The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-07
FEW WITNESSED
AST0R WEDDING.
Both Time and Place Of Marriage
Kept Secret BY Couple and
Friends.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTS RE:
Father Black, London Reforn1cr,
Made Move to Prevent
Ceremony.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTS
special 10 The Times Dispatch.)

euro complete secrecy for the wedding
OF young Waldorf Aston and Mrs. Nan.
ne Langhorne shaw on Thursday we're
mainly duo to fear that protest would
DO made In tho church by Father Black,
d Protestant Clergyman, who ls conduct
ing crusade against the rcmnrryng OF
divorced persons.
Arrangements had been made originally
TO have the ceremony in tho secluded
parish church at Heyer, Kent, near VII
liam Waldorf Astor's latest mcdlaeval
toy, Hcvcr Castle. but whom the Anerl-
can Supreme Court decision caused q
postponement, 1t was deemed better 10
make change, owing TO the discovery
that Inquiries had been made by inquisl-
tive newspaper men at lievcr.
Southern Invitations.
Only seventeen invitations were sent
out for the cercsony, each being accom-
panied by d personal note. requesting
that the recipient consider the time and
the place OF the wedding rs strictly
confidential.
Apart from the scare about Father
Blacks probable Intcrposltion. both the
bride and the bridegroom desired the
quietest ceremony possible.
The illness Of the bridesroom's fathel,
when began WIFI Il Clii!' eh"S". y -
motoring, was deemed serious at that
time, but lie at once expressed n desire
that the wedding proceed, even thoush
he was not able to attend IT,
p After her return to town. Mrs. shaw
had been staying very quietly with Col.
end Mrs Drummond at No. is Eaton
place Col, Lawrence Drummond was
the military secretary OF LORD Ellnto
when the latter was the Oovernor-Ien
4 7 10 " T.
Colonel of the Scots Guards. which re-
giment young John Jacob Aston recently
Joined as probationary second lleute-
nant. The Drummonds are close friends
OF the Spender Clays and OF young Aston.
and they were selected to house the bride
elect as a part OF the scheme to main
tain secrecy.
Few Preparations.
The bethrothed couple were particu-
larly careful not to be seen together In
London In the last fortnight, but with the
Dana Gibsons went motoring In the coun-
try. sa55,
Mrs. Shaw really made few preparations
for the wedding and her wonderful we'd
ding gown was finished only the hftc.a
noon before the ceremony, when she had
g. few intimate friends who were sworn
to secrecy, TO tea to see It and some OF.
the magnificent wedding presents.
u. Among others there. wasI the Duchess
Of Roxburghc who came from Scotland
specially for the event The Duchess,
who greatly fancies her taste IN dress.
suggested one or two alterations sS:H
sewed on some OF the beautiful pearls
which outlined the bodice The very
original headdress-in the form OF cap
of lace lined with silver tissue and edged
with leaves and rosebuds-she also claims
was her idea.
On the morning OF the wedding one
OF the lovelcst presents arrived from the
bridegroom in the shape OF a ring OF three
huge black pearls trimmed in small bril-
lants, which, though not worn at the
wedding, the bride put on when leaving
for the honeymoon.
Scene at the Church.
All guests arrived at the church In adj
vance OF the bridal party, having lef:
their carriages some distance off to avoid
attracting attention.. Some beautiful solos
were sung while awaiting the bride.
When the BRIDES arrival was announced
even tho most dignified Of the guests
could not restrain their curiosity, and as
she entered the church with her brother
in-aw, Charles Dana Gibson. Mrs. White
law Red--who had also just come
kissed her on both cheeks.
The bride made the loveliest picture,
standing. as 1t appeared, In Il bed OF
lilies and roses near the chanccl
Her responses. clear as n bell, were
heard all over the nearly empty church.
the wedding party only occupying ITO
front pews.
The wedding gown was work OF art.
II was made Of the stiffest, most expensive
satin obtalnabe Tho bodice was formed
low and adorned with beautiful old lace
given by the bridegrooms sister, Mrs.
Spander Clay, with frills and folds Of chlf-
fon and delicate row OF pearls. which
went with magnificent rope given ny
the bridegroom and costing $4,000.
Tho court train was n network OF
founcees with knots Of white roses.
The bride wore beautiful spray OF
white roses In her belt, which only that
morning arrived from Paris from Mrs.
John w. Mackny, with an additional g..t--
beautiful diamond swallow with large
emerald loosely hanging from claw,
Magnificent Presents.
Many wedding presents were arrayed at
No. 10 Baton Place. the most notable being
the sancy diamond given by Mr.. Astor
to his daughter-in-laW, which later on
il to be reset and worn on her presenta-
ton at court, This historic gem belonE-
ed 10 Charles the Bold, Duke Of Burgun-
d., and fetched $4,000 at the sale OF the
IJemidoff collection In 1875. It was Sc
cured by MT, AStOT SOIlo yeas a6o lbpi'A
n millionaire Parsee, Sir G. Jeejeebhoy,
for $4,000
Mr. Astor gave also ono Of tho finest
tIaras in London, which cost more than
100000, and the title deeds TO Cliyeden
mansion and estates. with the many
treasures he has added. Including mag
nihcent suite of old Chippendale furni-
ture and some wonderful French china
originally from Versailles. on the prom
artv ~ Empress Eugenie This latest
gift cannot be worth less than $1,000 oo'
and and possibly is worth a good deal more
Among the other givers and gifts were
these:
The Whitelaw Reids, half-hoop tur-
ouoise and diamond ring. Mrs. Whitelaw
Reid also gave some beautiful silver n.y., =
dishes. Miss Reid gave box OF plue
enamel trimmed with diamonds.
The Duchess of Roxburghe an enane!
md gold watch with diamond initials;
pearl chain, and diamond bow
Mrs. Cunard and Mrs. Brooks alaMohN