Open a wedding favours and keepsakes boutique

Engaged couples, their families and bridal parties, plus guests buying gifts.

Retail margin on stock, plus fees for personalization and gift packaging. Sales build up in the months before wedding season.

• Retail and merchandising
• Customer service with stressed couples
• Stock buying and budgeting
• Basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms, deposits and rent, which you need to cover through slow winter months
• Check municipal business licence and signage rules
• Collecting GST/HST and any provincial sales tax, which differ by province
• Commercial general liability insurance and contents cover
• Unsold stock if wedding trends shift, so start with small orders
• Edible items need a food permit from your public health unit

Estimated startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the premises, deposits, fit-out and opening stock. Starting with small orders can limit the risk of unsold stock if wedding trends shift.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location, range and how many couples you attract. Hours start at around 35 per week, and rent must be covered through slow winter months.

Check lease terms, deposits and rent, municipal business licence and signage rules, and GST/HST plus any provincial sales tax. Also check insurance for liability and contents. Edible items need a food permit from your public health unit.