The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-04
Cecial-Vanderbilt
Wedding OF
Importance i.

International interest centered here
in the marriage, at high noon Of
Miss Cornelia Vanderbilt, heiress to the
Vanderbilt millions. to Hon. John
Francis Amherst Cecil, who, until his
resignation. just announced, Vas. first
secretary of the British embassy at
Washington.
The bride is the youngest of the
grandchildren of William 81. Wander.
bilt, and the only child Of the late
George W. Vanderbilt, who was the
youngest of the grandchildren of Com
modore Vanderbilt On her maternal
side she is descendant of Peter Stuy-
vesant, the last Dutch governor of what
is now Manhattan.
The ceremony was performed In the
picturesque church of ALI Saints erects
ed by her late father in Biltmore VII
lage, the chancel of which was filled
with mass Of lilies, dogwood and vari-
GUS white spring flowers, all gathered
from the Biltmore estate.
Miss Vanderbilt made her way mp
the aisle alone, preceded by her maid
of honor, Miss Rachel Strong of Cleses
land, Ohio, and two small flower girls,
Helen Raoul and Peggy Morgan, She
was met at the altar by her mother,
Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, who gave he1
in marriage, and Mr.. Cecil, attended
by his best man, Mr.. Hugh Tannant, Of
the British embassy.
The bethrothal ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. A. G. Bramwe1
Bennett, rector of All Souls Episcopal
church. The brides uncle, the Rev.
George Granville Merrill, of Stock
bridge, Mass, solemnized the marriage,
which was the full Episcopal service.
Rt. Rev. Junius NJ. Homer, bishop OF
western North Carolina, pronounced
the blessing.
The bridesmaids included Miss Mar.
garet Cecil, first cousin Of the groom,
England; Miss Muriel Vanderbilt,
cousin of the bride, New York; Miss
Louis Ross Todd of Louisville, KY,
niece of the Norwegian minister to the
United States: Miss Augusta McCagg,
cousin of the bride Miss Helen Nor
an, New York: Miss Caroline Story,
Washington; Miss Rebeeca Smith.
Boston. and Miss Alyne Reynolds Of
Asheville.
Ushers included several young diplo-
mats in Washington. They were cap
tain F. L. Tottenham, r. N; Leander
Mccormick Goodhart, Harold Sims,
Godfrey Thompson, Somerville Tuck,
John Francis Brown, Robert Cecil, and
Benjamin Bernard.
Following an old custom. as the
bridal party came out of the church,
employees and tenants of Biltmore
estate, formed an aisle down the lawn.
crossing branches of spring blooms
forming an arch for the wedding party.
The brides gown was white satin,
very straight with long sleeves. Her
bridal veil of tulle, worn over the face
when entering, was four yards long.
1t was caught with orange blossoms.
She carried a bridal bouquet of orchids
and lilies of the valley. Her white
satin slippers were ornamental each
with a single orange blossom.
The maid of honor wore a LanYin
model of white organdie in bouffant style
with a very full skirt. Her large white
Grin hat was trimmed with one yellow
arum lily.
Nearly 1000 guests attended the
ceremony at Biltmore house following
the wedding. Among the notables who
witnessed the ceremony were: Sir
Esme Howard, British ambassador; the
Spanish ambassador and Mrs. Riano;
Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Nano, of the
Rumanian legation; Raymond Baker.
former secretary of the mint: Governor
and Mrs. Cameron Morrison of North
Carolina; several congressmen and sec
retaries and attaches of the Washing
ton embassies.
The bridal couple will make an ex-
tended tour abroad. and returning early
in the summer. will make their horne
at Bilemore house.-Asherville Ex-