By-Appointment bridal studio and online accessories

Brides who want a relaxed, one-to-one appointment, plus couples ordering accessories and supplies online from across the province.

Margin on dresses and accessories sold, plus fees for fittings or styling sessions. Online orders add sales between appointments.

• Customer service and styling advice
• Basic online shop setup and photography
• Organising stock, orders and appointments

• Home-based business licence and zoning rules for client visits, check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check your home insurance for business use
• GST/HST and any provincial sales tax on goods, including online sales to other provinces
• Shipping times and returns policies for accessories, especially close to the wedding date
• Seasonality: demand peaks around wedding season and the engagement months, so plan cash for quieter periods

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many sample dresses you stock, how you set up the fitting space and the size of your online accessories range. Treat these as estimates and get quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on appointments booked, accessory sales and the hours you put in. These are estimates, not guarantees, and demand peaks around wedding and engagement seasons.

Check home-based business licence and zoning rules for client visits with your municipality, and whether your liability and home insurance cover business use. Also check how GST/HST and provincial sales tax apply to online sales to other provinces.