Wedding dress hire from home

Brides on a budget, brides who want a designer look for less, and those who prefer not to buy a dress they will wear once.

A hire fee per dress, usually a fraction of the retail price, plus a refundable deposit and optional extras such as veils, jewellery and cleaning or alteration fees.

• Eye for style and fit
• Organised diary and stock tracking
• Warm, patient customer service
• Basic sewing or a good local seamstress

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows business visitors at your home
• Public liability insurance for visitors, and cover for your stock against damage, loss or theft
• Clear hire terms covering deposits, damage, late returns and cancellations
• Dresses are fragile and need specialist cleaning after each hire, so budget for it
• Demand is seasonal and bookings can be lumpy, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many dresses and accessories you buy, plus cleaning, storage and insurance. Starting with a small, curated collection helps keep the initial outlay down.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on the size of your collection, your hire prices and how many appointments you take. Bookings can be seasonal and uneven, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows business visitors at your home. Also check public liability insurance for visitors, cover for your stock, and clear hire terms covering deposits, damage, late returns and cancellations.