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.
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.
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Just noticing the widely different wedding presents such as the platinum and diamond watch and a dog's biscuit tin.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess you have to look at it from the standpoint of their at least having had SOME time together and perhaps the child was of some comfort?
ReplyDeleteI *like* this couple! It seems they may have had friends at all socioeconomic levels. (Or maybe people who didn't even know them sent simple gifts.)
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty sad. I often wonder what happens after the wedding.
ReplyDeleteThose detailed descriptions of wedding fashions and gifts required a good reporter, whose notebook must have been an encyclopedia of the period styles. Sadly the tragedy of 1914-18 from our future perspective looking back on the events, is that we can't warn anyone. We know the storm is coming but can do nothing. And similarly we can't see what's coming for our generation either.
ReplyDeleteThere must have been so many weddings with sad endings at that time, and being a baronet was no protection from the horror of war. I have one just like it on my tree, and the baby born after his father's death in WW1 did the very same thing in WW2 - married and was killed a week later. No baby from the second marriage, which perhaps was just as well.
ReplyDelete