New-York tribune., 1901-01-15
ruEVANDERBILT WEDDING
-pFD GWYNNE AND MISS ELSIE
FRENCH UNITED AT NEWPORT.
rrr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuSE.l

-. r l. Jan. 14-Simplicity and the
'snnee of vulgar ostentation constituted the
s'o-- Of the wedding which united to-day an
go ~ millions to the reir of one of the
he+ fortunes of the United States. When it
%. s-st announced that the marriage OF Miss
We. French to Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt
:, take place at Newport in the very depth
inter considerable astonishment was ex-
But It was understood that the
80 of this place as the scene of the celebra-
en- i zras due to the desire both on the part Of
uO bride and of the bridegroom's widowed
4 ..hsr to avoid the turmoil. the entire absence
.r,vacv and the inevitable glamour of wealth
.s.b would have marred the affair had it taken
80 IN New-York Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt
&c still in deep mourning for her universally
r-etted husband and as such averse to any,
..i,g in the shape Of festivities a large scale
Aua Miss Elsie French, Newport girl In every
..,se of the word preferred that the marriage
.houIa take place in her own place of worship
I'D among the familiar surroundings of her
auth. rather than in the more pretentious en-
comments that would have characterized the
..remony had it taken place at New-York
gv celebrating the wedding at Newport at this
,,ue of the year, young Alfred Gwynne Wander
hnt and his charming bride assured themselves
q she restriction Of the attendance at the cere-
uould pay them the tribute of affection to
travel all the way from New-York in order to
70 present on the occasion, and at the same time
ovprted by the simplicity of the entire affair
tbose charges of extravaganza and of ostenta-
,on that people less literally endowed with this
worlds goods always feel disposed TO offer when
TWO great fortunes united by means Of a
wedding ceremony in New-York.
WEATHER LIKE A SPRING DAY.
No brighter weather could have been wished
for by the bridal party, and what. with the
glorious sun, the blue sky and the crisp air. 1t
seemed like a day in spring than in Janu-
sry and construed as an augury Of happi-
ness for the young couple.
The bridal party entered the Zabriskie Me-
r,oral Church Of st. John the Evangelist. far
M in the old north part of the city, where
roung Mrs. Alfred Vanderbilt had worshipped
since childhood. punctually at noon. the organ
peelng forth the strains Of the bridal chorus
from 'Lohengrin," the vested choir heading the
procession and singing the words Of the song
Tender and True" Following the choir STROBE
ibe ushers Robert Livingstone Gerry, Potter
Palmer ir, Frederick Martin Davies. William
Ftzhugh Whitehouse. jr.. William P Burden
Ord Preston, Ernest Iselin and William Bayard |
Cutting, jr Then came the bridesmaids. Miss
Amos Tuck French. and niece Of the bride; |
Miss Elsa Bronson. daughter of Mrs. Frederick |
Bronson; Miss Isabel StilIman. daughter Of Mr. |
and Mrs James Stillman, and Miss Edith Gray |
daughter of Judge and Mrs. John c. Gray |
Lastly came the bride. escorted by her brother.
Amos Tuck French. AS the ushers and brides !
maids approached the chancel rail they sep |
arsted forming on either side the bride passing
between them to meet before the altar her
future husband. attended by his brother Regi- |
mold who acted groomsman.
The chanceI of the church massed with |
palms and plants. forming background for
the floral decorations. which consisted chiefly |
Of white orchids and lilies OF the valley inter-
woven with many strands Of smilax and as |
psragus vines. The aisles were overhung with |
baskets set on stands or torches seven feet high,
paced at intervals from the door to the chancel
These baskets were filed with blossoming be- |
gonias and La Gloria de Lorraine, the foliage and
Covers drooping beneath the baskets as to
give a wedding bell effect to each stand. and the
several STANDS forming beautiful floral arch
through which the bridal party passed TO the
altar The side aises were similarly treated
The walls and windows were wreathed with
garlands Of orchids and smilax, with wedding
lilies and Bride roses intertwined at intervals.
The pulpit and reading desk were decorated
with profusion Of white roses and orchids and
lilies OF the valley.
WEARS HER SISTERS BRIDAL VEIL.
The brides gown was extreme in it's SIM
picity The entire costume of rich ivory
white satin. the skirt having a train more
than three yards in length. The long, close
fitting sleeves Of satin were finished with deep
cuffs of exquisite lace. The high collar of the
corsage was also Of lace. The bottom of the
skirt around the long train was trimmed with
tule and sprays OF orange blossoms. The
bridal veil entirely covering the gown and fall
Ing 10 the end of the train, was a magnificent
piece Of Brussels point lace and was the same
veil worn by her sister when she married Cen
eral the Hon Herbert Eaton in England ten
years ago The bride carried a bouquet Of
White orchids and lilies of the valley. No jew
els were worm although Mr.. Vanderbilt had
given his bride magnificent necklace Of pearls
and diamonds.
They wore trained gowns Of pale gray crepe
De chine, with gray Liberty gauze and Bruges
lace arranged in panel effect at the sides There
was a clever combination of gold thread and the
Bruges lace introduced into the bodice that pro-
duced a marked effect. The bridesmaids hats
we're fat picture affairs of pearl gray panne vel
vet. the crowns arranged of pink roses and
green leaves picked out in gold. a knot of cloth
Of geld gave a smart little finishing touch. They
carried white staffs which were tied huge
lunches Of American Beauty roses. tied with
ribbons Of the same shade.
Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, as maid of honor
wore pale gray frock Of the same color as the
bridesmaids but cut on simpler lines. Her hat
was also less elaborate. as she has still several
years TO wait before making her first formal
bow TO society Two gray ostrich plumes with
a knot of cloth Of gold arranged well toward
the front completed a model Of simplicity. The