Mid-Missouri brides have a new boutique option in Centertown.
Kelsey and Crystal Ott, who are related by marriage, recently opened Main Street Bridal at 11811 Main St. in Centertown, above the Pink Poppy Boutique, which is owned by Kelsey. Crystal said the need to fill the space above Pink Poppy had Kelsey considering several options, but when Crystal got engaged last summer, they started thinking more about a bridal shop.
"I had been married once before. I went to one place; I bought like the second dress I picked out," Crystal said.
Kelsey said when Crystal started looking for wedding dresses after her recent engagement, they felt a lot of pressure from some of the shops they looked into, noting some asked for credit card information up front and warned not to make an appointment if the customer wasn't sure they would be ready to buy. The pair wants their shop to be less high pressure for brides and more fun to experience, even if that means they don't finish the appointment with a purchase.
"We want people to feel like they can come in here and find out what they want and don't necessarily have to walk away with a dress because we want them to find something they're going to love," Kelsey said.
"We want you to feel comfortable and welcomed," Crystal added. "We don't want to be adding more stress (for brides)."
The shop offers dresses coming from two private line designers in addition to a couple of larger, more recognizable lines.
"We're bringing the big city boutique bride to the small town area," Crystal said. "We carry a limited number of dresses that we feel are unique to the current style."
That means keeping up on the ever-changing wedding trends, which Kelsey said is a bit of a learning process as it is different from her other boutique experience at Pink Poppy.
Kelsey said opening week earlier this month was slightly dampened by winter weather, but the shop also had future schedules fully booked with appointments.
Though currently appointment only, Kelsey said they eventually will open the boutique up to regular shop hours.
For now, both Otts are enjoying the new boutique experience, which has added the touch of a fairy tale to their lives, Crystal said.
"Who wouldn't want to play with wedding dresses all day," Crystal said. "You get to be a princess every time you walk in the shop."
To book an appointment, call 573-533-3030.
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