A STYLISH WEDDING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 18, 30 April 1892, Page 457

A STYLISH WEDDING.

SEE PAGE 455. I SUPPOSE there is hardly a single human being in the world who has not at some time or another in bis or her life had something to do with a wedding, or who will not, in due course, have some connection with this sacred function. Therefore, to all a description of a wedding is more or less interesting. For the ladies there is always the very important question of toilette. To such the illustration in the Graphic this week forcibly appeals. The bride’s dress is, of course, the first consideration. Our bride in the sketch looked lovely in a bodice ami Court train of ivory broclie satin over a petticoat of the same, trimmed with chiffon. The corsage was trimmed with ostrich feather and a long pearl girdle, and tulle veil, fastened with diamond crescent, the gift of the bridegroom. She carried a lovely bouquet of choice flowers, also presented by the bridegroom ; ami wore a diamond bracelet. Her long Court train was cariied by two little pages, dressed in green velvet, with yellow silk vests (the regimental colours of the bridegroom), ruffles and frills of yellow, green stockings, and shoes with big buckles. They wore pearl horseshoe pins, the gift of the bridegroom. There were no available near relations of a suitable age for grown up bridesmaids, so the services of little nieces and small cousins were called into requisition for this important position, ami I really think that this was one of the prettiest weddings of the winter. These dainty little demoiselles wore white lambswool coats trimmed with white Angola, white felt hats trimmed with same fur, and white satin bows ; boas aud muffs to match, and white shoes and stockings. Their brooches, presents from the generous bridegroom, were little bars of gold set with pearls. The bride’s travelling costume was greatly admired as she and her husband left for the South of France. It was an exquisitely fitting dress of navy blue camel’s hair spotted vigogne, plain skirt with a Louis NV. bodice, velvet gilet and steel buttons ; navy felt hat trimmed with astrachan pompons and wings, astrachan muff, long travelling cloak trimmed with beaver. Her trousseau was most lovely. Such dreams of silk petticoats as contrast or harmonies to her handsome, slightly trained gowns ! and such lovely underlinen ! a good deal of it was trimmed with the new crochet embroidery, which is worked by hand in No. 30 or 40 cotton in very lace like patterns. It wears and washes so well, especially for night dresses. A good idea struck me in looking over this trousseau. There were several pretty silk covers a size larger than an ordinary drawer. These were for covering up evening gowns, soft white, delicate laces, chiffon fichus, etc., which spoil so quickly. The covers are easily made, and last a considerable time. Get a thin sheet of wadding, split it open with a knife, sprinkle the inside with powdered Florentine orris root, pot-pourri, or lavender, press the wadding together, and cover with the silk. Catch it together in places with tiny buttons if preferred. Odd pieces of silk arranged like a patchwork design do admirably for the purpose if desired, but be sure the wadding is very thin and scanty.

Have you seen the new rug-cloaks ? The following description conveys a capital idea of this travellers’ comfort. The rug cloak, as its name implies, is a combination of the two articles. On the way to the station it can be worn as any other fashionable cloak, being of very nice appearance, made of a thoroughly substantial Harris tweed, finished with a hood at the back, and double-breasted. When ensconscing ourselves in the railway carriage, however, the fact is disclosed that the cloak is something mote than it seems. We remove it from our shoulders or unstrap it, as the case may be, and then it is seen that the lower edge is turned up and secured with a strap and buttons. These undone, the feet are slipperl in and the upper or neck part fastened round the waist, thus making a most comfortable and cosy rug, the hood serving for a muff’or pocket in which to slip any trifle. It should be mentioned—that as a cloak —there are two good-sized pockets in the front, and one for tickets. The rug-cloaks are made for gentlemen as well as gentlewomen, and as we all travel more or less nowadays (weather or no) all ought to be provided with this latest comfort.

I must not forget to tell you of one or two other lovely wedding garments. One bride’s gown was of white satin, with front of brocade, and Empire sash of beautiful lace, the neek of the dress, cut a little away, also finished with corresponding lace. Her tulle veil was arranged with a diamond tiara, the gift of her father, and she carried an exquisite bouquet. Two youthful cousins of the biide were her pages and train-bearers, and looked very picturesque in white cloth coats, with collars and cuffs of moss-green velvet, waistcoats and breeches of moire, striped in pale green, blue and pink, lace cravats and rullles, green hats, stockings, and steel buckled shoes. The bridegroom presented to each a gold pin and a silver-mounted cane. The bridesmaids wore slightly trained skirts of nroiie, striped in pale green, pink and bine, white cloth bodices, and Empire sashes of moss-green silk, ami sleeves of the moire. White fichus finished the bodices with clusters of pink carnations and lilies of the valley to fasten them. Their hats were dark green, large aud becoming shapes, trimmed with feathers to match, and pink velvet. The bride’s mother had a beautiful dress of mauve brocade, with coat of velvet of a deeper shade, trimmed with gold galou, and bonnet to match.

There is still one wedding gown in my notes so beautiful that at the risk of wearying you 1 must quote it. This dress was composed of a bodice and Court train of rich silver brocarle, over a jupe of white satin. The latter was festooned with silver beaded lace, caught up with clusters of silverdrops at intervals. The bodice had a Medici collar of the lace ami a fringed basque of silver beads. The sleeves of satin had ruffles of the lace ami epaulettes of brocade, edged with silver drops. Her wreath was of orange blossoms, her veil tulle, and she wore diamond ornaments, and carried a lovely chatelaine bouquet of orange blossoms and white orchids. She had two pages, one wearing a coat of crimson plush, the other of blue. Their knee-breeches ami waistcoats were pearl-white brocade, lloweied in colour to match their respective coats, and they wore lace cravats and ruffles, and three cornered white fur hats turned up with plush to match the coats, and edged with silver cord. Each wore a pearl scaif pin, the gift of the bridegroom. Pages, you will see, are quite « la mode. H ELOISE.