Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-19
.AsToR-WInLINa pREsEyrs.
Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars worth
of Diamonds--The Gowns Worn.

Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars worth
of Diamonds-The Gowns Worn.
In an article upon the wedding of
John Jacob Astor and Miss Ava Willing
at the latter's home in Philadelphia Tues
day, the Press gives the following con-
corning the BRIDES presents: It is prob
able that Philadelphia bride never re-
ceived such magnificent presents as
have been sent to Miss Willing. The
groom's gift is tiara of diamonds, pos
sibly unsurpassed by any in America.
The father of the groom gives double
bow-knot of diamonds, from which is
hanging pendant huge brilliant about
the size of a nickel. He also gives dia-
mond necklace and crescent of dia-
monds and sapphires some four inches
in length. Mrs. Astor's principal
gifts are five diamond stars, each
as large as silver half-dollar.
These jewels are enclosed in massive
box of solid silver Mrs. Astor also
gives eight silver dishes, each about
three feet in length. Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
rell, nee Drexel, gave silver center
| piece about four feet long. Mr.. and
Mrs. Orme Wilson sent pair of mag
niticent silver oandelabra over yard
| hlbH. WI. anu NlIS. 1ulellltn lJTdyIOH )
| presents are two silver dishes of ex-
quisite open work, Mr.. and Mrs. Roose-
Welt Roosevelt also sent large CENTER
piece of silver, while Mr.. Glenn. Barclay
has forwarded splendid tankard. Mr..
Barton Vikings present consisted of an
after-dinner coffee set. These are some
Of the principal presents, but there has
| been received about 300 others.
No estimate can be made of the value
of the tiara, stars, necklace, or other of
the supurb diamond ornaments, but
they must run up into the hundreds of
thousands.
On train from New York Monday
were dispatched the gowns TO be worn
Tuesday by the bridesmaids. They
are by a New York modiste and are
| simple and beautiful The toilet Is a
combination of pink chiffen and nous
seine dc sole made with plain skirts
just touching the floor. The corsage is
made with peculiar Tapped front, and
a belt, the ends Of which are caught
with two small pink satin bows. The
| front of the corsage is made with fall
of mousseline de sole. The bridesmaids
will wear pretty head dresses of pink
mousseline de sole. They will be caught
on the left side with small pink satin
bow.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 17.-Miss Ava
Lowle Willing, daughter Of Mr.. Edward
| 5. Willing of this city, was married here
to-day to John Jacob Aston, son Of
| William Aston of New York. The
marriage took place at o'clock at Mr.
Vikings residence, No. 5ll South
strn nV1t ~ snA,
families Of Mr.. Aston and Miss Willing
and few intimate personal friends We're
present.
for the ceremony the Rev. DIR. William
Nelson McVickar, rector of the Prot
estant Episcopal Church of the Holy
Trinity, this city, entered the drawing
room and taking his place before q
| floral chancel composed of cut flowers,
running vines and potted plants,
awaited the coming of the bridal
party. Immediately after DIR. Nc
Nickar had taken his place, Mr.
Astor and his best man, Mr.. Lispenard
Stewart, preceded by the ushers entered
the room The ushers, who were :
Thomas Howard, Harry lie Grand
Cannon, Hamilton Fish Webster, Robert
Hargous, Center Hitchcock, Woodbury.
Kane and Elisha Dyer, Jr., all Of New
York, and Barton Willing, brother of
the bride, ranged themselves in front of
the improvised chanccl and formed n
passageway with silken cord. Then
preceded by her six bridesmaids Miss
Willing leaning on the arm of her
father, entered the room.
Miss Willing wore a white satin dress
and from her head flowed long veil of
exquisite old lace. The veil was sur
mounted and held in place by tiara of
dimonds shaped liked feur de lis, the
gift Of the groom. Her other orna-
ments were diamonds, most of
which were the gifts of the Astor family
and of almost priceless value. Her
train was borne by two little pages and
in her hand she carried an immense
bouquet of BRIDES roses ana lilies of the
valley. The bridesmaids who were: :
Miss Grace Wilson, Miss Ethel Cram
and Miss Beatrix Chapman of New
York, and Miss Mabel Ashhurst, Miss
Cytra hutchinson and Miss Willing, a
cousin Of the bride, wore pink faille
gowns.
Immediately after the ceremony a
wedding breakfast was given, at which
only those who witnessed the marriage
ceremony were present. The breakfast
was a most elaborate and together with
the floral decorations, silver plate and
rare old china used represented small
fortune.
Beginning at 3 O'Clock a reception to
which over 5000 invitations were sent
out was held. After the reception the
New York guests who came over to it
on two special trains returned hope at
$50 p. nj.
Mr. and Mrs. Astor kept the direction
Of the bridal trip secret, but it is un-
derstood they will leave tonight in a
special car for 81. Augustine, Fla On
their return they will make short stay
in this city and New York and then
they will leave for Europe where they
will spend the summer.