WEDDING.

Bruce Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 21, 8 March 1909, Page 2

WEDDING.

WIFFEN—SII AND. A wedding that was the centre of a ' considerable amount of interest was celebrated at the Presbyterian Cliurch, Balclutha, on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss Jsabeila Shand, second daughter of Mr and Airs Shand, of Barnego, Hillend, was married to Mr Percy Wili'en, second son of Mr A. Wili'en. grain merchant, _of Blenheim. The parents of the bridegroom, it may be mentioned, were residents of JJunedin up to about six or seven years ago, when the sons look up pastoral runs tin Malborough and the lamily then moved to Blenheim, Mr Wili'en sen., entering into business there. The church was tilled with a large gathering oi the friends of the Shand family and other inteicsted .spectators. The Be v. 8. W. Currie was the ofliciatiiig clergyman, and the ceremony not being unduly protracted, the yjoung couple were soon declared husband and wife. Ai'iss Clark presided at the organ with her usual ability and played a bright and appropriate musical service. The ceremony over and the registers signed, the newly married couple were conveyed in Messrs Marshall and bummers motor car along to Mr Kirby s Coli'ee Palace. 'A number of guests being driven thither in Mr Liston s dry""—where the wedding breakfast was" laid. Here a large gathering of about 60 friends assembled and a most pleasant hour was spunt. The Kev. Mr Currie presided, and proposed the toast oi "The h.ealth_ of tlic Bride and Bridegroom,' wishing them lonir li'e and prosperity and all blessings that came from above. ihe Alavor, Mr Dunne, also spoke to the toast which was heartily received and duly responded to by the bridegroom. Mr -James Allen AI.P. proposed the toast- of "The Bride's Parents ' speaking as an old friend <>f tin; family., while Mr Anderson (of Dunodin) also said a few words recalling son,, rarly incidents of his Jirst acquaintanceship with Mr Shand a a shipmate. Air Shand acknowledged t.hc toast. Mr Alaleom M.P. then proposed "Ihe groom's Parents ' to whicih Air Wifum J unr., responded. ihe toast of J.he Bridesmaids" was duly honoured. Air S'hanil expressed his pleasure at seeing so many of his ,old friends gathered there on that eventful occasion, and asked those present to j<?in hijn in the toast oi "Old Friends." This was heartily received, and acknowledged bv Air William Dallas and Mr James Willocks. The final toast was "The Oliiciating Minister " proposed by Mr Simon Wright and responded to by Mr Currie.

Amongst those present at the breakfast wire Mr and .Mrs Sinclair Wrigjh'ty. Mr and Mrs WaymouUi, Mr ami Mrs Thos. McDonald, Mr and Mrs Anderson (Dunedin), Mr Malcolm M.l\, Mr John Dunne, Mr >Jas Alien M.P., Mr and Mrs T. Bishop, Mr and Mrs Jas. Willock, Kev. Mr and Mrs Carrie, Miami Mrs Simon right, Mr William Dallas, Misses Dallas, Mr anil Mrs Mc Fee tors, Mr and Mrs Harry Eeid, Mr and Mrs Oopeland, (Lovels Mat), Mrs 11. W. Keid (Dunedin),, Miss Allan, Miss Bishop, Miss Whining, Mr Alex. Armstrong, Miss Gillies (D'unodin), Miss Skelton (Dunedin), Misses rlhomson arid others.

The bride looked very nico m a cream colienno dress, Empire style, with trimmings of silk and lace,tucked chillon, and cream silk sash, veil over orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were Miss Elsie Shand, s:stor of the bride, and Miss Jessie Miller (Dunedin), who wore pale pink muslin trimmed with cream lace and pink silk sashes, cream hats with pink roses and. tulle ; and Misses May and Evelyn McEeeters, neices of the bride, white muslin trimmed with val. lace, and pale blue silk caps and sashes, and carried crooks with pale blue satin streamers and white flowers. The bride's mother wore a black costume, with black and white silk trimmings, and black hat with black feathers and pink roses.

The bridegpoom was attended by 'his brother. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a silver dressing-case ; the bride's to the bridegroom a gold albert; and the bridegroom's to the

bridesmaids gold and greenstone pendants. The bride's travelling dress was _ a navy blue costume, faced with white silk, and lace vest, navy blue silk hat, with pale blue feathers and tulle, long blue leather boa. At a quarter to 5 the happy couple set oil for JM.ilton per motor car to join the train fur Duncdin. The good wishes of the assembled friends was testilied in the time-honoured manner.

The presents comprised a large variety of useful and valuable articles, and in addition to those from friends here, quite a collection await them at their new home at Blenheim.