Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-18
OLD-TIME WEDDINGS.
THg WEEK II RICHMOND SOCIETY.
Tho Tallaferro- -Brsnder Msrriage-Recep
tion In Miss Hsnry's Honor-Sew Fad
Of tho Hunt Club-Personsl Notes.

A picturesque wedding Is the prospective
brides dream by day and vision BY night.
and above all things her wedding must
be more beautiful. more elegant and COM
plete than any other; at all events. 1t
must be different in some way from all
other weddings. No radical change can
bo made in the ceremony. but the senti-
ment Of the occasion affords llmitless pos
sibilities In the way OF a bridal process
sion. Strange Is 1t that custom nearly
6,o00 years old should preserve its peren-
NAL interest for all classes and conditions
OF people.
The bridal apparel, traditional and scrip
tural, has been ever a subject of thrilling
interest; the marriage supper. as old as
the institution itself. will ever be the
pride Of the parent Of the day, as 1t was
Of the patriarch Of old.
The bridal veil is a relic OF the "care-
cloth,'' a canopy held over the young
brides head In olden times to conceal
her embarrassment, and silks and satins
Of brilliant sheen have been the ideal
fabrics for wedding gowns through many
ages.
There was in old times a superstitious
prejudice against wearing a bit Of black
at wedding. but the English fad for
unique weddings has done away in these
modern days with all that. a half dozen
cream and gold and black weddings have
taken place recently In high life in Eng
land. and a. distinctly black and white
wedding was one at which the brides
maids came out la gowns of white NOUS
seine de sole with immense black velvet
picture hats and bouquets of blossoms as
white as their dresses.
The customs pertaining TO weddings at
different periods are interesting TO note.
In striking contrast Is the present FASH
ion of announcing marriages with
that OF century or more ago, many
Instances of which might be cited, but
one will suffice: In a number Of the
Virginia Gazette. OF the date III. we
find this announcement, which may be
an injunction to our young people con-
templating matrimony to cultivate those
virtues which may be heralded on their
bridal day as the following: ION fair
and beautiful day April 2lst, were united
James Richard Nicholas and Miss Mary
Jane Watkins. a most agreeable young
lady, possessing an amiable disposition
and an ample fortune. Their many
friends concurred to their union because
their characters were lofty. their natures
harmonious, and their inheritance equal,
all of which promise lasting felicity in
the conjugal state"
II Is 10 be observed that our fore
fathers OF century ago were careful
to note the material advantages In these
.1a~ir1 hla pricna and cOtiDlp them
with the highest virtues and attributes
Of character.
Nothing Is said OF the beauty OF the
bride or of her costume-that theme OF
greatest interest IN these days; her worth
in more substantial particulars seems to
have been the subject of congratulation
TO him who had become the fortunate
possessor.
OF later date we have read a descrip-
tion of prepara tions for n wedding by a
southern matron OF ante-belum fame:
ARRANGEMENTS OF all kinds were begun
many weeks before a. wedding, especially
In the plantation homes, with saving
eggs, butter, chickens, and turkeys; the
fatted' mutton, shoate, and geese. as
weH as the 'fatted calf being made
r.zay for tho great occasion.
tt'.fter this ensaed the liveliest egg
beating, butter-creaming, raisln-seeding
sugar-pounding, calse-icing. salad-chop
ping cocoanut-grattng, lemon-squeezing'
egg-frothing, matchmaking. jelly-strain'
Ing, paper-cutting. silver-cleaning. door
rubbing, dressmaking. hair-curling. lace
washing. ruftie-crimping. tarleton-smooth'
ing guest-arriving. servants-running
trunk-moving. giris-laughlng, all for
week previous, followed by week OF
frolicking. singing. dancing, courting
riding. driving. and eating and drinking
Picture these. and you can form some
idea OF an old Virginia wedding"
The merry weddng-party assembled
last week to attend the marriage Of Miss
Brander and Mr.. Taliaferro enjoyed
much OF that old-time pleasure OF
houseful OF young people ready for fun
In any form and quantity.
On Monday evening Mr.. Il. p. Talia'
ferro. brother and best man to the groom
gave an elegant supper to the whole
bridal-party after the rehearsal; on
Tuesday night they attended the german
at Masonic Hall, and on Wednesday the
wedding, followed by the delightful re-
ception and weddIng-supper at Mrs. Ed
ward Mayo's charming home.
The bridal-loaf was cut by the bride
and a gold ribbon and slice OF cake
was given first to each Of the attend
ants, next TO the other young people
Miss Mercer Cooke drew the ring; Miss
Nellie Neale, the thimble, and Mr.. B. r
Taliaferro the lucky sixpence.
The young couple went off on the l22c
train amidst the time-honored showers
Of rice and old slippers. and followed by
ka tx,fcbac nf friends
Misses Ellie and Evelyn Williams gave
a charming "at home'' on Thursday eve
ming from 6 to 8 In honor OF their guest.
Miss Henry, of Norfolk. The house was
tastefully adorned with yellow and white
chrysanthemums and lamps end candles
in varied hues. A dainty collation. OF
salad and oysters, waters and bouillon,
chocolate, tea, cakes almonds, olives, and
frozen champagne-punch was served
throughout the hours for receiving.
Among those doing the honos were
Mrs. Hattie Williams Misses Williams,
Miss Henry, and Misses Julia Morton,
Virgie Drewry, Mercer Cooke, Sallie TAI
bott, Carrie Talbot. Adele Archer, Kate
Wallace, Lizzie Tlliaferro. and Nellie
Boykin.
The chocolate WIS poured by Miss
Cooke and the punch dispensed oy Yrs.
William A. Talbot. A large number OF
friends called-among the gentlemen,
Messrs. Arthur Peasants, John Brander,
Hugh Henry, Fairleigh Cooke, Robert
Marye, Morton Marye. Allen l.. Talbot,
Robert Powers, Thomas and Lewis
Brander William Broome. Deane Maury'
Ed. Ii. Benson, John Boisseau. w. .. \,
Mayo. Charles and Leo Williams ana
others.
The Richmond German Club has passed
q resolution excluding all ladies' whose
husbands are not members OF the ciub
This announcement is made by the COM
mittee with sincere regret. The club has
grown to be such a large organization
that It Is no longer able to entertain as
heretofore In comfort. so the imperative
decision had to be taken to make no
distinctions, no exceptions, and to send
no invitations outside the CLUB and its
published patronesses.
A yery bright and agreeable german