A Family Wedding Then and Now....

This is a wonderful old photo. It is dated on the back 1898, although, unfortunately, there isn't anything else back there. It is a large format photo 19 x 15.5". It is great because it shows the whole family.....the hats are fabulous. The bride looks serene (if not a little too serious), while the groom with his tophat in hand looks like the cat who got the canary. The maid of honour looks a little sad....always a bridesmaid but never a bride? On the groom's side sis looks like she is happy with the affair.....Mom is very well turned out (in fact she has the nicest outfit in the group bar none) and also looks quite positive (a good match for her son...). The 2 portly dowager (spinster?) aunts looks like they can't wait for the reception to begin......never mind the punch - where's the food?! Dad looks kind, and very dignified. Uncle Henry and his stylish, boa-clad wife look downright bored. On the bride's side, sis (at the back) also looks bored, while her husband looks like he is ready for a trip to the punchbowl (or maybe he has been there already!). Mom looks peeved - could it be because Uncle Fred's wife on the groom's side came with the same boa, or is it because she thinks her daughter could have done better, or maybe it's because the mother of the groom blew her out of the water with her neat little outfit? Aunt Mae and her husband to the right of Mom look like they have already started celebrating. The couple behind the Maid of Honor look dour - could they be siding with Mom? The other brother at the back appears to be the only one without a date.....or maybe he is there with the Maid (Matron?) of Honor who looks like she is not going to have any fun no matter what. Is this a typical wedding that could be taking place today, or what?! As a floral judge I can say the bouquets are awesome - not easy to use ferns in an arrangement but very trendy for such a Victorian affair...