal store - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You might have key assets such as your inventory of bridal gowns and wedding accessories, as well as your customer database. Your customer database could give you valuable insights into your customers' preferences, allowing you to better tailor your services. Additionally, your intellectual property may include your logo, website design, and any unique trademarks or slogans associated with your business.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into a bridal store business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my bridal store's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your bridal store business plan:

  • Using specialized business planning software,
  • Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your bridal store's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a bridal store business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

  • You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
  • You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
  • You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
  • You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
  • You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
  • You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
  • You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Need a solid financial forecast?

The Business Plan Shop does the maths for you. Simply enter your revenues, costs and investments. Click save and our online tool builds a three-way forecast for you instantly.

Screenshot from The Business Plan Shop's Financial Forecasting Software

Hiring a business plan writer to write your bridal store's business plan

Outsourcing your bridal store business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are skilled in creating error-free business plans and accurate financial forecasts. Moreover, hiring a consultant can save you valuable time, allowing you to focus on day-to-day business operations.

However, it's essential to be aware that hiring business plan writers will be expensive, as you're not only paying for their time but also the software they use and their profit margin.

Based on experience, you should budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a comprehensive business plan, and more if you require changes after initial discussions with lenders or investors.

Also, exercise caution when seeking investment. Investors prefer their funds to be directed towards business growth rather than spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be insignificant compared to the amount raised.

Keep in mind that one drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself; you only receive the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business planning software. This can make it challenging to update the document without retaining the consultant's services.

For these reasons, carefully consider outsourcing your bridal store business plan to a business plan writer, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of seeking outside assistance.

Why not create your bridal store's business plan using Word or Excel?

I must advise against using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write your bridal store business plan. Let me explain why.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is highly technical and requires a strong grasp of accounting principles and financial modelling skills. It is, therefore, unlikely that anyone will fully trust your numbers unless you have both a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, like us at The Business Plan Shop.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the only option in the past, technology has advanced significantly, and software can now perform these tasks much faster and with greater accuracy. With the rise of AI, software can even help us detect mistakes in forecasts and analyze the numbers for better decision-making.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software makes it easier to compare actuals versus forecasts and maintain up-to-date forecasts to keep visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This task is cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's talk about the written part of your bridal store business plan. While it may be less error-prone, using software can bring tremendous gains in productivity. Word processors, for example, lack instructions and examples for each part of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they don't handle formatting for you.

Overall, while Word or Excel may seem viable for some entrepreneurs to create a business plan, it's by far becoming an antiquated way of doing things.

  • Using business plan software is a modern and cost-effective way of writing and maintaining business plans.
  • A business plan is not a one-shot exercise as maintaining it current is the only way to keep visibility on your future cash flows.
  • A business plan has 2 main parts: a financial forecast outlining the funding requirements of your bridal store and the expected growth, profits and cash flows for the next 3 to 5 years; and a written part which gives the reader the information needed to decide if they believe the forecast is achievable.

We hope that this in-depth guide met your expectations and that you now have a clear understanding of how to write your bridal store business plan. Do not hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have questions additional questions we haven't addressed here.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

  • How to write a business plan to secure a bank loan?
  • Key steps to write a business plan?
  • Top mistakes to avoid in your business plan

Do you know entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a bridal store? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

Assess the profitability of your business idea and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

The Business Plan Shop | Business Plan Software

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool ? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

business plan template library

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

Business Plan Software

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

Business Plan for Investors

  • Bank/SBA Business Plan
  • Operational/Strategic Planning Services
  • L1 Visa Business Plan
  • E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
  • E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
  • EB-1 Business Plan
  • EB-2 NIW Business Plan
  • EB-5 Business Plan
  • Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
  • Start-Up Visa Business Plan
  • Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
  • Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
  • Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
  • British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
  • Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
  • OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
  • LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
  • ICT Work Permit Business Plan
  • LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
  • USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
  • Franchise Business Plan
  • Landlord business plan
  • Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan
  • USDA Business Plan
  • Cannabis business plan
  • Ecommerce business plan
  • Online boutique business plan
  • Mobile application business plan
  • Daycare business plan
  • Restaurant business plan
  • Food delivery business plan
  • Real estate business plan
  • Business Continuity Plan
  • Buy Side Due Diligence Services
  • ICO whitepaper
  • ICO consulting services
  • Confidential Information Memorandum
  • Private Placement Memorandum
  • Feasibility study
  • Fractional CFO
  • How it works
  • Business Plan Examples

Bridal Shop Business Plan Sample

JUL.30, 2018

Bridal Shop Business Plan Sample

Do you want to start bridal shop business?

Do you want to start a bridal shop business? Well, if you are a gifted artist in designing bridal gowns and can join your passion with the latest fashion trends, then it is probably the right business for you. Bridal shop business is undoubtedly one of the most profitable businesses because brides don’t hesitate to spend a lot of cash on the dress that suits her the best on their special day.

Before the startup, you must prepare a comprehensive bridal store business plan. If you don’t know how to open a bridal shop , you can take help from this sample business plan of a bridal shop business startup named ‘Angelic Bridal Shop’.

Executive Summary

1.1 the business.

Angelic Bridal Shop will be a licensed wedding dress business plan   in Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, California. Angelic Bridal Shop will provide the best possible beaded and embroidered wedding dresses and accessories for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers of bride and groom.

1.2 Management

Angelic Bridal Shop will be owned by Clara James. Clara is a fashion designer herself, yet she will get the services of more designers and artisans, stylists, sewers, and operation managers for running the bridal salon business plan .

1.3 Customers

After you have learned how to start a bridal shop , the next step is to carry out proper research to know your customers. Our major customers will include brides, and the women attending the ceremony such as bridesmaids, mothers of bride and groom in Oakland.

1.4 Business Target

Our bridal salon business plan targets to be achieved within the next three years are as follows:

Bridal Shop Business Plan - 3 Years Profit Forecast

Company Summary

2.1 company owner.

Mrs. James is a well-known lady in fashion designing and bridal salon business plan for the past 15 years. She also has got a Bachelor’s degree in ‘Apparel Design’ from San Francisco State.

2.2 Why the Business is being started

Clara’s modernist thought, practical design, and the pursuit of expensive simplicity had already made her a famous figure in fashion designing. Now, she is doing research on the latest trends and is working on many new ideas for designing unique and royal styled bridal dresses.

2.3 How the Business will be started

Before opening a bridal shop business plan , you must estimate how much does it cost to open a bridal shop . Mrs. James will take a spacious shop with dressing rooms and display counters on rent. Besides the comfortable seating and strategic lighting, the shop will be adorned with large mirrors and light background music. The startup expenses are as follows:

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Startup Cost

The detailed startup requirements are given below:

Before you start a bridal shop , you must make a detailed wedding dress business plan covering the products and services you will provide to your customers.

The main products of Angelic Bridal Shop will be:

  • Bridal Dresses: We will display more than 250 embroidered and beaded ball-gown, A-line, trumpet, sheath and tea-length designs samples. So, you can choose any design, color or fabric that suits you. The customers can either provide us with their desired designs or can tell us their requirements through any channel. After taking the order we’ll prepare the dress of the desired size in just a week.
  • Party Dresses: Angelic Bridal Shop will also cater with the clothing needs of mothers of bride and groom, groomsmen, flower girls, junior bridesmaid etc. by presenting elegant party dresses of luxurious fabrics and exquisite designs.
  • Accessories: We will also keep the best quality and fashionable accessories in our shop like jewelry, belts/sashes, headpieces, veils, shoes, jackets, wedding cards and wedding gifts in accordance with the requirements of our customers.
  • Repairing & Resizing: We will also provide repairing and resizing the wedding dress services to our customers.

Our shop will remain open till late at night, however, customers can also order our products online via our official website.

Market Analysis Summary

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

Before opening a bridal boutique , you have to do an accurate marketing analysis because a good business plan for bridal shop can only be developed after this stage. The accuracy of your marketing analysis will decide the future of your startup. As with tough competition, your bridal salon business plan can only be successful if you critically focus the market trends and your target customers. If you are starting on a larger scale, it is always best to seek the counsel of marketing experts on how to open a wedding dress shop  and run it effectively, otherwise, you can take help from this sample wedding dress business plan .

4.1 Market Trends

The United States is one of the biggest bridal business markets in the world. About 2.5 million weddings are estimated in the United States every year. According to IBIS World, the bridal industry has generated a revenue of more than $3 billion, and the number of bridal shops is still increasing significantly in the United States. The bridal salon business plan is responsible for hiring more than 20,000 people across the country. Brides often do not compromise on the price when they find something best for them. Thus, the bridal shop has a lot of potential and can prove immensely profitable for you provided that you plan your business successfully.

4.2 Marketing Segmentation

Our target market is the residential community of Oakland. We are strategically benefited by our location as Oakland offers the wealthiest neighborhoods of the world.

It is very important to analyze the market segmentation of the future customers of your products or services because a successful and efficient marketing strategy can only be developed after we completely know our potential customers. Our experts have identified the following type of target audience which can become our future customers:

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Market Segmentation

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

4.2.1 Brides: Our first target group will be the brides who never compromise on the dress which is going to mark their appearance on their very special wedding day. We have our own sample dresses, but we’ll also prepare if some bride wants some changes or a design of her own.

4.2.2 Flower Girls: As with the bridesmaids’ attire, the dresses for the flower girls are also decided by the bride usually, so these girls will also prove as one of our target group.

4.2.3 Others: It is not just the bride who needs a wedding dress, for the purpose of maximizing our sales we also have arranged more than a hundred party dresses for females, especially for the mothers of bride and groom. Mothers also want to mark the day of their extreme happiness with their marvelous appearance, that’s why the style of their dress tends to take precedence over price.

The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

4.3 Business Target

Our main bridal salon business plan targets to be achieved over the course of the next three years are as follows:

  • To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
  • To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year

4.4 Product Pricing

The people of Oakland have mostly high incomes, so we haven’t priced our items low. Instead, we provide the best material, unique and latest designs for our shop to bridal salon business plan more.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

After identifying the market trends, market demands, and the potential customers of the startup, the next step is to define an effective strategy to attract potential customers. Like marketing analysis, sales strategy is also an important component of a  bridal shop business plan and must be properly developed before thinking about how to open bridal shop .

5.1 Competitive Analysis

Our biggest competitive advantage will be the quality and design of our fashionable products. Our products will be unique, attractive, eye-catching and will be according to the newest fashion. Some of our designs are totally new to the market and can’t be found somewhere else. In addition to that, our second biggest competitive advantage will be our exceptional customer service. As with the customized products, we will make revisions until our customers are fully satisfied. Our location is also one of our biggest competitive advantages since we will be based in a rich and populous area. Another important aspect is that no bridal shop near us is offering such suitable accessories and sewing, repairing and resizing services. Lastly, we’ll have a perfect display with large mirrors strategically placed, and perfect interior setting with a soft music to attract the customers and make them feel at ease.

5.2 Sales Strategy

After carrying out a detailed analysis, our experts came up with the following brilliant ideas to advertise and sell ourselves.

  • We will introduce our new designs and will create a forum on our website for getting new ideas
  • We will advertise our shop in relevant bridal salon business plan magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and social media.
  • We will also take online reservation orders and payments and also online shopping in website .
  • We will offer a 5% discount on our products for the first 15 days of our launch.

5.3 Sales Monthly

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Sales Monthly

5.4 Sales Yearly

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Sales Yearly

5.5 Sales Forecast

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Unit Sales

Web Plan Summary

If you are starting a bridal business , you must not ignore the importance of web plan summary in your wedding dress business plan . To take a lead over your competitors, you must add a feature of online marketing in your wedding dress business plan .

People usually hesitate to go to an entirely new shop, so making a website and presenting your unique designs on your website will benefit you a lot. As people can learn about you and your products from the website.

6.1 Web Development Requirements

You should develop a user-friendly and comprehensive website keeping in mind that the content of your web page will make the people decide whether they have to visit your shop or not. The web page of Angelic Bridal Shop will present store description, a map to the store, contact information, a photo gallery of some of our products, and a facility of booking an order by online payment.

Personnel plan

A personnel plan decides how much cost will be incurred on the staff of your bridal salon business plan , so it is essential to add it in your bridal boutique business plan . The personnel plan of our shop is as follows.

7.1 Company Staff

Clara will act as the General Manager of the company and will initially hire the following people:

  • 1 Accountant for maintaining financial and other records
  • 4 Designers for designing dresses
  • 8 Sewing Artists for manufacturing, repairing and resizing dresses
  • 3 Assistants for helping with day-to-day operations
  • 1 Technical Assistant for managing the company’s official website and social media pages
  • 4 Customer Representatives to interact with customers and record their orders

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

You must add a detailed financial plan to your wedding dress business plan covering all the expenses and include a business plan for investors . The financial plan should also craft a detailed map about the payroll, cost of inventory and furniture, rent, cost of the fabric you’ll need to buy and the cost you will need to decor the shop. It is recommended that you hire a financial expert for guiding you how to start a bridal business and make a precise financial plan so that you can cover the costs by the earned profits.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 brake-even analysis.

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Brake-even Analysis

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

Bridal Shop Business Plan - Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Bridal Shop Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGS capital writers specialize in business plan themes such as consignment shop business plan , lingerie store business plan , futuristic shoe line business plan , business plan clothing , business plan template for online boutiques , baby clothing store business plan and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

business plan for bridal wear company

Add comment

E-mail is already registered on the site. Please use the Login form or enter another .

You entered an incorrect username or password

Comments (2)

business plan for bridal wear company

Its a beautiful business plan and I believe it will help me one day.

Its a beautiful business plan and I believe the notes I have made after revising it will help me one day.

mentioned in the press:

Search the site:

business plan for bridal wear company

OGScapital website is not supported for your current browser. Please use:

business plan for bridal wear company

business plan for bridal wear company

Home » Fashion

How to Start a Bridal Shop from Home [Business Plan]

Bridal Shop

A bridal shop is a retail outlet that predominantly retails bridal wear, including wedding gowns, veils, and other accessories such as shoes, ties, gloves, and jewelry. Some bridal shops also typically provide alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves. Some of them also go as far as renting wedding gowns and other wedding accessories.

The global bridal gowns market was valued at over US$ 39 billion in 2020. It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 7.01 percent from 2022 to 2031. Please note that the bridal wear market potential growth difference will be USD 13.5 billion from 2022 to 2026.

Steps on How to Start a Bridal Shop Business

Conduct market research.

The first step in the market research process for your bridal shop business is to develop a market-based research question in line with your overall business goal and objective.

In this regard, you should source information that will help you maximize your business, information that will give you a reliable clue of what your potential market will be looking out for from a bridal shop and also help you operate your bridal shop with less stress and of course, build the business to profitability within the shortest time frame.

a. Who is the Target Market for Bridal Shop Business?

  • Bridal trains
  • Wedding planners
  • Movie producers

b. Is Bridal Shop Business a Profitable Business?

Yes, the bridal shop business is very profitable. Statistics show that in the United States, the wedding industry generates over 60 billion dollars each year – and that figure doesn’t even include the honeymoon.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no existing niches when it comes to bridal shops.

d. Who are the Major Competitors?

  • Ivory And White Bridal Boutique
  • Lillian Lottie Bridal Couture
  • Jennifer’s Bridal
  • Joan Pillow Bridal Salon
  • Margene’s Bridal
  • Alta Moda Bridal Boutique
  • One Fine Day Bridal
  • An Elegant Affair Bridal
  • Laura’s Couture Collection
  • Bliss Bridal
  • Andrea’s Bridal
  • The Gown Shop Bridal
  • A & Bé Bridal Shop
  • Elle James Bridal
  • Fleur De Lis Bridal
  • Mark Ingram Atelier
  • Hayden Olivia Bridal
  • Mary Me Bridal Store
  • Blue Bridal Boutique.

e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Bridal Shop Business?

Yes, there are county or state regulations and zoning laws for bridal shops, and players in this industry are expected to work with the existing regulations governing such business in the county or state where their business is domiciled.

f. Is There a Franchise for Bridal Shop Business?

Yes, there are franchise opportunities for the bridal shop business. Here are some of them;

  • Winnie Couture
  • My Wedding My Dress
  • Bella Bridesmaid
  • Fabulous Frocks
  • Lovely Bride.

g. What Do You Need to Start a Bridal Shop Business?

  • A Feasibility Report
  • Business and Marketing Plans
  • Business Licenses and Permits
  • A Good Shop facility
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
  • A Corporate Bank Account
  • Suppliers of wedding gowns and related bridal products
  • Startup Capital

Choose a Memorable Business Name

When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable. Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a bridal shop business are;

Creative Bridal Shop Business Name ideas

  • Red Rose© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Pinky Jane® Bridal Shop, LLC
  • White Rose© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Shavonne Benjamin® Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Linda USA™ Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Brenda Benson™ Bridal Shop, LLC.
  • Mary Martins© Bridal Store, LLC
  • Jonny Moore® Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Pretty Woman© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Martins© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Sonia Joe® Bridal Store, LLC
  • Coast Line® Bridal Shop, LLC
  • Deb Rosen™ Bridal Shop, LLC
  • The Grange© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Lucia Jones® Bridal Store, Inc.
  • Janeth Chris™ Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Mildred Merrick™ Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • Esther Emmanuel© Bridal Shop, Inc.
  • One Stop® Bridal Store, LLC
  • Anita Henry™ Bridal Shop, Inc.

Register Your Business

A. what type of business structure is best for bridal shop business.

Even though there are several options when it comes to the business structure of a bridal shop business, the one that most players in this line of business consider is an LLC. It is common to consider an LLC because providers want to protect themselves from lawsuits.

Please note that an LLC will need an EIN if it has employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below.

b. Steps to Form an LLC

  • Choose a Name for Your LLC.
  • File Articles of Organization.
  • Choose a registered agent.
  • Decide on member vs. manager management.
  • Create an LLC operating agreement.
  • Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
  • File annual reports.

c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Bridal Shop Business?

  • General Business License
  • Health and Safety Permit
  • Reseller’s Permit
  • Zonal Permits
  • Signage Permit
  • Operational State Facility Inspections

d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open a Bridal Shop Business?

You don’t need any certifications to open a bridal shop.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Bridal Shop Business?

  • Business and liability insurance
  • Federal Tax Payer’s ID
  • State Permit and Building Approval
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Business License
  • Business Plan
  • Employment Agreement (offer letters)
  • Operating Agreement for LLCs
  • Insurance Policy
  • Online Terms of Use
  • Online Privacy Policy Document
  • Contract Document
  • Company Bylaws
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering starting a bridal shop business, usually you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection or trademark. This is so because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run it without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

A. how much does it cost to start a bridal shop business.

The cost required to open a bridal shop may vary significantly. It can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000 depending on size, the type and brand of wedding gowns you want to retail, and also whether or not the shop will be heated, require electricity, and how you have it plumbed. Your retail storefront will require another $50,000 investment minimum and your start-up inventories and supplies will cost you another $50,000 to $250,000.

b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting a Bridal Shop Business

  • The total fee for registering a business in the United States of America – $750.
  • Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services – $1,200.
  • Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $80.
  • The cost for hiring a business consultant (writing of business plans inclusive) – $2,500.
  • Insurance coverage – $2,400.
  • The cost of accounting software, CRM software, and Payroll Software – $1,500
  • The cost for payment of rent for 12 months at $1.76 per square foot in the total amount of – $35,600.
  • The cost for shop / facility remodeling – $25,000.
  • Other start-up expenses including stationery – $500
  • Phone and utility deposits will cost – ($2,500)
  • Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $30,000
  • The cost for start-up inventory (a wide range of wedding gowns, bridal dresses, and related bridal accessories from different brands) – $150,000
  • The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $3,150
  • The cost for the purchase of office furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound systems, tables and chairs et al) – $8,000.
  • The cost of launching an official website – $600
  • The cost for our grand opening party – $3,000
  • Miscellaneous – $2,500

c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Bridal Shop Business?

  • The size of the bridal shop business
  • The choice of location
  • The required licenses and permits
  • The type of facility
  • The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing of the bridal shop
  • The cost of furnishing and equipping the facility
  • The cost of the insurance policy covers
  • The cost of registering the business
  • Source of your supplies and ongoing expenses
  • Cost of recruiting and training your staff
  • The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
  • The cost for the grand opening of the bridal shop

d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not compulsory to build a new facility for your bridal shop, but if you have the required finance, it will pay you to build your own facility. The truth is that building or reconstructing a facility will help you come up with a facility that will perfectly fit into your overall business goals and vision.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Bridal Shop Business?

  • Supplies (inventory expenses)
  • Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage, and software renewal fees et al)
  • Salaries of employees

f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

  • Shop Manager (Owner) – $45,000 Per Year
  • Merchandise Manager – $32,000
  • Cashier (Accountant) – $29,630,000 Per Year
  • Sales Boys and Girls – $26,100 Per Year
  • Security Guard -$24,000 Per Year

g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Bridal Shop Business

  • Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
  • Raising money from investors and business partners
  • Sell shares to interested investors
  • Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
  • Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

Write a Business Plan

A. executive summary.

Red Rose© Bridal Shop, Inc. is a neighborhood bridal shop that will be located in a fast-growing community in Dallas, Texas. We have been able to secure a two-year lease of a vacant shop within the city’s largest shopping mall. We are fortunate to secure a facility with an option of renewal for 5 years at a rate that is favorable to us.

b. Products and Service

Red Rose© Bridal Shop, Inc. will be involved in retailing and also renting wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses and crowns et al. We will also help our clients with alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves et al.

c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to establish a bridal shop business that will make available a wide range of bridal wear and accessories at affordable prices to the residents of Dallas, Texas, and other cities in the United States where we intend opening of chains of bridal shops.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to become the leading bridal shop in Texas and also to be amongst the top 10 bridal shop brands in the United States of America.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of a bridal shop are to provide a retail outlet where people can purchase or rent wedding gowns and wedding accessories such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, bridesmaid dresses and crowns et al. We will also provide alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves et al.

e. Organizational Structure

  • Shop Manager (Owner)
  • Merchandise Manager
  • Cashier (Accountant)
  • Sales Boys and Sales Girls
  • Security Guard

Marketing Plan

A. swot analysis.

  • Ideal location for a bridal shop
  • Highly experienced and qualified employees and management
  • Access to finance from business partners
  • Excellent customer testimonials.
  • A high volume of unique designs and styles of wedding gowns, and bridal dresses from different designers.
  • Financial Constraints
  • A new business that will be competing with well-established bridal shops.
  • Inability to retain our highly experienced and qualified employees longer than we want

Opportunities

  • Increase in the number of ladies getting married
  • Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
  • The arrival of a new bridal shop within our market space
  • Unfavorable government policy and regulations.
  • Steady wage expenses and increasing prices of gas will reduce industry profitability.
  • Economic uncertainty
  • Liability problems.

b. How Do Bridal Shops Make Money?

Bridal shops make money by;

  • Retailing and renting bridal/wedding gowns
  • Retailing bridal accessories
  • Retailing and renting bridesmaid dresses
  • Providing alterations and other related services.

c. Payment Options

  • Payment via bank transfer
  • Payment with cash
  • Payment via credit cards/Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via mobile money transfer
  • Payment via bank draft

d. Sales & Advertising Strategies

  • Introduce your bridal shop by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to wedding planners, socialites, celebrities, and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your bridal shop is located.
  • Advertise on the internet on blogs and forums, and also on social media like Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to get your message across
  • Create a basic website for your business to give your business an online presence
  • Directly market your products.
  • Join local bridal shop business associations for industry trends and tips
  • Provide discount days for your customers
  • Advertise our business in community-based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
  • List your business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
  • Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing (referrals)

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

There is no uniform price when it comes to the products retailed by bridal shops. This is so because the brand (designer), type, and size of the wedding gown, bridal dress, or accessories will determine the product or the item. Please note the average cost of a wedding dress is $1,251 and $227 for accessories according to data from The Wedding Report.

b. How Much Profit Do Bridal Shop Business Owners Make a Year?

It depends, the Career Bliss website profiles two stores online and found the owners of one averaged between $70,000 and $92,000—annual income can vary depending on the store’s profits—while another successful store’s owner made between $46,000 and $56,000.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?

  • The capacity of the bridal shop business
  • The types of products retailed in the shop
  • The location the bridal shop business is covering
  • The management style of the bridal shop
  • The business approach of the bridal shop
  • The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the bridal shop
  • The number of years the bridal shop is in business

d. What is the Profit Margin of a Bridal Shop Business Product/Service?

The profit margin of a bridal shop business is not fixed. It could range from 35 percent to 65 percent depending on the type of products retailed in the shop.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast for a bridal shop business. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United States;

  • First Fiscal Year: $320,000
  • Second Fiscal Year:  $600,000
  • Third Fiscal Year: $1 million

Set Up your Shop 

A. how do you choose a perfect location for bridal shop business.

  • The demography of the location especially as it relates to ladies due for marriage
  • The demand for wedding gowns, bridal dresses, and accessories in the location
  • The purchasing power of businesses and residents of the location
  • Accessibility of the location
  • The number of bridal shops, and other boutiques that retail wedding gowns in the location
  • The local laws and regulations in the community/state
  • Traffic, parking and security et al

b. What State and City are Best to Open a Bridal Shop Business?

  • Manhattan, New York
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Montclair, New Jersey
  • Brooklyn, New York
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Durham, North Carolina
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • Dallas, Texas

c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Bridal Shop Business?

You will need hangers, holders, cases, shelves, racks, accessories, and receipt issuing machines, a Sound System (For playing music), Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines), CCTV Cameras, and Flat Screen TVs. You will also need computers/laptops, internet facility, telephone, and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves) amongst others and all these can be gotten as fairly used.

Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard bridal shop business, you should make plans to hire a competent shop manager (owner), merchandize manager, cashier (accountant), salespersons, and security guard.

Launch the Business Proper

In recent times, no bridal shop business opens its door for business without first organizing an opening party to officially launch the business. You can choose to do a soft opening if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party.

The bottom line is that with a proper launching of the bridal shop business, you will officially inform people in your city that your bridal shop is open for business.

a. What Makes a Bridal Shop Business Successful?

  • Choose a good location and shop facility to launch the business
  • Make sure your shop is stocked with different types of wedding gowns, bridal dresses, and accessories
  • Throw an open house grand party before officially opening the bridal shop
  • Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
  • Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your bridal shop
  • Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your bridal shop

b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Bridal Shop Business?

  • The shop is open for the day’s work
  • Goods are properly arranged
  • Walk-in customers are attended to
  • Deliveries of orders are made
  • Stocks are taken and reports are written and submitted
  • The business is closed for the day.

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Bridal Shop Business?

  • Customer services skills
  • Interpersonal skill
  • Accounting and bookkeeping skills
  • Business management skills
  • Bargaining skill
  • Work experience in a retail shop environment
  • Experience in managing people
  • Experience in business administration
  • Experience in handling wedding gowns, bridal dresses, accessories, and related products.

More on Fashion

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Finance and Business
  • Business by Industry

How to Start a Bridal Shop

Last Updated: February 21, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Pete Canalichio . Pete Canalichio is a Brand Strategist, Licensing Expert, and Founder of BrandAlive. With nearly 30 years of experience at companies such as Coca-Cola and Newell Brands, he specializes in helping brands find the most authentic parts of their story to build a brand strategy. Pete holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Physics from the United States Naval Academy. In 2006, he won an MVP Award from Newell Brands for his contributions to their Global Licensing department. He’s also penned the award-winning book, Expand, Grow, Thrive. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 140,673 times.

If you love weddings and have a sense of style, opening a bridal salon can be a rewarding and lucrative endeavor. Brides to be and their wedding parties spend a lot of money on bridal gowns and wedding accessories for the special day. Brides will also travel to certain shops for the perfect gown, and the perfect shopping experience. Your bridal shop will need to cater your clients’ needs and provide excellent customer service to start on the right foot.

Researching the Bridal Market

Step 1 Visit wedding fairs.

  • Look for wedding fairs in your area or city. Bring a pen and paper to take notes as you walk through the vendor stalls. Ask vendors questions about their most popular styles and the current trends in bridal wear.
  • One of the big challenges of starting a bridal shop is keeping up with current trends in the industry. Get a head start by doing your research to ensure you know what brides are looking for.

Step 2 Talk to family, friends, and peers about their experiences.

  • Ask them if there is an item they wished they could purchase or a style they wanted to have at their wedding, but couldn’t find.
  • For example, one entrepreneur started her business after she planned her own wedding. She wanted a matching hoodie/pant set while getting ready for her big day, but many of the available products didn’t match her personality or style. So she developed a line of getting ready attire for brides that featured edgier and more fashion-forward styles. [3] X Research source

Step 3 Look at bridal shops you admire or consider a competitor.

  • Look at the branding and marketing of other shops. Do they focus on a certain demographic or a certain bridal look? Do they have a brick and mortar location, as well as a web store? How do they get information out to their clients? Using social media tools can bring attention to your shop and boost sales. Many shops are taking advantage of the large buying presence on the internet and expanding their marketing to social media and online platforms.

Step 4 Decide if you are going to be a brick and mortar shop or an online shop.

  • Most successful bridal shops have a physical location and a healthy web presence. This combination allows bridal shops to offer one on one fittings and face to face customer service, while still communicating and networking with clients online.

Step 5 Understand the day in the life of a bridal shop owner.

  • Booking appointments for brides and their families to help them find the right dresses and catering to their needs. Depending on how large your staff is, you will work directly with your clients or check on them to see if your employees are giving them the help they need.
  • You will also communicate with fashion houses and distributors to ensure dresses are delivered on time and on budget.
  • You may use an in-house seamstress or outsource your tailoring to a third party service. Regardless, you will need to check on any outstanding alterations to make sure they are done on time.
  • At the end of the day, you will record the day’s payments and check your finances to ensure your shop’s profit margins are in order.

Organizing Your Finances

Step 1 Get professional financial advice.

  • You may also seek out a mentor, someone who currently owns a bridal shop in your area or who you feel may be a good guide and role model. Ask this mentor if you can shadow her for a few days or get advice on how to start your own bridal business.
  • Some shop owners start as employees at a bridal shop and work under a mentor for several years before opening their own shop. This way, they are familiar with the financial requirements and the current bridal trends to then start their own business.

Step 2 Create a business...

  • A general business description: This should include the name of your business, for example, Carrie’s Bridal Boutique, the city where your business will be located, a proposed location for your business, and your customer type.
  • Inventory description, analysis, and strategy: This section should list your planned inventory, for example, “wedding gowns, headpieces, jewellery, shoes, and tuxedo rentals.” It should also elaborate on your client demographic and why your proposed business location will be profitable for your business. For example, “The majority of Carrie’s Bridal Boutique’s clients will be from the local downtown area of Portland, with a hip and current aesthetic.” It should also look at your local and regional competitors, as well as how your business will compete against these businesses.
  • Promotion plan: Though you may want to create a separate, more extensive marketing plan, your business plan should include a breakdown on how you plan to market your shop. You can do a month to month list of any promotional events or specials you will do, such as a “Fall Wedding Promotion” or an “Early Prom Tux Sale.”
  • Future plans: This section should address how you are going to take your business from a startup to a success. This could be maintaining a consistent promotional and pricing strategy for two years, followed by expanding to high selling lines and honing stock based on profit margins and what is selling well.
  • Resume: This should be presented in a professional manner, with a list of your qualifications, previous work experience, and education.
  • Start-up expenses: These should be broken down to the dollar and then rounded up. You should have expenses listed for in-store stock, office supplies, and shop supplies (including first month’s rent), as well as a total amount for your start-up expenses. You will use this amount to apply for financing through loans, grants, and investments.
  • Projected statement of sales and expenses: These should be hard number that show potential sales and expenses for your first year in business. You should estimate your net sales, expenses, and net profit.

Step 3 Determine if you need a loan.

  • You can also look at other ways to finance your business, such as savings or equity in your home. You may also quality for business grants through specific organizations or non-profits.

Step 4 Get an accountant.

  • You can also try to do your own bookkeeping by learning how to use QuickBooks through a training course, but in the long term, you may want to invest in a good accountant.

Step 5 Create a marketing...

  • Think about how you will advertise your shop. Print magazines are popular with some bridal suppliers, especially advertisements in bridal magazines. Check out bridal, fashion, and beauty features in local press in your area and think about putting ads in these sections.
  • Your website should have keywords in the copy to attract brides to your site when they are searching for bridal shops. List your suppliers with a direct link to their websites so a bride can see the complete collection she may be able to purchase from you.
  • In store promotions, especially on a monthly basis and seasonally (for example, prom promos or Christmas wedding specials), are also great for generating sales and encouraging clients to return to your store.
  • Your marketing plan should also focus on the customer experience, as well as the inventory and styles you will stock in your store. Most customers who are shopping for bridal attire are in it for the products and the way they are treated, with a desire to have a fun, pampered, and hands-on shopping experience. Good customer service is a big selling point for many clients and can work just as well, or better, than an extensive ad campaign.

Setting Up Your Shop

Step 1 Find a store location.

  • Contrary to popular belief, having no competition in the area may not be a good thing. If there is more than one bridal shop in the vicinity, a bride may be more keen to come to the area and spend the day shopping for a dress in several different shops.
  • Avoid a space with two floors as your rent will be high and you will need to hire more staff. Look for a premise with a five year lease and a three year break lease clause. This will give you time to establish your business and build up your reputation in the industry. After two years in business, you should have a good idea of how you are doing and if your business will be profitable enough to last for the next three years, or if you may need to break your lease in the next year.

Step 2 Decorate the shop.

  • Make the showroom inviting and intimate with plug in scents, low music on a sound system, and fresh flowers. Create a space where you can chat with clients and their families, and feel confident making a sale.
  • You should also buy a computer with sales software, like a point of sales system (POS). This will make ringing in sales faster and easier, and ensure you can accept most major credit cards.

Step 3 Order your inventory.

  • Start with four collections, and 40 to 50 samples total. Purchase a good representation of designs from each supplier.
  • Stock products in a range of price bands. But don’t underprice or overprice yourself for your area. If most bridal shops have gowns in a range of $500-$1,000, don’t go under this range and only stock a few pieces over this range.
  • Building up a relationship with your suppliers is fundamental to the success of your business. If you are loyal to them, and their pieces sell in your shop, you can expect loyalty from them in return. Over time, some designers may offer exclusivity to your shop, but you will need to sell a high amount of their gowns every year and continue to sell their products at a high rate for this to happen.

Step 4 Hire your staff.

  • Screen applicants by looking closely at their resumes for relevant customer service experience and comfort working with people. During the job interview, ask them about their previous work experience and have them demonstrate their ability to interact with customers.

Step 5 Promote the shop through social media and advertising.

  • You may decide to hold a promotion for the first 100 customers in the store on opening day, or a discount on a certain item or product during opening week. Encourage clients to visit your store as soon as you open by offering special pricing and pushing your advertising to get the word out.

Step 6 Get ready for opening day.

  • Keep your operating hours simple and consistent, such as Monday to Friday, 10-5, and Saturdays, 9-5. Look at the operating hours of the shops around you and try to match their hours.
  • Over time, you may tweak your opening hours based on the frequency of your customers on a certain day of the week or time.

Expert Q&A

Pete Canalichio

You Might Also Like

Prepare a Bill of Quantities

Expert Interview

business plan for bridal wear company

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about being an entrepreneur, check out our in-depth interview with Pete Canalichio .

  • ↑ https://bridalbuyer.com/home/home/starting-or-enhancing-a-bridal-business
  • ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/201668
  • ↑ https://www.shopify.com/success-stories/shop-lovely
  • ↑ http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-06/Bridal-Salon-Business-Plan.html
  • ↑ http://www.bplans.com/bridal_shop_business_plan/market_analysis_summary_fc.php#ixzz3e0zei0bb

About This Article

Pete Canalichio

To start a bridal shop, create a detailed business plan that includes a business description, inventory strategy, start-up expenses, projected sales, and marketing ideas. Next, select a location and furnish it with clothing racks, comfortable seating areas, display counters, large mirrors, and strategic lighting. You should also buy a computer with sales software, like a point of sales system (POS). Then, order inventory in a range of price points and hire your staff. Finally, start promoting your opening through ads and on social media! For tips on how to handle bookkeeping, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Sade Smith

Feb 5, 2020

Did this article help you?

Sade Smith

Joanna Bartlett

Sep 14, 2017

Jill Hrold

Oct 25, 2017

Vickie Douglas

Vickie Douglas

Feb 23, 2017

R. Davis

Oct 10, 2016

Am I a Narcissist or an Empath Quiz

Featured Articles

Study Efficiently

Trending Articles

How to Take the Perfect Thirst Trap

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round Gift

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

How to Start a Profitable Bridal Business [11 Steps]

Nick

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 05, 2024

image of a bridal business

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a bridal business plan., 3. develop a bridal brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for bridal., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for bridal services., 8. acquire bridal equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for bridal, if required., 10. begin marketing your bridal services., 11. expand your bridal business..

Embarking on a bridal business venture requires a thorough understanding of the market landscape. A comprehensive market analysis will spotlight opportunities, identify the competition, and reveal customer preferences. Follow these steps to ensure your market analysis lays a strong foundation for your bridal business success:

  • Research the current bridal market trends, including popular styles, fabrics, and designs to understand what brides are looking for.
  • Analyze your competitors by visiting their stores, reviewing their product offerings, and understanding their pricing strategies.
  • Identify your target demographic by considering factors like age, income level, and wedding budget to tailor your offerings to their needs.
  • Examine the location where you plan to set up your business to ensure there's a demand for bridal services and enough foot traffic.
  • Attend bridal shows and industry events to network with suppliers and get insights into emerging trends and customer preferences.
  • Gather feedback from recently married individuals to learn about their experiences and what they wished for during their bridal shopping.
  • Utilize social media and online forums to understand the discussions and questions potential customers have about bridal wear and services.

image of a bridal business

Are bridal businesses profitable?

Bridal businesses can be profitable depending on the type of products and services offered, the location of the business, and how well the business is managed. Successful bridal businesses often focus on providing specialized services and providing a unique shopping experience for customers.

Starting a bridal business requires careful planning and a solid business plan to ensure success. Your plan should outline your vision for the business, describe your target market, and detail the strategies you will use to reach your goals. Here are key elements to consider when drafting your bridal business plan:

  • Executive Summary: Briefly describe your business, the market needs it will fulfill, and your strategies for success.
  • Company Description: Provide information on the business, including location, the types of bridal services and products offered, and your unique selling proposition.
  • Market Analysis: Research the bridal industry, identify your target market, and analyze your competitors to position your business effectively.
  • Organization and Management: Outline your business structure, the roles of the founding team, and the operational workflow.
  • Services and Products: Describe the bridal wear, accessories, and services you will offer, and explain how they meet the needs of your customers.
  • Marketing and Sales Strategy: Explain how you intend to attract and retain customers, including your pricing, advertising, and promotional plans.
  • Funding Request: If seeking financing, specify the amount needed and how it will be used.
  • Financial Projections: Provide an overview of projected revenue, expenses, and profitability over the next 3-5 years.

How does a bridal business make money?

A bridal business typically makes money through the sale of wedding related items such as gowns, accessories, and decorations. They may also offer services such as event planning and catering. An example of a target audience for a bridal business could be engaged couples looking to find the perfect venue, gown and other items for their wedding. In addition, bridal boutiques are great sources of information for those DIY couples looking to craft the perfect ceremony and reception on a budget. Finally, a bridal business could also target mothers of the bride and groom for finding the perfect fashion accessories for their children's special day.

Embarking on the journey to create a bridal brand is both an exciting and intricate endeavor. It involves carving out a unique identity within the bridal industry that resonates with your target clientele. Here are some pivotal steps to guide you through the process:

  • Define Your Brand Identity: Determine the core values, mission, and personality of your brand. This will form the foundation of your brand's image and messaging.
  • Identify Your Target Audience: Understand who your customers are, what they value, and what bridal styles they are drawn to. Tailor your brand to meet these specific needs and preferences.
  • Develop a Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Clearly articulate what sets your brand apart from others. Whether it's a particular style, customization service, or a unique experience, your USP should be compelling and memorable.
  • Create a Cohesive Visual Identity: Design a logo, select a color palette, and choose typography that aligns with your brand's aesthetic. Consistency across all platforms and materials is key.
  • Build a Strong Online Presence: Develop a professional website and engage on social media platforms where your target audience is active. Showcase your collections, customer testimonials, and the essence of your brand story.
  • Establish Brand Partnerships: Collaborate with other wedding industry professionals and vendors to expand your reach and build credibility.

How to come up with a name for your bridal business?

Coming up with the perfect name for your bridal business can be tricky. Exploring your creativity and considering the personality of your business are both important. Brainstorm possible words or phrases that capture the essence of your business, perhaps by evoking an emotion or a memorable experience. Also consider the type of clients you expect to serve and the services you plan to offer. Once you've compiled a list of potential names, ask trusted friends, family, and colleagues for their feedback—they may come up with ideas that hadn't occurred to you!

image of ZenBusiness logo

Once you've crafted a business plan, chosen a name, and secured your finances, it's time to make your bridal business official by registering it. This step will provide legal protection, establish your business identity, and help you to operate within the law. Below are key points to guide you through the process of formalizing your business registration:

  • Choose your business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation) based on your needs for liability protection and tax considerations.
  • Register your business name with the appropriate state authorities to ensure it's unique and not already in use.
  • Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax purposes, even if you don't plan to have employees immediately.
  • Apply for any necessary licenses and permits specific to your location and industry, such as a business operation license or a resale permit.
  • Register for state taxes if applicable, including sales tax and unemployment insurance.
  • Review local zoning laws to confirm that you can legally operate your business in your chosen location.
  • Consider trademarking your business name or logo for additional legal protection of your brand.

Resources to help get you started:

Unlock invaluable insights for your bridal business with key resources providing market trends, operational best practices, and growth strategies:

  • Bridal Buyer Magazine: Offers the latest news, trends, and business advice for bridal retailers worldwide. Visit Bridal Buyer
  • The Knot Worldwide Pro Blog: Features expert advice on marketing, sales, and industry trends for wedding professionals. Visit The Knot Pro Blog
  • WeddingPro Report: An annual report by The Knot Worldwide providing insights on wedding industry trends, based on comprehensive surveys and research. Download the WeddingPro Report
  • Wedding Market News and Insights by WeddingWire: Delivers news, trends, and marketing tips to help grow your bridal business. Visit Wedding Market Insights
  • Vows Magazine: Focuses on bridal retailer success with articles on market trends, merchandising strategies, and retailer profiles. Visit Vows Magazine
  • Bridal Guide Magazine's Retailer Resource: Provides bridal consultants and retailers with selling tools, fashion updates, and marketplace trends. Visit Bridal Guide

Starting a bridal business involves navigating various legal requirements to ensure your operations are legitimate and compliant. It's essential to obtain the correct licenses and permits to avoid any legal issues and build trust with your customers. Here's a guide to help you with the process:

  • Business License: Apply for a general business license with your city or county clerk's office, as this is the primary permit that allows you to operate a business in your location.
  • Resale Permit: If you plan to sell bridal gowns and accessories, you'll need a resale permit to buy wholesale and sell retail without paying sales tax on the merchandise.
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN): Register for an EIN with the IRS, especially if you plan to hire employees. This number is also useful for tax purposes and when opening a business bank account.
  • Health and Safety Permits: If your bridal business will include services like makeup or hairdressing, check with your local health department to secure any necessary health and safety permits.
  • Signage Permit: Some local governments require a permit for business signs, so check with your municipal planning department to comply with local ordinances.
  • Zoning and Land Use Permits: Ensure your business location is zoned for retail use, and obtain any required land use permits to operate your bridal shop.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a bridal business?

In order to run a bridal business, you will likely need to obtain a general business license from your local government, as well as any other necessary permits or licenses that may be legally required for the type of business you intend to operate. Depending on your location and what services you provide, you may also need to obtain licenses specific to the bridal industry, such as a florist license, retail license, or beauty/barber shop license if you plan on providing wedding-related services like floral design, gowns and dresses, hairstyling, manicures/pedicures, etc.

Starting a bridal business not only requires a creative touch and a passion for romance, but also necessitates a solid foundation for financial management and stability. Opening a business bank account and securing funding are crucial steps to ensure smooth operations and the potential for growth. Below are key points to consider in this process:

  • Choose the right bank: Research banks that offer business banking services with favorable terms for small businesses, such as low fees, online banking, and good customer support.
  • Prepare documentation: Gather all necessary documents such as your business license, EIN, and any partnership agreements to open your business bank account.
  • Separate finances: Keeping your business and personal finances separate is essential for tax purposes and professionalism.
  • Explore funding options: Determine how much funding you will need to start and grow your business. Options may include personal savings, small business loans, angel investors, or crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Develop a financial plan: Create a detailed business plan that outlines your financial projections, including expenses and anticipated revenue, to present to potential lenders or investors.
  • Understand the terms: Carefully review the terms and conditions of any funding you accept, ensuring you are fully aware of repayment schedules, interest rates, and any potential equity you are giving up.

Setting the right prices for your bridal services is crucial to the success of your bridal business. It ensures profitability while remaining competitive and appealing to your target market. Here's a guide to help you establish your pricing strategy:

  • Cost Analysis: Calculate the total costs involved in delivering your services, including materials, labor, overhead, and any additional expenses to ensure you cover costs and achieve a desired profit margin.
  • Market Research: Investigate the pricing of competitors to understand the market average, allowing you to position your services accordingly without undercharging or overpricing.
  • Value-Based Pricing: Consider the unique value proposition of your services, such as exclusive designs or exceptional customer service, and price higher for premium offerings.
  • Pricing Structures: Decide whether you’ll offer packages, a la carte options, or a combination of both to cater to different customer needs and maximize revenue.
  • Flexibility: Be ready to adjust your prices based on customer feedback, market trends, and the overall success of your business.
  • Transparency: Clearly communicate the pricing to customers, avoiding hidden costs to build trust and ensure customer satisfaction.

What does it cost to start a bridal business?

Initiating a bridal business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $90000 for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your bridal business.

Starting a bridal business requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to acquiring the right equipment and supplies. These essentials not only help in creating a magical experience for the brides but also ensure the smooth operation of your business. Below are key items to consider for your inventory:

  • Dresses and Accessories: Stock a variety of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, veils, shoes, and jewelry to cater to different tastes and sizes.
  • Fitting Room Essentials: Install large mirrors, comfortable seating, and good lighting to create a pleasant fitting experience.
  • Alteration Tools: Ensure you have sewing machines, fabric scissors, measuring tapes, and mannequins for dress alterations.
  • Display Fixtures: Acquire elegant display stands and racks for showcasing dresses and accessories.
  • Point of Sale System: Invest in a reliable POS system for efficient transaction processing and inventory management.
  • Packaging Supplies: Have on hand quality garment bags, boxes, and tissue paper for a professional presentation of purchased items.
  • Marketing Materials: Prepare brochures, business cards, and a well-designed website to attract and inform potential clients.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Maintain cleanliness with fabric-friendly cleaning solutions and equipment for spotless dresses and store upkeep.

List of software, tools and supplies needed to start a bridal business:

  • Computer: $500 - $1000
  • Website Builder: $5 - $40/month
  • Photography Equipment: $500 - $1000
  • Business Planner Software: $20 - $50
  • Inventory Tracking Software: Free to Hundreds of Dollars/Month
  • Financial Software: Free to Hundreds of Dollars/Month
  • Advertising Platforms (e.g. Google Ads): Cost Depends on Campaigns Launched
  • Marketing Materials (e.g. Flyers and business cards): Starting at Under $100
  • Vendor Database Software :Free to Hundreds of Dollars/Month
  • Security Software: Free to Hundreds of Dollars/Year

Securing the right insurance is a critical step in protecting your bridal business. It safeguards your investment and provides peace of mind, ensuring that you can focus on delivering the perfect experience to your clients. Below are the key types of insurance you should consider:

  • General Liability Insurance: This covers accidents or injuries that could occur on your business premises, protecting you from potential lawsuits.
  • Product Liability Insurance: If you're selling bridal gowns or accessories, this insurance can protect you from claims related to product defects or customer injuries caused by your products.
  • Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, it covers you against claims of professional negligence or failure to perform your professional duties.
  • Property Insurance: This type of insurance protects your inventory, equipment, and physical space from theft, damage, or loss due to events like fire or severe weather.
  • Business Interruption Insurance: If an unexpected event causes your business to temporarily close, this insurance can help cover lost income and expenses.

Consult with an insurance broker to determine the specific coverage that aligns with your business needs and risks.

Starting a bridal business requires a strong marketing plan to attract your target audience and establish your brand. By focusing on your unique services and reaching out to potential clients, you can begin to build a reputation as a go-to destination for bridal needs. Here are some essential steps to kickstart your marketing efforts:

  • Develop a comprehensive online presence by creating a professional website, showcasing your portfolio, and utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) to improve visibility.
  • Engage with audiences on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, where you can share wedding tips, client testimonials, and sneak peeks of your services.
  • Network with other wedding industry professionals, such as venues, photographers, and florists, to establish referral partnerships.
  • Leverage paid advertising through targeted social media ads, Google AdWords, and bridal magazines to reach couples actively planning their wedding.
  • Offer special promotions or discounts to first-time customers to encourage them to try your services and spread the word.
  • Participate in bridal shows and expos to gain direct exposure to potential clients and market your services in person.
  • Collect and showcase reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility among prospective customers.

Building a successful bridal business requires a blend of passion, dedication, and smart growth strategies. Once you've laid the groundwork and established your brand, it's time to consider expansion. Here are some key steps to help you broaden your bridal business and reach more clients:

  • Introduce new product lines or services, such as bridesmaids' dresses, groom attire, or wedding planning services, to become a one-stop-shop for bridal parties.
  • Forge partnerships with wedding venues, photographers, and caterers to create package deals, which can attract more customers and generate referrals.
  • Invest in online marketing, including social media and search engine optimization (SEO), to increase your visibility and attract a broader audience.
  • Explore e-commerce by selling bridal accessories, gowns, or customizable products online to reach customers beyond your local area.
  • Attend bridal expos and trade shows to network with industry professionals, showcase your offerings, and gain insights into market trends.
  • Consider opening additional locations or franchising your business model to expand geographically without overextending your resources.
  • Encourage customer reviews and testimonials to build trust and credibility with potential clients, which can lead to increased word-of-mouth referrals.
  • Stay innovative by regularly updating your collections and offerings based on customer feedback and industry trends to keep your business fresh and relevant.
  • Business Plans Handbook
  • Business Plans - Volume 06
  • Bridal Salon Business Plan Business Plan

Bridal Salon BUSINESS PLAN

Bridal Salon Business Plan 483

MEGAN'S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

4596 S. Huppard Dr. Green Bay, WI 54303

This business plan for the establishment of a bridal boutique does an excellent job of assessing area competition. The detailed analysis of both the strengths and weaknesses of rival businesses effectively illustrates the need for a high quality and reasonably priced bridal salon in the region. It is also apparent that this entrepreneur is aware of fashion trends and receptive to customers' needs.

GENERAL BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

Inventory description, analysis, and strategy, promotion plan, future plans, start-up expenses.

  • PROJECTED STATEMENT OF SALES AND EXPENSES

Megan's Bridal Boutique will be a full-service bridal salon and dress shop catering to the Wisconsin customer who is searching for reasonable quality products at affordable prices.

The inventory will consist of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, headpieces, crinolines, jewelry, shoes, party dresses, more casual dresses, and tuxedo rentals.

I will run the business myself full-time and hire sales assistance as well as a bridal alterations specialist. The store has the potential of employing up to six full-time employees, estimating a minimum of three to start. The hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with evening appointments available for brides and their parties. All daily bookkeeping will be done by me. An accountant will take care of the necessary month-end work.

Megan's Bridal Boutique will be located on Hubbard Drive. I'm currently negotiating a lease on a very nice property of 1725 square feet. The rent on the space is only $435 per month plus approximately $250 per month for utilities. This is a good price, compared to other less desirable locations I've looked into. I plan to invest $5,000 in building renovations to meet the special needs of a bridal salon. The renovations will be free-standing and can be taken with me to another location if need be.

Megan's Bridal Boutique will open in mid to late October.

Line: Bridal

Description: This line will consist of re-orderable wedding gowns, re-orderable headpieces, dyeable satin shoes, crinolines, re-orderable bridesmaid gowns, and jewelry. Megan's Bridal Boutique will carry 60 wedding gown samples featuring three manufacturer's lines (20 pieces at $200 wholesale, 20 at $300, 20 at $400, for a total start-up cost of $18,000). Three brands of bridesmaid gowns will also be carried with 12 samples per brand offered (36 pieces at $100 wholesale for a total start-up cost of $3,600). One headpiece line will be made available with 15 samples in the store (at a median price of $50 per piece wholesale for a start-up cost of $750). These items will be special order only items. A full range of sizes of basic dyeable shoes, in three heel heights, will be available in the store for off-the-rack purchase (30 pair of each style at $12 each wholesale for a start-up cost of $1,080). A catalog of other styles will complete the offering. Megan's Bridal Boutique will also carry full-length crinolines of all sizes, for purchase only (20 pieces at $15 each wholesale for a start-up cost of $300). Crinolines will be available free of charge for use in the dressing rooms for clients purchasing wedding or bridesmaid gowns or needing them for in-store alterations. In addition, a line of off-the-shelf jewelry will be carried and special order jewelry catalogs will be available (30 pair of earrings and 30 necklaces at $15 each wholesale for a start-up cost of $900).

Position of Marketplace: The items in the bridal line will consist of basic styles in the low to mid-price range appealing to the Wisconsin client. Megan's Bridal Boutique will develop a reputation for dependable service, fair pricing, and reliability.

Client Demographics: Some women will travel all over the state, or farther, to shop for their wedding gowns. The majority of Megan's Bridal Boutique's clients will be limited to the areas surrounding Green Bay. Nine out of 10 women eventually marry although, in general, they are waiting later in life to marry for the first time. Remarriages account for half the weddings taking place nationally. Sixty percent of couples currently living together will eventually get married. What all this means is, although one would think the economy, general trends, and changes in society would have a great impact on marriages, there has been only a 1.5% change in marriage rates over the past 27 years. Where the economy does have a big impact on weddings seems to be generally limited to reception and honeymoon expenses, with a lesser effect on the dollar amount spent on wedding gowns and accessories themselves ( Vows, June/July 1996 issue). According to a recent published study, eight marriages took place per 1000 residents per year. Based on the surrounding area of eastern Wisconsin, Megan's Bridal Boutique will draw from, one can count on 1,888 weddings per year. Each of these couples will spend, on the average, $852.00 for a wedding dress, $167.00 on a headpiece, and $50.00 for shoes. Estimating four attendants per wedding, spending $175 each on dresses and shoes, an additional $1,321,600 can be added. Added together, there are $3,339,872 dollars to be captured in this line alone, per year, in eastern Wisconsin.

Pricing Strategy: To meet the needs of the eastern Wisconsin client, all of Megan's Bridal Boutique's offerings will be in the low to mid price range. Specifically:

Wedding Gowns: $350.00-$800.00 Headpieces: $25.00-$40.00 Bridesmaid Dresses: $100.00-$150.00

Cost: $24,630 start-up inventory cost.

Competition

I have broken down the competition, product line by product line, following each line's inventory description. The overall competition for the bridal line can be broken down into two: local shops (Mary Ann's) and regional shops. I feel the threat created by Mary Ann's can be easily overcome through good service, great selection, and affordable pricing. The competition created by the out-of-town shops will be harder to address. Details of how I will deal with each follow the competition descriptions.

1. Local Competition

Mary Ann's Bridal Salon Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: Mary Ann's Bridal Salon is a very poorly run retail outlet featuring old and outdated stock off the rack. Most merchandise is sold "as is." This shop experiences almost no repeat business and is generally thought of as the last place to go for bridal and prom needs.

Strengths: Mary Ann's has been in business for 40 years (although there have been three different owners). Old warehoused stock originally priced at $500.00 to $1000.00 is bought from other shops and sold at attractive prices of $350.00 to $500.00.

Overcoming Local Competition

Service: Megan's Bridal Boutique will be a cleaner, more attractively designed store offering a variety of guaranteed services at reasonable prices, or in some cases, free services. For example, Mary Ann's charges $8.00 to dye shoes purchased in the store and $15.00 to dye shoes purchased elsewhere. A dye job takes about five minutes. I will dye my shoes for free and charge $5.00 to dye shoes purchased elsewhere.

Although Mary Ann's provides skilled seamstresses for the alterations, pricing is set by the owner on a per dress basis. A client may be told at the time of purchase her alterations will cost $25.00, only to discover upon picking up the dress that the charge is $50.00. Worse yet, many clients are never told there is a charge at all. Megan's Bridal Boutique will have a published list of charges provided at the time a purchase decision is being made. There will be no surprises, and the client will know exactly how much to budget for her total expenses.

Mary Ann's also has a problem getting special orders in the store in a timely manner. All special orders are delivered COD and often the cash is not available, resulting in returns and re-orders. Many suppliers will not deliver until prior problems are reconciled, again resulting in delays. I have found most suppliers have liberal terms and are very willing to work with new accounts. It is only after payment problems occur, and are not resolved, that these shipping problems take place. Megan's Bridal Boutique will be able to get special orders in the store and to the client in a more timely manner by establishing and maintaining good terms with all suppliers.

Pricing: Mary Ann's's pricing has always been high. The idea on management's part has been to price everything high, then offer a "special deal." Megan's Bridal Boutique's pricing will be more modest and clients will know they can find value everyday. I will accomplish this by working with the lower-priced suppliers while maintaining healthy profit margins. The question of course is, why doesn't Mary Ann's do this already? The following scenario will provide an explanation: Mary Ann's used to buy shoes from Supplier A for $12, marking them up to $25. After numerous payment problems, Supplier A refused to deal further with Mary Ann's. Next, Mary Ann's found Supplier B who wholesaled the same shoe for $15. Mary Ann's maintained the selling price of $25 resulting in profit erosion. After the same payment problems occurred with Supplier B, Mary Ann's moved onto Supplier C which charged $17 for the same shoe. This time the cost was passed onto the customer. The shoes are now priced at $33 plus $8 for dyeing. Of course sales have dropped off significantly. This is just one specific example. The same type of thing has happened with dozens of other suppliers covering all lines offered by Mary Ann's. I have already established contact with the "Supplier A" types and will be offering these lower priced, good quality lines.

Stock: Mary Ann's's stock is old and outdated. In fact, I am asked several times per week if Mary Ann's is a used clothing store (these inquiries were made to me while I was an employee there). Megan's Bridal Boutique's stock will be fresh and new. As stock ages, it will be discounted. If still not sold, it will be taken off the rack and stored, until sidewalk sales, and then the price will be drastically slashed. Anything left after that will be donated to charity or destroyed.

2. Regional Competition

Appleton Bridals Appleton, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: Poor management makes shopping at Appleton Bridals a difficult experience. Customers are treated as a bother instead of as an opportunity. Because of the location, most area people assume the prices are considerably higher in general. Actually, their pricing structure is about the same as other shops in the area and they carry the same lines.

Strengths: Location. Appleton Bridals can draw very easily from Green Bay and Oshkosh because of the proximity. Clients from all over eastern Wisconsin will travel to this shop based on the location alone. The town of Appleton has an excellent reputation for being a place to shop for variety and most people will expect Appleton Bridals to be a well run establishment with good selection, but with higher prices. Megan's Bridal Boutique's reputation for good prices and excellent service, as well as a regional advertising plan, will draw many clients away from this shop.

White Bird Bridal Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: Poor sales techniques, lackluster stock, and ugly displays explain why people will travel all over Wisconsin to shop for their bridal needs instead of spending their money at White Bird. The general atmosphere in this shop would be fine for a discount store or a warehouse, but not for a shop which sells women's clothing for special occasions. The pricing structure is similar to other bridal shops and offers no real advantage for clients.

Strengths: The Apple Blossom is also a flower shop specializing in bridal arrangements. The advantage to this is increased traffic, but it also adds to the junky atmosphere. The Apple Blossom also spends a considerable amount of money on TV advertising during the prom season.

CJ's Bridal Shop Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: This store is very difficult to shop in due to the way the dresses are literally packed into one place. I found it hard to pull even one dress out to examine and the poor lighting made it even more difficult to see what I had my hands on. The prices were average and the displays nonexistent. It was a chore to even get around the place.

Strengths: They carried almost every line available and the sales staff was quite helpful. Although they do no advertising in this area, many potential clients from eastern Wisconsin will delay their purchasing decision until they have made the trip down to Fond du Lac, not only for wedding dresses, but even more so for prom dresses.

Sarah's Bridals Cheboygan, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: Sarah's owner recently moved to this smaller facility from a large and beautiful location. She is suffering from burnout and has cut back considerably on her inventory. She no longer has the commitment or interest in her business she once had.

Strengths: This is a well-run attractive shop with standard pricing and good service.

Other Shops to Be Explored:

I Do Bridals, Green Bay, Wisconsin Bridal Fashions, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bridals on the Bay, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Meeting the Regional Competition

Advertising: Most of my ad dollars will be spent on small awareness-generating, space ads in nonlocal newspapers. Money will also be spent on listings in the surrounding areas, including Milwaukee's Yellow Pages and phone guides. Some radio ads will be placed during the grand opening weeks. In addition, different promotions will take place throughout the year.

Line: Party Dresses and Other Dresses

Description: A variety of party and less formal dresses will be offered. These dresses will appeal to the client who wants to go all out for that special occasion such as the prom, New Year's Eve, cruises, plus off-the-rack dresses for work or formal occasions will be available. The dresses will be strictly off-the-rack ranging in sizes 3-24 with the emphasis on sizes 10-18.

Position in Marketplace: Green Bay offers little to the public in the way of dresses. The few women's shops currently open in town offer only a handful of casual dress styles to choose from. The majority of dress purchases made by women in Green Bay are made out of town, usually during day, or weekend-long shopping trips. Those who do not plan ahead, and find themselves in need of a lastminute outfit, are simply out of luck. Megan's Bridal Boutique will be filling a need in the community by offering a wide selection of dresses at a good price. No longer will having to "dress up" automatically mean an out-of-town shopping trip. By keeping Green Bay women in town for their dress purchases, other monies often spent on these trips will also remain in Green Bay. In addition, regional shoppers will be brought in spending their money not only at Megan's Bridal Boutique, but in other area retail establishments and restaurants as well.

Client Demographics: Women, age 16-50, will travel regionally to shop for these types of dresses. The party dresses will appeal to the younger age of this market segment in general, other lines appealing of the mid to upper age range. There will be considerable crossover depending on the type of event the client is planning.

Pricing Strategy: Prices will be in the low to mid range to appeal to the Wisconsin client who does not want to spend a lot on a dress she may wear only a few times at the most. These dresses will range in price from $75.00-$150.00.

Cost: Start-up cost for this line will be $12,000.00 (200 dresses at $60 per dress).

Competition: There are no other dress shops in the immediate area. Several retail outlets in Green Bay offer a few dresses to choose from, and only a very limited selection is available.

Weaknesses: Very limited selection available. A person dress shopping in Green Bay can see all there is to see in five minutes at local dress shops since they carry only a handful of dresses which are of low quality or overpriced (respectively).

Strengths: There are basically no competitor strengths in this category.

Line: Tuxedos

Description: One full-service line will be offered which will include a variety of tuxedos (tails, double-breasted, shawl, and notch collar, as well as the popular Western style), shirts, shoes, ties, cumberbuns, and vests. Clients will be able to customize their choices with a wide variety of color-coordinating accessories. Tuxedos offer the opportunity to bring in thousands of dollars worth of business per month, while taking up only a few square feet of selling space.

Client Demographics: The majority of clients for this line will not be the actual decision makers. The decision makers will be the party dates and brides who will pick out the tuxedos she wants to accessorize her outfit. The draw will be limited to Green Bay and the immediate area.

Pricing Strategy: Prices will be at industry suggested retail pricing of $65.00 to $95.00 for the complete outfit.

Cost: The cost to carry this line will be limited to try-on jackets at $1,000 for a selection of 10.

Competition:

Smith's Apparel Green Bay, Wisconsin

Weaknesses: Smith's only edge over the competition in this case is purely by taking advantage of the opportunity to sell to someone who is already in a decision-making state of mind. While the client is making the wedding gown purchase, she is ripe for additional sales such as tuxedos. Once enough trust has been established for her to spend several hundred dollars on a gown, the hardest part of the sale is already complete and add-ons will be relatively easy. In addition, the floor space and initial investment needed to carry tuxedos is so small, it would be foolish not to carry the line.

Strengths: This store will be tough to compete with for several reasons. For one, it's a store carrying men's clothing and, in general, men will feel more comfortable walking into this shop than a dress shop. The reputation and prices are also very good.

Almost every month the business will feature a special event or some type of sale. Window and store front displays will promote the event, as well as a few small local space ads and more frequent non-local space ads. For a real big event, radio will be used to strengthen the promotion. Listed below is an event calendar for the first year. Each promotion will be evaluated and the following year's plan will be based on the successes of prior events. Each year several new ideas will be tried as well.

Bridal Salon Business Plan

In general, the product line, offerings, service, and pricing strategy will remain the same for the first two years, with the following expectations:

  • After a year of doing business, some samples will be old and no longer re-orderable. These items will be significantly discounted and sold off the rack as is.
  • All lines will be expanded to offer more choices, and slow moving stock will be moved from the re-orderable section to the sale rack.
  • The stock will be honed to increase profitability. Research will be conducted to determine what is selling best, most profitable price points, etc.

Client surveys will be conducted. After a wedding, brides will be contacted and asked about the quality of the service, product, and selection. This information will be used to improve the shop and help me determine where to increase my efforts.

At the end of the third year, I plan to purchase my own building and expand the business to offer a larger selection. At this time, the number of employees will be at least six full-time.

Megan Martin

Highlights of qualifications.

  • Nine years experience in multiple-media marketing.
  • Five years management experience in Chicago firms, running each product line as an independent entity. Additional two years in management at manufacturing facility.
  • Extremely well organized and self motivating.
  • Committed to producing results above and beyond what is expected, through good management of resources and sound decision-making abilities.
  • Works very well with people and is generally liked by clients and co-workers alike.
  • Two years experience as executive administrator to the president at Chicago Paper Company, wearing many hats including human resources manager, collections manager, and public relations coordinator.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Set sales records for 75% of product lines which fell within responsibility at Burton Engineering.
  • Developed new markets for multiple product lines.
  • Proven successful at new product research and development.
  • Product manager for one company's flagship line, increasing sales by 25% while reducing expenses by 30% over two years.
  • Coordinated all marketing and logistic efforts for 110 educational seminars per year (Burton).
  • Originated and implemented new marketing strategies which bolstered sales of aging product line.
  • Designed, coordinated, produced, and distributed the company's four 64-page catalogs per year at Burton.
  • Successfully sold and distributed $6,000.00 worth of technical training programs through direct mail marketing techniques.
  • Five years of success in marketing management.
  • Two years management in manufacturing environment.
  • Completely implemented new 401K program with 94% sign-up rate.
  • Developed, implemented, and continue to manage collections program for multi-million dollar manufacturing facility.
  • Run anti-union campaign.
  • Created, implemented, and continue to manage review system for production employees.
  • Proven success as skilled, multi-faceted, and valuable employee (increased salary from $13,520 to $41,100 in two years).
  • Developed and implemented effective cost-cutting measures which streamlined operations and improved productivity.
  • Represented the organization at company-sponsored conferences throughout the United States and acted as the Italian liaison.
  • Coordinated and supervised multiple interdepartmental products.
  • Responsible for marketing department's strategic planning and implementation including all facets of annual budget management.
  • Developed ideas for creating new business throughout the company.
  • Prioritized work projects within the department: designed and implemented follow-up procedures which resulted in more efficient and profitable workflow.
  • Interviewed and hired top-notch marketing and administrative staff.
  • Currently responsible for all aspects of hiring at every level at Chicago Paper Company.

Bridal Salon Business Plan

RELEVANT EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Marketing Chicago University—1983

Daytimer Time Management Techniques Seminar—1992

Dale Carnegie Sales Course—1993

Franklin Management Program—1994

Successful Negotiations-Wisconsin State University—1995

Successful Supervisor Techniques-Fred Pryor Seminars—1997

Public Relations Director Green Bay Business and Professional Women's Club

Past Member Green Bay Public Library Millage Committee

Member Green Bay Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club

Bridal Salon Business Plan

August 4, 1997

Mr. Victor Case Executive Vice-President Wisconsin BIDCO, Inc. P.O. Box 170 Milwaukee, WI 00000

Dear Mr. Case:

Attached, please find the information we discussed in our meeting last week, specifically the cash flow analysis, statement of income and expenses for three years, personal financial statement, and balance sheet for my proposed business, Megan's Bridal Boutique.

I am requesting a loan in the amount of $65,000.00 to cover start-up inventory, office and shop expenses, and $5,000.00 working capital for my shop. The business will be wholly owned by me as an individual proprietorship and I plan to run it myself, with the help of one full-time assistant, who will also do the alterations. When the shop is fully established (approximately 3-5 years), it could employ up to six full-time employees at various skill levels.

I have access to $5,000.00 cash and my mother is willing to give me property, valued at approximately $35,000.00 to use as collateral. I also have $3,700.00 in equipment.

I would like to discuss this proposal further with you, prior to your board meeting next week. I can be reached at 616-628-1234. As we discussed, this project must remain confidential as I would have to leave Chicago Paper Company to pursue my dream of owning my own business. I wouldn't want to jeopardize the wonderful relationship I have with my boss if this project fails to get off the ground.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely, Megan Martin

Asset Equipment

Bridal Salon Business Plan

This page left intentionally blank to accommodate tabular material following.

Cash Flow/Requirement Analysis

Bridal Salon Business Plan

Statement of Income and Expense—Year One

Bridal Salon Business Plan

Statement of Income and Expenses—Year Two

Bridal Salon Business Plan

Statement of Income and Expenses—Year Three

Bridal Salon Business Plan

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:.

Wedding Company Business Plan Sample

The wedding industry has been surging back to its pre-pandemic levels since the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided.  Now is the perfect time to create a wedding company as this industry comes back to life.  The following business plan sample will provide you with a real-life example of what a successful wedding company’s business plan might look like.

1.0 Executive Summary

“Massek Wedding Corp.” operating as “Massek Wedding Co.” (The Company), was incorporated on January 10, 2021, by President Teegan Peel and Director Jason Peel.  Massek Wedding Co. is an e-commerce platform that connects brides/grooms to wedding vendors and suppliers globally.

With the resurgence of weddings in a post-COVID-19 world, couples seek a one-stop-shop and digital platform to streamline their wedding planning.  massekwedding.comwill meet this demand by offering a global marketplace for wedding products and services, where the Company earns a 5-7% commission from all transactions made. In addition, Massek Wedding Co. will earn additional revenues by allowing vendors and suppliers to advertise and appear first for products and services of their choice.

The Company is seeking a $30,000 loan through the SBA Loan Program. These funds will be used to develop the e-commerce store, purchase office equipment, and launch a customer service platform.

In addition to developing a fully functional, optimally designed e-commerce store, Teegan Peel will ensure the Company embarks on a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. This approach will use a geo-targeted Google Ads campaign, focusing on strategic North American cities.  Google Ads will provide the greatest return on investment and support a solid launch for the first two years of business.

Massekwedding.com will utilize social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin to establish awareness and build a community for vendors, suppliers, and shoppers.  Today, it is more important than ever to support black startups. President Teegan Peel and Director Jason Peel seek to not just survive as entrepreneurs but plan to thrive in this new digital world while supporting the weddings of all genders, races, and backgrounds at the same time.

2.0 Business Overview

Massek Wedding Co. is an e-commerce online platform and marketplace that brings together vendors worldwide to showcase their products and services to engaged couples, families, and their wedding guests to shop for their wedding needs.

Unlike other online wedding directories and marketplaces, Massek Wedding Co. will not charge a monthly subscription fee to vendors. Instead, the Company will charge 5-7% of the purchase price of products and services bought and booked through the platform. In addition, couples will never pay a subscription fee to search or initiate transactions through the website.

The platform will host both product and service-based businesses so couples can purchase everything from wedding dresses to tuxedos and wedding favours to flowers. They can also book services, including photography, videography, and wedding coordinators. Family and friends can also purchase gifts and purchase services and products on behalf of the couple.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created a new breed of tech-savvy, digital consumers. As pandemic restrictions begin to ease around the world, couples who postponed their weddings last year will start using online sites to shop for and rebook their weddings. The Massek Wedding Co. website will become the one-stop shop and online platform to streamline their wedding planning.

The Company President, Ms. Teegan Peel, has experience planning her wedding and wedding celebrations for colleagues. She saw the immense stress couples were under to plan and execute their perfect wedding. Massek Wedding Co. will help couples focus on their wedding experience, not on the stress of searching for the perfect vendors for their special day.

The Company’s e-commerce platform allows for scalability. It will have the capacity to host over 100,000+ vendors, and with Massek Wedding Co.’s commission of 5-7% per sale, it is estimated to earn the Company upwards of $5-10 million annually.

The Company is seeking a $30,000 loan through the SBA Loan Program, where the company will use these funds to develop the e-commerce store, purchase office equipment, and establish a customer service platform.

2.1 Industry Overview

2020 was a disappointing year for many. Those who were planning to get married during that time were met with extra disappointment. They either postponed their weddings or opted for smaller virtual events instead of the big dream wedding they planned.

The wedding industry took a massive loss in 2020 and saw a 34.2% decrease. However, as COVID-19 restrictions start to ease worldwide, wedding vendors are preparing for an influx of bookings in the coming months.

Couples in North America spend an average of 14 months planning their wedding, but as many couples are eager to reschedule their postponed weddings, this time frame may be hastened for many. Especially with online platforms and marketplaces like Massek Wedding Co., it will be easier than ever to book all your wedding products and services in a shorter timeframe than ever before.

The next 1-2 years is expected to see considerable recovery in the Wedding industry and is a perfect opportunity for new businesses like Massek Wedding Co. to come onto the landscape to help with the increase in consumer demand.

2.2 Mission & Vision Statement

MISSION : Massek Wedding Co. is on a mission to help couples worldwide plan their dream wedding with ease and confidence with a globally diverse range of wedding product and service providers.

VISION : Massek Wedding Co.’s vision is to connect couples planning their wedding and high-quality wedding product and service providers worldwide. Through our online platform, we make the process of browsing and shopping with wedding vendors easy and stress-free so couples can find everything they need for their dream wedding celebration.

2.3 Goals and Objectives

Massek Wedding Co. makes wedding planning less stressful for couples. In the past, couples had to visit multiple websites to find what they needed. With the Massek Wedding Co. platform, they can book all their wedding products and services from one easy-to-navigate website.

In addition to becoming the trusted, go-to resource for couples to purchase everything they need for their dream wedding, Massek Wedding Co. Online is working towards the following goals and objectives:

  • $100,000 revenue in year one
  • 60-70% gross profits
  • 60% growth between years one and two
  • 70-75% growth between years one and two

2.4 Key Success Factors

The success of the Massek Wedding Co. is dependent on four key external factors:

  • Per capita disposable income : Wedding spend is directly linked to the disposable income of the couple. After a dip in disposable income in 2020, it’s expected to increase as general economic growth increases.
  • Marriage Rate : The more couples who get married, the more is spent on the wedding industry. The marriage rate has been on a steady decline in recent years due to public sentiment around marriage as well as the COVID-19 pandemic limiting couple’s ability to host their big, dream weddings.
  • Adults between 20-64 : The number of adults in this age group is over 193 million in the US alone and make up an estimated 58.2% of the US population in 2021. This demographic makes up most weddings, so this population will directly impact market success.
  • Percentage of business conducted online : Online services have provided consumers with more choices than ever before. The percentage of companies run online is expected to increase 11.1% in 2021, 15% in 2022, and 19.4% in 2023. As more wedding services and products create e-commerce solutions, the competition in the market will increase. This opens a unique opportunity for multi-vendor marketplaces like Massek Wedding Co. to establish a reputation now and build their market share.

2.5 Staffing

Mrs. Peel will manage the day-to-day operations of the Massek Wedding Co. for the first year of business. In year two, the Company expects to hire at least one part-time employee to help with administrative tasks and customer service inquiries. In the third and subsequent years, the Company expects to hire an additional two employees every year.

Customer Service staff will be paid $25,000 per year for part-time and $30,000 for full-time. In subsequent years, the Company plans to hire an Accountant for $30,000 per year.

In the first two years, Massek Wedding Co. may hire additional contractors as needed.

Due to the nature of this online business and the use of automation, a large employee complement is unnecessary.

Have Questions? Looking To Get Started?

  • Your Name *
  • Email Address *
  • Phone Number

2.6 Management Team   

The management team consists of the CEO/President, Ms. Teegan Peel, who will earn a salary of $13,750 in year one and $54,600 in year two.

The Company will also be co-managed by Mr. Jason Peel, who will be working part-time as the company director and earn a salary of $13,750 in year one and $36,000 in year two.

Teegan Peel. P Eng

Washington D.C. Z7M 5R5, USA

Business Analyst (P Eng) experienced in drilling programming and optimization, drilling cost analysis and control, Drilling and Completions KPI reporting, Authorization for Expenditures (AFE), AFE Supplements and Accruals, Inventory tracking and reporting

Reporting yearly drilling performances by geographical areas and rig performance comparison; comparing key parameters such as total days to drill, AFEs to Actual Field Estimates and Gross Actuals, drilling parameters, rig limitations and drilling problems and reporting drilling and completions performance trends to Manager

Gathering auditing documents requirement. Assisting with answering partner audits related to drilling costs and tubulars. Ensuring documents are filed, organized and up to date.  Working with accounting and vendors to sort out invoice issues and coding problems. Using Qbyte to verify field costs and actuals paid; ensuring actuals paid are close to field cost estimates.

Reviewing and analyzing partner end of well reports. Comparing partner’s drilling KPIs with companies’ drilling KPIs and reporting on performance, costs vs days curve and problems encountered.

EXPERIENCE         

Sept 2017 – Present

Business Analyst (P Eng),

Reviewing projects costs and AFEs and ensuring projects are within budgets

Putting together Quarterly reports for Drilling & Completions and presenting to management.

Forecasting Drilling & Completions costs based on trends utilizing Power BI

One-on-One meetings with vendors to discuss ways to cut-down cost without  compromising safety

Dec 2014 – Sept 2017

Drilling Engineer (E.I.T),

Preparing and reviewing drilling programs, cementing programs, directional plans and drilling fluid programs

New drilling technology investigation, recommendations and implementation. Selecting the best tools to effectively drill a well in a safe and cost effective manner

Offset Fracture interference evaluation (Offset Fracture Planning) for new wells to be drilled. Helping to reduce risk to offset wells.

Preparation of drilling cost estimates for new wells and wells in progress. In addition to preparing drilling programs

Coordinate technical data gathering for well license application for Directive – 56 notifications (D.C. Energy Regulator)

Jan 2012 – Aug 2013

Drilling Rig Design Engineer, Kodiak Engineering Ltd

Performed thorough wind, raising and hook analysis for all types of rigs (slant, freestanding) at different mast angles.

Rig equipment-rating analysis, including working floor, mastboom, monkeyboard. Performed Handling/Lifting and Operational analysis for rig equipments using StruCAD

Detailed drawing of rig parts using AutoCAD software.

Nov 2016 – Mar 2017

Stanford Center for Professional Development

Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Certificate

Sept 2013 – Nov 2014

Master of Petroleum Engineering [MEng], University of D.C., USA

Thesis: “Generalized Minimum Miscibility Pressure Correlations for Gas Injection Based on Alternating Conditional Expectations Algorithm (ACE)”

Sept 2007 – Jun 2011

BSc Petroleum Engineering, University of D.C., USA

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS

University of D.C. Academic Excellence Scholarship

Registrar’s international scholarship

Faculty of Engineering Academic Excellence Scholarship

Jason Peel, PhD

Transformative Results Oriented Strategic Leader:

Global Supply Chain Experience

PhD in Management

Service Quality Management Experience

LEADS Director Certification

Private and Public Sector Experience

Project and Change Management

PhD (Major: Management) 2015

Haskayne School of Business, University of Washington, Washington, USA.

Master’s Degree (Major: Production Development and Management) 2009

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Jönköping University

Bachelor’s Degree (Major: Mechanical Engineering) 2006

Department of Mechanical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

D.C. Health Services (AHS), D.C., USA 2016 – 2021

Position: Consultant, Integrated Quality Management

Management and Out Of Scope position responsible for the development and execution of quality improvement and change management strategy and processes to drive change and improvement to the Quality of Healthcare provided to the public. Responsible for influencing and supporting Executive Directors and over 30 Managers  each with several direct reports (typically over 30) to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, safety and overall quality of the service they provide to clients. Also Lead for the patient flow program targeted at improving public access to services in the Central Zone which has an area of 95,000 square kilometers.

Ghanaian Canadian Association of Washington (GCAC), Washington, USA  2016 – 2019

Role: Policymaker, Scholarship Committee and By-Law Review Committee

Volunteering for roles related to legislation and policy formulation for strategic guidance:

ATCO Structures and Logistics, Washington, USA 2013 – 2015

Position: Analyst, Global Supply Chain.

Responsible for analyzing vendor costs, forecasting, and co-developing and executing cost reduction strategies and processes in the Continuous Improvement Team of the Global Supply Chain Department of the Company to enhance operating cost efficiency.

University of Washington, Washington, USA 2013 – 2015

Position: Faculty Member

Responsible for instructing MBA and undergraduate students  from a diverse background to build capability for more effective operations management in their organizations.

3.0 Products & Services

The categories of products and services on the massekwedding.com marketplace will evolve. At launch, the website will include these categories:

  • Photography & Videography
  • Accommodation
  • Dresses – bride, bridesmaid, groom, groomsmen, mother of bride & groom
  • Dressmakers/Tailors & Alterations
  • Accessories
  • Cakes & Pastries
  • Bouquet & Flowers
  • Makeup & Hairstylist
  • Invitations & Programs
  • Hats & Fascinators
  • Gifts & Souvenirs
  • DJ & MC
  • Choir/Orchestra
  • Wedding Planners
  • Artiste & Dancers
  • Local Items
  • Fabrics & Laces
  • Bridal Dresses
  • Bridal Shoes
  • Bridal Accessories
  • Bridal Rings

WEDDING GUEST SHOP

  • Wedding Guest Dresses
  • Wedding Guest Shoes
  • Wedding Guests Accessories
  • Fascinators & Hats

BRIDESMAIDS SHOP

  • Bridesmaids Dresses
  • Bridesmaids Shoes
  • Bridesmaids Accessories
  • Groom Suits
  • Groom Shoes
  • Groom Accessories

GROOMSMEN’S SHOP

  • Groomsmen Suits
  • Groomsmen Shoes
  • Groomsmen Accessories

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE & GROOM SHOP

4.0 Operations

The business will operate in Washington D.C. but will not have any brick-and-mortar locations. The official business address for the Company is:

The Company’s operating hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition, the website will be equipped with chatbot automation to answer questions from prospective vendors and shoppers.

4.1 Equipment

As an online business, the Company requires no specialized equipment to operate.

4.2 Inventory

The Massek Wedding Co. website will feature products and services from third-party vendors. Vendors are responsible for the delivery of all products and services purchased through the website. No inventory will be stored or distributed by the Company.

Let's Get Started!

5.0 market analysis.

In previous years, the average wedding in the USA cost $30,000 . Last spring, due to the pandemic, it was estimated that 66-82% of wedding celebrations were postponed. Cancellations and postponements continued throughout the year as pandemic restrictions prevented couples from having their dream celebrations.

Couples who planned weddings for 2020 and 2021 were left with disappointment as the pandemic restricted social activities. Those who did get married opted for inexpensive, virtual events or smaller celebrations. Spending on wedding-related services dropped a dramatic 34.2% in 2020 as a result.

In Summer 2021, as pandemic restrictions are easing, the industry is preparing for an unprecedented surge in weddings over the next 12-24 months as everyone who postponed their wedding will now be looking to rebook (in addition to all the newly engaged couples making new bookings).

In D.C., the state’s reopening plans are taking shape and allowing for larger in-person events to return, including weddings. IBIS World predicts that the worldwide wedding industry will boom over the next five years as operators and service providers begin accommodating these new and postponed weddings.

In addition, some couples are trending towards DIY weddings and opting to do more parts of wedding planning themselves. This provides an opportunity for wedding product providers to gain a larger market share and sell their products directly to couples without going through an intermediary like a wedding planner.

WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE : Couples in North America spend an average of 14 months planning their wedding (just 11-12 months for Western Europe).

WEDDING BUDGET BREAKDOWN : Couples in North America rank photography, hair/make-up, and the wedding dress and their top 3 wedding vendors . Parents of the bride and groom often contribute to some of the wedding costs (in Spain and Italy, for example, parents cover roughly ⅔ of wedding expenses for their children).

According to the Better Business Bureau, nearly 75% of brides spend more on their wedding than budgeted. Here is the average spend for key wedding items in USA:

  • Venue: $11,046
  • Photographer: $2,135
  • Wedding Dress: $1,779
  • Catering: $63 per guest
  • Day-of Wedding Planner: $3535
  • Wedding Cake: $353
  • Flowers: $1,674
  • Wedding favours: $262
  • Invitations: $241
  • Hair and Makeup: $395
  • Bridal Party Gifts: $523

WEDDING GUEST COUNT : The average Canadian wedding hosts 154 guests. The average US wedding caters to 126 guests. Guest count is dependent on the culture of the bride and groom and will directly correlate to wedding spend. For example, some traditional East Indian weddings can see upwards of 500 or more guests.

5.1 Competition

business plan for bridal wear company

www.w eddingwire.co m

business plan for bridal wear company

www.t heknot.co m

business plan for bridal wear company

https://www.weddingstar.ca/

business plan for bridal wear company

5.2 Competitive Advantage

There are many wedding marketplaces and directories online. Here is what makes Massek Wedding Co. different and unique compared to competitors:

  • Vendor pricing structure . The Company does not charge vendors to list their products on the website. Instead, Massek Wedding Co. earns revenue by charging a small percentage (5-7%) of any sales made through the platform. In addition, the Company will earn additional revenue by charging a premium fee for sponsored placement on the website.
  • Live chat with vendors : Every vendor will have access to a private, instant messaging platform that allows users of the website to live chat with them in real-time.
  • Global vendor marketplace: The marketplace will be a truly international marketplace with worldwide vendors to meet any need couples have for wedding products or services. For couples looking for something specific or unique that they can’t get in their community, this platform will connect them with a vendor in another city or country that offers that product or service.

5.3 Risk Analysis

RISK #1: The business’s profitability is linked to the average budget of couples getting married. If the number of weddings decreases or their average spending drops, they are likely to spend less on vendors through the marketplace.

MITIGATION : To mitigate this risk, the Company will diversify the types of wedding services it provides, from both high budget and lower-budget items, so no matter the bride and groom’s budget, they can find what they need on the website without needing to shop elsewhere.

RISK #2 : The wedding industry is a year-round business, but there are predictably busy and slow seasons throughout the year. Consistent month-to-month revenue is not expected and can make Company budgeting more difficult.

MITIGATION : Knowing the ebb and flow of this industry will assist in budget planning for the slower seasons.

RISK #3: Consumers and Canadian law have stringent data protection rules and expectations. Consumers and vendors need assurance that the Company will protect any data collected while browsing or making purchases on the website.

MITIGATION : The Company website will include high-level security, SSL certificates, and a promise that information collected will not be shared or sold to third parties.

6.0 Sales & Marketing Plan

Massek Wedding Co. caters to two main groups:

WEDDING INDUSTRY VENDORS

The Massek Wedding Co. online marketplace connects wedding vendors globally with new customers and clients. In addition, the Company will attract vendors who may already have their own website or online presence but want to expand their reach into new markets.

Many vendors are frustrated due to lost revenue from the 2020 wedding season and are starting to explore new online channels to get their products and services in front of new audiences ready to buy.

These vendors have tried online marketplaces and business listings in the past but hated paying high subscription fees to list their business on these sites, especially when there was no promise of return. Instead, they would rather pay based on a commission-based model.

They are tech-savvy or willing to learn how to use online chat software to chat with prospective customers and clients. They love to talk about weddings and know that when they can personally engage with a prospective buyer, their conversion rates increase, and they can make more sales.

Vendors for Massek Wedding Co. are ready to provide their services virtually and ship products to couples around the world.

ENGAGED COUPLES

Massek Wedding Co. attracts wedding vendors from around the world, so engaged couples can find everything they need to plan and host their dream wedding with ease. Users of the website are primarily women who will likely engage their partners when they see something they like. They are between the ages of 20 to 64, and for many, it will be their first wedding, so they want it to be a memorable experience.

They not only want their wedding to be the most memorable day of their life, but they also want their guests to have fun too. Therefore, having the approval of their family and friends is a high priority for many couples.

Newly engaged couples feel overwhelmed with all the wedding websites and shops in their community and online. They just want a one-stop shop to find and interact with wedding vendors around the world. In addition, they may be feeling overwhelmed or stressed about wedding planning and are looking for an online resource to provide options so they can make their decision.

They also likely have many questions about the process or the services/products online. Being able to chat online with vendors in real-time is valuable to them.

Massek Wedding Co.’s customers are savvy shoppers and either want the best deal or are willing to pay more to get something unique. Users of the Massek Wedding Co. either already know what they need when they start shopping on the site or may begin as digital “window shoppers.”

In addition, friends and family of the couple can use the platform to purchase their wedding attire and accessories or purchase items on behalf of the couple.

6.1 Key Channels

As a 100% online platform, online marketing will be the main focus of Massek Wedding Co.’s marketing strategy. The Company plans to create a robust Instagram and Video (YouTube) marketing plan to create content that attracts both vendors and engaged couples to the website. The Company will also grow a strong presence on Facebook and LinkedIn to provide additional awareness of the Company for vendors, suppliers and purchasers.

The Company will utilize online paid ads to target particular demographics of couples and vendors. Additionally, major vendors will be approached personally and invited to join the platform.

For Google Ads, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy will target strategic cities in North America. The Company’s marketing plan for Google Ads will provide the greatest return on investment and be the Company’s primary paid ad placement strategy for the first two years. The marketing team will monitor it closely and adjust the campaign to get the highest ROI possible.

6.2 SWOT Analysis

business plan for bridal wear company

7.0 Financial Plan

business plan for bridal wear company

How can we help you?

Get in touch with us or visit our office

  • United States

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Bridal Gown Shop Business Plan

Start your own bridal gown shop business plan

Recycled Dreams

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Recycled Dreams – a Bridal Repository is a Portland, OR based retail rental shop of bridal dresses and accessories. Founded and operated by Connie Jugal, Recycled Dreams will meet the unmet market demand of formal wedding wear that is rented as opposed to purchased. Traditionally, participants in the bride’s wedding party are required to buy their dresses for the wedding, yet they have no input as to what the dress looks like. They are told exactly what dress they need to purchase. More often than not the dresses are horrendous looking and after the occasion they remain in the closet collecting dust indefinitely. It is therefore very practical to provide people with the option of renting a dress in light of the fact that the dress will only be used once. This makes the event far more cost effective, yet just as fashionable. Men can rent tuxedos, now women can rent bridal dresses.

The Services

Recycled Dreams rents dresses, shoes, head pieces and veils. For the bride and others if they so choose, the dresses can be purchased. However most customers will be overjoyed with the option of renting these one time pieces of clothing. In addition to providing the wedding party will the ability to rent all the necessary clothing pieces and accessories, Recycled Dreams has established strategic partnerships with top-flight local wedding related service providers such as invitations, flowers, catering, and photographers. Not only do these alliances provide a one stop shopping option for customers where all preparations can be accomplished at Recycled Dreams, but Recycled Dreams earns a commission on the referrals creating an additional revenue source.

The Market and Competition

Recycled Dreams will be targeting two distinct market segments, the bridal couple and the parents of the bridal couple. Couples as a market segment is growing at 9% a year with 114,584 potential customers, and the parents of the couple have a 8% growth rate with over 112,000 possible customers.

Recycled Dreams faces competition from traditional bridal shops that sell the products. While these are competitors, Recycled Dreams sees them as indirect competitors since Recycled Dreams believes that the ability to rent the dresses is a huge value added service. Currently, there are no other bridal rental facilities in Portland. The concept is brand new. It has been tested to great success in San Francisco and Recycled Dreams is the first to offer it in Portland.

Competitive Edge

Recycled Dreams has two competitive advantages that will help them quickly grow their customer base and validate this new concept. The first is the idea that indeed, like men’s tuxedo’s, women’s bridal wear can be rented. This is particularly intuitive since the dresses are only worn once. Although some might feel that there is a social stigma attached with women renting clothing, there is no way for anyone other than the renting customer to know that the dress that they are wearing is rented. Their second competitive edge is their benchmarked customer service. Recycled Dreams sees their role in the entire process as the one to hold the client’s hand and walk them through the entire event, meeting all of their needs. This philosophy has been engrained within the entire organization.

Beyond the fact that Recycled Dreams is a great idea, the company has a seasoned founder and manager at the helm to guide the company to profitability. Connie has years of retail management experience. Her experience was at the Salvation Army where she was the manager of several stores. While manager, Connie was responsible for growth up to 46% a year per store. Connie will leverage this outstanding industry experience to make Recycled Dreams a success.

Recycled Dreams is an exciting concept that acknowledges the fact that most bridal party dresses are not the prettiest creations, are quite expensive, and almost never worn after the intended wedding. Recycled Dreams will reach profitability by month 10 with healthy sales for year one and more than doubling by the end of year three.

Bridal gown shop business plan, executive summary chart image

1.1 Objectives

The objectives for the first three years of operation include:

  • To create a service-based company whose primary goals is to exceed customer’s expectations.
  • To increase the number of clients by 20% per year through superior service.
  • To develop a sustainable start-up business providing cost effective bridal dresses.

1.2 Mission

Recycled Dreams’ mission is to provide cost effective use of bridal dresses and accessories for weddings. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.

LivePlan Logo

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Company summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">.

Recycled Dreams is a bridal wear store that provides dresses for rent for the Portland, Oregon market. Most people agree that bridesmaids dresses are unattractive and are not usually worn again. Recycled Dreams will offer bridal gowns (for sale and for rent) and bridesmaid, matron and maid of honor, and flower girl dresses, as well as shoes for rental for the special event.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Recycled Dreams will incur the following start-up costs:

  • Computer with a point of sale terminal.
  • Back office terminal including printer, CD-RW.
  • Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro, POS software.
  • Display racks and shelving.
  • Three couches.
  • Desk, chair and filing cabinets.
  • Materials  to construct a plush series of changing rooms.
  • Full-length mirrors.
  • Website development.
  • Inventory of dresses, shoes, head pieces and veils.

Please note that the following items which are considered assets to be used for more than a year will labeled long-term assets and will be depreciated using G.A.A.P. approved straight-line depreciation method.

Bridal gown shop business plan, company summary chart image

2.2 Company Ownership

Recycled Dreams is a sole proprietorship owned by Connie Jugal.

Recycled Dreams will provide rentals for all the necessary dresses required for a wedding including the bridal gown, bridesmaid, matron or maid of honor, and flower girl dresses. In addition to the dresses, shoes can be rented as well. The bridesmaid’s dresses are particularly useful for rental since the bridesmaids do not get a choice in the dress they will wear, and even if they do not have to pay for the dress themselves, the dress usually is only worn once and then is stored in the back of the closet for many years, so it is not a good investment to purchase. Recycled Dreams has an on-staff seamstress to make any alterations necessary.

The bridal dress, headpiece, and veil can be rented, or purchased, depending on the whim of the bride. Often the bride will want to keep these items as there is a strong emotional connection with the dress from their wedding.

In addition to the dresses which can be rented or bought, Recycled Dreams will have formed strategic relationships with local service providers for the following services: invitations, flowers, cake, catering, photographer, and travel arrangements for the honeymoon. All of these service providers are researched and tested to ensure top-level service. For each referral made to the strategic partners, Recycled Dreams will receive a small commission.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Recycled Dreams has two segmented groups that they will be targeting. The first group is the bridal couple that is responsible for the production of the wedding. This population typically has limited financial resources so they are particularly interested in ways of maximizing the money they can spend on the wedding. The other group is the parents of the bride. While they are likely to be more financially secure then the wedding couple themselves, they still typically have a limited budget. Usually the parents will solicit information from the couple and they (if they have been in a wedding party before) will relay the sentiment that buying the attendees dresses is a waste of money as the individuals really do not care if they own the dress if it is a gift, and if it they have to buy it they are bordering on resentment, tempered only by tradition that they have to purchase this ugly dress to wear once.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Recycled Dreams will be targeting low- to middle-income brides to be as well as the parents of the bride. Traditionally, it is the parents of the bride who are responsible for the costs associated with the wedding. Not everyone follows tradition however, it is increasingly the trend for the wedding couple to be responsible for the costs associated with the wedding production. For this reason both the couple, and the bride’s parents, will be targeted.

The wedding couple is likely to be interested in the rental of attendee’s bridal wear because the couple is usually young, just getting started, and not yet financially secure. A wedding in general is a large expense and the couple is typically looking for ways in which costs can be cut, yet will have no real effect on the event. In addition, the couple has other financial responsibilities such as the wedding rings and honeymoon that money is obviously tight. Even if the couple does not pay for the rentals and pass the costs onto the attendees, the attendees are likely to be in similar financial conditions as the couple and could in theory put the money saved from the rental into a nicer gift.

The other group to be targeted is the parents of the bride. This segment is likely to appreciate the option of renting bridal wear instead of purchasing it for several reasons. They are likely to recognize that the attendees of the bridal party do not typically care about the dresses that they must wear. With this in mind, they are more likely to spend the saved money from the rental on some other expense in the wedding that will be more meaningful. This is assuming that they will end up spending the money saved in some other way. They may also choose the renting option as a way to save the money. As many know, weddings can get very expensive upwards of $20,000-30,000 is not unheard of. Saving a few thousand dollars is certainly appealing.

Bridal gown shop business plan, market analysis summary chart image

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Recycled Dreams will be targeting its chosen segments through an advertising campaign that involves advertisements in the local newspaper. Weddings in general are very social occassions and the social scene is captured in several different sections within the newspaper. People that are having a wedding typically page through the local newspaper, looking at the other wedding announcements. The local newspaper is also a good resource for finding local services and people use the paper as a resource guide.

Recycled Dreams will also be targeting these groups through advertisements in the yellow pages. The yellow pages are a fantastic resource guide, although it is at times not all that refined in terms of searching for information.

Lastly, Recycled Dreams will be relying on their website to increase visibility regarding their services. The website provides Recycled Dreams with a very controlled way to raise awareness of Recycled Dreams’ service offerings.

4.2.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Recycled Dreams’ main competition comes from traditional bridal stores. These stores can be broken down into various types:

  • Franchise stores : these shops are national or regional franchises that use buying power of a multi-shop establishment to lower prices as well as increase selection.
  • Sole proprietor shops : this style is a single outlet. It is hard to categorize much beyond this. There are some high-end independent shops as well as some budget ones. These stores are often relying on knowledge of local tastes as well as being a member of the community.

Currently Portland has no bridal wear rental facilities. There are rental facilities for men’s wear such as tuxedos, however, the rental trend has not extended to bridal wear. Entrepreneurs have been afraid to venture into women’s rentals out of fear that women are too fashion conscious to be willing to rent a dress, that would simply be a fashion faux pas.

As people’s finances become tighter and tighter, women are making decisions as to how to spend their money. As disposable income becomes more and more of a scarce resource, they are now more than ever willing to sacrifice what someone else might think of the idea of wearing a rental in return for freeing up their cash to do with it as they choose.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Recycled Dreams will meet Portland’s latent demand for bridal wear rentals. Currently, there are no stores that allow people to rent dresses and shoes for wedding parties, you are forced to buy them, use them once, and then let them sit in the closet. Recycled Dreams will supply this service with incredible attention to detail regarding customer service. Connie recognizes that the success of a business is totally dependant on customer service and will train her employees accordingly.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Recycled Dreams’ competitive edge is a service offering that has been so far shunned by the Portland market. As indicated before, it is the business owners, or entrepreneurs, that are shunning the concept, not the consumers. For this reason, having a service offering that supports a latent demand is truly a competitive advantage.

Recycled Dreams’ other competitive advantage is their recognition that superior customer attention is required to succeed. This holds true for two fundamental reasons, a business can only succeed if it meets or exceeds their customers needs. A company might offer the most wonderful service in the world, but if it does not meet their customer’s needs, they will not succeed. The other fundamental reason particular to the bridal industry is more often than not, people only get married once so traditional repeat customers is unusual. Recycled Dreams is hoping that positive word-of-mouth referrals will continue to bring customers in the door. With this in mind, a lot of business will be based in referrals from already married friends. Offering the highest customer service will ensure a steady stream of referrals.

5.2 Sales Strategy

Recycled Dreams’ sales strategy will be based on their ability to convince prospective clients on the economies of rentals as well as the misnomer regarding the fashion faux pas of rental dresses. Typically people will call in and request information regarding rentals. While many stores will attempt to make the phone inquiry as short as possible, Connie believes that this is the best opportunity to turn an information seeker into a customer. This can get time consuming because a large number of people will call seeking information, however, Connie recognizes that the time spent now will pay off significantly in the future. For this reason, employees will not receive commissions on sales, instead employees will receive bonuses for positive feedback that Recycled Dreams receives from customers.

5.2.1 Sales Forecast

The first month will be used to set up the store front, interview and hire employees and start up a media campaign to build awareness. Month two will see limited sales activity as people are just becoming aware of Recycled Dreams. Month four will see an increase in sales and subsequent months will build off of month four sales.

Bridal gown shop business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

5.3 Milestones

Recycled Dreams will have several milestones early on including:

  • Business plan completion. This will be done as a roadmap for the organization. This will be an indispensable tool for the ongoing performance and improvement of the company.
  • Set up of the store front.
  • The first month of profitability.
  • Revenues exceeding $100,000.

Bridal gown shop business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Connie Jugal received her undergraduate degree in communications from Portland State University. Connie put herself through school financially by working at the Salvation Army thrift store. Initially Connie worked at the Salvation Army as a register attendant. Within a year of working, she moved up to assistant manager first and then manager because of her attention to detail, her people skills, and her general management ability.

After graduating Connie was offered a regional manager position that put her in charge of three different stores. While Connie was not wanting to stay at the Salvation Army forever, she saw this offer as a unique opportunity, particularly for someone her age. While Connie was the regional manager, she was instrumental in raising revenues through sophisticated marketing and merchandising. She increased revenue 46% at store one over the previous year, 33% for store two, and 23% at store three. All three stores had between 1-5% revenue growth for the previous eight years. This revenue growth was quite a surprise relative to all the stores in Oregon for the last 10 years so Connie was offered an even larger territory for management the following year. While Connie was flattered to say the least, she recognized her need start her own business, to be her own boss. This was the beginning of Recycled Dreams.

6.1 Personnel Plan

Connie will work for Recycled Dreams full time. During month two Connie will hire one full-time person and one part-time person. The headcount will remain at four until month five when Connie will hire an additional full-time person. Connie has designed Recycled Dreams to be a very decentralized organization allowing all employees to share in responsibility for almost all tasks. Connie will also hire a part-time seamstress to make all the necessary alterations beginning in month two.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections will outline important financial information.

7.1 Important Assumptions

The following table details important financial assumptions.

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis indicates what will be needed in monthly revenue to reach the break-even point.

Bridal gown shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts display the projected profit and loss.

Bridal gown shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table will indicate projected cash flow.

Bridal gown shop business plan, financial plan chart image

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table will indicate the projected balance sheet.

7.6 Business Ratios

The following tables shows a variety of standard business analysis ratios, as calculated for the years of this plan. The Industry Profile column shows, for comparison, typical ratios for other businesses in the Formal Wear and Costume Rental industry, NAICS code 532220.

Start your own business plan

Your business plan can look as polished and professional as this sample plan. It's fast and easy, with LivePlan.

Garrett's Bike Shop

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

LivePlan pitch example

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

business plan for bridal wear company

Santa Clara Wedding Dresses and Gowns

Tadashi shoji.

Tadashi Shoji is a fashion designer with dress and attire stores Glendale, Santa Clara, and Costa Mesa, California. The ... Read more company namesake founded his business in the early 1980s, and his work brings joy to brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, and mothers of the bride and groom. Tadashi Shoji receives ...

Bumblebee Linens

Bumblebee Linens offers the largest selection of wedding handkerchiefs and wedding linens on the internet. Show your ... Read more guests or bridal party you care by presenting them with a personalized keepsake that they will cherish in the years to come. Our Commitment: We take pride in providing quality ...

Other options near Santa Clara, CA

Elegant lace bridal & tuxedo.

Elegant Lace Bridal & Tuxedo is a wedding boutique located in San Jose, California. It was founded in 1985 on an ethos ... Read more of offering top-notch customer service and quality dress selections. They provide gowns and attire to suit varying budgets in a myriad of styles and silhouettes. Their garments can ...

La Donna Bridal Atelier

La Donna Bridal Atelier is a wedding dress retailer located in San Jose, California. This family-owned business offers ... Read more customized garments that are made to order. Using Italian tailoring techniques and quality fabrics, the talented dressmaking team strives to produce a truly distinctive ...

Le Caprice is a premiere Bridal Boutique in Silicon Valley and has been a part of the San Francisco Bay Area wedding ... Read more industry since 1998. We are a business built on over 30 years of experience, dedication and the expertise of owner Marina Konnikova. Marina’s natural talent for transforming the ...

Bride and Bustle

Bride and Bustle is the Bay Area's premier bridal salon for made-to-order bridal gowns and couture custom accessories! ... Read more We carry made to order gowns from Hayley Paige, Pronovias, Watters, Allison Webb and more! Our salon is located in picturesque downtown Los Gatos, making an ideal setting for a ...

VAMA Designs Indian Bridal Couture

VAMA Designs is a one-stop shop for all traditional and fusion weddings in the Bay Area. We specialize in bridal wear, ... Read more party wear, and festive wear for women and men. Our designs are a fusion of traditional Indian elements with modern silhouettes and feature intricate embroidery, fabulous ...

Blossoms Bridal & Formal

Based out of Dublin, California, Blossoms Bridal & Formal is a wedding dress business. This boutique has everything you ... Read more need to create a fantastic look that you can celebrate your big day in. No matter if it's your wedding, prom, or formal ball, they have a range of gowns you can select from. In ...

J'aime Bridal

We're celebrating 18 years in business! Book your appointment: www.jaimebridal.com and see our latest happenings on ... Read more Instagram @jaimebridal So many new dresses for 2023 have arrived and we can't wait to see our brides in these gorgeous new styles! Special Order dresses range in price from $1400 to ...

Tina's Bridal & Creations

Tina's Bridal & Creations is home to a collection of wedding gowns and accessories. A selection of flower girl dresses ... Read more and tuxedo rentals are also available at this San Francisco-based store. They pride themselves on having anything you may need to complete your wedding looks. This includes even ...

Janene's Bridal Boutique

We treat brides like the royalty they are. We are the top wedding dress destination in the San Francisco Bay Area. We ... Read more are inclusive to all sizes with a huge passion for housing the largest plus size inventory in all of Northern California. Not only has our CEO, Stephani built up the success of this ...

Featured in Style Me Pretty and Over The Moon, As You Are is a custom clothing company based in San Francisco. We ... Read more specialize in tuxedos and suits for your wedding, regardless of your gender. We love identifying unique and beautiful fabrics and crafting them to the perfect style for your big day. ...

Robert Paul SF

Robert Paul SF is a luxury boutique situated in San Francisco, California. Whether a client is in need of a sportscoat ... Read more for a party or a tuxedo for their wedding day, this team proudly provides attire for every formal event. Whether client shops online or in the store, these professionals aim to ...

Brides for a Cause

Brides for a Cause is a charity bridal store located in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle and Sacramento. We provide a wide ... Read more range of wedding dresses sold off-the-rack at discounts up to 70% off, all while raising funds for local and national charities. With their vast inventory of donated gowns from stores, ...

Elegance Preserved

Elegance Preserved is a cleaning and preservation service located in San Francisco, California, that services the entire ... Read more nation. They help clean, repair, and preserve your beautiful wedding gowns so that you may treasure in its original state. As San Francisco’s sole member of the Association of ...

Blue Sky Bridal

Blue Sky Bridal is a wedding gown consignment and sample store located in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. The ... Read more business's team is proud to offer new, once-worn, and sample gowns at affordable prices. The store has countless options when it comes to finding a designer look for less. The shop's ...

Vogue Cleaners

Certified master cleaners Vogue Cleaners have been restoring wedding gowns in San Francisco, California since 1946. ... Read more Their focus is truly on customer satisfaction, as can be seen in their wedding gown cleaning process, where they allow you to inspect their work before the preservation is completed. ...

About DevotionDresses.com DevotionDresses.com is the one and the only marketplace that combines in itself some of the ... Read more best and most renown European producers offering premium European quality wedding and evening dresses that are always handsewn locally in Europe for each bride individually. Our goal ...

Weddings and Dreams

Weddings and Dreams is a family-oriented business here to take care of you. Our staff is excited to help you create ... Read more your dream wedding! We carry wedding gowns, bridesmaids/flowergirl dresses, evening dresses, wedding accessories, tuxedo rentals, and barong tagalogs. You can set up an appointment ...

National Gown Cleaners, LLC

We are Textile Conservators known as “The Experts” by Elegant Bride and by many bridal magazine editors ... Read more Internationally. National Gown Cleaners has been bringing museum quality cleaning and preservation methods to the public for over 86 years. The company is internationally known for their ...

Wedding accessories in online store at www.viogemini.com [email protected] 510-579-0965

The Girls @ Los Altos

The Girls @ Los Altos is a wedding dress and attire company in Los Altos, California. They specialize in special ... Read more occasion dresses for the little ones of your special day. Here, you can find your dream flower girl dresses. No matter what style you are looking for, they will have a dress for you that ...

Based out of Midway, Utah, Wood Leon provides one-of-a-kind wooden accessories and gifts to enhance your wedding ... Read more occasion. This business began as a passion project for company owner Spencer, who originally manufactured these high-quality designs from his mother’s garage. Now, having grown in size ...

Jasmine's Bridal Shop

Jasmine's Bridal Shop is a wedding dressmaker based in Fremont, California. This incredible team of tailors and ... Read more seamstresses works with clients to help make their wedding attire visions a reality. No project is too big or too small for them, creating custom gowns, veils, and more with ...

Tuxedo Fashions

Premium Merchandise. By carrying only the leading names in men’s formal wear, you are assured a fashionable tuxedo that ... Read more looks great throughout its rental life. Choose from leading designers including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Joseph Abboud, Allure For Men and Ike Behar. Best Price Guarantee. Don’t ...

East Meets Dress

East Meets Dress is an online store, serving couples all over the world, specializing in custom qipaos and cheongsams ... Read more for the modern woman. The company was founded by two Asian-Americans who struggled to find cheongsam outfits and tea ceremony supplies that were high-quality and designed with the ...

Eli Thomas Formalwear

Eli Thomas Menswear has dressed discerning men in casual and formal attire for 50+ years.

Wedding Dresses near Santa Clara, CA

Search beyond bridal shops in san francisco.

  • San Francisco 31
  • San Jose 13
  • Sunnyvale 6
  • Walnut Creek 6
  • Burlingame 5
  • Palo Alto 4
  • San Carlos 3
  • San Mateo 3
  • Pleasanton 3
  • San Bruno 2
  • South San Francisco 2
  • Livermore 2
  • Cupertino 2
  • Los Altos 1
  • Redwood City 1
  • Brentwood 1
  • El Cerrito 1
  • Lafayette 1

Other vendors in San Francisco for your wedding

Wedding vendors.

  • Wedding Photographers
  • Wedding DJs
  • Wedding Hair & Makeup
  • Wedding Planners
  • Wedding Caterers
  • Wedding Florists
  • Wedding Videographers
  • Wedding Officiants
  • Wedding Rentals
  • Photo Booths
  • Wedding Bands
  • Wedding Cakes
  • Wedding Limos
  • Wedding Musicians
  • Wedding Decor & Lighting
  • Wedding Invitations
  • Travel Agents
  • Wedding Jewelers
  • Wedding Favors

Bridal Veil Fashions

Bridal Veil Fashions

business plan for bridal wear company

Once a bride at Bridal Veil, you become part of our family

Family owned and operated by mother and daughter Joanne & Lisa Cecchettini, Bridal Veil Fashions has been in business locally for over half a century. We take pride in helping you bring the vision you have for your special day to life. As bridal gown experts, Bridal Veil Fashions can make sure every bride looks her best on her wedding day while staying within budget.

With our selection of wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, mother of the bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and tuxedo rentals , we can outfit your entire wedding party. We also offer custom sizing and a selection of plus size dresses . In addition, you can find the perfect accessories for your wedding, such as veils, headbands, purses, shoes, belts, and garters at Bridal Veil Fashions. Our mother – daughter team will help guide you to create the perfect ensemble for your special day.

tuxedos

IMAGES

  1. Bridal Shop Business Plan Template [Free PDF]

    business plan for bridal wear company

  2. Pro Bridal Shop Business Plan Template

    business plan for bridal wear company

  3. Bridal Shop Business Plan

    business plan for bridal wear company

  4. a pie chart with the words market analysis pie written in red, white and blue

    business plan for bridal wear company

  5. Bridal Salon Business Plan Business Plan

    business plan for bridal wear company

  6. Bridal Shop Business Plan Template

    business plan for bridal wear company

VIDEO

  1. US Bridal 2023 Pakistani Bridal & Party Wear Collection Good Price

COMMENTS

  1. Fill Out Sample Business Plan

    Avoid Errors With Your Business Plan. Over 1M Forms Created - Try 100% Free! Customize Business Plan Templates Online 100% Free. Print & Download Now!

  2. Free Business Plan

    Answer Simple Questions to Make A Business Plan On Any Device In Minutes. Get A Business Plan Using Our Simple Step-By-Step Process. Start Today!

  3. Bridal Shop Business Plan Example

    1.1 Objectives Bride's Entourage has the following objectives: To be the primary one-stop-shop for the female members of a bridal party once the bride has purchased her gown (i.e. mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bridesmaids, flower girls, footwear, and accessories). To have vigorous sales in the first twelve months of operations.

  4. Bridal Shop Business Plan [Free Template

    Download Template Create a Business Plan The bridal dress market is extensively large and holds large profit margins. It is indeed a rewarding business venture to undertake. Anyone can start a bridal shop, however, you do require substantial initial investments to get started.

  5. How to Start a Bridal Shop

    3-6 months Profit potential $52,000 - $130,000 p.a. Industry trend Growing Commitment Full-time Weddings are special events, and brides want their day to be perfect, especially the wedding dress. Brides agonize over choosing the right dress, and when they find the one they want, they're willing to spend some serious money to own it.

  6. Bridal Shop Business Plan [Sample Template]

    1. Industry Overview Bridal Shops are retail outlets that predominantly retail bridal wear, including wedding gowns, veils and other accessories such as shoes, ties, gloves and jewelry. Stores also typically provide alterations, such as hemming, taking in or letting out seams, and lengthening or shortening sleeves.

  7. Bridal Shop Business Plan: the Ultimate Guide for 2024

    · Jun 21, 2023 Last Updated: 12/17/2023 Opening your own bridal shop is an exciting endeavor, but it also comes with many challenges. Without a well-crafted business plan, your bridal shop...

  8. How to Start a Bridal Shop Business

    Start a bridal shop business by following these 10 steps: Plan your Bridal Shop Business Form your Bridal Shop Business into a Legal Entity Register your Bridal Shop Business for Taxes Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card Set up Accounting for your Bridal Shop Business Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bridal Shop Business

  9. Free Bridal Shop Business Plan Template + Example

    1 million businesses. Download a free bridal shop business plan template with SBA-approved format. Includes pre-filled examples and step-by-step guides for a successful start.

  10. How to Write a Bridal Shop Business Plan

    Marketing Financial Start Your Bridal Shop Business Plan Today Know Your Target Market The first thing to consider when opening up a bridal shop is your target market. It's important to keep up with the trends in the bridal franchise to best suit your future customers' needs.

  11. How to write a business plan for a bridal store?

    Why write a business plan for a bridal store? What information is needed to create a business plan for a bridal store? How do I build a financial forecast for a bridal store? The written part of a bridal store business plan What tool should I use to write my bridal store business plan?

  12. Bridal Shop Business Plan Sample [Update 2024]

    Our bridal salon business plan targets to be achieved within the next three years are as follows: Franchise Business Plan Helps the franchisee get business case approval from the franchisor Company Summary 2.1 Company Owner Mrs. James is a well-known lady in fashion designing and bridal salon business plan for the past 15 years.

  13. How to Open a Bridal Shop from Home in 2023 [Business Plan]

    How to Start a Bridal Shop from Home [Business Plan] A bridal shop is a retail outlet that predominantly retails bridal wear, including wedding gowns, veils, and other accessories such as shoes, ties, gloves, and jewelry.

  14. How to Start a Bridal Shop (with Pictures)

    6. Get ready for opening day. According to the industry, the best time to open a new shop is in September, as most brides will start looking for their wedding one year ahead. January is also a good time as brides getting married later the same year will start looking for wedding attire then.

  15. How to Start a Profitable Bridal Business [11 Steps]

    1. Perform market analysis. Embarking on a bridal business venture requires a thorough understanding of the market landscape. A comprehensive market analysis will spotlight opportunities, identify the competition, and reveal customer preferences.

  16. Bridal Salon Business Plan Business Plan

    INVENTORY DESCRIPTION, ANALYSIS, AND STRATEGY Line: Bridal Description: This line will consist of re-orderable wedding gowns, re-orderable headpieces, dyeable satin shoes, crinolines, re-orderable bridesmaid gowns, and jewelry. Megan's Bridal Boutique will carry 60 wedding gown samples featuring three manufacturer's lines (20 pieces at $200 wholesale, 20 at $300, 20 at $400, for a total start ...

  17. PDF Bridal Shop Business Plan Business Plan Example

    Market size and growth potential. Help tip Bridal Shop Business Plan. Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market. For instance, the global bridal wear market is expected to reach 69.9 billion To unlock dollars help by try 2026. Upmetrics!

  18. Wedding Company Business Plan Sample

    "Massek Wedding Corp." operating as "Massek Wedding Co." (The Company), was incorporated on January 10, 2021, by President Teegan Peel and Director Jason Peel. Massek Wedding Co. is an e-commerce platform that connects brides/grooms to wedding vendors and suppliers globally.

  19. Bridal Gown Shop Business Plan

    Three couches. Desk, chair and filing cabinets. Materials to construct a plush series of changing rooms. Full-length mirrors. Website development. Inventory of dresses, shoes, head pieces and veils.

  20. The 10 Best Wedding Dresses in San Jose, CA

    Tuxedo Fashions. 5.0 (13) · San Jose, CA. Premium Merchandise. By carrying only the leading names in men's formal wear, you are assured a fashionable tuxedo that looks great throughout its rental life. Choose from leading designers including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Joseph Abboud, Allure For Men and Ike Behar. Best Price Guarantee.

  21. The 10 Best Wedding Dresses in Santa Clara, CA

    Tadashi Shoji. 4.9 (10) · San Francisco, CA. Tadashi Shoji is a fashion designer with dress and attire stores Glendale, Santa Clara, and Costa Mesa, California. The company namesake founded his business in the early 1980s, and his work brings joy to brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, and mothers of the bride and groom.

  22. Home

    Family owned and operated by mother and daughter Joanne & Lisa Cecchettini, Bridal Veil Fashions has been in business locally for over half a century. We take pride in helping you bring the vision you have for your special day to life. As bridal gown experts, Bridal Veil Fashions can make sure every bride looks her best on her wedding day while ...

  23. DESERT ROSE WEDDING HALL BUSINESS PLAN A Project Presented to the

    This business plan was created for the purposes of opening a high-end wedding venue. The business plan contains six sections. The sections include company description, market analysis, organization and management, marketing, financials, and a conclusion. The wedding venue will be built ground up in Santa Clara Country.