Bridal boutique with fitting room

Brides and their families, plus bridesmaids and mothers of the bride buying dresses and accessories.

Margin on each gown ordered from designers, plus accessories, bridesmaid and guest dresses, and alteration fees if you offer them or work with a seamstress.

• Customer service and patience
• An eye for fit, fabric and style
• Budgeting and stock buying
• Working with wedding suppliers

• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and check cover for sample gowns
• Municipal business licence and zoning rules for retail, check with your city
• Cash flow: deposits from brides may not cover designer orders, and sample stock is a big upfront cost
• Designer contracts, order deadlines and return policies, read them carefully
• Collect and remit GST/HST or PST where required, and check your provincial rules
• Wedding bookings are seasonal, with busy spring and summer periods and slower winters

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how many sample gowns you stock. Sample stock is a big upfront cost, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of appointments, gown prices and accessory sales. Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week, with busier spring and summer periods.

Check your city's business licence and zoning rules for retail, and commercial general liability and contents insurance, including cover for sample gowns. Also read designer contracts, order deadlines and return policies, and check GST/HST or PST rules in your province.