New local store opens for brides on a budget

A new bridal store that caters to brides on a budget opened earlier this year.

Dress For A Day Bridal Boutique, which opened in Centerville at 33 W. Franklin St., sells wedding gowns and some flower girl and First Communion dresses at prices 50 to 70 percent less than traditional retailers, said co-owner Rachelle Spencer. Some gowns come from big-name designers like Maggie Sottero.

Most gowns in the store range from $450 to $1,800 to buy or $199 to $300 to rent.

The discounted dresses come from suppliers who are retiring gowns or liquidating merchandise. They may also be overstock or floor models that have been tried on, but never worn for an event.

“Brides are many times on a budget, and there’s a lot of things to buy during the wedding period,” Spencer said. “Their gown is very important to them. But they may not want to spend a great deal on that.”

“Brides are many times on a budget, and there’s a lot of things to buy during the wedding period,” Spencer said. “Their gown is very important to them. But they may not want to spend a great a great deal on that.”

The business emerged from M&R Wedding Photography, a husband-wife duo. Spencer and husband Martin Huffstutler operate both businesses together.

“During the course of doing some of our photo shoots, we had acquired a few wedding gowns,” Spencer said. “And then we started kicking around the idea of possibly renting and selling them.”

Now the pair has more than 400 discounted gowns for sale and 100 available for rent in the 1,300 square-foot store. They also use a warehouse to store gowns that don’t fit in the store.

Before every appointment, Spencer and Huffstutler consult over the phone with a bride to determine what dresses to pull in advance from the warehouse and store.

“We want to try to really individualize the service, really try to listen to the bride and really try to help them find something that makes them good about their day, helps make them feel beautiful,” Spencer said.