Wedding consignment shop...

I think it's a good idea. I wish there was one around me.

I love the idea. There is a dress store in my area, (North NJ) that has a gorgeous assortment of gowns and accessories.

What a wonderful project to get in to! I will bet you would have a lot of business if you carry silk centerpieces - I could not find any in my area and that is why I am making all of me.

Good luck to you!

I would be all over that if there was one near us!

Sounds like a wonderful idea.

I would love it.

Have you been on recycledbride ? It's a great idea, I say go for it!

My best friend (MOH) and I have been talking about the same thing

We bought our dresses and veils from a wedding consignment store. I don't know to what extent we would have bought decorations from one, though. Given the large numbers of items (e.g., vases) any one couple might use, I would think it would be hard to maintain both the quantity and the variety necessary in any one brick and mortar store.

Yup - I'm doing it - have amassed a huge inventory too boot. I'm looking for a rental property now with plans to open in March but I'm pretty specific with my inventory - no flowers and limited linens as both are too much too deal with. The flowers IMHO take up too much real estate to carry a proper inventory to satisfy different tastes and the linens well each piece needs to be inspected to ensure they're not stained, plus they have to be ironed and quite frankly are cheap enough on line elsewhere that I would have to sell gazillions of them to turn profit. But the common items - vases, votives, bubbles, vase fillers, candy buffet, cupcake towers, table # holders, etc - yup got it. I've also started negotiations w/ some Chinese Vendors so I have the quantities.

The thing to keep in mind though, is that the Bride who will be coming to your store is either very frugal or on a budget or maybe even both. She's done her research on what it costs new. A mentor of mine said a long time ago - You make your profit on the purchase not the sale. So when you're buying stuff from a Bride, the toughest part is getting her down to a price that you can resell for profit. A Bride who is selling her stuff is trying to recoup what she spent or worse has an emotional attachment to the item and feels that she should be able to get 75% of the original cost. I've been haggling with some royal PITA Brides who think their centerpieces are worth that because everyone told them How Gorgeous it was. Ugh.

If you'd like to bounce some ideas off me, feel free to PM me. I've got 20 yrs sales & marketing experience and have owned several businesses over the years as well. Be happy to help you get your ideas together. :-)

Marie, I live in PA and would love to stop by your shop when it's done! Could you keep me posted?

:-) Of course! I just sent you a friend invite.

I would totally shop there. We have a used bridal gown shop, but no place that sells other wedding items.

Sounds like an awesome idea!

When I was expanding my practice to include other officiants I found the most successful person doing what I wanted to do and offered to pay her, by the hour, to teach me what she knew. It was the best money I ever spent. There are several vendors here, and there is one in NJ too.

I'd stick with dresses and accessories.