For many women there’s probably no more personal apparel purchase than their wedding dress.
A symbol of your style, and even your personality, “The Dress” is something that becomes a family heirloom.
Still, some women don’t even give a thought to bridal gowns until they get engaged.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum Abbie Paklos can help you find a wedding gown that reflects your style.
The owner of The Wedding Dress LLC, at 162 Main St., in Portland, Abbie has styled countless women for their wedding day since she went to work for the bridal gown store 21 years ago. About three years ago she bought the dress shop from her employer.
“Picking out your wedding dress is such a personal experience,” she says. “When I work with a customer I get to be a part of the most important day of their life. I can really get the vision that women are looking for.”
The Wedding Dress has a treasure trove of luxurious designer gowns for brides, mothers of brides, bridesmaids and flower girls. The store also carries dresses for other formal events and can outfit wedding parties with shoes, jewelry, handbags and makeup.
“We try to be a one-stop shop for brides,” Abbie says.
What also sets the store apart, she adds, is that most of the gowns she carries can be customized by the designer. For instance, sometimes a customer will love the bodice in one gown but prefer the skirt in another. The designer can refit the gown to those specifications.
“That’s important because not all women are a uniform size,” Abbie says. “You might be a four up top but a size eight through the hips.”
She also carries a line that has separate skirts and bodices that customers can mix and match.
Most brides have at least some idea of what they want when they come through her doors, Abbie adds.
“There are some very definite trends today. Brides aren’t as interested in white anymore. They want more subtle colors, off white and champagne, even blush pink. They also want more chic, streamlined looks, such as a fit and flare look or an A-line dress. We’re also seeing a lot of plunging necklines or off the shoulder designs.”
Her store carries gowns by designers and bridal lines, including Amalee, Alexia, B2, Belsoie, Casablanca Bridal, Jade, Jade Couture, Jasmine Bridal, Jasmine Couture, Lea Ann Belter Bridal, Lillian West, Sweetie Pie Flower Girl, Astrid, Mercedes, White One Bridal and Victoria Marina Bridal.
The Wedding Dress LLC
162 Main St., Portland
Online: Theweddingdressllc.com
Email: Weddingdressct@yahoo.com
Phone: 860-342-5361
