By Sheryl Roadcap

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TROY — Local brides-to-be do not have to travel far “to say yes” to that special dress and walk right out the door with it on the same day.

Modern Racks Bridal Studio in Troy, a sister store to Modern On Market Bridal Boutique also located in downtown Troy, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 23, for owners (of both bridal shops) Ashley Dunlavy, of Troy, and Olivia Peltier, of Piqua, to officially celebrate the opening their newest bridal shop which occurred a month earlier in July.

“We can fit within everyone’s budget,” Peltier said, “whether it’s Modern Racks or it’s Modern On Market, we can work within everyone’s budget. Between the two stores, we can make a happy bride.”

While both bridal studios offer designer brand dresses, the two stores are based on two different types of brides.

At Modern Racks, brides can find a dream designer wedding dress for less. Both shops offer the same one-on-one experience that aims to make dress shopping special and cater to each individual bride, but Modern Racks is the place you can go to purchase a dress and take it home on the same day.

Modern On Market Bridal Boutique is bridal shop that only carries a sample size (size 10-16) of a dress style. Here, brides-to-be special order a custom wedding dress from the sample dresses in store, and any accessories, and receive it at a later date. Discontinued designer sample dresses that are on hand at Modern On Market are then taken to Modern Racks to be sold.

Dresses taken to Modern Racks are marked down by 50% off the original sale price. Dresses sold at Modern Racks start at $499 and go up to $1,500; veils sold there start at $99 and go up to $500.

Even though dresses are ready to wear right off the rack, brides often want to slightly alter their dress for an even better fit. Dunlavy and Peltier said, although an alteration specialist is not on their staff, they do offer a recommendation for a trusted tailor.

“I always tell people that it is rare to find a dress that fits perfectly,” said Peltier, “and of course (customers) can take their dress to anyone they choose, but we do offer a recommendation for someone we trust.”

Modern On Market Bridal Boutique is coming upon its five year anniversary in October. Peltier explained that opening Modern Racks is a solution for everyone, and this way someone will enjoy a dress that would no longer be offered at Modern On Market.

“Before, those dresses were just sitting in the corner,” Dunlavy said.

Peltier added, “We have filled that gap (between customized dresses and shopping off the rack).”

And while there is nothing wrong with David’s Bridal, said Peltier and Dunlavy, brides do not have to drive to Dayton to find their special dress because, as Dunlavy pointed out, at Modern Racks Bridal Studio (and Modern On Market Bridal Boutique), they aim to make the entire dress shopping experience special, memorable and intimate. Modern Racks is only open by appointment for a one-on-one experience where brides-to-be can take their time when meeting with a member of their team.

“The way that Olivia and I have niched down for our boutique is that we do it based upon appointment so they we can be one-on-one with one of us, or one of our sales consultants can be one-on-one and allow the bride to just really feel her emotions in the gown. ‘Is this the perfect dress for me? How can I customize it at Modern On Market, so that it can be even more perfect.’ -Or, if they are at Modern Racks, allowing them to just take the time to have the full experience, and it be one-on-one, so you don’t have a ton of other people looking at you or rushing you out the door,” said Dunlavy. “That is something that Olivia and I knew from the get that we wanted to just be different from a lot of other bridal shops.”

Typically appointments are available to be booked Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have a team of expert bridal consultants available,” Dunlavy and Peltier said.

The two owners/buyers/bridal stylists are also wedding photographers. Working numerous weddings and having a passion for fashion is what drove the pair to stay in the industry, but approach it from a different angle.

“We love fashion, so the whole idea of making it less stressful and more fun to buy our wedding dresses, is ideally what we are looking for,” the said when talking about showing new arrivals during an annual “runway show” they have at Modern On Market Bridal Boutique, but also, about their goal for brides who are gown shopping in general.

Modern Rack Bridal Boutique is located at 16 S. Cherry St., Troy. The business can be reached to by calling 859-935-0190, or emailing [email protected] . Those interested in booking an appointment may also do so by visiting the business’ website at https://www.modernracksbridalstudio.com/