The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-06
.NuptiaI Bill
$4,000 Up
toS15OOOO
BY THORNTON KANE
spsciaI Times Correspondent


nearer than that, judging by the
elaborate plans society is making for
its fall weddings. The bills for these
nuptials will be from $4,000 to $780,
600 each, according to a former
society leader now in business as a
bridal consultant here.
The scale of entertainment is
tremendous. AS many as 5000 guests
must be invited to several of the
larger reception. Dinner at the
Ritz or Sherry's or the Ambassador
or an equally fashionable place at
$50 a plate is the chief item in the
expense account. Then there are
the church decorations, gowns, floral
decorations, music, liquor, and in
cidentals 10 swell the total to pro-
hibitive heights.
Times are not like they used to be,
In spite of an ebb market. Once 1t
was possible for a social registerite
to escape in satisfactory style, with
all obligations fulfilled, for about
$4,000 to $4,000. That was when
the families and intimate friends
were the only ones necessary on the
guest list. This made it possible to
receive at the town house where
some champagne and tid-bits were
served.
Flowers Cost Thousands
Present guest lists, however, not
only include friends in all parts
of the United States, but in many
countries abroad as well, as was
the case in the recent Frances
Kelley-G George Hepburn wedding.
Consider the items involved in
the wedding that takes place in
Fifth avenue church. This may be
a ridiculously small amount-less
than 800. The use of the canopy
is priced reasonably at SIS to $50.
Floral decorations in the church,
conceived by florists of distinction,
may cost $1,000 to $4,000, depend
ing on the type flowers and trees
selected.
At one wedding 500 pews were
banked at each end with sheaves OF
spring flowers at S. a sheave. Cost,
SIS. 900. Fruit trees and palms cost
$1,000. Lilies and ferns added
somewhat to the total.
A donation to the church of 81 900
and tokens to the officiating clergy
men Of $1,000 are cared for by the
bridegroom. Organists of fame can
be secured for about $3.50. A string
trio is Obtainable at $500, also
concert singer.
Outside the church. traffic condi-
lions on the busy avenue are being
COPIED with successfully by the police
officers on duty, whose interest has
been stimulated by a $50 bill. At
the canopy is the special bargain of
the day--a carriage announcer for
the small sum of ST.
Gown Price Is High
The brides apparel is the subject
of greatest concern and Importance.
This is one item which has reverted
to simplicity since the last genera
ton. Yesterdays bride was dressed
in gown of white satin, trimmed
with flowers and orange blossoms,
while the veil of point de Venice was
held by a diamond star and was
caught up by a large diamond but
terfly. She also wore a cross and
necklace of family jewels.
Today the bride wears a specially
created gown by a well-known Pari-
sian designer. This amounts to $500
or $500. An old rose point lace veil
cost a recent bride $4,000; lingerie,
$1,000; slippers, 500; stockings, $25,
and gloves $25.
The bouquets are presented by the
bridegroom. The brides lilies of
the valley and white orchids, with
thirty or forty yards of white rib
bon, costs 500. Those for the
bridesmaids arc less expensive, $35
each.
The handsome gesture is to give
the bridesmaids their gowns. At
5000 apiece, this generosity entails
$1,000 for six bridesmaids. This
gesture may be omitted, but the be-
stowal Of expensive gifts on the at
PENDANTS may not be. In a recent
wedding the maid of honor received
a diamond bracelet costing $4,000
and the bridesmaids mesh bags
worth $1,000 each.
Can't Be a Piker
The gift of the bridegroom Is con-
servatively set at SIX" which rep
resents the depth of pocketbook and
desire for largesse on the part of
the brides father. The recipient
OF this largesse in turn bestows a
gift on the bride of a necklace
costing him, say $4,000. One can't
be piker, you know.
Next comes the reception at the
hotel. Dinner at $40 a plate and
champagne at $500 a case. One
case for every ten to fifteen guests
is sufficient. Other liquors fur
nished cost $4,000. A popular dance
orchestra will play for $1,000. Two
are needed.
These sensational and spectacu-
lar weddings are an outcome of So
ciety members attempts to Guido
one another in the way of lavish
ness and so obtain the recognition
OF the press. The marriage of Nell
son Rockefeller to Mary Todhunter
Clark cost at last S100, 600, say those
in THE know" The Alice Dever-
eux-Rodman Wanamaker nuptials
cost $4,000 and the Mary Alte-
mus Whitney marriage even more.
The only cost that isn't rising is
that Of a marriage license, which
rfiif fr heinz c,,1{oJ - 90