Has anyone (or someone you know) opened a bridal shop? (even worked in one?)-can you tell me the experiance??

Question

I am very interested in opening one myself sometime in the not too distant future :) Any advice/experiances would be helpful! Thanks!

Answer 1

I worked in a bridal shop. Wonderful experience. It was an upscale shop so dealing with the customers was a little snotty at times.

Just be attentive. Have a calm demeanor and learn the 411 on the bridal business.

Hook up with some side vendors if you can such as photographers, videographers, coordinators etc. Get in good with them and have a "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" attitude. If you promote their business with brochures and cards in your boutique...ask them to do the same for you in return. Referrals go a long way.

Learn the different designers and styles of dresses. A-line, Sheath, etc. Will you be carrying other designers or your own creations? What type of customer base do you want to have? Will it be couture gowns? Affordable gowns? Etc.

And remember...no matter what a bride spends...treat them all with the same respect.

That was something I could not stand.....our sales associates often snubbed the bride that didn't buy a gown more than 1,000K.

Have a good seamstress on hand. And be ready for any last minute changes. You need to be organized and efficient. Don't rely on the bride to remember anything...your job is to make her wedding day easy and trouble free.