BRIGHTER WEDDINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22965, 17 February 1938, Page 10

BRIGHTER WEDDINGS

NEW GERMAN POLICY MUSIC IN REGISTRY OFFICES [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Jan. 20 From the Ehineland come reports of the first fruits of the Reich decree that registry office weddings should be made more attractive, in order to compare more favourably with church weddings. Large wedding-halls have been arranged, tastefully and simply decorated, states the Berlin correspondent of the Times, and behind curtains is a gramophone or a wireless set, which dispenses classical music during the ceremony. As the bridal party take their position, the invisible orchestra is to play Beethoven's "The Heavens Declare the Gloir of God," and during the playing, it is suggested, the registrar should take the opportunity of seeing that the entries in the book are correct. After the formalities comes Handel's Largo. Then the registrar gives a short exhortation to the bridal couple, emphasising the position of the home as. the nucleus of the nation and dwelling <Jn the German racial theories. After the couple have said the usual "I will," the hidden music is heard opening into the verses of "Deutschland über Alles," during which all must stand. A Bhort reading from Goethe, and the playing Grieg's "I Love You" and of exLohengrin end the cere-