Reader's Book

Orange Blossoms

A large number of people assembled in the Stratford Primitive Methodist Church on Monday last to witness the marriage of John Thomas Sydney Reader, eldest son of Thomas Reader, of this town to Miss Ivy Alice Russ, third Daughter of Mr. Thomas Russ, residing on the Opunake Road. The church having been decorated for harvest festival services held on the previous Sunday had a very attractive appearance.

The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev J.Glover, and Mrs. Mc Ewan officiated at the organ.

The Bride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful dress of white silk, trimmed with goffered chiffon and insertion. she also had a usual veil and wreath of orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were Mrs. Eva and Elsie Russ, who wore dresses of cream trimmed with chiffon and insertions. Mr. William.H.Reader was groomsman.

After the ceremony and the signing of the register, the bridal party were driven to Mr. Mc Allistars Studio to be photographed, and hence to the old Masonic Hall for the wedding breakfast. The interior of the hall was decorated for the occasion and had a very inviting appearance. The breakfast was a most sumptuous spread, and received justice from a large number of guests.

The toasts list included the “Bride and Groom”, the bridesmaids, the parents, and families of the brides and groomsman, absent friends. These were all spoken to and duly honoured. The bride and groom left by the mail train on route for Auckland where they purpose spending their honeymoon. The brides travelling dress was navy blue cloth with cream silk vest, and wore a black trimmed with velvet and ostrich plumes.

They were the recipients of many valuable and useful presents.

The bride’s parents, dinner service and a bible: The bridegroom's father, a handsome carved sideboard: the bridegroom's mother, a hand painted toilet set; Miss Russ  serviettes; Miss Reader Eiderdown quilt; Miss .M. Russ a set of afternoon teaspoons;  Miss L. Ione Reader, pillow and sheet sham and sachet, pictured picture and pair panels; Miss Eva Russ, tea knives; Mr W. H Reader, carved tray; Mr G.O.Reader bronze lamp; Miss Gladys Reader, teapot; Miss Elsie Russ, opal vases; Miss Laura Reader, painted crumb tray and brush; Master Chas, Tom and Lennie Reader, Saucepan,candlestick and potato masher; Mr and Mrs A Russ, silver serviette ring; Mr W. Reader ( Chch ) a cheque; Mr and Mrs Nicholl,( Blenheim ) oak butter dish; Mr and Mrs J. Horn ( Koromiko ) oak biscuit barrel; Miss A. Nicholl ( Wellington ) pair silver mounted oak salt cellars and spoons; Mr and Mrs Creswell ( Alfredtown ) Bread fork; Mr and Mrs Shirtcliffe ( Nelson ) pair vases; Messrs Jackson Brothers, handsome set of carvers; Mr and Mrs Grubb, hot water jug and fruit dish; Mr and Mrs Clark, kettle and set of Mrs Pott’s irons; Mr and Mrs Dingle, set of jugs; R & A Dingle, cruet ( cut glass ); Misses Kirkwood, oak biscuit barrel ; Miss Doughty, silver and pearl butter knife and pickle fork; Mr and Mrs Petrie, silver mounted ruby jam dish; Mr Ashton, silver mounted salt cellars; Mr R. lewis, silver toast rack; Mr and mrs A . Jordan silver and pearl bread fork ; Mr and Mrs Jensen, silver butter cooler; Mr and Mrs Burmester, cake stands; Mrs Brodie, fruit dishes; Mrs Langhorne ( Chch ) clock; Mrs Wyatt ( Chch ) silver and ruby salt cellars; Misses M and L. Black Album; Misses Potts, vases; Mr Pugh, breadboard and knife; Mrs Stohr, ornament ; Mr Bryant, set of Mrs Pott’s irons; Mr and Mrs Hurley, vases ;Mr and Mrs Beal ( Manaia ) cake stand ; Mr and Mrs Hancock, oak butter dish ; Miss Robson a gold pin and charm ; Mr and Mrs T . Hotter, ( Palmerston North ) silver butter knives; Miss D’Authreau , table centre ; Miss Walsh, bracket ; Mr and Mrs Gretton, ( Chch ) table centre ; Mr H.J. Horne ( Chch ) silver mounted jam dish and spoon ; Mr and Mrs Walters, pepper bottles ; Mr and Mrs Rawles and family, silver mounted cake stand ; Mrs Plumtree, Buscuit barrel .