Although wedding fashions have changed significantly in the last century, one constant remains: every bride wants to feel beautiful and radiant on her wedding day. A wedding dress should not only enhance a bride’s most beautiful features, it should reflect her own personal style.

At Orphan Annie’s, a lovely antique shop in downtown Auburn, Maine, Dan Poulin shared his eclectic collection of vintage wedding gowns.

[1] A rare “flapper style” wedding dress, dating back to the 1920s, is possibly the oldest and most unique gown at Orphan Annie’s.

[2] Orphan Annie’s’ collection also includes an elegant chantilly lace gown with a full train and long lace sleeves that would fit easily into a traditional and even somewhat modern collection,

[3] a heavy satin gown with a most unusual bodice,

[4] and a sweetly romantic, light and sheer, ankle length gown with a high neckline.

[5] Poulin is particularly excited about his recent acquisition of a blue velvet gown with a matching sheer hat. Poulin estimates that this gown was probably created in the 1930s, and that it may have been worn by a more mature bride, or perhaps by a widow for whom this was a second marriage.

Historically, a bride would choose the dresses to be worn by her maid or matron of honor and bridesmaids. Modern bridal parties, however, often shop together making it possible to find a dress with features that compliment the bride’s gown, but also suit the wearer’s tastes and budget.

According to Frankie Peters at The Formal Image Bridal Shop in Lewiston, “Most people think of traditional as long sleeves and a higher neckline, but the new traditional would be strapless or spaghetti straps, or possibly a halter strap.” The new traditional might also include “pickup bottoms and ruching, both of which are very popular.”

 [6] Perhaps the most unique bridal gown in Peters’ collection features a sweetheart neckline and ruched bodice with a full, pick-up skirt accented with rosettes, possibly matching it with a light, pink chiffon bridesmaid gown with a single shoulder rosette strap.

[7] A more traditional choice would be a strapless bodice with a fitted hip skirt and semi-cathedral train. The “all over lace is accented with crystals, bugle beads and sequins.” Peters selected a bridesmaid dress with similar features and a glamorous lace-up back that would “compliment any figure.”

[8] This taffeta gown has many popular and trendy features, including a strapless bodice and ruched waistline with a pick-up skirt and popular corset back. The bridesmaid dress is also strapless with a beaded bodice, ruched waist and a corset back.

[9] Peters’ selection for a “destination” wedding is a chiffon gown featuring a beaded T-back strap and a ruched bodice with a dramatic side appliqué embellished with crystals, rhinestones and bugle beads. The short, strapless satin bridesmaid dress with an equally dramatic beaded accent would be perfect “for an informal yard or beach wedding.”

Like his bride, a groom’s choices of formal wear, for both himself and his groomsmen, should also be a reflection of his own style.

Strictly Formal in Auburn specializes only in tuxedos and Ruth Mahan specializes in helping grooms and groomsmen look their best.

[10] The most unusual tuxedo at Strictly Formal is aptly called “The Formal Sportsman.” This tux features a camouflage or “mossy oak” fabric. Mahan added that although some grooms enjoy this style, and their brides match the bridesmaid dresses to the tux, this look is especially popular for proms.

[12] A white tuxedo with black trim, called “The Savoy,” is a dramatic style of tux with a “red carpet” look.

[13&15] The most popular style at Strictly Formal features a “European style peak lapel.” According to Mahan, this tuxedo is “lightweight and perfect for summer.”

[17] For a more “vintage” look, Mahan offers the “one-button shawl” or rounded collar. This is an older style and, although it is less expensive than the more contemporary “peak lapel,” its timeless styling makes it extremely popular for a more traditional or formal wedding.

[vests] With a wide pallet of colors available, a groom can choose his groomsmen’s accent colors to match his bride’s choice of colors for her bridesmaids.

From vintage to contemporary, unusual to traditional, and everything in between, there is a perfect gown for every bride and bridesmaid, as well as a perfect tuxedo for every groom and groomsman.

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