The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-30
WAS BRILLIANT.
Wedding Of Miss Benedict
Attended by a Throng Of
Leaders Of Society.

Greenwich, Conn, April S0.--An event
of such magnificepce and lavisifhess as
to render II capable OF characterization
as one OF the most dazzling of it's kind
that has ever been witnessed in New
England brought this cid town to a
complete standstlll this afternoon when
Miss Helen Ripley Benedict. the daugh-
ter OF Mr. and Mrs Elias c. Benedict.
the millionaire banker. was Joined in
marriage TO Mr.. Thomas Hastings, of
New York. s
The ceremony and the function that
followed were most spectacular; the
floral decorations most complete: the
number OF prominent guests most strik-
ing. These things and the fac1 hat the
arrangements for the comfort and con-
venience OF the guests both at the
church and at the Italian villa OF the
Benedicts at Indian Harbor were SO
sumptuously complete worked for the
Establishment of today's event as one
of the greatest OF the seasons social
dongs.
veying upwards of a thousand guests
from New York city and points west,
pulled into Greenwich station shortly
before o'clock. The grounds OF the
railroad company at the staten were
given over to this burst of traffic and
carriages bore the guests TO the church
with such dispatch that all were COM
fortably seated before $3.50, the hour OF
the ceremony.
In addition to the elaborate decora-
tions, a novel effect was attained by
striking alteration in the church ar
rangements. The pulpit had been torn
out and a platform 15x4o feet In dimen-
sions had been built in it's place form
ing a chancel for the occasion. Here
Rev. Thomas s. Hastings. father OF
the bridegroom and former president
OF Union Theological Seminary. and
Rev. Henry ". Sanders. pastor of the
Madison Avenue Baptist church, New
York. awaited the wedding party.
The bride, magnificently gowned in
blue and white corded silk entered the
main door of the church leaning upon
party proceeded up the aisle q boy
choir OF thirty voices from Old Trinity
church, New York, entered through a
side door, singing a wedding hymn COM
posed for the occasion by the 'organist
of old Trinity. Victor Baers. who pre-
sided at the great organ. The bride
groom, with his best man, Mr.. Charles
T. McKim Of New York. awaited his
bride at the chancel. As they met the
choir ceased singing and Rev. DIR. Hast
ings performed the ceremony the full
Episcopal service being recited. Prayer
was then offered by Rev. DIR. Sanders.
There were neither bridesmaid nor maid
Of honor. but little Lawrence White.
son OF Stanford White, New York, filed
the position Of page. The ushers were:
Robert Russell, Herbert Saterlee, Henry
Barbee, Arden Robinson, William X.
Coster. Dana Gibson, Stanford White.
Percy Turner. Hon. Cecil harrington
and Charles Barrie or New York, and
Henry u. Dalton OF Boston.
Immediately following the ceremony
reception was held at the Benedict
mansion. A wedding supper was fur
nished for 800 guests. American beauty
roses and magnolias were I'm the deco
rat,ons OF the house. The wedding gifts
were not displayed. The GIFT OF Mr..
BENEDICT to his daughter could not be
learned However. II was limited by
members OF the house that II was
nothing less than a check for one mil
lion dollars.
Al o'clock Mr.. and Mrs. Hastings
will board the steam yacht Oneida for
the wedding journey. ......l.--