Interesting Home Business Idea – Wedding Gown Rentals

The average cost of a wedding gown in America is $1,500, according to the Bridal Association of America. Why not help brides save money on their wedding, and make a profit at the same time?

I was in the Goodwill Store a few weeks ago shopping for a formal dress. The customer next to me was piling wedding gowns in her cart. I had to ask why she was buying so many – I thought maybe she was taking them apart to make a craft item or to make a new dress. She told me that she has a wedding gown rental business. She visits thrift stores and Craigslist and buys wedding gowns cheap, has them cleaned, makes repairs if necessary, and has a store in her basement. She has the merchandise rack, 3 way mirror, a dressing room, and a platform for taking measurements for alterations. Brides can rent the gowns for pennies on the dollar for what it costs to buy a new one.

I thought this was the most clever idea for a home business for someone who sews. There are pros and cons for this idea:

Advantages
Brides can wear and be photographed in a dress they can’t afford to buy.

Maintenance. Just return the dress when you are done – no worries about having it dry cleaned or stored.

Destination weddings. If the wedding takes place in a location away from home, just rent the dress there- no worries about traveling with it.

Disadvantages:

Selection will be limited.

The dress won’t be uniquely yours – you won’t have it as a keepsake.

Extra charges for damages. The renter may charge more if the dress is returned in damaged condition.

This idea does not lend itself to e-Commerce, however, it could work as a home business alongside eBay or Amazon selling. With a recession looming above us, multiple streams of income are becoming more and more necessary.

[Image Source: Flickr]