Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-06-10

President Or0Ntr NlcNclUuu @uu -A'10
Frances Folsom were welded at the White
House in Washington on Wednesday Even
ing, June End, 1856.
From De Baltimore sun.
FLORAL DECORATIONS.
The floral decorations of the Executive
Mansion were on a scale more elaborate
than ever before attempted, and the East
Room surpassed any previous ornamental
ton. Its windows and corner inches were
converted into bowers, the wide east wlndoW
and its draperies being completely hldden
bv q towering mass of gigantic palms, Indla
rubber ulants and graceful ferns, rising from
q bed of moss. The four large pillars, two
on the east side of the vast room and two
Others near the entrance to the main corrl-
dor. were wreathed to the ceiling with pink
and white roses. twined in smilaX. About
halfway up on each rested shield, the
field of blue immOrtelles, dotted with whlte
carnations and the stripes OF alternate lhes
of orange blossoms and jacqueminot roses;
Suspended from these were hall garianas OF
red roses and foliage. The chandeliers ana
mirrors we're garlanded with smllaX. Inc
east mautels were glowing mosalcs OF PINK
and white blossoms, and the mantels oppo-
site were filled in With foliage plants. Inc
Green and Red Parlors were but sparsely
decorated. only here and there a palm or
fern aud on the mantels blooming plants.
The Blue ParlOr, where the ceremony Oc-
CURED. was literally q mass of bloom, Two
thirds of its space being covered with now
ers. The three southern windows were ND
den behind a hedge OF tall palms and ferns
with "a striking mass OF plants, mostly
bleeding hearts, forming the color part
The mantels were covered by set designs
That on the east side of the room was
solid mass OF purple pansies, with June =
1856. Inn white pausies wrought IN 1t. An
edge of yellow pansies and a border Oh IoS-
rs met the Overhanglng fringe Oh malueh-
hair fern The other mantel was rising
mass of iacQueminOt roses, with corner spots
of beiotrope aud a central monogram IN
white roses of +. c. prettliy entWlned.
Each mirror and each of the three door
wavs leading to the Green and Red ParIors
and the corridor had suspended IN the cen
ire garland of pink and white roses:
Over the central door was q scroll OF red
and white immortelIeS, with II PIurlouS
Uuum' in blue. Between these doors were
grouped nearly TO the ceiling geranlum
plants in every hue aud blossom, their own
FOLIAGE forming the background, dotted here
and there with tall spikes OF white hllles'
I'M front of these groups were TWO TAN can
dlebra holding q dozen candles each, when
were lighted during the ceremony ana al
/ ded q great deal To- give the scene a pictur-
e,1ue effect. The furniture of tins apart
meut was nearly all removed, excepting the
wide sofas and q convenient chair or two Tor
Secretary Manning that he might go about
the room o., much as he pleased and still
| not get unnecessarily tatigued
THE WEDDING CEREMONY.
For few minutes the guests chatted gay,
/ .v. but conversation was quickly suspend,d
/ at7.lj O'Clock, when selected orchestra
from The Marine Band stationed IN the cor
riior. struck up the familiar strains OF the
| Wedding March from MendelsSOhn's Mid
summer Nights Dream, and ali eyes were
turned TO the doorway TO catch the hrst
glimpse of the coming bride and groom.
Starting from the western corridor on the
upper floor. the President came slowly down
/ the western staircase with his bride leaning
ON h, arm They We're unaccompanled,
/ even tine brides mother awaiting her with
/ the other guests. Passing through the cen
( trail corridor the bride and groom entered
the Blue Room aud took a position near It's
southern wall. which was completely hidden
from sight by mass of noddlng palms.
tropical grasses, aud an endless variety oil
choice flowers.
The crystal chandelier poured food OF
mellow radiance upon the scene, and the
color, of the massive banks of scarlet oego-
Mas and royal jacqueminot roses, mnghng
with the blue and silver tints OF the trescoed
walls and ceiling gave warm aud glowing
tone to the whole brilliant interior. The
delicate ivory shades of the brides wedding
gown found an exquisite setting IN the
masse, of crimson roses Immediately be-
vond. The President was in full evening
/ dress. with turn-dOwu collar, white lawn
necktie and white enamel studs.
The brides dress was OF white silk and
white null simple and beautiful The ORA
perry was of India null, embroidered IN or
ange blossoms, on one side meeting luil
soit draperv of the sLS ou the other. Inc
train was fully four yards IN length. falling
/ from the thic5ly punched basSed drapery
at the back i'm two broad folds. The high
cOrs1gc bad two scaris of the null, with a
I border of tiny orange blossoms, under a
bread cincture of satin fastening them IN
place. The sleeves came to the elbow, and
we're formed of three bands of India muslin,
lied hv satin cord0ns, edged with the tiny
/ fringe of orange blossoms. The brides hair
was dressed high, the front in wavy bangs
and the back In q coil aud soft pout Her
veil was fastened % the head with diamond
pins and fell 20 the hem of her train, com
pletelv covering her figure. Her tall, state
/ iv form showed off the rich dress 20 periec-
lion. The dress was not POLITICALLY bridal
/ I'm ITS adornmeuts. but the dainty textures
and exluisitely light drapery made an alb
>o'ute.v perfect effect With this superb
costume was worn the Presidents bridal
ri0. handsome necklace of diamonds and
pearls. with earrings To- match.
When the bridal party entered the Blue
Par'0r they found the Rev. DR.. Sunderland
awaiting them In the centre of the room,
while the company stood around IN a semi
circle The President and his bride adj
vanced to meet the minister. DR.. Sunder-
land paused q moment. Then, all being IN
readiness. ne cast his ewes around for mo-
ment. and then while profound stiffness
prevailed began the ceremony, as follows +!
"F0rl,mucb %, we are assembled % ob-
serve the holy rite OF marriage IL Is needtul
chat we should seek the blessing of the great
God our Father. whose Institution 1t Is.
And therefore I be>eech YOU 20 follow me
with revereut hearts 10 prayer 20 Him.
~ 80