Gene Notes

Some random and some not-so-random thoughts on family history.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wedding Wednesday - Everything But the Kitchen Sink

I have no idea how the Lexington Public Library managed to index this newspaper article, but something key was left out of it - can you find it?

From the Lexington Leader, November 4, 1894.

GOSSIP AND COMMENT

Never has a more beautiful wedding been solemnized in Lexington than the one which occurred last night at the Central Christian Church. The pretty new church was handsomely decorated by Mrs. Honaker, and was a perfect triumph of the florist's skill. During the time of waiting for the wedding party the immense audience was treated to a charming musical programme. Prof. A. M. Gutzsit, of Paris, at the organ and six members of Saxton's string band rendered such enchanting music that the time of waiting was a season of delight. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. R. T. Mathews, the retiring pastor of the church.

At ten minutes to eight the glad strains of Lohengrin's wedding march burst for announcing the approach of the bridal train, and emerging from a room on either side came the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The maids, led by Miss Marry Berryman filed down the right aisle, and the groomsmen, led by Mr. John Payne, down the left, forming an escort for the bride as she came up the center aisle, leaning upon the arm of her father.

Never did fairer, lovelier bride grace a wedding. Her rich satin gown fell in graceful folds about the petite figure, the filmy clouds of illusion half concealing the sweet face with its soft brown eyes beaming with happiness. A single rose bud, and a diamond star, the grooms gift, confined the floating veil upon her shapely head. Preceding the bride up the aisle came the lovely sister, Miss Alice, as maid of honor, in an exquisite gown of yellow satin and chiffon. She reminded one of a "Pearls of the Garden," the loveliest of yellow roses.

As the fair bride took her stand before the waiting minister she was met by the groom and his best man, Mr. Russell Railey, who also came from a room at the right. Against the effective background of palms and ferns with occasional glimpses of chrysanthemums stood the wedding party, forming a beautiful tableau.

Surrounded by her maids, as lovely a group of girls as one would care to look upon, and by the handsome attendants, the beautiful marriage ceremony (with slight changes by the officiating minister) of the Episcopal Church was read, the golden circlet was slipped upon her slender finger and the happy maid became a happier wife.

The bridesmaids were Misses Mary Berryman, Virginia Lisle, Mary S. Payne, Lucille Fuller of Washington City, Ada Railey, Sara Bullock and Katie Graves of Louisville.  They wore exquisite toilettes of white satin skirts and chiffon waists, and carried bunches of yellow chrysanthemums. The groomsmen were Messrs. John Payne, Nat Pettit, Will Samuels, Ben Bruce, Tom Bradley, James Reed and Craik Jackson, of Frankfort.

After the ceremony at the church a handsome reception was given at the residence of the bride on North Upper Street. The house was a veritable bower with its flowers and music, and merrily flew the time until the hour grew late. Around the bride's table the eighteen principal actors of the interesting event were seated.

This table was a perfect symphony in white and green. In the center the bride's cake with its veil of spun candy, and around it was formed an artistic wreath of white rose buds and ferns. Tall crystal vases stood at intervals upon this table containing snowy chrysanthemums, and white waxen candles in silver candle sticks with white and silver shades, gave an added beauty to the beautiful scene.

The cutting of the bride's cake caused great merriment, for this is supposed to decide the fate of some of the fair maids. Miss Mary Berryman got the ring, so she is to be the next bride from this bevy of girls. To Miss Fuller fell the darning needle, the thrifty housewife or the o.m. (we won't say the words), which does it mean? Miss Alice Bradley got the thimble. That means whatever the needle leaves for it, old maid or thrifty housewife, these two maidens will have to settle it between them. Miss Payne got the coin, so she's to be wealthy, that's settled.

At two other round tables, one in yellow, the other in pink, the guests were served in turn to a tempting supper prepared by Klien of Louisville. At 10:30 the happy pair slipped away and left on the Q & C for a Southern tour. After they left the inspiring music started the dancers and for several hours this was the pleasant pastime.

Mrs. O. L. Bradley, the bride's mother, wore a beautiful costume of heliotrope silk, with rare point lace garniture. She looked exceedingly youthful and handsome, and more like a sister of the bride than her mother. Mrs. C. L. Railey, the groom's mother was very handsome in a gown of pearl brocade satin and lace. Misses Anne Woolfolk wore turquoise blue with black bodice, a wreath of blue roses around the decollete neck; Katherine Monroe, pink chiffon; Mary Neale, white muslin; Rida Payne, white muslin over blue; Nancy Lisle, pink silk; Miriam Lisle, pink and white striped gauze; Mina Goodloe, ivory satin; Clara Dudley, pink organdy; Bettie Prague, of Covington, black net, and Laetitia McCauley, green crepe.

Among those present were Mesdames John R. Allen, in an airy beautiful gown of black, with pink roses; Charles F. Brower, in black and blue satin and chiffon; Ed L. Price, in rose colored satin and chiffon; W. S. Barnes, pale green brocade satin pink and green striped bodice; Percy S. Talbert, ivory satin pearl passementerie; Louis desCognets, pink satin and black net; Will K. Massie, blue silk; Len Cox, blue silk; Sam J. Roberts, blue silk cerise velvet garniture; Roger D. Williams, black chiffon, crimson roses; L. C. Stedman, pink silk ruby, velvet trimmings; James G. White black gown; A. B. Chinn, black silk cerise garniture; Edith Cox, black lace;  W. H. Boswell, black silk, Anna desCognets black silk and lace; T. D. Ballard, silk and lace.

The gentlemen present were Clarence Bradley, of Chicago; Elliot Shanklin, P. S. Talberg, Smith Bowman, S. J. Roberts, Warren Frazier, Gray Falconer, C. L. Railey, Craik Jackson, Tom Bradley, W. C. Samuels, Natt Pettitt, Dudley Short, C. F. Brower, Roger D. Williams, Garland Barr, Rogers Clay, J. R. Allen, Robert Wooley, Rev. R. T. Mathews, Louis desCognets; Dr. R. L. Kinnaird, A. B. Chinn, G. A. DeLong, W. H. Boswell, George Graves, Jas. F. DeLong, Joe La Compte, E. L. Hutchinson, Prof. J. G. White, Major R. S. Bullock, W. K. Massie, Charley Bradley, Russell Railey, Byron, of New York; Frank Bullock, L. C. Stedman, E. L. Price, Capt. T. J. Bush, Andrew Leonard, Paul Justice, L. G. Cox, Tom Pepper, John Payne, Ben Bruce, James Reed, Sam Blaine, and others.

* * *

The large number of elegant presents at the Railey-Bradley Nuptials fully attest the popularity of this young couple. Among the handsomest were two complete chests of silverware, containing forks, spoons, etc., one from the bride's grandmother, Mrs. Thomas Bradley, the other from the groom's parents. Mrs. Pepper, the grandmother of the groom, gave an elegant punch bowl of cut glass; exquisite silver tea service in colonial style was given by Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Barnes; beautiful white maple dressing table of the daintiest design from Tom Bradley; writing desk with silver accessories from the sister and two brothers, Earnest and Charley Bradley; handset set of orange spoons from Charles W. Bradley, uncle of the bride; diamond bracelet from Mrs. T. T. Eckert, of New York; Gen. Eckert sent a handsome check.

The bride was the recipient of several handsome checks from her father, the groom's brother, Mr. Russell Railey, and other relatives. Mr. Clarence Bradley, eldest brother of the bride, gave an elegant solid silver carving set with mother of pearl handles; the groom's little brother, Byron, gave a handsome embossed leather chair; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brower a beautiful Dresden lamp upheld by the loveliest of Cupids; Miss Mary Berryman's present was a handsome wrought iron lamp; Miss Mary Neal, a lovely lamp, and still another the loveliest Dresden lamp was in this beautiful collection of presents.

Three handsome clocks, an onyx and gold, a Dresden and a pale pink porcelain one; an exquisite French mirror, wreathed with garlands of roses and bow knots; beautiful pictures, articles of rare bric-a-brac, fans, lake handkerchiefs, card cases, spoons and ladles of every variety and in the greatest profusion, cut glass ad infinitum, and every beautiful thing ever given to a bride compose this beautiful collection. The colored cook, Maria Warren, to show the high esteem in which she held the lovely bride, gave her a pretty silver bon-bon spoon.

Copyright 2010, ACK for Gene Notes

2 comments:

  1. Did I miss it? Or do they not give the names of the bride and groom?!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read this twice to verify the bride and groom were never mentioned by name.

    ReplyDelete