ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 22, 3 June 1893, Page 522

ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

BUCKLETON —GRAHAM. WEDNESDAY, the 24th inst., at Hamilton, a fashionable and evidently popular wedding took place at St. Peter’s Church, the contracting parties being Mr Harry Buckleton of the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, and Miss Alice Australia Gertrude Graham, eldest daughter of Mr William Australia Graham, and granddaughtei of Mr George Graham, one of Auckland’s oldest identities. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. R. O’Biggs, incumbent of St. Peter’s, and was a choral one, Miss Newell presiding at the harmonium. She was assisted by a good choir, and the effect was nice and much appreciated. On entering the church the hymn, ‘ The Voice that Breathed o’er Eden’ was capitally rendered, and the • Wedding March ’ was really well played.

The bride was dressed in a handsome trained gown of rich ivory merveilleux, trimmed very handsomely with old family Limerick lace, tulle veil, and a neat wreath of orange blossoms.

The bridesmaids were Miss Ruby Graham and Miss Inez Sandes, each wearing a dress of cream serge trimmed with white fur, and pearl and gold brooches the gift of the bridegroom. The bridegroom was attired in orthodox fashion, and was assisted through the trying ceremony by Professor Pond, of the Auckland University, who acted as best man.

The church was crowded to its utmost holding capacity, and over a hundred people could not obtain entrance at all, but remained outside during the ceremony. After the service was concluded the wedding party drove to ‘ The Lodge ’ (Mr Graham’s residence) and between forty-five and fifty people sat down to breakfast; the room and the tables being beautifully draped and decorated with flowers, etc. A most enjoyable time was spent, the usual speeches being made, that by Mr J. A. Pond being particularly interesting, the more so as Mr Pond had acted as best man to the bride’s father some twenty years ago or more. The whole party adjourned to the Hamilton West Railway Station at 235 p.m. The happy couple (and they looked it) started for Okoroire Sanatorium by train, where they spend a short honeymoon. As the train moved out of the station their friends gave three hearty cheers, and wished them • good luck.’ The bride was attired in a neat navy blue serge travelling dress with Eton jacket and cream vest embroidered with gold, and a small blue hat with fashionable tartan trimmings. No less than twenty-seven relatives were present at the meeting, including the bride’s grandmother, Mrs Coombes. In the evening, after all the excitement was over, the party enjoyed a family tea together. The church was beautifully decorated by the bride’s young friends and others, and one noticeable feature was a ‘ Wedding Bell ’ composed of white flowers, which was suspended near the rails over the heads of the bride and bridegroom, the artistic work of Mrs James Hume. This bell was afterwards taken home and hung over the wedding cake, together with a large heart composed of pink camellias, the effect being very pretty. Not being one of the weaker sex, I cannot undertake to describe the robes, etc. Suffice it to say that they were all nice, and in many cases handsome, as were many of the wearers. The bride, by general consent, was voted the bonniest that ever stood in front of the rails of St. Peter’s altar, and all her friends wish her and her husband God speed.

The engagement has been announced between Mr Cooke, third master at the Boys’ College, Nelson, and Miss Morgan of the Girls’ College.