WEDDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 15

WEDDING.

LAMPDEN-SMITH—BALMER. On Wednesday last the Catholic Church, Ashhurst, was the scene of a very pretty wedding, of local interest, the contracting parties being Mavis, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. D. Balmer, of “Wharehoa,” Raumai, and William Harrold, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W. Lampden-Smith, of London, England. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Doan MacManus, while the bride’s sister, Miss C. Balmer, played the “Wedding March’’ at the organ. The church was a bower of flowers decorated for the occasion by friends of the bride, and a huge golden floral wedding bell was suspended over the bridal party. Entering the' church on her father’s arm, the bride was a radiant figure in a magnificent gown of oak-apple satin beaute, this beautiful golden shade setting the colour scheme for the whole party. The dress was made on semi-fitting lines, the bodice being slightly rucked back .and front and fitted with long tight sleeves. The low V-shaped neckline was inset with silk net and a row of tiny bows were placed down the front from the neck to the low waist-lino, from which fell in graceful folds the ankle length flared skirt. From the neck to the waist at the back was a magnificent necklace of amber while a large bow.of satin beaute at the waist-line finished in a long graceful train. A lovely veil of old Limerick lace of the same snade was. worn, while gold shoes and stockings and a beautiful sheaf of gold and bronze amaryllis, freesias, and maidenhair fern, tied with gold satin ribbons, completed a dainty toilette. Dainty dresses of just a shade deeper tone than that of the bride, and carried out also in satin beaute, were chosen by the matron of honour, Mrs C. M. Spelman, sister of the bride and the bridesmaid, Miss J. Cameron, of Piimmerton, the bride’s dousin. Made with fitted bodices and sleeves, and long flared skirts, the dresses were daintily finished with acctordeon pleated georgette at nock and wrists. They also wore smart felt hats of the same shade, gold shoes and stockings, and carried shower bouquets of golden-<rain, Iceland poppies and maidenhair fern. Three little maids, Jeanette Spelman, who acted as train-bearer, Josephine Balmer and Nance McDonald, flower girls, looked charming in quaint Kate Greenaway dresses of primrose taffetas, embroidered with tiny sprays of rosebuds in deeper shades. They wore handeaux of gold leaves and the tiny flower girls carried Victorian posies of primroses and gold leaves tied with satin ribbon. Mr Jack McDonald acted as best man while Mr Duncan Balmer carried, out the duties of groomsman. During the ceremony at the church, Miss I. Johnson, of Palmerston North, gave a beautiful rendering of “Aye Maria.” On leaving the church little Kevin Balmer, a nephew of the bride, presented her with a floral lucky horseshoe. After the ceremony a reception was held at “Wharehoa,” the home of the bride’s parents, where about 60 guests were entertained, the bride’s mother receiving her guests ■ wearing a smart ensemble of bnown marocain relieved with lemon, with smart hat of golden brown and carrying a posy of bronze anemones and gold leaves. The wedding breakfast was served on the wide verandah which was beautifully decorated with native greenery and Chinese lanterns, making a beautiful setting for the dainty tables. Here again the colour scheme of gold was carried out, tall brass vases of bronze and gold flowers and brass bowls of golden primroses being set at intervals down the table, while the large gold three tiered wedding cake surmounted with a gold vase of Lachanalias, from which streamers of gold satin ribbon reached to each member of the bridal party, held place of honour. The drawing-room was also prettily decorated with bowls of tree tulip 6, and here the 'beautiful wedding presents were arranged. Many telegrams of good wishes' were redd, including cables from England and the East. During the reception the bride by special request gave two beautiful solos, “Country Hoik” and “By the Waters of Minnetonka,” which weru greatly enjoyed, as also were vocal solos by Mrs Cunningham (Wanganui), Miss I. Johnson, Miss Paulson and Messrs A. and W. Balmer and S. Strahan, while Mr and Mrs R. McDonald contributed a much enjoyed duet. Later the happy couple left by car on a motor tour of New Zealand, the bride travelling in a pretty rose cape ensemble embroidered in gold with smart hat to tone. She also carried a fur coat, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a solid leather travelling case, while the bridesmaids were made the recipients of beautiful _ vases of Chineso cloisonne ware and the little girls pretty bowls of the same ware. After a honeymoon tour of New Zealand Mr and Mrs Lampen-Smith will' leave for England and later will make their home in Singapore.—(Own ■ Correspondent).