Bridal Inspirations

Times have certainly changed!

Quite recently a wedding guest who was shamed by a bride complaining about a wedding gift hit back at the demeaning newlywed by releasing her sneering messages to the world.

After attending a lavish wedding reception in June, the guest, identified as Tanya, received an unsympathetic, ungrateful and “infuriating” Facebook message about her wedding gift.

This couldn’t happen in earlier times even if the technology was available. Gift lists were often reported in the very detailed newspaper reports on local weddings. The last report, on the wedding of Eva Snell, youngest daughter of Mr. Chas.Snell of “Noorooma” to Mr. John J.Poole, is a great example of this.

Perhaps future brides could draw inspiration from the following descriptions before they visit tomorrow’s Bridal Expo at Batemans Bay!

Moruya Examiner

July 1^st 1904

DEUA RIVER WEDDING   (From a Correspondent)

A quiet but thoroughly interesting wedding took place at Deua River on Wednesday last, 29th June, the two contracting parties being members of two well-known and highly-respected families.  The bridegroom was Mr. Sydney De Garis Harkus, of Moruya and the bride Miss Annie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Samuel Kimpton, of Deua River.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J.Thomas of Moruya, in the presence of a few immediate friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom.  The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly attired in a gown of white Indian muslin, with veil and wreath of orange blossoms and carried a pretty boquet of pink and white daphnies.  She was attended by her sister, Miss Beatty Kimpton and Miss Mary Millikin as bridesmaids.  Mr. Herbert Kimpton acted as best man.  After the ceremony the company partook of a most sumptuous wedding breakfast, prepared by Mrs. Kimpton, when the Rev. J.Thomas eloquently paid a high tribute to the good qualities of Mr. and Mrs. Harkus and concluded a most happy and humorous speech by wishing them long life and every happiness.  Mr. Harkus briefly responded on behalf of himself and his wife.  The happy couple left that afternoon for Goulburn amidst showers of rice and cheers from those present, the bride’s travelling dress being navy blue serge with lace insertions and picture hat.  The bride was the recipient of numerous and useful presents.

30^th June  1906

NAROOMA WEDDING BELLS   On Saturday morning at 11.30, a very interesting wedding was celebrated at Narooma by the Rev.Father Kelly, the contracting parties being Francis Anthony (third son of Capt.Canty), and Florence Ada, only daughter of Mr.And Mrs.T.Taylor, “Rossmoyne”.  The church of “Our Lady Star of the Sea” was the scene of the ceremony, and the little edifice was gay with decorations which had been tastefully designed by the willing hands of the bride’s young friends.

A four-horse drag conveyed the wedding party from “Rossmoyne” to the church, and it was indeed a picturesque scene which presented itself when the bride, leaning on the arm of Mr.T.R.Nainby, and followed by her charming bridesmaids and gentlemen-in-waiting, wended their way in a rainbow procession into the church, accompanied by the harmonious strains of the “Bridal March” played by Miss Pearl Easdown.  The bride, who was given away my Mr.T.R.Nainby (in the absence of her invalided father), looked charming in a gown of cream silk voile, trimmed with accordion pleated chiffon, true lover’s knots, transparent yoke, and handsome medallions, and bridal veil finished with coronet of orange blossoms.  The chief bridesmaid, Miss Anderson (Sydney), wore a pale blue pongee muslin gown trimmed with valenciennes and a picture hat of palest pink and blue tulle, and carried a beautiful bouquet.  The other bridesmaids were Misses Queenie Canty, Ethel Easdown, Bridgie Buckley, and Birdie Guest, who wore respectively – gowns of cream silk voile, eau de nil silk voile, salmon pink pongee muslin, and palest green costume (Early Victorian), with hats of tulle in soft contrasting tones of colour.  They each carried floral wands, and were accompanied by Mr.Maurice Canty (best man), Messrs.Hector Ross and Carl and Harry Mitchell.  Mr.Jacob Thomson was groomsman.  After the nuptials were celebrated Miss Pearl Easdown played the Wedding March (Meldelsohn’s) as the party left the church, and the happy couple received the congratulations of those present.  As the church bell sounded a joyous peal the s.s.Coomonderry (which was gaily decked in flags), boomed forth her response, and this, we thought, was a fitting tribute to the Canty family, who have been so long and creditably connected with the shipping in these southern ports.  The party were photographed by Mr.Wood, of Moruya, and then proceeded to “Rossmoyne” where they were received in the reception room by Mrs.Taylor, who wore a neat costume of Petunia cloth, white vest, and black toque.  I might here mention that the drag – the very best that Lynch’s livery stables could turn out, and driven by the proprietor himself – had to make more than one trip to and from the church, since the guests were so many, notwithstanding the fact that there were some private conveyances in use.  After inspecting the presents the guests sat down to a sumptuous breakfast, and there many happy speeches were made and responded to.  The afternoon was spent pleasantly with music and songs, when, amid cheers and the good wishes of all, the happy couple proceeded to Moruya, where the honeymoon was to be spent, but before leaving, the wedding party was again photographed on the verandah of “Rossmoyne”.  (an extensive list of the presents follows).

1^st December  1906

WEDDING  A very pretty wedding was celebrated on the 26th November at the residence of Mr.D.J.Coman, Verona, when Miss Ethel Stormon , youngest daughter of Mr.Michael Stormon of Eurobodalla, was married to Mr.Hugh McGrade, of Candelo.  The Rev.Father McNamara performed the ceremony.  The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a lovely dress of cream embroidered crepoline, richly trimmed with lace and medallions.  Her tulle veil, worn over a coronet of orange blossoms, was embroidered with true lover’s knots and point lace.  She wore a dainty jewelled cross, the gift of the bridegroom and carried a lovely bouquet, the gift of Mrs.Wyman.  The bridesmaids were Miss Stasia Coman and Misses Irene and Una Schuback, nieces of the bride.  Miss Stasia Coman wore a pretty dress of blue floral muslin with a becoming hat of white chiffon and roses.  She also wore a lovely gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom.  Misses Irene and Una Schuback were prettily dressed in white muslin and lace and wore a gold pendant and wishbone brooch, gifts of the bridegroom.  Mr.Stanley Collins acted as bestman and Mr.A.H.Schuback as groomsman.  After the ceremony a sumptuous breakfast was served and the usual toasts proposed and honored.  The bride’s travelling dress was a cream silk voile and hat to match.  The wedding presents were numerous and useful.

11^th May 1907

WEDDING:  St.Nicholas’ Church of England, Nelligen, was well filled with guests and spectators on Thursday the 25th of April, to witness the marriage of Miss Annie Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr. John Herne, of Berellan, Nowra, to Mr. Richard Milton Millard, fourth son of Mr. Richard Millard of Paradise, Nelligen.  The church had been nicely decorated with ferns and flowers by the friends of the bride, and included a large floral bell mad by Miss Pfeiffer and suspended over the bridal couple.  The bride, who entered the Church on the arm of her brother-in-law, Mr. M.D.O’Connor, was handsomely gowned in a rich chiffon silk trimmed with pearl ornaments and silk lace chiffon and orange blossoms.  The skirt had a beautiful court train trimmed with orange sprays, and the bride wore an embroidered tulle veil and wreath of orange blossoms, kindly lent by a cousin of the bride, and a very fine gold bangle, the gift of the bridegroom.

The bridesmaids were Miss Edna Millard, sister of the bridegroom and Miss Higgs, of Nowra.  The former wore grey voile trimmed with grey velvet and cream silk and a dark green hat.  Miss Higgs wore a pink sicilian trimmed with cream lace and a black picture hat.  Little Miss Florrie O’Connor, niece of the bride who was train bearer, wore pale blue silk and cream chiffon bonnet, and all wore gold bangles, the gift of the bridegroom, and carried shower bouquets.  Mr. Alfred Millard was best man and Mr. Jesse Millard acted as groomsman.  Miss Pfeiffer presided at the organ and as the bride entered the Church the Choir sang, “The Voice that Breathed o’er Eden”.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev.S.Hart of Moruya.

The reception and wedding breakfast was held in the local School of Arts Hall where Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor received their guests and entertained them in a very pleasant and agreeable manner.  Mr. and Mrs. Millard left by special coach during the afternoon amidst showers of confetti, old slippers etc., for Nowra en route to Kiama and Sydney.  The bride’s travelling dress was navy amazon cloth, coatee and skirt.  Coatee embroidered with navy velvet dotted with French knots to match and lined with white satin.  The hat was a navy felt trimmed with nay tulle and large pale blue shaded osprey with a plaid buckle.  she also wore a blue sicilian motor coat trimmed with silk applique.  During the evening Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor entertained the assembled guests at a social and a very pleasant time was spent up till 10 o’clock.  The wedding presents, which included some very useful and ornamental articles, were nicely arrange on a side table in the Hall and were much admired by the guests.

8^th June 1907

WEDDING:  The Sacred Heart Church, Moruya was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday 5th instant, when Mr. Alexander, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Tarlinton, “Murrabrine”, Cobargo, was united in the holy bounds of Matrimony to Miss Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.Lynch, Burra Burra, Moruya.  The Church was nicely decorated for the occasion by the girl friends of the bride with palms, flowers and floral arch.  Rev.Father O’Regan, assisted by Rev.Father McNamara (Cobargo) performed the ceremony.

The bridal party arrived at the Church at 9 a.m. but long before that hour the Church was crowded with friends and acquaintances of the bride and bridegroom.  The bride, who went to the Altar rails on the arm of her father, looked charming in an exquisite travelling costume of sapphire blue cloth richly trimmed with guipure and applique and chiffon vest; white felt hat trimmed with silk beaver and white feathers tipped with pale blue, and carried a pretty shower boquet of white flowers, asparagus and maiden hair fern, chiffon and ribbon streamers. She also wore a massive gold bracelet set with diamonds and rubies and half hoop diamond ring, gifts of the bridegroom.  Miss E.Tarlinton (cousin of the bride) who acted as bridesmaid, was attired in wine coloured cloth trimmed with velvet and silk applique, and chiffon vest, cream chiffon hat trimmed with ostrich feathers and shaded French roses, and carried a pretty boquet of Mina Lobata, asparagus and maidenhair fern; also a crescent brooch set with pearls, gift of the bridegroom.  Mr. Frank Tarlinton (brother of the bridegroom) acted as best man. After the ceremony Nuptial Mass was celebrated by the Rev.Father O’Regan, during which the choir sang “The Ave Maria” being nicely rendered by Miss Peake.  At the conclusion of the Nuptial Mass the bride, being a member of the Solidarity of the Children of Mary, placed her bouquet on The Blessed Virgin’s Altar which was beautifully decorated for the occasion with palms, flowers, lighted candles and fairy lamps, Miss Kurz presided at the organ and played the Wedding March as the bridal party left the Church amidst showers of rice and confetti.

The party then adjourned to the Royal Hotel, where cake and wine were partaken of in the private drawing-room, which was suitably decorated.  A large wedding bell with long white streamers was suspended from the ceiling over a magnificent wedding cake.  After the usual toasts were proposed and honoured the happy couple left overland for Sydney.  The presents were numerous and costly, including a handsome gold watch chain from the bride to the bridegroom.  Several cheques and telegrams of congratulations were received from all parts of the State.  The Examiner extends its heartiest good wishes to the happy couple.

17^th April 1908

WEDDING:  A large number of friends and relatives assembled at the Methodist Church, Corunna, on Tuesday last to witness the wedding of Miss Eva Snell, youngest daughter of Mr. Chas.Snell of “Noorooma” to Mr. John J.Poole, third son of Mr. John Poole “Fig-tree”, Corunna.  The church was very nicely decorated for the occasion by Mrs. E.Bate and the Misses Britten, and the Rev. J.J.Boyd officiated.  The bride, who was attired in Japanese silk trimmed with net lace and insertion, skirt of cream sicilian and satin ribbon, with the customary orange blossoms and veil, was given away by her father, the attendant bridesmaids being i, who wore mauve sicilian trimmed with cream net lace and insertion, Miss. E.Poole, silk muslin, val lace and insertion, and pink ribbon, the Misses Eva and Iolene Bishop pale blue mercerised muslin with black dots and ribbon, all wearing hats to match.  Mr. Louis Poole was best man.

The ceremony over, the wedding party and guests to the number of 60 proceeded to the residence of the bride’s parents, where they partook of a very substantial wedding breakfast, tastefully laid out in a large marquee adjacent to the house – after which the following toasts were proposed:- By Rev. J.J.Boyd, “The Bride and Bridegroom”, duly responded to by the latter; “The Bridesmaids”, by Mr. Poole, Mr. McIntyre responding; “Parents of the Bride and Bridegroom” by Mr. Bate, Mr. Snell replying; “The Ladies” by Mr. Corkhill, for whom Mr. H.Snell responded.

There were a large number of presents, that from the bride to bridegroom being a silk tie; bridegroom to bride, gold brooch; Mr. L.McIntyre, pair pictures handsomely framed;  the Messrs. Poole, silver tea pot; Mr. L.Poole, cruet stand and gold sleeve links; Mr.and Mrs. Harpur, silver cruet; Mr.and Miss Charlwood, set of carvers; Mr.and Mrs. T.McIntyre, set of carvers in case; Mr.and Mrs. W.J.Negus, silver butter dish; Mrs. H.Bate, glass sugar basin; Mr.and Miss Poole, 1/2 dozen glasses and flower stand; Misses G.and V.Snell, glass butter dish and silver knife; Mr.and Mrs. J.T.Snell, silver butter dish; Mr. H.Negus, glass jam dish; Mr.and Mrs.Olsen, glass sugar basin; Mr.and Mrs. J.Wilcox, preserve dish; Mr.B. McIntyre, pair salt cellars on silver stands and spoons in case; Messrs. Leplaw and Kirby, pair vases; Mrs. W.Wilcox, oil painting; Mrs. Boyd, tea cosy; Mr.and Mrs. Etherington, set Japanese trays; Miss Negus, ivory table centre; Misses Zena and Ivory Poole, pair lace curtains; Mr.and Mrs.  John Poole, pair damask table cloths; father and mother and brothers and sisters of the bride, cheque; Miss Gale, huckaback table centre, pin cushion and cake doyley; Mr. L.McIntyre, cheque.