Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-03
THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.

ing at seven o'clock, at the White House, to
Miss Frances Folsom the President was
surrounded by the members of his Cabinet
and few invited guests. The ceremony
took place in the Blue Room, and was per.
formed by Rev. DR.. Sunderland. The Ma.
rine Band was in attendance and played
appropriate music. Tho interior Of the
White House was magniGcently decorated,
the floral display exceeding anything of the
kind ever before attempted in Washington.
After the marriage, the bride and groom, in
company with their guests, repaired to the
dining-room, where all elegant collation. was
served. During tho repast the President
and his bride quietly drove to the depot of
the B. & o. II. r., where q special train
awaited them, and conveyed them to Deer
Park where they propose to spend week.
At 7.15 o'clock, selected orchestra from
the Marine Band, stationed in the corridor,
struck up the familiar strains of the We'd
ding March from Mendelssohn's "Midsum-
mer Nights Dream" Starting from the
western corridor on the upper, floor, the
President came slowly down the western
Thew were unaccompanied, even the brides
mother awaiting her with the other guests.
Passing through the central corridor the
bride and groom entered the Blue Room
and took a position near its southern wall,
which was completely hidden from sight by
a mass of nodding palms, tropical grasses
and an endless variety OF choice flowers.
When the bridal party entered Rev. DIR.
Sunderland was awaiting them in the CEN
ire Of the room, while the company stood
around in semi. circle. The President and
his bride advanced to meet the minister.
DIR. Sunderland paused 81 moment. linen,
while profound stiffness prevailed, he per-
formed the marriage service. Alter the
openjnc PRAYER he turned TO the bride and
groom and said "If you desire to be united
in marriage you will signify the same by
Joining your right hands," and in second
their hands were clasped
The minister then proceeded: Grover, do
YOU take this woman whom you hold by the
hand to be your lawful welded wife, to live
together after Gods ordinance in the holy
estate of wedlock? DO you promise to love
her, cherish, comfort and keep her in sick.
ness and in health, in Joy and in sorrow, and
forsaking all others keep you only unto her
so long as you both shall live?"
81 do" the President responded, in a
voice distinctly audible in the room.
The minister: Frances, do you take this
man whom you hold by the hand to beyour
lawful welded husband, to live together af-
ter Gods ordinance in the holy estate Of
wedlock? Do you promise TO love him,
honor, comfort and keep him in sickness and
in health, in joy and in sorrow, and Iorsak.
ing all others keep you only unto him so
long as you both shall live?"
The bride responded in a low but clear
voice, II do"
Then said the minister: "For rs much as
Grover and Frances have here agreed and
covenanted to live together after Gods ordi.
nance in the holy estate OF wedlock and
have confirmed tho same by giving and talk.
ing wedding ring now, therefore, in the
presence of this company, in the name OF
the Father and Of the Son, and Of the Holy
| Ghost, pronounce and declare that they are
husband and wife, and what God hath join
ed together let not man put asunder."
The Rev. Mr.. Cleveland then pronounced
the benediction.
In moment Mrs. Folsom stepped for.
ward and imprinted kiss of loving con-
graduation on her daughters check. Miss
Cleveland and Mrs. Hoyt were next to offer
their congratulations, while tears were 10
the eyes of Miss Cleveland, who was visibly
moved. The President, touched by this ex.
preston of love from his sisters, responded
by silent hand pressure. The brides rela-
tives and the Cabinet officers and their wives
next offered their congratulations. The la
Secretary Manning was the first after the
relatives to clasp the Presidents hand, and
with Mrs. Manning was soon followed by
the others. The feeling was so hearty and
80 Invested Of form and ceremony that the
scene seemed but one of personal and family
interest.
The brides dress was of white silk and
white null, simple and beautiful. The dra-
perry was of India null, embroidered in
orange blossoms, on one side meeting
full soft drapery of the silk on the other
The train was fully four yards in length,
falling from the thickly punched basque
drapery at tho back in two broad folds. The
high corsage had two scarfs of the null,
with boarder of tiny orange blossoms,
under broad cincture Of satin fastening
them in place. The sleeves came to the
elbow, and were formed of three bands of
India muslin, tied by satin cordons, edged
with the tiny fringe of orange blossoms.
Her hair was dressed high, The front in
wavy bangs and the back in q coil and soft
pouf. Her veil was fastened to the head
with diamond pins, and fell to the hem of
her train, completely covering her figure.
Her tall, stately form showed of the rich
dress to perfection. With the superb cos.
tune was worn the Presidents bridal gift,
handsome necklace of diamonds and pearls,
with earrings to match.
The President was in full evening dress,
with turn down collar, white lawn necktie
and white enamel studs. The bride was
perfectly unconstrained, while most modest
in her demeanor.
The wedding presents were many, but
they were not exhibited. The groom's gift
to his bride was handsome diamond neck
lace, composed of single string of bril-
liants. The presents from the Cabinet officers
and their wives were mostly articles of jew
elry, though there were several beautiful
presents of slverware.
The wedding supper was very magnili-
cent affair. The wedding cake, an elabo-
rate structure, four sections high, occupied
the central place on the table, just op-
posite to where the bride and groom stood
to partake of the collation.. 1t was sur
rounded by pretty arrangement of flow
ers, while large fiat bouquets, Overlooking
sc toto taI