Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-02-06
A Fashionable Wedding in New York


A correspondent of the Boston Bee,
writing from New York, gives an account
of fashionable wedding which took place
there on Thursday of Christmas week.
The parties were Col. Hervy Sparks and
Miss Brandage, daughter Jacob Brandace,
Esq. Among the guests present were ex-
President Tyler and lady, Commodore Per-
ry and lady, Mrs Gen. Winfield Scott and
others.
"The rooms were brilliantly lighted
with gas, the chandeliers being trimmed
with wreaths of evergreen and camanas.
Upon the front steps leading to the hall,
Brown, the sexton of Grace Church, with
out}whom nobody can be fashionably en-.
tertained, married or buried, annouRced
IN his sweet, silvery voice, the arrival of
the guests.
As far as the eye could extend in either
direction the Avenue was lined with mag
ni6cent carriages, conveying to the scene
of joyous festivity the elite of New York
society.
At half past IL o'clock about 60 init.
mate friends of the parties had assembled
IN the drawing rooms. A door connecting
an ante-room with the principal drawing
room was then opened, and the bridal train
made the entree, in the following order ::
Two lovely little nephews of the bride,
each about three years old, dressed in ex
quisite taste, led the column. They seemed
beautiful representation of Cupid's mes.
sengers. Immediately following was the
bride and her brother, the nearest relative
then the groom and the brides mother
immediate relatives of the bride. Hav-
ing reached the further end of the drawing
room, the procession opened to right and
left, and the bride and groom took their
places in the centre
The bride wore the most magnificent
dress that | have ever beheld. 1t consisted
OF white satin, founced with rows of
very rare and expensive lace-a fabric
more beautiful and costly than even point
lace +; this was looped with orange blossoms
and jessamine. The veil was Of the same
description of lace, very long and full
The dress, although so rich and beautiful,
was exqulsltely neat and in good taste.-
She wore no ornaments but plain set of
diamond ear drops, and orange blossoms
Her bouquet was composed Of bridal flow
ers resting in socket of massive gold
The handkerchief carried by the bride
was the one which received the premium
at the Crystal Palace Fair, and cost $3.50.
1t was splendid article Those whose
opinions are quoted here, say it was the
finest bridal dress ever seen in New York,
and cost nearly S. 600
dressed IN the run roDes or a Doctur OF
the Catholic Church-of which Church
the brides family are members-advanced
!, and performed the marriage rites in Ia very
solemn and impressive manner. AS the
minister pronounced the last words of the
blessing, Monck's famous band, which
! was stationed in the hall, struck up the
! Wedding March," from Midsummer
= Nights Dream, and executed the same il
. very excellent manner. As the bride
: approached to receive the affectionate salu
tation of her mother, she tainted into tn,
] arms of her attendants, while the emotion
;. of the mother, too intense to be concealed
threw over the scene for the instant tn
gloom of severe impressiveness and awe
!, This little incident over, joy reigned til
# umphant.
,s The presents to the ladies were numel
, Gus and magnificent; consisting of damon
i, necklace, and cluster pin, from the groom
1 complete set of solid silver from th
q mother and, exquisitely wrought pair
70 bracelets bridal fan, trimmed wit
- point lace a massive gold bouquet holde
as from the groom, and variety of small,
he but valuable presents from number
be friends the whole amounting to the Walt
nr of upwards of $4,000 or s2O,OOO II
bridal wardrobe, gift from the moth
was said to be the most regal, equal
anything ever seen in this country.
A, course the lady readers can imagine what
al am not permitted to describe.
OF In an adjoining room table, served u
OF der the great Petelier is tempting the a
he petites of the guests. Such a banquet
he rarely spread. Everything that could pc
We sibly be desired, either in liquids or soil
lc- we're arranged in pyramids and fragra
rk flowers and elaborate devices of confectir
ov ary, and bridal designs. The Maine L;
~ had few friends in that assemblage, a
~ ~ the sparkling fluids lent exhilaration
y sparkling eyes. The guests came and we
"o for five hours in succession, rendering
on occasion one of the most brilliant as it '
rth the most delightful wedding that has e
on taken place within the memory Of the Q
the est Knickerbocker.