Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-29
A MINISTER'S BRIDE.
Miss Laura Virginia Nelson Married I
Rev. Sparks White Melton.
PETTY APpLE-BLossoM WEDDING
A brilliant Audience witnesses the
BeautifuI Ceremony at the First
Baptist Church-The Attendants,
Dresses, Etc.-Receptioh.

one of the prettiest marriages that
that has occurred here this season was
solemnized at the First Baptist church
last night at o'clock, when Rev. Sparks
White Melton, of Baltimore. and Miss
Laura Virginia Nelson, OF this city. were
united in the holy bonds Of matrimony
Rev. DIR. George Cooper performed the
ceremony, assisted by Rev. Drs. Ian
drum and Hatcher. The brides father
Rev. DR.. James Nelson, gave her away.
The church, one Of the largest and most
handsomest in Interior effects in Rich
rnond, was crowded with the friends OF
the contracting parties. The audience
was brilliant one, representing the Gull
ture, intelligence, wealth, and beauty
OF the city. The decorations were con-
fined to the pulpit platform, and con-
sisted chiefly OF palms and other foliage
plants banked in an artistic manner
The young ladies' of the Woman's COL
lege in which the bride has made her
home during her residence in Richmond,
and of which institution her father is
the honored president, occupied seats In
the front pews, and their pretty faces
and beautiful spring gowns OF light
fabric added TO the loyeliness OF the
fairly-lke wedding tableaux.
THE BRIDE AND ATTENDANTS.
The bride was attired in white satin,
with pearl and chiffon trimmings, and
diamond ornaments. wearing a pin in
her hair, the gift OF the groom. She wore
a veil, and carried orange blossoms. The
maid Of honor, Miss Lenolr Burton Duke,
Of Portsmouth, wore white satin, and car
ried white roses. The bridesmaids wore
green satin, covered in white tulie, and
were: Misses Matte Porter, of Louisa
Courthouse; Miss Ruby Vaughan. of this
city; Miss Catherine Averett, of Alabama !;
Miss Birdie Jones. Of this city, Miss Pau
line Larabee. of Pennsylvania, and
Miss Orie Hatcher OF this city.
Mr.. william VanderRoest. of New
York, was best man, while the ushers
were: Mr.. Henry X. Ellyson, Mr.. WITT
sadler, DR.. J. Page Massie, DR.. Ralph
Clements, all of this city; and DIR. W. f..
Anderson, of Farmville Mr.. Charles
Ness, of Baltimore; Mr.. Charles ii.
Hynes, Of Baltimore, and Mr.. C. Rus
sell Caldwell, OF Staunton.
HOW THEY ENTERED.
The bridal party entered in the fol-
lowing order:
Mr.. Ellyson, with DR.. Massie Miss
Matte Porter, with Miss Ruby Vaughan;
Mr.. Hynes, with DR.. Clements; Miss
Jones, with Miss Averett; DR.. Anderson.
with Mr.. Ness; Miss Larrabee, with Miss
Hatcher; Miss Duke, the maid of honor.
alone; the bride leaning on the arm OF
her father, Rev. Or. James Nelson: Mr..
Caldwell. with Mr.. Sadler The last two
named held the ribbons, and closed the
bridal party.
The groom and his best man entered
from the pastors study, and met the
bride as she approached the altar Tho
attendants formed a half circle. with the
three ministers in the centre. The scene
was q beautiful one. Professor Herbert
Rees, who presided at the organ, playe..
IN subdued tones while the impressive
ceremony was being performed.
Immediately after the ceremony n re-
ception was rendered the family and i'm
mediate bridal party at the Jefferson
Hotel by DR.. Nelson.
Those present, besides the bridal party,
were: DR. and Mrs. James Nelson; Dr..
and Mrs JEFF. Nelson; Mr. and Mrs. Will
liam II. Nelson; Mr.. and Mrs A. Il. Mel
son; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodson, of
Danville, and Drs. Landrum, Cooper, and
Hatcher.
The couple left on the midnight train
for the North.
A POPULAR YOUNG MINISTER.
Rev. Mr.. Melton is the pastor of Frank
lin-Square Baptist church, of Baltimore,
and is one OF the most popular young
ministers OF that city. lie is a native
OF this state, having been born at VIII
mngton. Fluvanna county. He received
his ecclesiastical educatioIH first at Rich
mond College. from which he went TO his
home 10 accept a charge. but later con-
tinued HIS studies at Grocer Theological
Seminary, Chester. Pa, from which he
graduated with the highest honors last
June. He was offered four churches i'm
mediately upon his graduation-one In
New York, one in Florida. and two in
Baltimore. one OF the latter Ohe church
Of which he is now PASTOR he accepted.
The bride is the pretty and cultivated
daughter Of DR.. James Nelson, and IS a
woman whose beautiful traits of charac-
ter and many accomplishments have made
ner leader in the circles in which she
moved and eminently fitted for her
new duties as minister's wife.
Condrey-HalI Marriage.
Mr.. w .. Condrey and Miss Mamie
Franklin Hall were married yesterday
morning At tue itclutuNc OF tnc DTlue ,
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. William II. Hall,
No. III south Belvidere street Rev. j.
y. Hutscn, Of Pine-Street Baptist church,
offcidted.
There were only a few OF the imme-
date friends and relatives OF the family
present At 30 the young couple en-
tered the parlors to the inspiring strains
of 4 wedding march, preceded by Mr..
w. H. Kuhn and Miss Lula Hall (sister
OF the BRIDE best man and bridesmaid,
and Mr.. Ellis Goode and Miss Mamie Lee,
OF Petersburg
The bride was dressed In a neat travel
hing suit OF green cloth. with hat and
gloves to match, and carried in her hand
a bouquet OF La France roses.
After the ceremony a light collation.
was served, and the young couple left
for the Southern Depot, and took the
1855 train for a bridal trip. followed by
the best wishes of their friends.
To he Married To MORROW.
Mr.. w. j. Hechler and Miss Adele
Richardson will be married at Union
station Methodist church on Thursday al
p. ". An erroneous impression has
gained ground that invitations have been
issued. Such Is not the case, 50 far as
| their friends in the city are concerned
| All invitations issued were sent u
friends out OF town. Mr.. Hechler and
| Miss Richardson, for fear Of overlooking
| some OF their local friends. decided not
TO send out any invitations in Rich
mOnd.