Moonlight Setting For Evening Wedding

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6519, 7 April 1931, Page 10

Moonlight Setting For Evening Wedding

PEAUCE —CRABB,

Unique and altogether charming was the setting for an evening wedding of more than local interest on Easter Saturday when Millie Constance , (Sue), youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Crabb, of 128 College street, Palmerston North, was united to Eric Edward, only son of Mr. and Mrs.-A.-E. Pearce, of Waituna West. The'fact that both ■ families were among the earliest settlers of Waituna added considerably to the interest of the occasion, and included in the eighty or more guests present were representatives of 'many of the pioneer homes of the district;; Against the setting of-a creeper-fes-tooned verandah the simplest of altars was raised, and down a moonlit aisle of trees the bride,' her -six maids and two dainty flower girls , moved into the brighter circle “of light from , electric lamps suspended over the drive. The dark foliage of trees aiid shrubs with flowers softly gleaming in the moonlight, invested the ceremony with a peculiar charm and appropriateness, in which none of.the essential solemnity or dignity of the occasion was lost. Given away by her father, the bride wore a lovely gown of" ivory satin, the close fitting bodice of which was cut low at the back with two . largo flat bows to mark the waist line. Her long pleated skirt was slightly trained and her shoes were of white' embossed velvet. She carried a sheaf of deep cream and pink gladioli with green beech leaves. A" ■ The chief bridesmaid,: Miss Gladys Patterson was in an ankle-length frock of white georgette embroidered with silver. Miss Doris Crabb, sister of tho bride, wore an ankle-length frock of white taffeta with rubbings of taffeta at the hem. Miss Nancy Pearce, sister of the bridegroom, was also in white taffeta, with tight fitting bodice and full length frilled skirt. Miss Dorothy Pearce and Miss Vera Pearce wore long

Pioneer Families United

frocks of white georgette and lace. Miss Norma Braddell’s frock was of white georgette and satin with diamante belt. All six bridesmaids wore coloured satin shoes and each carried a sheaf of gladioli and dahlias to tone. Two flower girls, Ruth Perry and Doris Pearce, wore ankle-length frocks of white frilled taffeta trimmed with tiny blue and pink flowers. They carried Victorian posies in pink and blue. In attendance on the bridegroom as best man was Mr. Houlton Hugh Crabb, brother of the bride, the groomsmen being Dr. McDowall, Messrs E. Chamberlain, A. Whelan, P. MeMeekan and D. (Torchy). Atkinson. The ceremony was performed by tho Rev. L. G. B. Whitehead and tho wedding music was played by Mr. F. Thompson, cousin of the bride. Mrs. Crabb, mother of the bride, wore a frock of black reversible satin with touches of lemon and carried a posy of deep red carnations and rosebuds. Mrs. Pearce, mother of the bridegroom, was in silver grey chenille georgette relieved with black. She carried a posy of pink roses and carnations. After the ceremony the guests were received by the bride in the hall, and then enjoyed themselves in a delightfully informal manner at dancing, social intercourse and music. Supper having been served with tho time-honoured ceremonial of cutting the wedding cake, Dr. McDowall on behalf of the gathering extended the warmest congratulations to the happy couple, wishing them long life and happiness, to which the bridegroom briefly responded. Mr. E. H. Billons extended congratulations to the parents of the happy pair, referring to their long and honoured record in both public and private life, incidentally extending a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Pearce and family to Palmerston North. Mr. Pearce, in a merry reply, entertained the company with incidents in the early life of both families. Not the least interested spectator of the ceremony was Mrs. C. Anderson, one of Sanson’s first settlers, and grandmother of the bridegroom, while Mr. W. Pearce, another old pioneer,, was also present. A lovely array of presents including a number from friends in Australia, evoked the admiration of the guests. The bride and bridegroom left later on a camping tour of the North Island.