The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-15
VANDERBILT--NEILSON
WEDDING AT NEWPORT.

New YOrIZ's 400 Witnessed a Bril-
liant Beginning of Social Season.
Newport, r. l., April 14.--The we'd
ding of Reginald C. Vanderbilt of New
York, the youngest son of the late
Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Miss Cath
leen G. Nelson, also of New York,
which occurred at "Arleigh" at noon
to-day, was a brilliant, as we'll as an
early, beginning of the social season
of 1903 at Newport.
Crowds began to assemble in
front of Arlington villa as ear
ly as 9 o'clock this morning
and the services of a considerable force
of police were necessary to keep Belle
vue avenue clear of the many men,
women and children curious to obtain
at least some outward glimpses of the
fashionable wedding. Up to IL
o'clock there was nothing to re-
ward their patient vigil, but shortly
after that hour a closed carriage drew
up in front of the great iron gates and
the Rev. Father Menan alighted with
an assistant carrying satchel bearing
the prestly vestments A short while
afterward the first of the guests ar
rived and soon there was a continuous
procession of carriages bearing the
cream of New York society. Some of
those recognized by the crowds by rea-
son of their prominence in Newport So
ciety were the Burdens, the Alfred
Vanderbilys, the Sloanes and the NICK.
Twomblys.
Almost from the break of day the
managing decorators, florists and cater
ers had been quietly though none the
less busily employed inside the magniti-
cent cottage putting the finishing
touches to the arrangements for the
ceremony, and the breakfast and re-
ception that were to follow The large
parlors on the right side of the house,
where a temporary altar had been ar
ranged for the ceremony, were resplen-
dant with flowers, blossoms and plants
of many varieties. The most consplcu-
Gus feature of the floral decorations
was a mammoth bell OF roses suspend
ed directly over the spot where the brid-
al pair were to be made one. The
flowers palms and pottedplants all
came from the immense green houses
at 1.-The Breakers" The windows were
hidden behind great masses of palms
and other tropical plants, while sus-
pended from the ceiling by invisible
wires were baskets of asparagus, ferns
and other delicate foliage. The deco
rations in the reception rooms were
similar, roses in profusion in large
bowls and potted plants in all varieties
being used.
Nahan Franko waved his baton and
thirty-five members of the Grau Or
chestra stationed behind a bank of
palms in one corner of the white and
gold parlor struck up the "Cortege
Nuptial' from Romeo and Juliet
This was the signal for the bridal pro-
cession to begin it's descent OF the
grand staircase and through the main
reception hall to the parlors where
the guests were already assembled.
The ushers, seven in number, led the
procession. They were Peter Golet
Gerry, Albert Gray. Arthur Burden
Jules P. Nelson of New York, 5. II.
Stone of Syracuse, and Ellis Adams of
Orange, N. ]. Alfred G. Vanderbilt,
brother of the bridegroom, was the
best man. He and the ushers wore
gloves, white ties and white waist
coats. and each wore a big bouton-
Mere of white spring blossoms, to car
nv out the color scheme of the brides
maids gowns. 49,,
Following the ushers came two little
white-costumed flower flirls, "Chinon"
Kemp, the brides tiny niece, and little
Muriei Vanderbilt. daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. w. K. Vanderbilt. Jr. The
bridesmaids, exquisitely gowned in
striking costumes of chiffon, all lace
and rufles, were Miss Isabel May of
washington, Miss Florence Twombly
of New York and Morristown, Miss
Evelyn Parson of New York, and Miss
Nathalie Schenck of New York. The
brides attendants as maid and matron
of honor respectively were Mrs. Arthur
T. Kemp, sister of the bride. and Miss
GLADYS Vanderbilt, sister of the bride
groom.
THE bride was accompanied by her
uncle. Frederick Gebhardt. who gave
hey away. The brides gown was Of