ORANGE BLOSSOMS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 6, 11 February 1893, Page 138

ORANGE BLOSSOMS

WILSON HALL. LAST week the little church at Hororata had a very fashionable wedding within its portals, and one that excited great interest in Canterbury. The bride was Mildred, the only surviving daughter of Sir John Hall ; the bridegroom the eldest son of Mr Wilson, Culverden, and grandson of the late Sir Cracroft Wilson, Cashmere. The girl friends of the bride worked hard and effectively at decorating, the church having a festive and bridal appearance when filled with the wedding party, the numerous guests, and spectators from the surrounding district. The Right Rev. Bishop Harper performed the ceremony, assisted by the Rev. T. Hodgson, the choir singing the musical part of the service. The bride wore a lovely gown of rich white silk trimmed with silver passementerie and embroidered chiffon, with sprays of orange blossoms and jasmine on the bodice, and wreath on her hair to fasten the long tulle veil. She earned an exquisite bouquet of white agapanthus, roses, and maiden-hair fern, and wore a beautiful pearl necklet and pendant and diamond star in her hair, the gift of the bridegroom. Her father gave her away. There were four bridesmaids—Misses Emma Wilson, Cowlishaw, MurrayAynsley, and Hadfield—dressed in cream delaine with heliotrope silk folded belts and sashes at the side, fancy straw hats trimmed with heliotrope bebe ribbon and cream roses, and they carried bouquets of cream and white roses and maiden hair fern. They wore gold bar brooches, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr Rossmore Wilson attended his brother as best man. Lady Hall was elegantly attired in dove-coloured silk trimmed with passementerie; Mrs Wilson, a handsome gown of green and gold shot satin; Miss Wilson, a dainty confection of peach ciepon and silk ; Mrs Tancred, black silk and lace ; Mrs Blakiston, dark silk dress, bonnet with pretty light flowers ; Mrs Westeura, myrtle green satin ; Mrs R. Westeura, grey tweed, hat to match ; Miss Westeura, grey dress trimmed with guipure lace ; Miss Turnbull, soft white silk, black lace hat. There were other handsome toilets among the many guests. The bridal party returned after the ceremony to the residence of Sir John Hall, where they partook of the wedding breakfast and inspected the many handsome presents to the bride and bridegroom. The bride was the recipient of a very choice writing-table of New Zealand woods from the employees on her father’s station, and Mr J. Cracroft Wilson a very handsome silver salver from the employees and tenants of Cashmere and Culverden, amongst many other gifts too numerous to particularise. Eally in the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left for the West Coast amid showers of rice, satin shoes, and, we fear, rain would accompany them some of the way, for the weather, as usual, was just what it ought not to be. In the evening Lady Hall entertained about two hundred and fifty guests at a dance in the Hororata Town Hall which was prettily decorated with greenery and flowers. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until daylight. O’RORKE RHODES. Last Wednesday afternoon I’apanui Road presented a very busy appearance from about one o’clock on the occasion of Miss Rhodes’ marriage to Mr E. D. O’Rorke, at St. Mary’s, Merivale. The ceremony was fixed for half-past two, but those determined to have a good look at the bride were content to stand over an hour, as the church was reserved entirely for the guests, enough invitations being issued to fill it. The pathway leading to the chuich door was laid with carpet and roped oil’, and fortunately the weather, though threatening, was favourable, just a few spots of rain falling as the guests were departing, the sun giving

a feeble smile through it all. The chancel was beautifully decorated with ivy, large white daisies, roses, lilies, and other choice flowers, by the bride's girl friends, principally the Misses Turner. The Right Rev. Bishop Harper performed the ceremony, assisted by the Rev. C. J. Merton, incumbent, Mr Clarence Turner presiding at the organ, the service being fully choral.

The bride looked very handsome in a rich white brocade with Court train from the shoulders, the front petticoat being wreathed with orange blossoms; a long tulle veil fastened with small wreath of orange blossoms and myrtle and a magnificent diamond star completed a superb costume. She wore a lovely pearl necklet and carried an exquisite bouquet of bridal flowers. Miss Emily Rhodes was chief bridesmaid and wore a rich and elegant dress of pale blue brocade on white satin ground with Watteau train, white hat and feathers with a touch of blue, and carried a choice bouquet. The two little daughters of Mrs W. P. Reeves were the train bearers, and looked such sweet little mites in white lace frocks and hats with buttercup silk sashes, and rosettes in their hats to match, white silk stockings and satin slippers.

The bridegroom, leaning on the arm of his best man, walked with a slight limp, and created a good deal of sympathy, but looked manly, happy, and satisfied as he walked back to the carriage with his bride. Mrs Rhodes, mother of the bride, wore a handsome black brocade trimmed with lace and jet, pink flowers in her bonnet and long pink streamers from her lovely bouquet. Sir Maurice O’Rorke was present. A full list of the guests and description of the dresses, which were the richest, perhaps, ever seen at a wedding here, will appear next week.

CARTER DODSON. An interesting though very quiet little wedding took place at Panama House, Blenheim, on Thursday, January 19th, when Miss Alice Carter was married to Mr Frank Dodson, the Rev. G. F. Grace performing the ceremony. The bride was given away by her father, and the bridegroom was supported by his brother, Mr Leonard Dodson. The biide looked charming in a handsome fawn travelling dress and hat to match. The happy couple drove to Picton en route for Wellington. The presents were both numerous and handsome.