Need help coming up with a name!

Feanor

Hi all,

I am starting up a bridal company, specialising in budget wedding dresses (starting from around £300) , bridesmaid dresses and flowergirl dresses. I believe brides on a budget should still be able to have the experience of getting a great dress but at a fraction of the price.

I would like the name to be something linked to the concept, to show its good value etc but I am just having such a hard time coming up with something.

So far I have only come up with 'Wedsmart' but it sounds too clinical and too much like 'Walmart' lol.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful.

Thank You!

dumb_blonde

how about something like Dress4Less.
There are a couple of ways to look at it though, you can have something in the title about budget and prices i.e BudgetBrides or as above, but some brides may feel they wont feel special going to a cut price shop.
Or, you can have a name that doesnt mention budget but will mention it in the advert somewhere.
Another idea would be to look in the phone directory at other names for similar businesses and then derive one from there. x

pandora205

What about Simply Wed?
(play on Simply Red and idea of keeping it simple - ie cheap)

jillymit

I agree with DB. Although most of us love a bargain it may not be something we would 'automatically' look for when it comes to a wedding dress. I know it's a bit snobby but a bride might not want to advertise the budget side of her purchase.
Try a posh sounding name ????? and a tag line such as 'quality gowns at affordable prices'

Horace

Its a good idea but where would you get your dresses from? I know that a lot of brides who are on a budget order direct from Landy and Milly and other chinese firms.

Also brides don't really like to advertise the fact that they are on a strict budget.

How about a name totally unconnected with weddings - I know that there is a shop near me that sells wedding gowns and they are called Gorgeous.

SimplyWed

Wed4Less

The Gown Shop

Also see if you can link in with a wedding planner and offer a more rounded service.

Good luck.

Feanor

Thank you so much for the replies! Sorry I haven't responded sooner.

Your right, I also agree that having something budget like in the name is probably not the way to go. I love Simply Wed! I might even go with that.

I have worked in the fashion industry as a buyer for 4 years and so I have some great contacts/suppliers in China that can produce the dresses at amazing quality.

I know a lot of brides (myself included!) can do a bit of research and order directly but I think there are a HUGE amount of people who dont realise there is this area in the market and that they can spend a lot less for something very beautiful!

I am planning to start off small and just build up to eventually having a a proper shop and offering the more expensive dresses.

Thank you again for all your help.

Horace

Feanor - book yourself a trip to the BBEH trade show in Harrogate on 13-15 September, use it to look and see what the trends will be for next season and beyond, this may help you stay one step ahead of your competitors.

BBEH is one of Europe's largest bridal trade fairs.

Also consider alterations to the dresses - its a bit far to send them to China, so try and link in with a local dressmaker too.

Good luck.

Feanor

Hi,

Thank you, I will certainly have a look at going to BBEH to get inspiration.

The area I am not sure about is returns/fittings and alterations. I can either generate orders from sample dresses (made to measure the client) and the customer would get the dress delivered to her house and then have to sort out any alterations herself, or I can just sell the dresses as they are in the standard sizes and then link that to a local dressmaker for any alterations.

Also, if I take a 50% deposit upon ordering...I am unsure when the other 50% should have to be paid if the dress goes direct to the customers house.
As I wont have any premises to do fittings etc. At least not for quite a while!

I have an appointment with business link in a few weeks which I am really looking forward to!

Thank you so much!

Horace

Feanor wrote: »

Hi,

Thank you, I will certainly have a look at going to BBEH to get inspiration.

The area I am not sure about is returns/fittings and alterations. I can either generate orders from sample dresses (made to measure the client) and the customer would get the dress delivered to her house and then have to sort out any alterations herself, or I can just sell the dresses as they are in the standard sizes and then link that to a local dressmaker for any alterations.

Also, if I take a 50% deposit upon ordering...I am unsure when the other 50% should have to be paid if the dress goes direct to the customers house.
As I wont have any premises to do fittings etc. At least not for quite a while!

I have an appointment with business link in a few weeks which I am really looking forward to!

Thank you so much!

Hi

You will most likely find that the client will want you to organise any alterations as is usual with most bridal shops. If the client pays 50% on ordering why not have the dress delivered to you rather than direct to the client because without wanting to sound funny why would the bride choose you if she takes delivery herself - she could just as easily go direct. I would say take 50% up front and when the dress is delivered to you - you then charge her the other 50% and she either collects it from you or you deliver it to her.

I would be inclined to sell the dresses from samples that you have that are in standard sizes - measure the client and then order a dress to fit her, alterations are still likely to be needed because brides lose weight. Remember too that a lace up back is better as it can accommodate all sizes.

I hope your meeting with business link goes well - they're helpful.

Ciao