Dont be afraid to approach bridal shops in other areas. I was in the trade and never minded being approached, telephone is best, if you arrive in a shop and start looking around they might not be so appraochable. The approach is I heard you have a very good reputation and............
The wedding trade is very specialised but if you have good flair with style and alterations and suggestions you could do very well. There is a lot of alterations. The bride might present as a size 16 and say I will get the weight down order a size 12. This is difficult but my friend will order a size 14 and have an early fitting. They are always ambitious about loosing weight. If they insist on a small size you might like to keep order book and get them to sign. This you can seldom stick to if it does not work out but it will encourage brides to get to that size.
You will not need to carry stock of each size. My friend still has a bridal shop and she stocks one of each style and maybe, depending on the style, whether it suits the small person or the larger person, the most suitable size for the style. Be careful to access who the particular style might suit. The custom is to order each one separately, they take about 4 months for delivery, depending who you buy from.
Could you get a few weeks working in a bridal shop for the experience for free, in another area is best of course.
There are good bridesmaids dresses to be bought online. You will need a price range, if you stock only top end that might not work, middle range is necessary also. Quality is good. Harrogate is wonderful to source distributors, it is usually held around March, I think. Do familiarise yourself with current styles from wedding fairs and wedding magazines.
You must stock all the accessories, most brides want everything complete and your recommendation of what goes best with what and what suits them best.
It can be enjoyable but you are not going in at the best of times. I hope I have been helpful.
Good Luck. Browtal