A FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1948, 22 May 1880, Page 3

A FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE.

Under the head of " Fashionable Marriage at St. Mary'a Cathedral," the "Wellington Post" of the 11th has the following notice of the marriage of a Christchuroh citizen and membor of the legal fraternity with a Wellington young lady : The marriage of Miss Jessie Johnston, third daughter of the Hon. John Johnston, M.L.0., with Mr Perceval, barrister, of Christchuroh, a member of the well-known firm of Joynt and Perceval, was celebrated at theEoman Catholic Cathedral this morning. It had been whispered about that the wedding was to be on a scale presenting unusual attractions to the fair sex, as, in addition to their being no fewer than twelve bridesmaids, some little pages—the latest Parisian novelty—were to form a feature in the bridal Consequently, the event had excited no little interest, and long before the time fixed for the ceremony, half-past twelve, the handsome edifice was crowded, principally with ladies, many of whom had come from a distance to witness the proceedings. A large number of people, unable to obtain admission, also assembled outside the church.

The ceremony was impressively performed by the Rev. Father M'Namara. When the newly-married pair retired from the vestry, after the signing of the register—to which it was noticed, there were an unusually large number of visitors —the organ pealed forth the well-known strains of;Mendelsßohn's Wedding March, and a profusion of flowers were showered down before the happy pair as they retraced their steps down the church. The weather had been dull and showery during the morning, but cleared up in the most propitious manner just in time for the wedding. The bride arrived at about twenty minutes to 1, the bridegroom, with his " best .man," Mr Ernest Bell, and other friends, 'having, of course, been in attendance some time previously. During the interval which elapsed before the arrival of the bride's party, a magnificent selection of music was given on the organ by Mr Angelo Forrest, organist of St. Peter's, whose services had been especially secured for the oocasion. His performance of choice morceaux from " Lohengrin " was a musical treat which, unfortunately, is not often to be experienced in Wellingson, owing to the fact that there is no publio hall possessing an organ in the city and the opportunity is not often afforded of playing music of the "Lohengrin" class in a churoh. On this occasion, however, the beautiful bridal music in the piece was perfectly in keeping with the occasion. Mr Forrest also played in grand style the wellknown march from "Le Prophete," and Lefebure Wely's offertoires in A and G-. The scene as the bridal party passed up the body of the churoh and formed a group round the altar rail was very striking and picturesque. The rich dresses of the bride and bridesmaids formed a very pretty picture, to whioh the handsome altar, with its scores of lights, and the stained windows formed a rich and effective background. The body ef the church had also been decorated for the occasion with nikau, ferns, &c. The two tiny pageB —nephews of Miss Johnston—who supported the bride's train, did not fail to come in for a good share of the admiration whioh the scene excited, and exceedingly pretty they looked in their little dresses of black velvet, trimmed with lace. The innovation is certainly a very attractive one from an artistic point of view, and we expect that in future fashionable weddings these little attendants will become as much aa established institution as the bridesmaids themselves. For the benefit of our lady readers, who naturally take a great interest in such matters, we may mention that the bride woro a very handsome dress, consisting of a train and corsage of rich white silk, and a plastron of brocade and lace. She was also attired in the customary veil and wreath of orange blossoms and stephanotis, and carried a bouquet of choice flowers. The bridesmaids were Miss Johnston (sister of the bride), Miss Lougbnan, Miss Reeves, Misa Waterhouse, Miss Burns, Misses Grace (3), two little daughters of Mr Walter Johnston, M.H.R., one of Mr C. Johnson, and one of Mr Sydney Johnston. Their toilette was composed of short white muslin and silk dresses and capß, a la Watteau, and looked exceedingly pretty. After the wedding breakfast, to which about fifty guests were invited, the bride and bridegroom loft, amid the customary greetings and heartiest good wishes of thoir friends, for the country seat of the Hon. John Johnston, at Kurori. During the day the shipping in the harbor was decorated with flags in honor of the happy event.