A SPLENDID WEDDING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1467, 27 January 1887, Page 3

A SPLENDID WEDDING.

The following ext/acts from tho account given by Victorian p&perß of the wedding of Mr Kapert F. A. Clarke, eldest co* and heir of Sir William Clarke, M. P., of Sunbory, and MlssAnny Mary Gumming?, daughter of Mr Thomas Cummings, of Waraiph, Toorak, will be of interest to , our lady readers. The ceremony took plsce m f cots church Col'ins street, which was crowded byja wealthy and aristocratic gathering, and crowds of people lined the road to Toorak and the approaches to tho sacred edifice. Tho obarch deooratloos are said to have exceeded anything hither- \ to attempted m Melbourne, and resembled l a lovely conservatory replete with the j choicest of white fliwtra against a background of palraß and ferns. From post to post hong garlands of greenery studded with Christmas lilies, the same pretty daooration? adorning many pillars of the church, filling the air with delicious perfume. This, together wi'h the magnlficant structural suitability of the churoh, combined to Increase the brilliant effaot of I the grand tableau. The bride wore a magnificent bridal toilette composed of rich ivory eatin danhesae, with a long elegant train, the latter having a deep flounce of rich and rare old Honiton point lace. On one side was a panel of exquisite seed pearls and satin beads, finished with a cascade of the same priceless lace, (which was specially made In Exeter for the occasion to the order of Sir W. J. Clarke, as a gift to his future daughter-in-law), the lace being caught back with tiny sprays of orange flowers that rivalled nature m all but scent: the side finished with numberless long fbats of ribbon ; the bodice, which' was high-siecked, was trimmed wiih natrow lace. The bride wore a subnrb reviere composed of 01 large diamonds sat m silver, the gift of Sir W. J. Clark, Birt Oa her head was a small wreath of orange flowers, over which floated an illusion veil of un hemmed tulle, fastened at one point with a magnificent star of diamonds, tbe g ft of Lady O'atke, and a butteifly composed cf diamond?, the gift of the bridegroom. On tbe other side, the veil was secured b 7 a triple creecent of diamond*, the gift of Mojsts Ohltnside, of Werrib. c. O.i h«r arm were four diamond bangles (one set), with uauanal large-siz^d gtm<, being a present from the bride's uncle, Mr George Gumming, of Mount Violet, Darlington. Iv her baud she carried, m a bolder of satin and lac, one of tbe most beau tifal bonqu«ts ever fabricated m Melbourne. The handsome bride and her party of bridesmaids made a charmingly picturesque group, standlug under a perfectly shaped rairriago boll, c; mposed entirely of white marguwrltes. The four bridesmaids wero the Misses Blanche and Ethel Clarke, fistera of the bridegroom and daughters of Sir William J. Clarke, Bart.; Miss Chirnside, r anghter of Mr Andrew Chlrnside,of Werribee,; nd Miss Ernestine Stevenson, daughter of Mr Goorge Stevenson, of Toorak. Their dresser, which wore mach admired, were composed of soft Indienno zephyr Bilk, deep cream color, panelled crystal besr?», edged on either side with a cascade of du^hesso poi.it d r aped with strawlike draparies of !he a* me Jovely st-ffc silk, trimmed also I with ducbesso poiut lace The bodices, which we; e high-necked, w.we finished with Cmnaught oollara of crystal, and all I were extremely pretty hats m the Rubens Bhnpo, softened with cloud-like trimmings of tulle and feathers. In their h\nds they carried cxquslte aud uncommon bouquets composed of white lilies and maiden -hair fern. AftT the csremeny, a garden 1 party, attended by 3GO guests, was given at Waratah, the wedding breakfast taking place i.i- <m enormous marquee c rpoted with b»» and wreathed with fljwers. The b-id-.-o.tke weighed 2601b5, and was ths f, res p oce of confectionery art ever seen m .Victoria. Jt was of 24 tiers, the bottom t'tto bolng divided by a 3in. mirror, on whc'i forenely floated little 6*iDg boats filled with liquids,