Handbags for brides

[Acidburn]

Hi all, I am posting here for traffic.

I have recently started my own handbag business, and I am wondering whether I should expand into wedding bags / purses / clutches - for brides themselves. I am not sure though if this is a thing - do brides need handbags for the wedding day? Or perhaps for the photoshoot?
I am attaching a couple of images of what I do - I could do these in more weddingy colours on white / ivory bases. These bags are also made from genuine leather, which makes them more expensive - not sure if it is something useful for a bag that would be essentially purchased for 1 day only?

I would appreciate some thoughts on this, thanks

I didn’t have one but my bridesmaids did as they didn’t have flowers. A limited market I think.

They look lovely but I wouldn’t have had one as a bride, you have enough going on without needing to remember a bag too. Flowers in one hand, drink in the other was more my style. I can see a market for bridesmaid gift type things tho?

Would they be custom-made to order?

Oh and def not for the photos, would get in the way

They seem to be a "thing" on the wedding dress/accessory sites, so there must be a demand for them.

Same as superram, I didn't have a handbag but my bridesmaids carried small handbags with an individual flower in the handle D-ring instead of a posy of flowers. I must admit they were only cheap ones, I wouldn't have spent much on them as they would only be used again for dressy occasions.

@biddybird at the moment yes, they are made to order. Eventually i will be able to build some kind of stock on the most wanted items, but I still need to discover which ones will be the most wanted ones.

Better to your bridesmaid to carry some lipstick for you in her bag. It’s not like you’re checking your phone or need your keys on your wedding day, and you won’t want it in photos.

Better to get

I seem to remember the 'thing' when I got married a few years ago was to have a leather pouch type thing that you'd put your lipstick/phone in, and your bridesmaid would look after it for you.

I saw a few people doing a thing where they'd get personalised ones for themselves with 'Mrs Blogg's' on them, and then matching for their bridesmaids.

I got married last year and bought a handbag to keep my lipstick etc in (was a massive 3.99 on ebay) it just got in the way and my 10 years old DD ended up carrying it all day.

I'm struggling to imagine brides wanting them in photos, or to actually carry around with them on the day, but I think there is probably a market for something to hang on the back of a chair etc. to hold a phone during the reception. They're single use, but considering how much some spend on their wedding I reckon up to about £45 would be acceptable.

A matching set for bridesmaids seems more likely to be used. They'd be good bridesmaids gifts too.

Are you actually making the bags??

I can’t imagine there’d be a big market for them, tbh. Who holds it while you’re busy doing the whole getting married thing?

I just had a cheap shiny sparkly evening bag, think it was from Accessorize. Big enough to put my lippy and other essentials but small enough to be able to hand to mum or an in-law and ask them to hold on to it while photos etc were being done (didn't have adult bridesmaids)

I carried a leather clutch with wrist strap on my wedding day 3 yrs ago. We were outdoors and ‘venue’ was spread over a large area so it was good to have items to hand. I didn’t carry flowers though.

@ClaudiaWankleman I’ve just been on OP’s website. I don’t think she’ll be selling the brides bags for £45

I didn’t carry a bag on my wedding day, I gave my bits to my sister to carry - to be honest, I would have preferred pockets in my wedding dress.

I had a little sparkly clutch with lipstick, tissue, safety pin etc but it actually never left the car boot. My bridesmaid/sister had all these things with her anyway in her bag.

I think you could definitely have a market for them especially for
City weddings
Mature brides
High fashion brides
Bridesmaids

I’m not sure there would be a huge demand from your every day, big dress, fancy reception type bride simply because they tend to have flowers and veils and all the bells and whistles and a bag might be too much.

But if I were you I’d definitely factor in specific styles and marketing for the slightly more unique bride! I’m thinking high fashion trouser suit, heels and a wedding clutch - lovely!

@Fatfunt I mean I'm well aware you don't get handmade leather for £45, but I can't imagine them being very popular at any other price point!

When you look at the huge market for second hand flip flops for guests, it really puts it into perspective.

I had a city wedding and took a raffia clutch to my florist, which she dressed with flowers and I had flowers which were also a bag

I feel like hands are too busy at a wedding to really think about a bag for the bride? Although I know some use small pouches, like the sort of thing you would buy in Monsoon.

I had a small ivory bag with my make up and phone in but I didn't carry it around with me. If I were you I would look at bridal forums instead of mumsnet as you will get more current brides that way.

I wouldn’t buy a bag with that name on tbh. Fine for a teen being controversial but no way as an adult, and you’re selling at quite a high ‘adult’ price.

I’m sure they’re made beautifully but I wouldn’t buy one I’m afraid, definitely not as a bride (though what is a bride meant to do with ‘things’??) probably either a cheap ‘throwaway’ bag or a more expensive one that could be used generally would be better.

@Excited101 agree, especially for a wedding.