BRIDEGROOMS' AID

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 8

BRIDEGROOMS' AID

THOUSANDS OF WEDDINGS

A man who has attended or super* vised over 15,000 wedding breakfasts--und has never 3'ct been late. These ars two of th.c records) claimed by Mr. John. Marter Penny, "who for fifty years'lias been master of wedding ceremonies at ii' London hotel. And this is another record. In his fifty years he has never had a bank holiday, Good Friday, Christmas 'Day, or a Sunday "off duty." , ' ~ ■ .-',■.■.■ Surrounded almost by churches, tho> hotel in which Mr. .Penny works lias become famous for its'ivcdding breakfasts EM}d"- ■receptions."'"' *•'' During1- tha 'rush seasons ! have' superintended' as many as four ceremonies in one day," Hi*. Penny said- recently. -'"Wedding breakfasts arc now very simple affairs •compared with those of forty years ago. '; ";•■■•"■■ ' ■ ■ "In those days the 'breakfast 1 was a 'full-blown' dinner. A moderata menu would include soup, fish, joint, partridge, and the choice of -several sweet dishes. Today a sandwich and a glass of * champagne seems to satisfy.' 1 'One of Mr. Penny's diverse duties ia that of acting as toast master. For the assistance of bridegrooms who are at a loss (to find appropriate words -to reply to various toasts lie acts suitable speeches. On handing the bridegroom one of theso, Mr. Penny tells him •to emphasise tho word "wife," because, being the first time he is able- to make use of the word, it always "goes down WCll." , . . v . . , . ~..,.,.■

On receiving these instructions, ona bridegroom blushed furiously,, . and caught Mr. Penny by the arm: : 'Mlere, hold hard, Major!"" lie ■whispered hoarsely, "this is. number .two!", .