ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 43, 28 October 1893, Page 354

ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

HUNTER BLAIR-RHODES.

4 WEDDING of unusual attraction, connected as it is with Vice-ioyalty, took place on Tuesday after

noon at St. Mary’s Church, Merivale, viz., the marriage of Captain Reginald Hunter Blair, Gordon Highlanders, and Miss Emily Rhodes, youngest daughter of the late Mr R. H. Rhodes, of Elmwood, Cnristchurch.

Hts Excellency the Governor and Lady Glasgow wete present at the ceremony, which was performed by the Bishop of Christchurch, assisted by the Rev. Walter Harper. Mr Clarence Turner presided at the organ, the service being full choral. The choir met the bride at the gate and preceded her into the church singing, • The Voice that Breathed O'er Eden.’

The bride was accompanied by her brother, Mr Heaton Rhodes, who afterwards gave her away, and six bridesmaids were in attendance—Miss Hutton (chief), the Ladies Angnsta, Alice, and Dorothy Boyle, and two tiny little girls as train bearers, a daughter of the Hon. E. W. Parker, and Janet Boyle, daughter of Mr Alex. Boyle. Mr Joseph Stndbolme, attended the bridegroom, performing all the duties of best man.

The chancel and altar were converted into a bower of loveliness. The wealth of white flowers displayed with a plentiful mixture of foliage formed a fitting frame for the elegant bride and her friends. The floral decorations were carried out by Mesdames Alister Clark, and ORorke, sisters of the bride, and the Misses Turner and Mears, and Mrs Tonke.

The bride looked lovely in a rich ivory corded Oudine silk, the bodice trimmed with beautiful softly folded real Honiton lace, with full frill of the same at the neck and sleeves, the latter made with large puff. The bodice was arranged in the folded style, fastened with a bow and diamond buckles. The skirt was quite plain, the cord of the material giving a rich and heavy appearance, full Court train of plain ivory satin Duchesse made quite distinct and caught from each shoulder, full putting of same material underneath the edge. On her hair she wore a small coronet of orange blossoms, the whole covered with long tulle veil fastened with a diamond crescent. The bride wore a magnificent diamond necklet, the gift of Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes, and a diamond bracelet, the bridegroom's gift, and carried a lovely shower bouquet.

The first four bridesmaids wore charming costumes of cowslip silk, covered with white muslin trimmed with Valenciennes lace, pretty white hats with white feathers and posies of cowslips : they carried ostrich feather fans and posy bouquets ot yellow and white. The little trainbearers were in soft white muslin trimmed with Valenciennes, white hats with feathers, white silk stockings and satin shoes.

During the signing of the register in the vestry, Mr Maitland Gard ner sang a solo, and as the bride, looking loveliness personified, left the church, Mr Turner gave the grand old * Wedding March ' in good style.

The pipers of the Scottish Rifles met the bride and bridegroom returning from the church and played them to the house, one being in the tartan of the bridegroom's clan. They also played at intervals during the afternoon on the lawn, where a large marquee had been erected, and at the entrance of which the happy pair received the congratulations of the numerous guests. After the cake had been cut —a gigantic and peifect picture to look at—and healths drunk, the presents were inspected—a very numerous and costly collection displayed in the large billiard room, the aspect of which was entirely changed with flowers, palms, etc. The whole house was most tastefully and beautifully decorated. Ihe flowers were quite a feature in connection with the wedding, lilies of the valley being in profusion. It is said close on 2.000 blossoms of this lovely flower were used.

Several photographs of the bridal party were taken, and afterwards the bride re appeared in her travelling costume of the popular Kaiapoi tweed of brown flecked with lighter shade, feather boa to match, atd brown velvet hat with touches of green. She then planted a tree to celebrate the event, and the happy pair left for the South in a whirlwind of rose leaves, rice, and good wishes. The bridal gown was tbe production of the D I.C , Christchurch, the perfect fit and style being the admiration of everyone, many thinking that it had been imported from Paris, as it had been whispered abroad the bride’s gown was coming from Home, but would not arrive in time. The travelling dress came from the same establishment—which is now a recognised favourite with well-dressed women in Christchurch—also much of the millinery, and many of the beautiful and elaborate dresses worn by the guests.

If wishes had any power, it would have been a much brighter day, but it certainly was a trifle gloomy-looking.

The ceremony was fixed for two o’clock, and for overman hour before that time the church grounds, which aie very limited, began to fill up. and the whole roadway was soon lined, the church being reserved entirely for the guests, as over two hundred were expected.

Some exquisite gowns were worn. Lady Glasgow, who was greatly admired, wore a French chateau toilet of beautiful light green brocade, trimmed below the hips with a double ruche of the same material, finished off on the right side with a bow in black satin, like the sash. neck band, and bows as well as the ribbon which bordered the epaulettes and shoulder tape's; Empire iaeket with body of salmon pink silk trimmed with black guipure: large satin buttons. Amelie sleeves closely gauged and puffed to the elbow, finished off with tight cuffs trimmed with black guipure. This handsome toilet was made by Madaine De Verney. of Wellington. A lace bonnet with feathers and pink flowers was worn with this costume. Mrs Rhodes .mother of the bride). an elegant dress of French grey brocade trimmed with rich black lace, black velvet puff sleeves and revers, grey velvet bonnet trimmed with passementerie and pink roses, pink and white ospreys: Mrs Heaton Rhodes an exquisite opal-tinted shot satin trimmed with c earn p d'Alencon lace, cream Leghorn hat with plumes and a touch of heliotrope from one of the shades of the gown ; she carried a lovely posy of lilac and lilies of the valley : Mrs Alister Clarke, very pretty cream and pink costume. hat to match : Mrs O Rorke, handsome dress of black satin with old gold trimmings and lace, hat to match : Mrs R. Rhodes tof Blue Cliffs), a pretty green and white silk gown, bonnet to match: Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, a becoming gown of fawn bengaline. fawn hat with pink roses : Mrs George Rhodes iMeadowbanki. an exquisite pale grey satin with full sleeves and trimming of the satin brocaded with pink flowers, large pi- ture hat with grey plumes and pink hawthorn and foiage: iss Wauchope. a »awn dress with puffed green silk sleeves hat to match. I-ord Glasgow. Lord Kelburne, Messrs R. H. Rhodes R. Rhodes (of Blue cliffs-. A. E. G. Rhodes. M.H.R.. George Rhodes l eadowbank). Alister Clarke, and E. D. O’Rorke composed the house party. AMONG THE GUESTS were Mrs Latter, in a handsome black silk with rich jet trimmings; the Misses Latter, in white, wide Empire sashes, white hats with pink roses : Mrs A. Boyle, very pretty fawn costume trimmed with lilac ribbon and lace, lilac floral bonnet, and bouquet of lilac with long streamers; the Hon. Mrs E. W. Parker, blue and white flowered silk trimmed with white lace, white poke bonnet with feathers: Mrs Pitman, pale blue crepon striped with white satin, small black Puritan bonnet with pink roses ; Mrs Prius, very handsome vieux rose bengaline dress, lace trimmed, bonnet to match : Miss Lean, pretty cream crepon. bonnet with forget-me-nots: Miss C. Lean, a flowered delaine, bonnet with forget-me-nots, and both carried lovely bouquets of lilies of the valley and forget-me-nots: Mrs Lomax-Smith, a most becoming cream lace trimmed gown, hat to match : Mrs Hutton, black siik, black and pink bonnet; Miss Hutton, fawn dress with heliotrope ribbon, and black lace trimmings, black and heliotrope hat: Mrs A. Wilson, shot green and white silk, with floral silk vest and trimming ; the Misses Wilson (Culverden). buttercup Liberty silk trimmed with brown velvet, brown velvet hats with deep yellow roses: Mrs Harley, very handsome gown of mossgreen satin, with shrimp pink brocade vest and trimming, floral bonnet to match ; Mrs Million (Birch Hill), very nale fawn lacetrimmed costume, hat with feathers: Mrs C. Clark, blue silk covered with exquisite black lace, black lace mantle and bonnet; Mrs Lane, very handsome black broche. black bonnet with white flowers, and huge posy of white flowers: Mrs Cowlishaw. a rich black brocade, black and pink bonnet: Miss Cowlishaw. pretty fawn and pale green, lace hat with flowers: her sister, in brown and heliotrope, hat to match : Mrs Denniston, in fawn trimmed with black lace: Mrs Ranald Macdonald, cinnamon brown costume with black watered silk revers and pale yellow vest, hat to correspond : Mrs W. P. Reeves, brown cloth trimmed with military braid, brown hat : Mrs Palmer, handsome black silk, black lace mantle and bonnet; Mrs George Lee, pretty pink crepon with passementerie trimming, bonnet to correspond : Mrs Ogle, white dress with salmon siik sleeves and sash, black velvet jet-trimmed zouave, hat with white feathers; Miss Palmer, a rainbow crepon gown, picture hat with roses: Mrs Scott, very becoming grey and helio’rope gown, bonnet to mat* h ; Mrs Julius, b ack dress trimmed with green velvet, black bonnet; Mrs Matthias, electric blue silk. Maltese lace mantle in cream, bonnet e/i suite : Mrs W. D. Meares. very pale fawn, with vest and cuffs of white brocaded with gold, bonnet to match : Miss Meares. pretty white frock, white hat and feathers, and losely shower bouquet of roses; Mrs Wilder, heliotrope delaine, stylishly made, bonnet tn suite : Mrs Wynn-Williams, black silk and lace mantle, lilac flowers in her bonnet; her daughters, white spotted muslins, lace-trimmed, white hats with pink roses: Mrs Wilding, striped green and white silk, fancy straw bonnet with feathers : Mrs M. Campbell, black silk with white silk trimming veiled with black lace: Mrs Westmacott, fawn dress, black hat with pink hawthorn: Miss Campbell, a pretty dtess of black and pale green, black hat with pink roses: Miss Reeves, pale green crepon. floral hat: Mrs Lascelles, black and pink: Mrs P. Campbell, a lovely gown of pale green silk, pale pink trimming veiled with black lace; Mrs Stack, in black : Miss Stack, fawn with green velvet sleeves : Miss Tabari, buttercup silk, black bar with flowers: Miss E. Tabart, grey gown with pale green vest, lace hat with flowers: Mrs Helmore. wore b ack. pink in her bonn t: Miss Helmore. pretty electric blue trimmed with cream lace, hat to match: Mrs Turrell black brocaded silk : Mrs Moorhouse, black silk : Miss Moorhouse, a fawn costume: Mrs Tendall. an electric dress, bonnet to match; the Misses Bowen, pretty crepon gowns, floral hats; Miss Worthv, white muslin with gold embroidered sash, white hat : Miss Berwick. deep yellow siik covered with spotted muslin, lace-trimmed : Mrs Macdonald. Mrs Robison. Miss Turner. Miss Turnbull. Mrs and Miss Crosbie. Miss Fuchs, the Hon. C. C. Bo ven. Mr Wilder, the Revs. Stack. C. Turrell and Mathias, Drs. Prius and LomaxSmith. Colonel Lean, Captain Hutton. Messrs R. Macdonald. Cowlishaw. Palmer. H. Reeves. Campbell. Beswick, Lane. Clark. Harley. W. D. Meares. Milton. Lasc-lles. Latter. A. Scott, A. Boyle. Wilding, Tendall. the Hon. E. W. Parker. Pitman, R. Scott, were some of the many present.

The great popularity of the bride and bridegroom was plainly evinced by the large number of handsome presents, cheques, etc., which were received by the happy pair.

DAEBY—MATHESON.

A GOOD deal of interest will be felt by Ponsonby people in the pretty wedding which was celebrated a few davs ago in Tauranga, as the bridegroom Mr P. B. Darby, is well known throughout Punsonby and Auckland circles. The bride was Miss Jessie Matheson, daughter of Mr Robert Matheson, of Otumoetai.

The ceremony was performed at 8.30. a m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Cameron Road, by the Right Rev. Bishop Luck, of Auckland, in his full canonicals, and attended by an acolyte. Tbe service, a full choral one, was very impressive. Large numbers of people assembled in the church at the appointed time. Tbe latter was beautifully decorated with flowers of every description.

The bride wore a stylish costume of figured white silk bordered with real orange-blossoms- She was attended by tbe Misses L. Matheson and Dai by in pretty light dresses. Bride and bridesmaids carried magnificent bouquets of flowers, the present of Mr H. B. Johnstone.

The wedding breakfast took place at the Star Hotel, to which the party adjourned at the conclusion of the ceremony. Wedding cake, toasts, and merry-making (the former a splendid specimen of confectionery, the work of Mr R. Badger) occupied an hour or so, when the happy couple departed amid the good wishes of their friends to make a honeymoon tour through Rotorua.

RATTRAY—HARLEY. News of tbe wedding of a New Zealander comes from Melbourne. The marriage was quiet, but charming. The bride was Mrs C. Harley, widow of the late Mr Harley, of Melbourne, and second daughter of Mr J. W. Don, of Richmond. The bridegroom was Mr Allan Rattray, second son of the late Mr W. Rattray, of Auckland, of the Commercial Bank, Bendigo, and was attended by Mr William Crawford, B. A., as best man.

The marriage ceremony was performed at half past two by the Rev. Herbert Taylor, at Christchurch, Hawthorn. The bride, who is very pretty, wore a gown of cream serge relieved with buttercup silk. The style was adopted from the A ictorian mode, with the wide skirt bordered with three bands of silk, covered with guipure lace. The bodice was short, relieved with silk and lace trimmings, and having sleeves of butteicup silk, over which the lace formed a cape. A hat of cream straw was trimmed with buttercup silk and cream guipure lace.

Three little maids were in attendance—Miss Hogarth, and the two Misses Luch. They wore cream Greenawav frocks, relieved with satin capes, hats to match. The bride carried a most exquisite bouquet of roses and daffodils and delicate ferns. The little maids held beautiful baskets of daffodils and ferns, and wore the bridegroom’s presents gold bangles.

After the ceremony a reception was held by the parents of the bride at • Bampton,' Hawthorn, at which about thirty guests were present. Mr and Mrs Rattray left Hawthorn, en route for Ballarat, during the afternoon, the bride’s dress being brown check tweed, relieved with a pale pink silk vest, and brown velvet sleeves, and her hat of burnt straw trimmed with brown velvet and pink.

A large number of presents and cheques were received from friends in New Zealand and the other colonies.