A number of vintage wedding gowns will be getting another turn down the isle, this after the Greater Milford Area Historical Society hosted its first Oooh la la Bridal Gown Boutique event on July 21.
The showcase was hosted through the GMAHS’s PromontEvents.com program, an initiative started three years ago as a vehicle to promote rental opportunities for Promont, the historic Victorian house located at 906 Main St. where the GMAHS conducts its business.
The event was the brainchild of newly appointed event coordinator Kim Phipps. It offered the public an opportunity to view, and purchase, new and gently used wedding gowns, and it also showcased Promont as an event venue and highlighted GMAHS’ connection with local events vendors.
“I wanted to show people that we do weddings here, and ceremonies, and how beautiful it is, and I thought this would be a great way of doing that, and we can do it on such a budget,” Phipps explained.
The event boasted a menu of offerings, including:
— Some 25 new and gently-used bridal gowns, ranging in sizes from 2 to 2XX, as well as a small collection of bridesmaids dresses, all of which were available for on-the-spot purchase.
— Hors d’oeuvres and samplings from vendors including Chef’s Choice Catering, Ms. Cheri’s Donuts, Lehr’s Prime Market, Tickled Sweet and Village Pantry Catering.
— A raffle, with prizes such as DJ services from Big Daddy Walker, a gift certificate from Old Milford Bed & Breakfast, handcrafted garter sets and ring pillows by Two Stitches and an oil painting donated by Bernadette Martin.
All the proceeds from the raffle and dress sales are set to go to the care and maintenance of Promont and its grounds.
Phipps’ strategy for procuring the vintage dresses was to put an ask out on Facebook.
All of the dresses came from local contacts who either donated their dresses to the cause or agreed to sell them on consignment.
The event proved to be a success, such that two hours after the boutique opened, five dresses had already been sold.
“It’s been wonderful,” Phipps exclaimed.
Newly engaged Rebecca Burton attended the event with her mother Nancy Burton. The two, who live in Milford, are somewhat regular visitors to Promont, so when Nancy heard about the event, she knew it might be the perfect opportunity for Rebecca to find a wedding dress for her September 2019 nuptials.
“She always wanted something that was unique,” Nancy said of Rebecca. “We like antiques, and we always have.”
Rebecca, who selected a vintage gown, explained how she knew she’d found the right dress.
“I knew I wanted a lace dress with no sparkles or bedazzles, and I wanted long sleeves,” she said. “I was just coming here to look, I wasn’t even planning on buying a dress; I walked past it at first, looked around, grabbed a couple and then grabbed that one … and it turns out it fits me perfectly. I didn’t need to have it adjusted at all. I just knew it was mine to be.”
She added, “I feel pretty honored to be having an old fashioned wedding dress. I just love that; I’m really into vintage, and my mom always says I have an old soul, so it just kind of is meant to be.”
Surrounded by wedding gowns and future brides, Phipps seemed to be glowing during the event.
On seeing her vision come to fruition, Phipps said, “It gives me chills; it makes me cry. It’s really, really neat to see these girls be able to find a dress that they want, and that inspires them. It just fills my heart. It’s making their dreams come true, it’s making them happy, it makes me happy.”
The Greater Milford Area Historical Society’s recent Oooh la la Bridal Gown Boutique event was the brainchild of new appointed event coordinator Kim Phipps, pictured here with some of the vintage dresses that were available for purchase.
Pictured are some of the hors d’oeuvres and samplings from local vendors that were featured at the event.
Newly engaged Rebecca Burton, of Milford, purchased a vintage wedding dress at the event for her September 2019 nuptials. She’s pictured here wearing the gown. Photo provided.