VANDERBILT WEDDING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10973, 12 June 1903, Page 6

VANDERBILT WEDDING.

Mr lioginalch Vnmlorbilt. the richest young man in thn UnUo.i States, was- married ort April JS.tli to Miss Cathleoai 'Neilson, at Newport. There were nearly ITS guests present at the ceremony, "nearly all of whom jire among America's most prominent' million^ aires. ■ > - * - - ; The wedding was celcbratcd%t the-'Ar-, leigh Villa, which Mrs Neilsoa specially' rented for the occasion. The service was 1 that of the- Eoman Catholic Church, and tho Ecv. Father Median officiated. The, house was turned into a "beautiful bower of roses and lilies. More than 20,000 roses we,re used in the decorations, 1000 of them being "American Beauties," with stems 3ft long costing 10s each. 4 The presents received included enough plate to furnish three houses and sufficient jewels to lit out at least as many brides in regal style. ? By chance both' Mrs Tanderbilt and Mrs Neilson presented J:he bride with the same thing — a diamond tia-rci. Mrs" Neilson's was the handsomer, as it included several' large emeralds' among the brilliants. The presents occimicd the- entire top floor of tlie house, and had to bq crowded together to get them in. -They are valued at between d 560,000 and .£75,000. Five detectives constantly guarded them', and several others were outside the house -watching for sneak thieves. It required the services of a-, dozen ' policemen to keep traffic, clear iii front of the house during the ceremony, so lai"ge was the crowd that gathered round to catch a gli}ripse of the britie,