The New York herald., 1877-11-22
Brilliant Bridal Gathering at st. Bar.
thOlomew'S Church.
COSTUMES AND PRESENTS
A Festive Gathering at the Fifth Avenue
Mansion.

aud Forty fourth street. was Tho great matri
monal event OF the IL talked
OF beforehand 10 a far less extent than many other
imposing nuptials in high life, but the very moment
II announced fashionable society was agitated
to its proioundcst depths, and tho crowd
that assembled ut tho church. composed
Oh nm enormous majority OF ladies, revealed
how much tho feminine mind was interested In tho
particular and overwhelming subject OF the bride'a
Dress which, IL naturally enough supposed,
would be one OF extreme aud spIcndor. Long
before tho ceremony began groups OF we'll
dressed ladies assembled IN front OF tho on
trance TO the church, which striped
canvas awning that extended across tho
sidewalk, and the sidewalk itself underneath tho
awning was covered with carpet None wero admit.
ted without tickcts and the result OF tho regulation
was to little display or irasciblc feeling
between the persons charged with tho duty Of collect
ing the tickets and tho bearers thereof who In many
individual instances had whole family trusting for
admission TO u solitary card. There extra
decoration of the interior OF the church, which in It.
self Is gorgeous with red, gold and buo In an hour
after the doors wcro opened all except tho reserved
soats filed. Tho ladies who occupied tho seats
on either side OF the centro aslc from ths door
to the chancel all In full evening dress, and
among them costumes In silk lacc and satin OF
extraordinary richness and beauty. Tho stroam Of
tho estimate OF the sexton. Mr. Cantrcil, inces-
for fully hour and each carriage deposited
its burden at the church door It drove north and took
up It's place In long le extending over naif.a-dozen
adjacent blocks
sczyE AT THE CHURCH.
When the edncc about full and probably fftecn
hundred people present tho sccnc was bright color
could make It, The pcopc In tho side aslcs wcro
their foes most OF tho time siranng their eyes in tho
direction Of tho for tho advent Of tho bride
Near the chancel dozen pcws kept reserved for
the members OF the Vanderbilt family.
II had becn announced that Miss Florence Wander
bt would have bridesmaids al tho altar except hor
sister. Miss Leila. Even this single exception was
dispensed with, aud Miss Leila accompanied by her
brother Cornelius. walked up tho with largo
bouquet OF flowers in hor hand somo tmo
ahead Of tho appearance Of tho bride. She
scat In the front pew and was greatly observed
Shc u costume OF white embroidered gauz, satin.
Hcr hair was dressed and her young frcsh
cirlish features the object OF much admiration
from tho throng OF critically minded ladies
IN the vicinity. William X. Vanderbilt
and his wife, Cornelius Vanderbilt and his
wife; Elliott y. Shepard, sonn-law Of the ommodorc
and his wife; Mrs. Twompy, mothcr Of the bridc-
groom; Mr. and Mrs. Sloane and dozen children Of
the respective families. occupied tho reserved seats
After eight O'Clock Rev. DR.. Cook, the pastor. and
Row. Stephen J. Tying. Jr, forth from the vertry
in their surpccs aud took either side Of tho
chanccL
THE MUSIC.
Tho orgap played by Carl Walter, gavo forth tho fol.
lowing programme
s;9Sea msreho II iic.ine
"William rsli overture. .-.............---
Overtnrc ~ ....... ............. .... Oberon
Sa',a,.,Y. . .'''' 80 ,.ounod
S~mtessala, ~ "..r
sciections "Lonen GRIM
Overture Siege de Corinihc
THE EsTREE
When tho doors were thrown open an d tho wedding
party appeared the organ played tho march from
s'Le Prophetic" The bridegroom, with tho BRIDES
mother leaning his arm, led the way up the aisle,
followed by the bridc leaning on the arm Of her
father the procession being closed by the ushers,
egnt in number, Mcssrs Frederick Vanderbilt tchiei
ushcr), Train. Dabney, Amory. Mnot, Bush, Twombly
and Sloane All eyes wcro rivetcd on the bride, who
. bore herself with quiet maidenly dignity from
FIRST 10 last.
BRIDES DRESS
She dress OF whito satin brocade, trimmed
with thrcc 9inds OF lacc-round point point Venice
and point appquc-wth pearl trimmings aud orange
blossoms. II Prncessc style with tho neck low
a la Pompadour, and the bosom filled with lace
1chu aud pearl trimmings. Tho corsngc was short
and hnishcd with belt ut tho waist. Tho front
OF tho dress trimmed with festoons OF lace
supported by three folds OF satin drapery, COM
Ing to tho front and Caught up with bouquets
OF orange blossoms. Tho pattern Of tho laco
exquisite, each icstoon bcng quarter OF a yard
dccp and bearing a beautifully intcrwoven do
sgn IN flowers representing roses lilies ana
baskets ovcrnowng with aora treasures of all sorts
Each alternate icstoon OF point Venice ana point
applique, and tho intermediate ones Of round point
and point Venice.
Tho bottom OF the skirt In front trimmed with
sectional shirrngs OF wnio satin, 1lcd In between
with bouquets OF orange blossoms. At the sides the
trimming deep and grew gradually narrower
toward tho front. An elegant court train
OF white satin brocadc extended throo and
a hall yards back from tho body OF
tho Dress The brocade into points at tho bottom,
with several OF white satin posscs laid under
tho points, making very stylish effect choice
trimming OF round point, point applique and point
Venice ombcshed tho train which was also adorned
with pearl trimmings OF great beauty. Tho sccvcs
were entirely Of Iace, set with orange blossoms
the BRIDEGROOM
The bridegroom, n young man OF apparently thirty
years OF age, with a black musachc, black hair and
remarkably bright black eyes. carried himself bravely
through tho ordca holding his head and betray.
ing nervous emotion whatever.
Tho usual marriage ceremony performed BY tho
two diyines In couJunction. each OF whom shook
hands with the happy couple when tho services were
over. Mr. William II. Vanderbilt gavo the BRIDE away
In the customary form. and throughout the ceremony
stood at the edge Of tho chancel platform near his
wife, who appeared deeply absorbed In tho proceed
ings.
DEPARTURE FROM THE CHURCH.
The marriage celebrated the brief procession formed
once more. tho organ played Mendelssohn's wedding
march, and, leading the way tho bride and bridegroom
proceeded down tho centre aslc. while tho whole con-
gregation rose eagerly to us ioet aud watched tho
departure from the church with eager interest Out.
side on Madison avenue In tho meantime a grcss
crowd had collected, and so great tho pushing and
Jos,ng to get sight OF tho bride that tho canvas
awning was Knocked down and ruined. A host OF
people, mostly women who seemed to belong to the
working casscs rushed into tho vestlbuic, stormed