Looking to drum up your bridal business? Try one of these 10 tips.

  1. Leave a stack of your cards at your local bridal boutique or florist.
  2. Talk to a nearby hotel or reception hall about becoming one of their recommended businesses.
  3. Go on location. Many brides would prefer to have the salon come to them on their big day.
  4. Create a bridal look book. Set up a plain white or gray backdrop somewhere in your salon and take a front, side and back shot of every bride and bridesmaid hair style you create. Don't forget to update the book often!
  5. Give them trial run deals. Brides often want to try out their 'dos before the big day. Create a package where she can come in once or twice before her wedding for trial runs at a special price.
  6. Give her the works. Many brides and their parties go elsewhere for make-up on the big day. Make your salon a one-stop beauty shop. Offer make-up, hair, waxing, nails and whatever else the bride needs.
  7. Have a checklist. Before she comes in on her wedding day, hand her a checklist to adhere to. Include tips like: wear a button-down shirt (so you won't mess up your hair when you take it off), bring your veil and/or any hair accessories with you, bring a photo of your desired styles, etc.
  8. Treat her like a queen. The wedding day can often be stressful for the bride and her bridal party. Make their time at your salon pampering and relaxing. Offer them drinks, pastries if it's early, light sandwiches and fruit if it's later in the afternoon. If possible, keep the bride and her party in a separate room and let them choose music to play while they are getting their hair styled.
  9. Send her off with an emergency kit. Even when you use an entire can of hair spray, stray hairs can still escape. Send the bride off with a sample-sized hair spray, a packet of bobby pins and a complimentary lip gloss before she leaves the salon.
  10. Create a mini gift bag for the bride and her party. Buy small white bags, white tissue paper and ribbon and fill each with a few sample products, a nail polish or lip gloss. Most importantly, put your salon's business card or a coupon for another service in with the goodies. Happy bridesmaids equal new clients. And a happy bride will recommend your salon to her engaged friends!

Here Come the Brides

Here Come the Brides

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Originally posted on Salon Today