The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-15
WEDDING At NEWPORT
MARRIAGE OF ALFRED G.. WANDER
BILT AND MISS ELSIE FRENCH.
Ceremony, Which Was Performed
i'm n Little Church.

NEWPORT, r. l., Jan. 14-Although in
the depth Of winter. this well-known water
ing place to-day took on a semblance of
its summer gayety because of the we'd
ding Of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, prob.
ably the most wealthy of the third genera
ton OF the Vanderbilt family. and Miss
Elsie French, a charming Newport girl
and former playmate of the bridegroom,
the daughter Of Mrs. Frederick Orme
French. a resident of the city for many
years.
A brighter sun never shone for any
bride and in spite of a crispness in the
air 1t did not seem to be a winters day.
The ceremony took place at noon in the
Zabriski Memorial Church of ST. John the
Evangelist, far up in the old north part
OF the city. on the very shores of Nara
gansett bay. once the center of Viewpoints
fashion. but now far removed from the
social whirl of Bellevue e Miss
French made the choice of her own place
of worship and her own home for the scene
Of the marriage instead of selecting the
more ~pretentious, but less familiar sur
roundings which would have been found in
New York. Under these conditions the
hundred or more guests were forced to
make a journey to a city as quiet at this
time of the year as an obscure country
village. The festivities. however. did not
suffer from these unusual circumstances.
Tn church. which was decorated with
gorgeous lavishness, was only about half
filled with guests, the invitations having
been limited 10 relatives and close friends
OF the couple. The service was as ornate
as the highest forms Of the Episcopal
Church could make II, the wedding process
sion a rfoft1ro 81 1OtalfnnGa an6 nnn nu-ro
and the breakfast. which closed the formal
proceedings of the day, was one of the
grandest ever served in this city.
Pink, green and white in many charming
combinations were the prevailing colors
OF the decorations in the church, the dis
tinctive flowers being the GlOire de Ia
Refine Bengoras, the Golden Gate roses,
with azaleas and specimen palms.
The center aisle was a lane of begonias
and asparagus. standards eight feet high
being trimmed with the feathery foliage
OF the asparagus at regular intervals from
the entrance TO the chancel. Baskets of
delicate pink flowers depended from the
standards. Specimen palms, thirty feet
high, lowered high above the altar. In
terspreac among the ferns and foliage
which banked them were great clusters
OF white azaleas and medallions of golden
rod. On the altar was a cross of Assem-
sion lilies.
The programme of the organ concert.
which occupied the hour preceding the
ceremony, was selected by Miss French.
Liz CIOlL UO1S VI TIE CHuTCn mdICDDU IN
quietly at n;20 and led in two OF the
hymns assigned 10 them. Just as the tones
OF the "Lohengrin" march breathed softly
forth the two clergymen, Rev. George b.
Beattie, rector OF the church, and Rev. G..
Brinley Morgan, rector OF Christ Church,
at New Haven. entered by the side door,
followed by the bridegroom, and his broth
er, Reginald Vanderbilt, the best man.
AT the same time the bridal procession
started up the main isle. the ushers lead
ing. followed by the four bridesmaids.
Iiuhf narGAnaI fwtan1- - ~.
acted as ushers- They were Messrs. Worth
ington F1tzhugh Whitehouse, Frederick
Martin Davies. Robert Livingstone Gerry.
Ord Preston. Ernst Iselin. William z. Bcr-
den. Potter Palmer. jr., and w. Bayard
Cutting, jr. The bridesmaids were Miss
Pauline French. the brides niece: Miss
erick Bronson; Miss Isabelle C. Stinson,
daughter of Mr.. James Stinson. of New
OF Percy Avery Rockefeller, and Miss Edith
Gray, daughter of Judge Gray. OF Albany.
The bridesmaids gowns were OF pearl gray
crepe de chene, combined with liberty gauze
OF the same color. Their hats were also of
gray. deliberately frilled. with a knot of
gold in the front Each carried q bouquet
honor. Miss Gladys Vanderbilt. sister of
the bride wore a similar gown, although
more modest in detail.
SOyae distance behind walked the bride.
leaning on the arm of her brother. Amos
Tuck French. The brides gown was of
rich ivory white satin, the skirt having a
NAAaA AAA~Aa 1AAA1 III I'll III.
The long. close-ftting sleeves of satin
were finished with deep cuffs of exquisite
lace. The high collar of the corsage was
OF lace. The bottom OF the skirt around the
long train was trimmed with tulle and
sprays or Grange blossoms. The bridal
veil, entirely covering the gown and fall
ing TO the end OF the train. was a magnHi-
cent piece OF Brussels point lace, and was
the same veil worn by her sister when she
married General Eaton in England ten
years ago. The bride carried a bouquet
of white orchids and lilies OF the valley.
No Jewels were worn
At the altar Mr.. Vanderbilt met his bride.
Together they stood before the steps of the
chancel until Rector Morgan had finished
reading the betr0thal portion OF the serv-
ice. when they assembled into the chancel.
and at the altar DR. Bcattie completed the
ceremony and pronounced them husband
and wife. The Mendelssohn wedding marcel,
was played as the wedding procession
moved down the aisle. The ceremony oc-
cupied about seven minutes.
For the reception, "Harhor View the
residence OF Mrs. French. had beer pre-
pared with great care. The broad verandas.
all inciosed In glass. were lined with small
pine trees. while within the house brilliant
flowers met the eye. The bride and groom
received their frieuds while standing In
the large hall beneath a canopy composed
entirely or Golden Gate roses. The poin-