Looking
through old newspapers gives us such a picture of another age, and here
is a poignant tale of a wedding in 1913 - with a sad ending.
In the "Berwckshire News" of 4th March 1913, I came across a full page account of a society wedding, and great detail given on the guests, the costumes worn, and the lavish gifts.
In the "Berwckshire News" of 4th March 1913, I came across a full page account of a society wedding, and great detail given on the guests, the costumes worn, and the lavish gifts.
The bride wore "a
Princess robe of ivory velvet, with falling sleeves of applique, with pearl
tassled ends. The square decolletage being embroidered with pearls
and Rhinestones. The skirt drapery was caught up at one side showing an
underskirt of lace. The train entirely of Brussels lace was lined with ivory
chiffon. The bridesmaids wore frocks of daffodil yellow satin, with soft
ruffles of chiffon and sashes of blue to match blue suede shoes worn with shite
silk stockings. The costumes were comnpleted by white mob caps tied
with blue ribbons and they carried posies of daffodils." 
The
list of presents
painted a portrait of the age, ranging from an opulent platinum and
diamond watch,and crystal cigarette case set with rubies, to the slightly more
mundane - a pair of cartridge pepper pots, an ivory tusk corkscrew (now
very environmentally incorrect!), a fitted motor valise,
an Irish bog oak carved inkstand, a dark green Russian leather
blotter. a mounted antelope horn cigarette lighter, purple silk
cushions embroidered in gold, a mauve parasol, a silver egg stand
and silver filigree fan. Of a more utilitarian nature
were an umbrella, set of waistcoat buttons. a biscuit warmer, set of
thimbles, paste shoe buckles, and a dog's biscuit tin.
Like
many newly married couples, the bride and groom ended up with lots of
duplicate gifts - blotters, inkstands, photo frames, cut glass
bowls, and butter dishes with knives.
The marriage had been delayed a few weeks, because the groom had suffered appendicitis.
The marriage had been delayed a few weeks, because the groom had suffered appendicitis.
Perhaps
this could be regarded as a portent. For given the date of
1913, further research gave this happy occasion a
poignancy in marking the end of an era. Within three years the
groom had been killed in Flanders, leaving a young widow and child.
Click HERE to see how
other Sepia Saturday bloggers
are celebrating
this months's prompt of Love and Marriage
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I love those loquacious old newspapers! What a sad end though....I wonder how many marriages between 1910 and 1914 ended in death, or perhaps worse, a wife for whom it got too difficult, or a husband who was nothing like the man she married. Tragic times.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your perceptive comment, Pauleen. There must have been so many sad tales of broken families.
ReplyDelete