River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-05-29
THE WHITE HOUSE WEDDING.
4 simple Marriage CeremOny--Discript
the Bridal Presents.

Inc ceremony JOOk place IN Lhe euBb
room of the White House, which was
and deliberately decorated
with plants, flowers nd evergreens.
On each side was Platform raised
about foot from the floor and covered
with a portion of the carpet several
years ago presented to the government |
by the Sultan of Turkey. The platform
was enriched with evergreens and flow |
ers, and from its centre hung n mar
riage bell of large proportions, com
posed of the choicest white flowers. |
The splendid new chandeliers were
lighted and handsomely decorated |
Never before has the east room pre-
scented so brilliant a display cf floral
ornaments as on the present occasion.
Punctual TO the hour the invited
guests entered the east room, and ar
ranged themselves in full view of the
platform. The toilets of the ladies
were of the richest description, and
there was profusion of point lace, va
riously worked.
The scene vas unusually brilliant,
the large display of flowers, with their
fragrance, adding to the charm of the
interesting occasion.
The bridal party, passing through
the blue room, entered the cast room.
Their presence Immediately hushed the
company 10 silence The approach
was anpouneed b music from the
Marine Band. First came Mr.. Sartoris
and Col, Frederick ID. Grant the cnly
groonlsmah' asat., tie bridesmaids:
and, two by two, the President and
Mrs. Grant and their two sons, Ulysses
and Jesse. They were followed by the
relatives of the family. On reaching
the platform the President transferred
his daughter to MIR. Sartorls, who. with
the bride, assembled the platform,
where the officiating minister in wait
ing. received them. they took a
position under the floral wedding bell
The President and Col Grant, to-
gether with Miss Barnes, one of the
bridesmaids, were the only other per-
sons in nearness to the bridal party on
the platform, Mrs. Grant and her two
boys standing in front of the remaining
seven bridesmaids ut ohe side Of the
structure.
The bride wore a white satin dress,
trimmed with point lace, tulle veil.
and her hair was adorned with orange
blossoms. The dress OF the groom was
in the last and latest style, with conven-
tional white necktie.
The bridesmaids were Misses Barnes.
Fish, Drexel, Dent, Porter, Conkling,
Sherman, and Frelinghuysen they
were dressed in white corded silk, COW
] H., =.
pleatings caught up with flowers. Their
sashes were Of the same material as the
dresses. -Four of these ladies were dis
tinguished by pink roses, and the other
four by blue flowers.
All things being in readiness the
Rev. DIR. Tiffany proceeded with the
ceremony according to the form of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Every
one preserved a marked silence, and
listened attentively to every word, while
closely watching the manners and
countenances of the bridal pair.
The ceremony over, the minister was
the first to kiss the bride. She imme-
diately turned to her father, who en-
braced her and kissed her; then her
mother approached and kissed her
daughter, as did also the brothers of
the bride and numerous relatives and
female friends. The new-made husband
enjoyed his share of Misunderstanding and
orally expressed congratulations
Less than 200 persons were present to
witness the ceremony, ut the conclusion
of which the band played the wedding
march.
THE PRESENTS.
Among the most costly presents was
a dessert set of eighty-four pieces, by
George w. Childs, and complete sill
yer service, by A. j. Drexel, of Phila-
delphia, the combined value of 81, 500 !:
Secretary Fish presented large silver
tankard, Gen. and Mrs Sharp, of New
York, ring with stone cameo set with
diamonds Postmaster General Cress-
well a very handsome silver ice cream
service ex-senator Cattell diamond
ring with five stones l.. III. Morton, of
New York, an emerald and diamond
ring-(these two rings are probably
worth ono thousand dollars each) Sec
rotary Robson a toilet set, the pieces
deliberately finished after the style of
Louis XIV. :; y. T. Hart. of New York,
large-size lace handkerchief, such as
sell for $500 General Babcock an ele-
giant Valenciennes lace fan, with smok-
ed pearl frame, with monogram bride"
in gold.
Mr.. Sartoris presented to his wife a
large collection of flowers
The present of the father of the bride
is $4,000 All the immediate members
of the Presidents family gave hand
some presents. The presents were
arranged and classified by Gen. A.
Barnford, of the house of Bailey 4 Co..
Philadelphia, who came hither for that
special purpose. They were sent to
New York 10y express and placed on
board the vessel ON which Mr.. and Mrs.
Sartoris took passage for England
The company partook of the wedding
breakfast. An elegantly prepared bill
Of fare was printed on white satin, and
stated that the breakfast was from the
President and Mrs. Grant, in compli-
ment 10 Mr.. and Mrs. Sartoris.
All the bridesmaids were presented
with handsome boquets.
Little boxes lined with white silk,
nnntofnin,s welding cake were brouult