Evening journal., 1889-10-24
THE BELT WEDDING.
MOST BRILLIANT SOCIETY EVENT
OF THE SEASON.

season, and the largest and most beauti- |
ful wedding that has taken place in the |
church for fifteen years, occurred in |
Grace M. T.. Church last evening. II was |
the much talked of, long looked for mar
riage of Miss Harriet Pennawell Belt, |
daughter of z. James Belt of this city, |
and Samuel Augustus Stevens of Port |
land, Me The wedding has been the |
talk Of Wilmington society for days and |
weeks, and now that il l. over. no one can
name one that surpassed it in interest, |
beauty of costume, general brilliancy and
tone.
Nearly 1000 invitations were issued,
not only to the many friends Of the bride
in this city, but to friends Of the bride
and groom in nearly all of the Eastern
states. About i 500 cards OF admission
to the church were sent out in this city,
and, expecting crowd. people began to
gather at the church an hour before the
time fixed for the ceremony. A steady
stream of guests poured into the
church from the time the doors were
opened until the bridal party entered.
Every pew was filed. Chairs were
brought in and yet scores Of people stood
in thu side aisles next TO the walls, at
the back OF the church and inside the
doors. The gallery was overlooking
Nearly /, 200 people We're in the church.
The crowd included the cream Of VIII
mington society and many We're in full
evening dress. The seats reserved, Were
filled with beautiful women and hand
some men, the rich evening costumes OF
the former throwing an air of festivity
over the animated crowd that waited for
the bride and groom to appear. The
crowd outside Of the church was almost
as large as that inside. People filled the
churchyard and both sidewalks of West
street half way from Ninth to Tenth
streets, while all the streets in the
vicinity were lined with coaches aud car
riages
The pulpit platform of the church was
decorated with large palms, ferns and
other foliage plants. In front Of the
alter rail Law white satin cushion for
the bride and groom to knell upon as
they plighted their troth. Professor
Ferd Fullmer was at the organ and
played selections of brilliant classical
music until the bridal party appeared
when the strains of the wedding march
from "Lohengrin" burst forth from the
organ. The residence Of the brides
parents Is next to the church and car
pet was laid across the intervening space
of grass. ON which the bridal party
walked to the church and returned after
the ceremony.
Precisely at Z o'clock the bridal party
of seventeen persons entered the church
and proceeded slowly up the north aisle
to the altar rail The ushers led Messrs.
Nathaniel w. Davis, Esq, James r.
Field, Francis H. Hoffecker, Esq, and
William L. Scott, j. Ferris Belt, brother
of the bride, and Morris r. Bockius All
are residents Of this city but the last,
who is a Philadelphian. Following
the ashers came the six brides
maids, two and two. They
were Miss Mary p Brown and Misses
Elizabeth T. and Julia f. Stevens, sistei
of the groom, of Portland Me ; Mis-
Mary L. Morrow, of Chester; Miss Emml
Lore and Miss Mary L. Howell, Of thil
city. Then followed the maid Of honor
Miss Emily s. Peacock, Of Philadelphia
walking alone. And last Of all came tbs
bride leaning on the arm of her father
At the head Of the aisle the brida
party were met by the groom and his
best man, DR.. John H. Swasey of New
York, who, followed by DR.. Todd, d. D..
pastor of the church, came from the
room at the north side of the pulpit The
bride released her fathers arm and tax
ing that of the groom, they walked tC
the centre of the altar rail where al
knelt for moment Of silent prayer The
brides father was behind and
near her and the best man behind and
near the groom. DIR. Todd performed the
full marriage ceremony Of the M E.
Church and responses Of both bride and
groom were clear and audible throughout
the church. The organ played softly
during the entire ceremony. The best
man handed the groom the
ring and the maid Of honor put
} back the glove from the brides
finger, that it might be put on. The
bride entered the church with a veil
on over her face. After the ceremony il
was unpinned by the maid of honor, whC
carried it on her arm as they left the
church.
The party left the church to the musi,
of MendelssOhn's wedding march. in thl
following order: The bride and groom
DIR. ]. H. Swasey and Miss Emily Pea
cock, Dr. ]. Ferris and Miss Mollie Brown
Morris f, Bockius and Miss Lizzie Stew
ems, w. L. Scott and Miss Emma Lore
F. II. Hoffecker and Miss Mary Howell
r. Field and Miss Jennie Stevens
N w. Davis and Miss Mary L.
Morrow and Mr.. and Mrs. q James Belt
The bridal party proceeded at once tC
the residence Of the brides father, where
brilliant reception was held
The brides gown was of heavy corded
ivory silk, with court train and brocade
redingote, opening over a petticoat Of
tulle and hlacs; a V corsage Of old point
lace and lilacs wrinkled elbow sleeves
! the veil of white tulle was held in place
} with pearl and diamond brooch, the
gift of the groom. In one hand the bride
carried a white leather ritual, and in the
other bouquet of Jacqueminot roses and
Lilies Of the Valley. The veil was also
fastened with favors, which were given
the attendants as souvenirs OF the event
The iavors were in the form of pins, gold
enameled crowns set with pearls.
The bridesmaids wore Empire gowns Of
buttercup yellow and cowslip green lndis
silk, with Persian belts and head dresses
gloves and slippers Of contrasting shades
Those in yellow gowns carried purpl,
heliotrope and those in green carried pale
purple heliotrope and those in green car
ried pale purple heliotrope.
The maid Of honor wore a white silh
Empire gown trimmed with green anC
yellow and carried bouquet of two
shades of heliotrope
/ Misses Lore, Howell and Stevens wore
the cowslip green gowns and the Other
three the butter cup yellow.
The Empire gowns are made with shori
waists, demi train, short pulled sleeves
| neelr c11f ro11nd and trimmed with lace