Last Thursday afternoon, at the First Baptist
Church, occurred one of the most beautiful weddings ever witnessed in Fayetteville,
the central figures being Mr. Frederick H. Mathews, of Minneapolis, and
Miss Grace M. Grove, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Grove, of this village.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. E. Warren Saphore at precisely 2:30
o’clock. The church was filled to the doors with the large circle
of friends of the bride and groom, including many guests from out of town.
The Walking Club of which the bride was a
member had charge of the decorations of the church which were exquisite.
Massed in a solid bank, filling the entire pulpit were the snowy blossoms
of bride roses, carnations, lilacs, hydrangeas, and sweet lilies of the
valley. Tropical foliage in the form of palms, pines, and ferns abounded
and the soft refulgence of the many coloured lights from the stained glass
windows made the scene one of rare brilliancy and splendor.
The ushers were Mr. Glen A. Grove, brother
of the bride, Mr. Edwin M. Randolph, of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Will H. Mathews,
nephew of the groom, and Mr. Orlo D. Burhans, of Syracuse.
At the head of each aisle thru which the bridal party were to
pass, was a handsome gateway made of flowers and evergreens. The
gates of these were opened and closed by two of the little maids of honor
Katherine Smith and Katherine Gaynor.
Mrs. Frank Walrath, of Syracuse, presided
at the organ and the advent of the wedding party was heralded by the glorious
strains of the bridal march from Lohengrin, and during the sacred ceremony,
the sweet notes of the bridal chorus from Lohengrin were wafted softly
from the great musical pipes. The bridal party consisted of ushers,
followed by two sweet little flower girls, Calla Beard and Ethel Mathews,
who strewed with roses the path of the bride and groom who slowly followed.
The bride wore a beautiful imported mahogany
traveling gown, trimmed with green velvet and old gold ribbon and a broad
brimmed lace hat. After the exchange of solemn vows, the bridal party
passed slowly down the aisle and out of the church followed by the joyous
notes of Mendelssohns Wedding March. Carriages then took them to
the hotel where the happy couple spent a short time in receiving the good
wishes and congratulations of their friends. As they descended the
steps to enter the carriage for their departure, they were showered with
rice; and other emblems of a successful and happy future greeted them.
They left at 5 o’clock on the Chicago Limited for the west, intending to
visit the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago and then to go to their
future home in Minneapolis where a very handsome and comfortable abode
is prepared for them.
Gifts most dainty and valuable were received
from far and near in great profusion showing in some measure the high esteem
in which the young couple are held by their large number of friends.
The bride is one of the most accomplished
and popular young ladies of our village and her departure is regarded by
an extensive circle as a personal loss. The groom is a young man
of sterling worth and will be surrounded by a host of friends in his new
home.
Sincere congratulations were showered upon both bride and groom
and their friends in the village will unite in desiring for them the sunny
side of the road, while upon life’s journey, with just enough of shade
to enhance the sunshine.
Return
to Weddings page.
30 April 1999