Newspaper Article 1939 – Afternoon Wedding

AFTERNOON WEDDING

CELEBRATED AT ST MARY’S

NELSON – SKEET

Brilliant sunshine favoured a pretty wedding celebrated at St Mary’s Church, New Plymouth yesterday afternoon, when Barbara Caroline, daughter of Mr and Mrs H.G. Skeet, New Plymouth, was married to Richard Benson, son of Mr and Mrs Oswald Nelson, of Hastings. The ceremony was performed by the Ven. Archdeacon G. H. Gavin and Mr R. N. Renaud presided at the organ.

The bride, who was given away by her father, made a charming picture in her gown of white silk moire taffetas self-patterned in a tiny sprigged design. Fashioned on early Victoria lines with off-the-shoulder decolletage, the bodice was softly gathered to form a rounded ruched neckline. Tiny self-covered buttons gave a finishing touch in front from neckline to the peaked waistline and the long sleeves were buttoned at the wrist. The skirt was draped at the back to form a bustle effect with a frilled flounce marking the waistline and a softly-tied bow in the centre. The long train fell from beneath these draperies which continued right to the hemline. Her wedding veil of cut tulle, which cascaded over her gown to form a second train, was held to her head with a cluster of real orange blossom and she carried a sheaf of white begonias.

Four bridesmaids awaited the bride in the porch of the church. They were Miss Sybil Ross, Wanganui (chief), and the Misses Beth Gibbons, Wellington, Molly Davidson, Hamilton, and Joan Gibbons, Wellington. They were attired in frocks of maize-coloured silk moire taffetas self-patterned in a floral design. The bodices were cut on similar lines to the bride’s gown, with rounded neckline and off-the-shoulder décolletage and elbow-length sleeves were gathered into tiny pin-tucks. Small bows at the neckline finished the bodices, which were buttoned in front and sashes coming from the sides swathed the waistline and tied in bows at the centre back. The skirts were very full with wide quilted bands at the hemline. A charming touch of colour was introduced by their top-knots and bouquets of scarlet begonias.

The bridegroom was attended by his brother, Mr W. O. Nelson, as best man. Messrs. J. Giblin (Hawke’s Bay), N. Davidson and W. A. Skeet acted as ushers.

After the ceremony a reception was held at Burgess Park. Tables were arranged in a marquee and were decorated with white, red and gold flowers to tone with the bridal colour scheme. The bride’s mother, who received the guests, wore a graceful gown of dark green heavy silk, with a touch of beige at the V neckline in front and a V shaped panel of latticework at the back of the bodice. Her hat of matching Bankok straw was trimmed with red flowers and her posy was of red roses and zinnias. The bridegroom’s mother wore a gown of beige needlerun lace with swathed sash of black velvet and wide-brimmed beige straw hat banded with black velvet. She carried a lovely posy of autumn pink gladioli and roses. Mrs Skeet, Sen., of Auckland, was in black and her posy was in pink and lavender tonings.

For travelling the bride wore a smart light woollen suit in the new blue shade designed with high V neckline and finished at the back with a row of buttons. Her small brown hat was finished with a plume and all her accessories were brown.

Mr and Mrs R. B. Nelson’s future home will be in Hawke’s Bay.