Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-18
WEALTH AND BEAUTY UNITED.
Marriage Of John Jacob Astor and Miss
Ava l.. willing.

PHILADELPHIA. February ls.-Miss
Ava Lowie Willing, daughter Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Edward Shippen Willing, was mar.
ried TO Mr.. John Jacob Astor. OF New
York. at o'clock this AFTERNOON.
The wedding ceremony, which was
witnessed by about ljOO OF the immediate
relatives and close friends OF the Astor
and Willing families, was performed by
Rev. William Nelson McVicker, rector
Of the fashionable Episcopal church Of
the Holy Trinity, at the beautiful home
OF the brides parents on South Broad
street.
The fact that the wedding was cele-
braUd In Lent was not allowed to de-
tract from the brilliancy OF the occasion.
The brides gown was of rich white
satin, made in simple fashion, with a
ilounce OF point lace across the foot OF
the skirt. The c0rsage was slightly
opened at the throat and filled in with
lace, which matched in pattern the veil.
She wore the groom's giIt, magniii-
cent tiara of diamonds, made in the
shape OF the fieur de lis. The bouquet
was OF orchids, valley lilies and orange
blossoms. The splendid train OF the
wedding dress was supported by pages.
The bridesmaids were Miss Beatrice
Chapman, direct descendant of John
Jacob Astor; Grace Wilson. sister OF
Mr.. Orme Wilson, whose wife is sister
OF young Mr.. Astor; Miss Ethel Cram.
Miss Mabel AShurSt and Miss Willing,
cousins OF the bride. and Miss Cyntra
Hutchinson. Their gowns were very
simple and beautiful. The toilet was
combination Of pink chiffon and nous
seline de sole, made with plain skirts
just touching the floor. The corsage
was made with peculiar Tapped front
and belt at the ends OF which were
caught with two small pink satin bows
The front OF the cOrsage was made with
fall of mousSelne de sole. The brides
maids also wore pretty headdresses OF
pink mousSeline de sole, caught Oh the
left side with small pink satin bows and
carried bouquets Of pink roses.
The Hon. I.iSpenard Stewart was best
man and the ushers were Mr.. Barton
Willing, brother OF the bride; Robert
l.. HargOuS, II. Legrand Cannon Center
Hitchcock, Thomas Howard, Woodbury.
Kane, Hamilton Fish Webster and Eli
sha Duer. They wore boutoniereS OF
white roses.
At the wedding breakfast the bridal
table was set with eighteen covers. The |
dining room itself was ornamcnted with |
whole chimes Of wedding bells. Every |
thing about the. table was in pure white, |
only white brides roses, white orchids /
and white vloetS being used. Among
those who set at this table were the |
newly married couple. Mr.. and Mrs.
William AStor. Mr.. aud Mrs Willing, /
Mr.. Barton Willing, Mr. and Mrs. Cole
man Brayton, Mr.. and Mrs. James Il.
Nj. and Mrs. Orne Wilson
and the Hon. Lispenard Stewart.
No Philadelphia bride ever received
presents as magnificent as those sent to
Miss Willing. Their aggregate value
runs high up in the hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars. The groom'S gift was
A tiara of diamonds, possibly unsur-
passed by any in America. Her father
gave double bOw-kn0t OF diamonds
from which halgS pendant Il huge bril-
liant about the siEc Of nickel. He also
gave a diamond necklace and crescent
Of diamonds and sapphires some four
inches in length. The principal gifts
IF Mrs. AStor were five diamond stars,
zach as large aS a silver half-dolar.
The wedding tour consists OF trip
South, the immediate destination being
kept secret. On March % they sail for
Europe.