WEDDING RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1933, Page 3

WEDDING RECORD

OFFICIALS’. • 15000 MARRIAGES

, HELPING BLUSHING GROOMS

A' man who has attended of supervised o.ver 15,000 wedding breakfasts —and has .never yet been late. These are t.wo of the records claimed’by Mr John Marter Penny, who for 50 years has been master of wedding ceremonies at a Londpn hotel. And this is another record In his 50 years lie has never had a. bank holiday, Good Friday, Christmas Day or a Sunday “off duty.”

Surrounded almost by churchee, the hotel in which Mr Penny works has become famous for its wedding break‘rush’ sea sons I have superintended as many as four ceremonies in one day,” Mr Penny said recently. “Wedding breakfasts are now very simple affairs compared with those of 40 years ago.' “In tlic ee days tlie 'breakfast’ was a ‘full blown’ dinner. A moderate menu would include soup, fish, joint, partridge and the choice of several sweet dishes. To-day a sandwich and a glass of champagne seems to satisfy.” One of Mr Penny’s diverse duties is that of acting as toast master. For the assistance of bridegrooms who are a.t a loss to find appropriate words to. reply to the various toasts he .sets, suitable speeches.

On handing the bridegroom one.:of the.se. Air Penny tells him to.' emphasise the word “wjfe,” because Few ing the first time he is abld to make use of the word it always “gees dawn well.” , ;

On receiving these instructions one bridegroom blushed furiously, and caught Mr Penny by the arm. “Here hold hard, Major!” lie whispered hoarsely, “this is number two’!” ... 'Before joining the staff of .the hotel Mr Penny tvoyiverl at .the Iloyal Naval College, Greenwich.