Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-16
A BRILLIANT WEDDING.
A Notable Gathering and a Pretty Cere-
mony at Epiphany Church.


One OF the very prettiest wedding spectacles
ever seen in this city was witnessed by a large
assembly at Epiphany church last evening at
So'clock. The occasion was the marriage OF
Miss Rhoda Christmas, the granddaughter and
heiress of the late Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines and
DIR. Charles Ulrick Kennedy of this city.
The church was brilliantly lighted and the
altar was tastefully decorated with plants In
side the charcel rails were tall palms; low
bridge Of maiden hair ferns divided the altar
from the chanceL At the foot of the altar was
placed a white satin fringed scarf for the con-
tracing pair to kneel upon and over their
heads the long leaves of two tall palms met in
graceful archng. The invited guests occu-
pied ali the pews and the trGnsept galleries OF
the church.
DIR. Walter played the wedding march from
Lohengrin prelud ng with brilliant impro-
vsation- As the ushers moved up the aisle the
first bars of the weIl-known wedding march
sounded forth clear but softly. as if from great
distance. DIR. Mckim. rector of the Epiphany
and Rev. Mr.. Barr. his assistant, appeared upon
the altar in their white robes and knelt in
prayer. Shortly afterwsrd the groom and his
best man. Mr.. VIM. A. Mckinney, in evening
dress and wearing white rosebuds in
their coats. entered the chancel from
the yestry door. The SIX ushers, who were
Mr.. Fred Mckinney, Mr.. Will Albert DR..
Rust. Mr.. z. VI. Knott, Mr.. Crane and Lieut..
Bryan. all wearing white rose buds in the lapeis
OF their dress coats and walking in pairs,
headed the bridal procession. The eight brides
maids-Miss Gaines of Warrenton, Va, Miss
Byrd. of Winchester, Va, Miss Den
yer Of Knoxville. Miss Hopkins of Balti-
more. Miss Gallagher OF Augusta, Ga. and
Miss Anna Bryan. Miss Eva Dapray and Miss
koselle of this city-walking in couples. came
next, followed by the eight groomsmen-Mr
st. Julian Dapray, Mr.. Barry, Mr. Barry Bulk
ley. Mr.. Jas. NJ. Christmas. brother of the
bride; Mr.. Rush Marshall, Mr.. Samuel Trimble.
Mr.. 5. Maddox and Mr.. Emmett Norris-who
also walked III pairs. Preceding the bride walked
the maid of honor, Miss Julia Kennedy the
sister of the groom, and then came the bride,
IN sweeping bridal satin. upon the arm of her
brother, MIR. W. W. Christmas.
The ushers divided at the chancel rail- and
three stood on each side at the foot of the
steps. The bridesmaids entered the chancel and
stood four on either side the altar. The grooms-
men also entered the church and stood by with
the bridesmaids. The groom met his bride at the
chancel steps and escorted her to the altar. fol-
lowed by Mr.. Christmas. the best man. and the
maid of honor. Rev. Mr.. Barr opened the
service, and DIR. McKim took it to the conclu-
sion.
Miss Christmas made an ideal bridal figure
as she approached the altar, look ng like tall,
graceful lily, the golden head bowed in stately
beauty. and the general verdict of the guests
leaving the church WAS that she 1.-The pref
test bride by far" that had ever heen seen.
The Partisan dress of rich fable had a four
yard train of the splendid stuff The bodice
was low and sleeveless, and the front of body
and skirt was one mass of old point lace ex-
qulsltely draped. She wore knots of orange
blossoms on the shoulders and about her throat
string OF pearls clasped with a diamond star
the gift of the maid OF honor. The diamond
earrings that she wore we're the gift of the
groom. White satin slippers and white silk
embroidered stockings, the latest European
importation. were worn. and the tulle veil,
fastened with orange blossoms and diamond
pins. that fell about her like cloud, with the
prayer book she carried. completed an exceed
ingly rich and beautiful bridal toilet
The bridesmaids and the maid of honor were
attlred uniformly IN short dresses of white
tulle over white satin, low, sleeveless bodies of
white satin and white satin slippers. They
carried bouquets of rich roses. red. pink and
yellow, tied with ribbons matching the color of
the bouquet. The maid of honor carried
bunch OF maiden hair ferns.
After giving the hand q! his sister in wedlock
Mr.; Christmas stepped down from the chancel.
and the ceremony over, DIR. Walter PLAYING
MendelssOhns march, the man and wife led
the line. the maid Of honor following with the
best man, the eight grOOmsmen escorted the
eight bridesmaids from the church. and the
ushers. who had performed the difficult work of
the evening in seating all the guests closed the
procession IN the order among themselves
IL which they had entered
Inc bridal party drove to No. rs Lafayette
square, as the brides family had taken the first
EUOr OF the house in preference to their own
house. No. 2l26 Al street. and a reception to
over three hundred guests was held Dr. and
Mrs. Kennedy receiving the congratulations
of their friends standing against a background
OF mass of palms. The walls of the rooms
were decked with wreaths of smilax. the man
tels were set with roses. and behind barricade
of palms band Of musicians were stationed
sumptuoGs collation. was served in the dining
rooms at 10 o'clock.
AT midnight the bride and groom left the re-
ceptIon rooms and attircd themselves in trav-
cling costumes The bride wore a Paris dress
Oi gray broadcloth, trimmed with brown astra-
khan fur, and a cape OF the .ur and Paris hat
OF gray. trimmed with brown velvet and dove
DIR. and Mrs. Kennedy left the city for u trip
nOrthward OF two weeks duration when they
will return to the city and stay at Welcker's for
a short season before leaving for New Orleans
where they Will spend the winter. Ultimately
they will make their home in this city. The
Messrs. Christmas viii also spend the winter in
New Orleans, leaving here early i'll November
after the marriage of Mr.. ". W. Christmas and
Miss Norris.
Among the wedding guests were Judge and
Mrs. Jno. Blair HOge and Miss Kennedy, who
assisted IN reee wing; 1Ir. and Mrs. J. Hartley
Soule. DIR. Mchlm of Epiphany. Rev. DIR. W. A.
Bartlett OF New York Avenue PRESBYTERIAN
church, Mr.. and Mrs. John F. Waggaman MIR
and Mrs. George III. Il. White. Mr. AMI Mrs. J.
'. y. Huger. senator PuSh, Senator Ransom
Senator Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. James T.. Puch.
jr.. ex-Secretary and Mrs. Belknap. Miss Norris,
Miss Minnie Brown. Mr. and Mrs VIM r. HANDY
Mrs. Bottom. Miss Mead. Miss Blackjack Mrs
hlrkwOod. aunt of the groom; Mrs j. C. Ken
nedy, Mr.. and Mrs. Winston of Kansas CITY
the former being a sister of the groom: MIR
Fendall Of Alexandria. the Misses Cox, Mr..
Myers. the Messrs. Henry, Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel
Smoot. Lieut.. and Mrs Farrow and Mr. Meek
ms OF Baltimore. MIR. Bothem, Mrs. Battle, Miss
Somervile, Miss Josephine Butler, Mr. and
Mrs. ThOs. Waggaman. and notably quiet
little person in black with a cap Of net and
black ribbons. Jeanne Gautir. the governess,
who has been with the family for four genera
lions. as Mrs. Myra e. Gaines mother brought
her from Europe 10 this country.
The bride received a large store of costly
wedding gifts, but they were not on exhibition
last evening.
DL,DSnN