Newspaper Article 1939 – Canterbury Wedding of Interest

Canterbury Wedding of Interest

DEANS – WILLIAMS

A wedding of interest in both the North Island and the South Island was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Merivale, Christchurch, a few days ago, when Rosemary Herbert Berthon, only daughter of the late Mr H. Berthon Williams, and of Mrs Williams, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, was married to John Humfrey Deans, eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Deans, “Kirkstyle,” Coalgate.  The Ven. Archdeacon A.K. Warren performed the ceremony, and Mr A. Worsley was organist.

The wedding united two prominent pioneer families of Canterbury to whom the Dominion owes much. The bridegroom is the great-grandson of the late Mr John Deans, who arrived in New Zealand in 1842, and who, with his brother, laid the foundation of a settlement at Riccarton some years before the arrival of the Canterbury Pilgrims. The bride’s mother is a grand-daughter of the late Bishop Harper and niece of the late Sir George Harper, formerly one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Christchurch.

The bride was escorted by her uncle, Sir Hugh Acland.  She wore a frock of deep cream satin made with long tight-fitting sleeves, and a train falling from the waist at the back. Her beautiful veil was of Limerick lace, which had been worn by her great grandmother, the wife of Bishop Harper, at her wedding, and she carried a bouquet of Marechal Niel roses and freesias.

Miss Janet Deans, who attended as bridesmaid, wore a frock of primrose chiffon mounted on taffeta, and made with shirred bodice, puff sleeves and flared skirt. Her chaplet of real flowers matched the abutilons and daffodils in her bouquet.

Mr Patrick Deans was his brother’s best man, and Messrs Austen, David and Adrian Deans were ushers.

After the ceremony a reception was held at “Chippenham,” the home of Sir Hugh and Lady Acland. The bride’s mother wore a navy blue marocain frock with a short coat and a navy hat. Her shoulder spray was of pastel shaded carnations. The bridegroom’s mother wore a navy blue frock and coat, and a navy hat. Her shoulder spray was of vivid red roses.

The bride travelled in a floral silk frock and navy blue hat and coat.